Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter
The Polaris Digital Exposure Meter is a compact flash and ambient light meter that has many features of the more expensive flash meters. A unique multi-flash feature makes it simple to calculate how many times the flash must be fired to achieve a desired f-stop. The Polaris's large LCD display shows both the shutter speed and f-stop in 1/10 stop increments.
- Compact flash and ambient light meter
- Moderately priced
- Measures multi-flash readings
- Reads f/stops in 1/10 increments
| Measuring System | Incident or Reflective |
| Measuring Modes | Ambient and flash (cord, cordless) - incident and reflected (35 degrees) |
| Receptor Head | Non-rotating, non-interchangeable |
| Aperture/Shutter Priority | Shutter speed priority |
| Display Readout | Digital LCD |
| ISO Range | 3 to 8000 in 1/3 increments |
| f/Stop Display Range | f/0.5 to 90 |
| Shutter Speed - Ambient | 1/8000 to 60 sec. |
| Shutter Speed - Flash | 1/500 to 1 sec. |
| EV Range (ISO-100) | EV -4 to 26, Ambient: 1-19.9; Flash f/2-90.9 |
| Cine Speeds | None |
| Exposure Memory | No |
| Shadow/Highlight Calculation | No |
| Brightness Difference | No |
| Flash to Ambient Ratio | No |
| Multiple Flash | Scale for calculating 2-9 flashes |
| Exp. Compensation Adjustable | +0.9EV - -0.9 (in 1/10 stop increments) |
| Power Source | 1 "AA" battery (not included) |
| Dimensions | 2.5 x 0.8 x 4.7" (63 x 20 x 118mm) WDH |
| Weight | 3.3 oz (94 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 60 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (49)
- Accurate (43)
- Compact (37)
- Consistent (31)
- Strong construction (16)
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography (41)
- Portraits (38)
- General purpose (4)
- Artwork (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (19), Semi-pro photographer (18), Pro photographer (9), Enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (30)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Inexpensive Choice
I recently purchased a mono-light kit and I wanted to have a good light meter to help eliminate the guess work. Base on the other reviews I purchased this one. It is a great ...Read complete review
I recently purchased a mono-light kit and I wanted to have a good light meter to help eliminate the guess work. Base on the other reviews I purchased this one. It is a great product. It is easy to understand and use even thought the directions aren't too great. There is a YouTube video that I found by searching Polaris Light Meter. It was very helpful. In short, I highly recommend this product as an inexpensive and well made choice.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good and Bad
This meter is great for studio portraiture, but it isn't very accurate on cloudy days. It wants me to underexpose on cloudy days. I end up metering off of green grass or my gray...Read complete review
This meter is great for studio portraiture, but it isn't very accurate on cloudy days. It wants me to underexpose on cloudy days. I end up metering off of green grass or my gray card.
I have compared it to metering off of my gray card on cloudy days and the gray card is more accurate in that lighting. My friends more expensive light meter conformed with my gray card settings.
I also wish it gave long enough exposure readings for night photography.
Reviewed by 60 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
After getting back into photography after a 10 year break, I'm very impressed with the quality of this Polaris Digital Meter. The controls are simple and understandable, and the meter does just as advertized.
I would recommend this meter to anyone wanting or needing an optional light meter. If your really into photography and want to take the time to get a properly exposed exposure the first time, this meter will help you produce just that.
The case is smooth plastic and slick. I would recommmend the manufacture wrap the case with a gripping texture or rubber, to assist with holding. I have had the meter slip out of my hand a couple of times.
Other than the slick case I have no complaints about this product. I look forward to many years of use out of this meter.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Lightweight
Cons
- A little bulky
Best Uses
- Photography
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
So far I have been happy with the purchase of this light meter. I have just jumped into the portrait world and after spending way too much money on a light set up (that I love), I purchased this meter. It's been easy to use and fairly strait forward. It doesn't have a remote trigger, you have to wire-sync with or have it wait for a flash to get the reading. I use the wait for flash function and it works. This is basically me pushing the trigger on the meter, then taking a test picture using the camera to trip the flash units. It was fairly inexpensive compared to the other units and I think this is mostly due to the lack of a remote trigger. I only gave it 3 stars because the build quality seems a little flimsy. It's vary light and mostly plastic and a little bulky. I'm not a big fan of sliding the dome to use the reflective metering, but I don't plan on using it much for these measurements so I'm okay with it. Overall, I'm happy with what I got for the price!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Does what it's suppose to. Great price and works really well. Very happy with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Use mainly for incident ambient readings for low-light photography. Also use for comparing flash readings for main and fill lights.
Easy to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
I didn't know how much I needed this device until I used it. No more asking models to wait while you hunt for the proper exposure. If portraiture is your deal it's a real time save when you can easily and accurately reproduce lighting scenarios. Ahhh...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
I'm an amateur still, but the readout on the meter is very easy to view and understand.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Film
- Photography
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
great price. light and easy to use
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
I am somewhat new to photography and purchased this by recommendation of a fellow photographer and am very happy. I am able to accurately meter and am very happy with my photographs!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Lightweight
Cons
- Poor Construction
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
The Polaris Digital Meter has advanced features that you can find only in upper level products.
It's easy of use and ergonomic, but it's made of cheap plastic that looks fragile. Great buy, expecially for the beginner.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
This is the second Polaris I have purchased. The first was for my use, the second for my camera club. We have our own studio and have suffered with poor meters. The Polaris offers everything you could want for a great price, and is reliable as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Consistent
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
If you want a simple, reliable light meter, then this is the one for you. It is very easy to use, one single AA battery powers it for months and it is strong and tough.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Lightweight, compact, love the case! Accurate readings!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Still Lifes
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
New to the world of studio lighting, I needed an ambient light meter that would not break the bank, yet would enable me get my exposures right. The Plaris Digital filled the bill. It has all the necessary features, but with a shallow learning curve that let me focus my attention on lighting my subjects and capturing their image. This meter is exactly what I was looking forward at a price I could afford.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Very easy to use, the reading is right on. I checked the histogram and the exposure is very accurate. I love it!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Very high quality. Its actually made in Japan (surprising for such low cost).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Easy to operate and comes with clear instructions leaflet. Would have liked it to come WITH sync cord.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
studio
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Great no cons
Best Uses
- Photography
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
It works wonders for me. Love it best thing I could of bought
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
Great for indoor and outdoors. this meter is essential if you like to shoot in manual mode. great product and inexpensive.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Consistent
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Shepherd/Polaris Polaris - Digital Reflected, Incident and Flash Light Meter:
I use the meter for a home studio for now. It's lightweight and compact but does meter a little hot as far I've seen so far.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $1.50
- Price: $13.99
Related Accessories
- Price: $13.90
What's in the Box
- Case
- Strap
- 1-Year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
