{"id":23014,"date":"2026-05-10T13:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T13:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webdesignrace.com\/photography_blog\/2026\/05\/10\/chinotechs-l-d-meter-review-light-meter-and-rangefinder-in-one\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T13:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T13:46:11","slug":"chinotechs-l-d-meter-evaluation-mild-meter-and-rangefinder-in-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webdesignrace.com\/photography_blog\/2026\/05\/10\/chinotechs-l-d-meter-evaluation-mild-meter-and-rangefinder-in-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Chinotechs L.D. Meter Evaluation: Mild Meter and Rangefinder in One"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Chinotechs<\/div>

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\"A<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve delved deeply into the outdated and the area of interest of movie images, I\u2019ve discovered myself loving cameras that both haven’t any gentle meter, no viewfinder, or\u2026 neither. In the ones circumstances, I’ve discovered the L.D. Meter from Chinotechs to be the near-perfect resolution. <\/p>\n

I first changed into conscious about the L.D. Meter once I noticed photographer Jace LeRoy the usage of one on his 3-d-printed Infidex 176V panoramic movie digicam. I distinctly consider pausing his video on Threads so I may get a more in-depth take a look at what he used to be the usage of, as it gave the impression of precisely what I may use. Up to now, I were depending on an older model of the Keks KM-Q meter, however mine didn\u2019t send with a technique to shoe mount it (most probably purchaser error) and I discovered myself beautiful temporarily desiring to understand now not handiest publicity data, but in addition distance data. <\/p>\n

See, I’ve been deep down a rabbit hollow of medium layout panoramic images which is seeing a renaissance of varieties during the last six months as 3 were introduced in fast succession. There were, after all, 3-d-printed choices for a while now (my pal David Imel has a couple of other ones that predate mine) however all of them typically proportion two issues in not unusual: they don\u2019t have a real viewfinder and\/or they don\u2019t have a mild meter. On the subject of now not having a real viewfinder (or perhaps a coupled rangefinder), since you’ll\u2019t focal point in the course of the lens, you haven’t any concept how a long way from a subject matter you could be for the needs of focusing. <\/p>\n

\"Tall
\u201cWilshire Park\u201d | Metered with the L.D. Meter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you happen to\u2019re at all times capturing at infinity, which is quite common for panoramic panorama images, that final one doesn\u2019t subject as a lot. However from time to time you end up nearer for your topic than chances are you’ll suppose, comparable to once I photographed \u201cThe Tree (2025)\u201d final 12 months at the Sasquatch. <\/p>\n

On the time, I didn\u2019t have the L.D. Meter, so I needed to guesstimate my distance. Thankfully I guessed shut sufficient, however I’d moderately now not make a addiction of doing that always when such a lot of this procedure is liable to failure.<\/p>\n

\"Snow-capped
\u201cSundown in Tibet\u201d | Metered with the L.D. Meter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So once I noticed that the L.D. Meter promised each gentle metering and laser rangefinding, I used to be bought. I took place to be in China on the time for a Xiaomi telephone release, so Chinotechs used to be in a position to send the L.D. meter to my lodge in Chongqing super-fast, which intended I were given to start out the usage of it in an instant. Thankfully, the L.D. Meter is now to be had at B&H Picture. <\/p>\n

Chinotechs L.D. Meter Evaluation: Design and Construct High quality<\/h2>\n

I’ve handiest excellent issues to mention concerning the construct high quality of the L.D. Meter. This little dice (neatly, technically now not a dice because it measures 36mm x 32mm x 20mm, however shut sufficient) has an absolutely steel external which makes it extraordinarily sturdy. I don\u2019t drop issues (incessantly) and feature by no means dropped the L.D. Meter, however I consider it wouldn\u2019t have any factor bouncing again from even drops on concrete, save for a couple of dents an scratches. <\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a very easy software. At the best of the meter is a dial and a small 0.96-inch OLED show whilst the again (the section dealing with you because the photographer) has one button. The entrance options the rangefinder and light-weight meter sensors. It has a integrated battery this is rechargeable by the use of USB-C and has 370mAh of capability. I’ve handiest charged it one time since January. Chinotechs says it has a standby lifespan of 90 days, however that turns out conservative. <\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

The left aspect of the meter is a magnetic mount that handiest works with Chinotech\u2019s not obligatory sight, which I didn\u2019t get. It doesn\u2019t appear to magnetize to the rest. <\/p>\n

The $139 Professional model, which I selected, has a mild receiving attitude of 7 levels, whilst the $119 Lite model has a receiving attitude of 30 levels. That’s the handiest distinction between the 2 variations. <\/p>\n

This little meter has a large number of choices. You’ll set your movie ISO (3 to eight,000) after which make a choice to meter both with aperture or shutter velocity in both unmarried or steady metering with an EV vary of one to 22. <\/p>\n

It’s possible you’ll now not at all times want the rangefinder laser (and should you\u2019re round other folks, you don\u2019t wish to level it at them and by chance catch them within the eye) so there’s a transfer at the aspect to show it off. <\/p>\n

The rangefinder has a focusing distance of 0.1 meters to 50 meters (and this may also be swapped to show in toes, should you so need)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The one grievance I’ve concerning the L.D. Meter is that adjusting settings is finicky. This isn’t distinctive to this meter, because the Keks meter I discussed earlier than additionally can also be irritating to navigate. The issue is that those tiny gadgets have handiest a few buttons, so converting settings calls for an incessantly convoluted collection of complete and part button presses to do one thing particular. <\/p>\n

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