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[Sidus Link Mobile] Filming Tools

Filming tools of Sidus Link Mobile

Filming Tools are a series of practical modes to make prepping and designing your lighting faster and easier. The currently available Filming Tools are the Optics Calculator and the Light Meter.

1. Optics Calculator

The Optics Calculator can help users calculate and estimate the ratios between illuminance, beam angle, luminous flux, and power, giving you a reference for the kind of equipment you need to light your scene.

1.1 Functional Buttons Introduction:

  1. Calculation result: the result of the desired calculated parameter displays here;

  2. Calculation Mode: from the left to right are Lux (Illuminance), m (distance), ° (beam angle), Lm (Lumens), W (estimated power);

  3. Editing Unit Parameters:

    • Tap on "F" to enter the camera parameter menu. Here, users can set the ISO and Shutter Speed/Shutter Angle. In this mode the illuminance will display as an aperture value;
    • Tap on "m/ft" to switch between metric and imperial units of measurement (meter/feet). In Metric Unit mode, the parameters display as m, Lx, and Lm. In Imperial Unit mode, the parameters display as ft, fc, and Lm (1 meter = 3.2808 feet);

  4. Light Source: The Optics Calculator can account for 4 different types of light sources. Toggle between Tungsten, Fluorescent (Fluo), HMI, and LED to calculate estimates for your designed fixture;

  5. Number Pad: Use the Number Pad to input parameters into the calculator;

  6. Clear Button: Press the "C" button to backspace and delete your last input;

  7. Parameter Inputs: Enter the known parameter values to calculate the unknown value;

  8. Back Button: Tap on the "Film Reel" icon to return to the workspace;

  9. Reset: Tap the "Reset" button to clear the entire Optics Calculator;

  10. Store: Tap the "Store" button to enter the parameter storage. Users can save the calculated results for later review or retrieve previously saved results;

  11. Calculate Results: Tap on the "=" button to obtain the calculated result.

1@2x (2) Figure 1 Optics Calculator illustration

1.2 Calculating

  • Tap to select from four Calculation Modes: Lux (Illuminance), m (distance), ° (beam angle), Lm (Lumens), W (estimated power);
  • Enter the requested values in the 4 parameter input boxes on the right side of the calculator;
  • Tap the "=" button to calculate the result.

2. Light Meter

Color temperature and illuminance are two of the most important technical parameters in cinematography. The Sidus Link® digital Light Meter, based on reflective light meters (spot meters), utilizes a user's smartphone's camera to capture and read light source information. The user can then use the light meter to calculate the illuminance or f-stop of the key light and fill light. The digital light meter is a quick and easy reference tool for gaffers and photographers.

Functional buttons introduction: 

      1. Fill/Key: Once you have captured your image, tap the "Fill/Key" button to set your Key/Fill Ratio;
      2. Target: The target value for fill light or key light;
      3. Colour temperature value: This is the average color temperature measured by the smartphone's camera;
      4. Illuminance Display: This is the brightness value or Aperture measured within the circle in the middle of the viewfinder;
      5. Illuminance Unit of Measure: When L (Illuminance mode) is selected, users can choose to measure brightness in Lux (Metric) or fc (footcandles, Imperial). The Illuminance Display will output measurements in lux or fc accordingly;
      6. Aperture mode: Tap "A" to enter the Aperture mode. In this mode, users can set the ISO and Shutter Speed or FPS and Shutter Angle. The Illuminance Display will output measurements in f-stops;
      7. Back Button: Tap on the "Film Reel" icon to return to the workspace;
      8. Viewfinder;
      9. Capture and retry button;
      10. Store: Tap the "Store" button to enter the parameter storage. Users can save the calculated results for later review or retrieve previously saved results;
      11. Reset: Tap the "Reset" button to clear the light meter.
  • The measurable color temperature range is from 1,600K to 10,000K;
  • The measurable Aperture range is from F1.0 to F128. The light meter will display an "Error" if it retrieves any value is beyond this range;
  • Before opening the Fill/Key light menu, users must first capture an illuminance or aperture value;
  • After activating the Fill/Key light mode, the Target will display the desired Key or Fill light illuminance or aperture to achieve the selected ratio.
 

2@2x (2) Figure 2 Light Meter illustration