I have been sitting on this one for awhile, so let me get it out the door...

C.A. Church over at The Roaming Drone wrote a follow-up to the previous guide on using the Taos TSL230R Light Sensor with an Arduino. This time, the goal is to take readings and apply some code that will calculate exposure times and apertures, creating a DIY photographic light meter.

I got my hands on this chip the other day at, of all places, Radio Shack. Rummaging through the bins in search of timers and op-amps, I happened across the unmistakable clear DIP package. For years, Radio Shack has not been the Radio Shack of my youth. It used to be that you could walk into Radio Shack and get a wide variety of chips and components, kits and tools, an electronics tinkerers playground. That faded over time to the point where you would only go to Radio Shack to pick up batteries, a new cellphone, or overpriced low-quality gadgets. Recently, I have seen them stocking things like robotics kits for kids, micro-controller starter kits, and interesting electronic components like the TSL230R. On my last trip, I picked up the TSL230R, a PIR motion sensor (which should interface easily with the Arduino), and a decently priced resistor variety pack. While I haven't had time to hook it up, I look forward to working with the TSL230R.

Photo: SparkFun Electronics