Spectra Cine

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Overview

Spectra Cine manufactures precision portable optical light measurement instruments for motion picture, video photography, industrial lighting, film laboratories, traffic signals, and radiography. Established in the 1940s from technology developed by cinematographer Karl Freund, it produces professional light meters like the Spectra Professional series, spotmeters for screen brightness, and candela photometers. The company has earned multiple Technical Achievement Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and an Engineering Emmy for its innovations in light metering.¹²⁵⁸

History

In 1941, Karl Freund founded Photo Research, the parent company of Spectra Cine, and designed the original Spectra Professional exposure meter based on incident hemisphere technology.¹ In 1986, executives Branch and Zaidi acquired the photographic product line from Photo Research to form Spectra Cine as a separate corporation.¹ Key milestones include 1971 and 1972 Scientific and Technical Awards for the Spectra Three Color Temperature Meter, 1988-1989 development and award for the Spectra CineSpot One degree Spotmeter with SMPTE, and a 1993 award from the American Society of Lighting Designers.¹⁸ In recent years, it launched the fifth-generation Spectra Professional V-A meter, continuing a legacy of over 85 years in the motion picture industry.⁵

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Spectra Professional Light Meters	For motion picture and video photography	$1,500 - $3,500
Spectra CineSpot Spotmeters	For screen brightness in theaters and review rooms	$2,000 - $4,000
Spectra Candela Photometers	For industrial lighting measurements	$1,000 - $2,500
Spectra Filmgate Photometers	For film laboratories	$800 - $1,800
Spectra Traffic Signal Testers	For traffic and LED degradation testing	$500 - $1,200
Spectra PhoRad-Candela Meters	For radiography lighting control	$1,200 - $2,500

Manufacturing

Spectra Cine manufactures precision field portable optical light measurement instruments at its facility in Burbank, California, USA.²³⁷

Notable Products

Spectra Professional V-A - Advanced touch screen light meter with 100 million to one dynamic range for cinematographers and gaffers.
Spectra CineSpot One Degree Spotmeter - Spotmeter for screen brightness, developed with SMPTE and awarded Technical Achievement by AMPAS in 1989.
Spectra Professional IV-A - Predecessor to V-A, Academy Technical Award winner for light measurement.
Spectra Three Color Temperature Meter - Film-lens balanced meter awarded Scientific and Technical Achievements in 1971-1972.
Spectra Candela Photometers - Photometers and spotmeters for industrial lighting field measurements.

Reputation

Spectra Cine is regarded by professionals in cinematography and lighting as a longstanding standard for precise light measurement, backed by multiple Academy Awards and an Engineering Emmy.¹²⁵⁸ Enthusiasts and gaffers value its durability and accuracy in demanding film and TV production environments.⁴ It maintains a niche reputation for specialized tools rather than mass-market products, with strengths in innovation but limited visibility outside professional circles.

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