Basic Functions:

1. Push-and-Turn Dial:

   • Push to switch between Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority.

   • Long press to enter ISO Settings / System Settings.

2. Single-shot metering, Continuous auto-metering, Average metering.

3. Aperture Priority mode, Shutter Priority mode.

4. Exposure Compensation:

   • Step value: +/- 0.5 EV

   • Range: -2 EV to +2 EV

5. Metering Over/Under Range Indication:

   • Below range: "ER.u" (Error Underexposure)

   • Above range: "ER.o" (Error Overexposure)

6. Auto Exposure Equivalent (Reciprocity): Quickly access multiple exposure combinations with the same exposure value.

7. LED Metering Complete Indicator: Provides clear metering confirmation even in bright sunlight.

8. Automatically saves settings and exposure parameters.

9. Real-time remaining battery level display.

10. Customizable Auto Power-Off: (Default: Screen dims after 30 seconds of inactivity → Auto power-off after 2 minutes; adjustable in settings.)

11. Adjustable Screen Brightness: Prevents screen brightness from interfering with your image during long exposures in dark environments.

12. Flip Screen Display: Optimized for cameras with bottom-mounted accessory shoes (e.g., Rollei 35).

13. Built-in rechargeable battery charged via USB-C cable.

Advanced Functions:

1. "Digital Depth of Field Scale": Quickly access depth of field information; switchable between lens systems (Full-frame, Medium format, Large format, Half-frame) and lens focal lengths.

2. "Digital ND Filter" Function: Compensates for ND filters attached to your camera lens.

3. Switchable Interface: Choose between the "Classic Digital" dial face and the "Classic Dial Wheel" interface.

   • Note: Different dial faces offer varied functions and focuses. The "Classic Dial Wheel" interface provides 3 sets of exposure combinations.

Supported Stops

Supported ISO Settings
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200, 4000, 5000, 6400, 8000

Supported Aperture Values (f/stops)
f/1, f/1.1, f/1.2, f/1.3, f/1.4, f/1.5, f/1.6, f/1.7, f/1.8, f/1.9, f/2, f/2.2, f/2.4, f/2.5, f/2.6, f/2.8, f/3, f/3.2, f/3.5, f/3.7, f/4, f/4.5, f/5, f/5.2, f/5.6, f/6.3, f/6.7, f/7.1, f/8, f/9, f/10, f/11, f/12, f/13, f/14, f/15, f/16, f/17, f/18, f/19, f/20, f/21, f/22, f/25, f/27, f/29, f/32, f/36, f/40, f/45, f/50, f/55, f/60, f/64

Supported Shutter Speeds
1/8000, 1/6400, 1/5000, 1/4000, 1/3200, 1/2500, 1/2000, 1/1600, 1/1250, 1/1000, 1/800, 1/640, 1/500, 1/400, 1/320, 1/250, 1/200, 1/160, 1/125, 1/100, 1/80, 1/60, 1/50, 1/40, 1/30, 1/25, 1/20, 1/15, 1/13, 1/10, 1/8, 1/6, 1/5, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1 sec to 60 sec (in 1-second increments)

Exposure Compensation Steps
-2, -1.5, -1.0, -0.5, 0, +0.5, +1.0, +1.5, +2.0 EV

Supported ND Filter Compensation Settings
ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64, ND128, ND256, ND512, ND1000

Supported Camera Systems (for the "Digital Depth of Field Scale")
Full-frame
Half-frame, APS-C
Medium Format: 645, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 6x12, 6x17, 6x24
Large Format: 2x3, 4x5, 4x10, 5x7, 5x12, 7x11, 8x6, 8x10, 8x20, 11x14, 12x20, 14x17, 16x20, 20x24

Supported Focus Distances (for the "Digital Depth of Field Scale")
0.1m, 0.2m, 0.3m, 0.4m, 0.5m, 0.6m, 0.7m, 0.8m, 0.9m, 1m, 1.2m, 1.5m, 2m, 3m, 4m, 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m, 9m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 13m, 14m, 15m, 16m, 17m, 18m, 19m, 20m, 21m, 22m, 23m, 24m, 25m, 26m, 27m, 28m, 29m, 30m, ∞ (Infinity)

Built-in 110mAh rechargeable battery, it can be charged using the USB-C interface, and can be charged on demand.

It can even be charged in reverse using your phone.

The comprehensive battery life is 20+hours, meeting the needs of outdoor photography.

It can be stored for more than 6 months when the battery is fully charged and turned off.

