I can attest to the quality of the Voigtlander meter; going on 5 years now, around the world several times and consistently accurate exposures. Paired with my Bessa II and Vitessa, it's an ideal companion.
Thanks for this. Picked up the Astr-Hori AH1 for my Mamiya 6 folder last month and I flippin love it. Not for everything but super easy to bring along and also pretty accurate too. Went for the AH1 as it is oriented the other way and doesn’t stick out.
Great video, thanks for testing them! This is also a nice one: TTArtisan Upgrade Light Meter II Generation; also uses 2 dials and movable cold-shoe + removable batteries CR1132. It exists in Aluminium or in Brass.
I really enjoyed your clear honest video and your obvious long experience and your lovely & creative photos taken on a not perfect lighting day. Internally the AstrHori XH-2 is the same as their other light meter, the AstrHori AH-M1 which has a form factor similar to the Voigtlander VC11. The AH-M1 allows moving the shoe position left, right, centre or inverted "to accommodate old cameras with dials or obstacles around the cold shoe". Otherwise the AH-M1 is identical to the XH-2 with one button and one dial and the same display. It is also made of brass. The battery in the XH-2 is rated at ten hours (after a full charge), whereas the battery in the AH-M1 is rated at 12 hours. I have ordered the AH-M1 because I shoot only vintage SLRs where a protruding meter is more of an issue (than with range finders or medium format). It would be interesting to hear your reaction to using the AH-M1 after having reviewed the XH-1. The two meters are priced the same. Perhaps AstrHori would be kind enough to have you review it too.
I've been undecided about getting the AstrHori for my old Zorki 4K rather than guesstimating with the sunny 16 rule. This review has definitely tipped the scale - thanks for posting.
My favorite is the Sekonic Twinmate! It has an incident and ambient meter when mounted on a cold shoe! And half the price of the VC2. My favorite part is it displays the shutter speed/aperture combinations 😊
I have a TT Artisan unit that has a similar setup to your Voigtlander. The main problem with it is that when moving the aperture dial it is too easy to change the ISO setting, and even with multifocal lenses I have a real problem reading the setting. The AstroHori looks to me to be a better proposition, so thanks for your review.
So I've played with my new XH-2 meter some, and it does consistently overexpose by 1/3 to 1/2 a stop compared to both my Gossen light meters and my Nikon digital camera. Easy fix, as long as it is consistent which it seems to be, so I am just adjusting my ASA speed accordingly. I am happy with my AstriHori, as I shoot with many different vintage cameras, some without light meters and some with dead or inaccurate ones. I've balked at the Voitlander, as the cost was high enough to where I just carried my handheld meters, but this is much more convenient at a price that I can justify. Thanks for your videos.
Hi Martin, I'm left eyed so this meter is a non-starter as regardless of camera type it'll be against my forehead. Will stick with a hand held meter and measuring incident light.
Amazing timing on this Martin! I'm in the middle of trying to select a replacement for my existing shoe mount meter, a KEKS. My current meter has font so small that I have trouble reading it when I am out in the field, especially in bright light. The Doomo D, TTArtisan clones of the Voigtlander are top on my list, with the Doomo my likely choice. The new meter you review here is impressive, but I expect I would have the same issue due to it using a screen. I also don't really like that it is rechargeable because of that lithium ion battery will go bad at some point. In fact I have a headset lithium battery on my desk right here that went bad after 4.5 years. I had to literally break the headset open to replace it🙁
@@martinhensonphotography That's certainly true. It just bothers me, especially in the context of working with old cameras that were designed to last 😁 Great video sir - always happy to see your stuff pop up in my feed. I actually just packed my KEKS and GW680iii - heading out for a long weekend at the cottage and going to try the Shanghai GP3 220, the latest batch that expires 2/2026. Cheers
I bought a TTArtisan clone of the Voigtländer meter some time ago but -- though nicely built -- sold it because it proved unreliable in more than one way. (Will skip the details.) I followed your suggestion and bought the XH-2 as a replacement. Must say, it meters much better! I compared it to the meter in my Leica M6 and to my gold standard, the Pentax Spotmeter. In average lighting the measurements were near identical, in deep shadows or sunlit sky the differences were never more than half a stop. I did notice, however, that it is prudent to shield the sensor from bright light sources outside the area you want to measure; otherwise you get massive underexposure. That's true of most external meters but this one is particularly susceptical to such mismeasurement. I suppose that this is the downside of the rather big light gathering lens which should have been recessed more into the casing. Anyway, thanks for the excellent tip. I still prefer handheld meters, but for the casual stroll the little thing makes very good company.
