Illuminati Instruments Wireless Light Meter and Color Meter IM100 (Black)

As a professional cinematographer I use light and color meters every day in my work. I’ve been curious about the Illuminati meter since it was on Kickstarter a few years back, so I decided to pick one up and put it through the paces. I compared all readings in real time with my Sekonic L-858D-U light meter and my Sekonic C-700-U color meter.For color readings, the Illuminati is spot on. It shows variances in real time as it takes two readings per second and was consistently accurate with the Sekonics readings.As a light meter however, it was consistently off by anywhere from a full stop to 1.5 stops underexposed. It allows you to choose between stills and video exposure, adjustments available for what you want to light at, but it was always underexposing the image by at least a stop when compared to the Sekonic. This is simply unacceptable and makes the unit unreliable and therefore unusable as a light meter.Bottom line, if you want a very accurate and affordable color meter then the Illuminati is a great value, but it won’t help you out when it comes to judging proper exposure.

This product arrived with outdated software. I tested it and the Kelvin color temperature changes per second and per move, so which number do I use. If changing Kelvins are so frequent, you will not find time to do the actual photo shoot. and so I see there is an new software update prompting. Updating software did not provide any guidance and then the lights stopped flashing with no indication if it had completed the update. I wish it would be connected by USB to a computer and you can actually monitor the update process or troubleshoot issues or have a place where you could press to reset the equipment. So I am left in the dark. I restart the equipment and then, it refuses to reconnect to the Bluetooth. The phone can not find it despite the blue lights flashing. I use an android Samsung 8-plus phone. Call to company support had a voicemail, no help forthcoming. Well at $299, there is no time to take chances. I called Amazon support and they did not have the information to help with the product , in terms of resetting it to see if Bluetooth with reconnect. I had to return it for a refund.

I have always wanted to get a color meter in my photo and video business, but the cost was just prohibitive and it didn't make sense for me to invest in one. Well, the video side of my business has picked up exponentially lately, and I'm finding myself using artificial lighting (my LED panel lights with bi-color control) mixed with ambient light of various color temps. It's been a cruel nightmare to edit in post.So, enter this little gadget. I have to say that the very first job I did recently more than paid for it! I couldn't believe how easy it was for me to balance my LEDs with the ambient light at the locations I was working in. Connecting to my Android phone was a bit tricky at first, but now it connects right away - no problems. I reached out to the manufacturer about it and the rep emailed me back promptly, and several times. THAT'S service!I have to tell you that this meter is a bargain. If you find yourself in the same situation, I can't encourage you enough to make this small investment!

This thing is better than I thought it would be by a long shot. Currently using it on a feature. It’s very small and very accurate, and it does light AND color. The app is easy. Some of my pretentious friends who still shoot primarily on film and have like $1500 sekonics are buying a few. I just ordered a second. I don’t know these people, I’m not advertising. It’s a solid product. The magnet comes into play more than you would have ever thought before. Really nice to plant for sprawling dolly/steadi shots also nice to just plop one on the camera for good measure. 10/10 so far (haven’t had it very long)

This little light meter is one of the best technologies invented in years. For the money this unit is the best meter on the market. This meter is great for photographers and videographers. It will not only read your light exposure, but your color temperature as well. Most light meters that read exposure as well as color will cost you hundreds of dollars. This unit is very affordable. Not like most light meters, you can leave this unit on and it will continuously read your exposure and color temperature while you work. This is a must buy if you are concern about get your correct from the start.

yeah, I ignored the other reviews and ordered it anyway. It worked great at first but soon wouldn't recognize my Samsung phone. The app is buggy and forced my to keep deleting and reinstalling. Way more work than I could ever do on a shoot.The concept is brilliant but it's really tough to justify this device in place of a regular light meter. I hope they continue to improve it.

cannot get the unit to pair with my Android phone I have tried three different phones and only one would pair with the device so I don't know how good it works cuz I've never been able to use it what a waste of couple hundred bucks, seriously guys I had so much hopes for this product 😢

Product functioned as advertised and was accurate. I did return it as I was uncomfortable with the interace and felt it would go unused the majority of the time.