Enter [Average Metering Mode]

Meter from point 1, then move the metering path to point 3

Obtain the average exposure value along the path

Shoot with 1/500, f/8, ISO 100

Product Shots

It can be directly installed on a flat top rangefinder camera, such as types of Barnack cameras.

The front and rear mirrors of the viewfinder are coated with multiple layers of anti reflective coating, making the viewfinder clearer. Purple coating is magical and beautiful.

The viewfinder frame is black, the center circle of the black frame is 17° metering area.
Equivalent 135 format with a focal length of approximately 135mm.

Switch the LightMate Area 2S to the "Classic Dial" face on the M-series film camera.

The volume of LightMate Area 2S is not large, and its minimalist design can be paired with most cameras.

Product Dimensions

Specifications

Q&A

Q: What is the function of the "Metering Viewfinder" for the LightMate Area 2S meter?

A: By using the frame lines inside the viewfinder to align with your subject, you can meter more accurately. This effectively prevents errors caused by unwanted subjects entering the metering area.

For example, when you align the center frame lines on the model's face in the metering viewfinder, the metering result will be based on the model's face. The exposure reading will then be displayed on the meter's screen.

Q: What is the difference between the 17° metering angle of the LightMate Area 2S and the 30° angle of the Lite 2R/2S?

A: The 17° metering angle of the Area 2S is approximately 50% narrower than the 30° angle of the Lite 2R/2S. This allows for more accurate and concentrated metering on a specific area of the scene. Precisely because of this narrower metering angle, the LightMate Area 2S is equipped with a metering viewfinder that features frame lines indicating the 17° metering area, allowing you to accurately aim at your subject through the viewfinder.

Q: Is the metering viewfinder for the LightMate Area 2S removable? Can it be used as a camera viewfinder?

A: Yes, it is removable, as the Area 2S features the vfPort viewfinder interface. The OV-X1 viewfinder cannot be used as a compositional viewfinder because its field of view is circular. The OV-X2 viewfinder, however, has built-in 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm composition frame lines and can be used for camera composition.

Q: How accurate is the light metering of the LightMate Area 2S?

A: The metering lens of the LightMate Area 2S has undergone optical design simulation and validation testing. The Area 2S provides a 17° metering angle, with a metering range of EV0 to EV20, and achieves metering accuracy and resolution of ±0.1 EV. During production, each meter is calibrated to minimize assembly tolerances, aligning the sensor and lens optical axis.

The aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings on the Area 2S meter offer a resolution of 1/3 stop. At this point, the limitation is no longer the meter itself, but the fact that most cameras can only step in full stops (e.g., 1/125 or 1/500). The meter's 1/3-stop increments allow you to understand the deviation of your current exposure relative to a full stop, giving you confidence when determining your final exposure parameters.

Q: How can I simply test the metering accuracy of the LightMate Area 2S?

A: It is recommended to use a large, solid-colored surface for a simple comparison test of the Area 2S's accuracy. This minimizes other sources of interference. For example, you can use the gray card included in the Area 2S packaging to test against other reflected-light professional meters. When conducting the test, ensure the ambient light source is a stable, pure artificial light. Then, use both the Area 2S and another professional meter to take multiple sets of readings on the gray card from a distance of about 15cm, comparing the results.

Q: Why are there differences between the metering results of my LightMate Area 2S and my camera?

A: When comparing the LightMate Area 2S meter mounted on your camera, various factors can cause differences in metering results compared to your camera's built-in meter. This is common for any external reflected-light meter. These discrepancies can arise from:

Differences in the optical axis between the external meter and the camera lens.

Differences in the angle of view between the meter's lens and the camera lens.

Variations in the metering mode used by the camera versus the meter.

Differences between the camera's ISO calibration and the actual film ISO.

Therefore, using a digital camera for comparison testing is not recommended.

Digital cameras typically use Through-The-Lens (TTL) metering, which is widely recognized as a highly advanced form of reflected-light metering, as it is not restricted by lens parameters. No manufacturer of metering instruments can guarantee that using their external meter will produce results identical to a camera's TTL metering system.

In practical shooting, while the Area 2S provides highly accurate exposure parameters in 1/3 stops, the final exposure might still have discrepancies if your camera lacks the shutter or aperture resolution to match those precise settings. The Area 2S features a bypass-style optical metering viewfinder. This viewfinder and the metering lens are on different optical paths. These two paths, along with the camera lens, form three parallel optical paths at different positions, introducing parallax error. Despite the parallax inherent in the Area 2S's metering viewfinder system, it still offers significant advantages over meters without any metering viewfinder at all.