I have the TT Artisan version of the VC11. The good points: It is accutrate; It works reliably; it has relocatable mount; It is light and relatively cheap. The bad points: It only does single reading and then it locks the exposure; The dials arevery diffcult to read on the silver version in any real lighting conditions, the same goes for the LED symbols. The ISO markings are too faint. It chews up battery. The OLED readouts are superior and they can be set to live reading. But, to be honest as an on camera meter they are all useless, because you still have to take the camera off your eye and then start messing around with exposure dials. This new one also sticks out bakwards. There is no way you could bring the IIIc to your eye while wearing glasses. It has the read out on the top. I much prefer it on the back of the meter. And the last point, these are all 42 Degrees average reading meters. To make it work in difficult lighting situation, the operator must have a pretty good understnding of what exposre values really mean and what the meter is telling the operator. It is nice to hear from you again Martin.
I got a cheapo knock-off of the Voigtlander one last year, worked really well. I think it did cost a little more than the astrhori, but it was a lot less that the voigtlander
Halloo Martin ; Blessings , and wonderful to see your video Sir 💪🏻🇺🇸
Thank you. Your video is far better than the instruction manual. Very comprehensive review.
I can attest to the quality of the Voigtlander meter; going on 5 years now, around the world several times and consistently accurate exposures. Paired with my Bessa II and Vitessa, it's an ideal companion.
Thanks for this. Picked up the Astr-Hori AH1 for my Mamiya 6 folder last month and I flippin love it. Not for everything but super easy to bring along and also pretty accurate too. Went for the AH1 as it is oriented the other way and doesn’t stick out.
Great video, thanks for testing them!
This is also a nice one: TTArtisan Upgrade Light Meter II Generation; also uses 2 dials and movable cold-shoe + removable batteries CR1132. It exists in Aluminium or in Brass.
I just got one ( the 2nd generation), but didn’t try it yet, was it accurate with you?
Thanks.
I really enjoyed your clear honest video and your obvious long experience and your lovely & creative photos taken on a not perfect lighting day. Internally the AstrHori XH-2 is the same as their other light meter, the AstrHori AH-M1 which has a form factor similar to the Voigtlander VC11. The AH-M1 allows moving the shoe position left, right, centre or inverted "to accommodate old cameras with dials or obstacles around the cold shoe". Otherwise the AH-M1 is identical to the XH-2 with one button and one dial and the same display. It is also made of brass. The battery in the XH-2 is rated at ten hours (after a full charge), whereas the battery in the AH-M1 is rated at 12 hours. I have ordered the AH-M1 because I shoot only vintage SLRs where a protruding meter is more of an issue (than with range finders or medium format). It would be interesting to hear your reaction to using the AH-M1 after having reviewed the XH-1. The two meters are priced the same. Perhaps AstrHori would be kind enough to have you review it too.
I've been undecided about getting the AstrHori for my old Zorki 4K rather than guesstimating with the sunny 16 rule. This review has definitely tipped the scale - thanks for posting.
My favorite is the Sekonic Twinmate! It has an incident and ambient meter when mounted on a cold shoe! And half the price of the VC2. My favorite part is it displays the shutter speed/aperture combinations 😊
I have a TT Artisan unit that has a similar setup to your Voigtlander. The main problem with it is that when moving the aperture dial it is too easy to change the ISO setting, and even with multifocal lenses I have a real problem reading the setting. The AstroHori looks to me to be a better proposition, so thanks for your review.
Excellent video like always!!! Thanks!!!
