FAQ
(1) Why should I use an SS04 sensor ?
Unlike light sensors embedded in smartphones, the SS04 sensor has been designed specifically for measurement purposes and has the following unique features:
- Hemispherical receptor for a 180 degrees detection
- Spectral sensitivity matched to that of the human eye
- High dynamics and high accuracy of the measurement
- Flash measurements
- Sensor pre-calibrated by the manufacturer
- Features do not vary among smartphone devices
(2) Most of new cameras boast sophisticated metering systems, why should I use a dedicated light meter ?
While you may be tempted to go on a photo shoot without one, a handheld light meter is still essential to obtain optimal results in your photography. In-camera metering operates as reflected metering and would indicate different exposures for each object. The proverbial “black cat in a coal mine” and “polar bear in the snow” are typically given as examples of reflected light meters that are convenient in use, but fail to give accurate exposure information.
When the scene has large areas of very light or very dark values, such as in these cases, the reflected meter is thrown off. With light sensors as SS04 you can take incident readings and obtain perfect exposures.
(3) How can be measured a flash light ?
During flash mode the SS04 sensor keeps track of the light levels and holds the peak value. SS04 can capture very short light impulses, a feature commonly found only in expensive light meters. LxMeter can also trigger your flash via Bluetooth; you can take a full flash measurement by just pressing the START button of the app. A list of Bluetooth receivers compatible with LxMeter will be published as soon as they will be fully tested.
(4) Why flash duration is an important factor ?
SS04 can measure the peak value of a flash, however the exposure is also affected by the flash duration. This is why the app uses an internal database with the time characteristics of each flash unit. In case your flash model wasn't included, you can add it to database by reading the time data from the flash user's manual or by measuring them with FlashVisio app. Please consider SS04U if you need better flash performances.
(5) What is the difference between SS04 and SS04P ?
SS04P is supplied in a metal enclosure and with a removable light shield accessory. This version is suggested when you need a rugged device or you need to take light measurements over surfaces.
(6) What is the light shield for ?
This accessory is requested for illuminance measurements. You need this shield for example to measure manuscripts, paintings or other flat copy, or using the device as a lux meter. You do not need it for measuring light on people, buildings and other such solid objects.
(7) Does my smartphone comply with CTIA or OMTP standard ?
Smartphones known to support a OMTP jack connector:
- old Nokia
- old Samsung
- old Sony Ericsson (’10 & ‘11 Xperias)
Smartphones known to support a CTIA jack connector:
- Apple
- HTC
- latest Nokia
- latest Samsung
- latest Sony (2012 on)
- most Android phones
SS04 can be supplied with the jack plug directly compatible with CTIA or OMTP standard. Otherwise, if you need to switch between the two standards you can use a common CTIA/OMTP earphone converter adapter.
(8) Which are the devices compatible with SS04 ?
SS04 can work with Apple products and with most of Android devices, however, LxMeter app is currently available only for Android OS. Note that the host device must have a 3.5mm jack connector socket with mic input. If in doubt, please ask for a confirmation about the compatibility of your particular model of smartphone.
(9) What is SS04U ?
SS04U is the result of the latest sensor development and it differs from SS04 in using an USB interface rather than the earphone audio channel. SS04U takes advantage of higher data throughput and power capacity of USB interface to offer improved performances. It features flash analyses from 1/1 to 1/250,000 giving you the chance to capture and display the actual waveform shape of your flash. The color upgrade version (SS04UC) provides accurate Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) measurements and provides color point deviation from the black body curve.
Please note that SS04U requires an Android device with USB host support. If in doubt, please ask for a confirmation about the compatibility of your particular model of smartphone.
(10) What is the difference between SS04U and SS04UC ?
SS04UC is basically a SS04U device with an additional color sensor mounted on the back side. This version is suggested when you need to take color temperature measurements of white lights.
(11) What about SS04B ?
If you need to take color measurements but your phone doesn't feature USB host support or you prefer to use a wireless sensor, then you might choose SS04B.
SS04B is based on the same high-performance color sensor of SS04UC but in this case it communicates with the phone through a Bluetooth interface.