So I've played with my new XH-2 meter some, and it does consistently overexpose by 1/3 to 1/2 a stop compared to both my Gossen light meters and my Nikon digital camera. Easy fix, as long as it is consistent which it seems to be, so I am just adjusting my ASA speed accordingly. I am happy with my AstriHori, as I shoot with many different vintage cameras, some without light meters and some with dead or inaccurate ones. I've balked at the Voitlander, as the cost was high enough to where I just carried my handheld meters, but this is much more convenient at a price that I can justify. Thanks for your videos.
@@forindooruseonly646 totally agree, thanks
You could change the EI to adjust to calibrate with your hand held, too.
Great information and images
Thank you. Great images.
Many thanks!
TTArtisan have one exactly the same as the Voigtlander, with all the ease of use, out of the way mounting, at about 60 quid.
Hi Martin, I'm left eyed so this meter is a non-starter as regardless of camera type it'll be against my forehead. Will stick with a hand held meter and measuring incident light.
Amazing timing on this Martin! I'm in the middle of trying to select a replacement for my existing shoe mount meter, a KEKS. My current meter has font so small that I have trouble reading it when I am out in the field, especially in bright light. The Doomo D, TTArtisan clones of the Voigtlander are top on my list, with the Doomo my likely choice. The new meter you review here is impressive, but I expect I would have the same issue due to it using a screen. I also don't really like that it is rechargeable because of that lithium ion battery will go bad at some point. In fact I have a headset lithium battery on my desk right here that went bad after 4.5 years. I had to literally break the headset open to replace it🙁
@@jw48335 I suppose at the cost for the XH 2 and its cost it good be considered as a disposable item , thanks far watching
@@martinhensonphotography That's certainly true. It just bothers me, especially in the context of working with old cameras that were designed to last 😁
Great video sir - always happy to see your stuff pop up in my feed. I actually just packed my KEKS and GW680iii - heading out for a long weekend at the cottage and going to try the Shanghai GP3 220, the latest batch that expires 2/2026.
Cheers
I bought a TTArtisan clone of the Voigtländer meter some time ago but -- though nicely built -- sold it because it proved unreliable in more than one way. (Will skip the details.) I followed your suggestion and bought the XH-2 as a replacement. Must say, it meters much better! I compared it to the meter in my Leica M6 and to my gold standard, the Pentax Spotmeter. In average lighting the measurements were near identical, in deep shadows or sunlit sky the differences were never more than half a stop. I did notice, however, that it is prudent to shield the sensor from bright light sources outside the area you want to measure; otherwise you get massive underexposure. That's true of most external meters but this one is particularly susceptical to such mismeasurement. I suppose that this is the downside of the rather big light gathering lens which should have been recessed more into the casing. Anyway, thanks for the excellent tip. I still prefer handheld meters, but for the casual stroll the little thing makes very good company.
I have the TT Artisan version of the VC11. The good points: It is accutrate; It works reliably; it has relocatable mount; It is light and relatively cheap. The bad points: It only does single reading and then it locks the exposure; The dials arevery diffcult to read on the silver version in any real lighting conditions, the same goes for the LED symbols. The ISO markings are too faint. It chews up battery. The OLED readouts are superior and they can be set to live reading. But, to be honest as an on camera meter they are all useless, because you still have to take the camera off your eye and then start messing around with exposure dials. This new one also sticks out bakwards. There is no way you could bring the IIIc to your eye while wearing glasses. It has the read out on the top. I much prefer it on the back of the meter. And the last point, these are all 42 Degrees average reading meters. To make it work in difficult lighting situation, the operator must have a pretty good understnding of what exposre values really mean and what the meter is telling the operator. It is nice to hear from you again Martin.
I got a cheapo knock-off of the Voigtlander one last year, worked really well. I think it did cost a little more than the astrhori, but it was a lot less that the voigtlander
What's it called?? I need one, kind regards John Moore
@@johnmoore901 it was the TTArtisan 2 dial. Works well.
Thank you Martin, was it easy to set it up? for me I feel the 2 scrolling dials is easier.
...I use analog meters. Often with Selen-cell, without batteries ...exact enough and cheap!
The original version of this meter is a squarish shape and does not protrude as far to the rear.
Both versions have same specs.
You could always have the xh-2 with u as a backup just incase
@@Hi-lb8cq yes you can
👍