Reveni Labs Spot Meter: Overview & Field Testing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2021
- There's a new spotmeter in town. It's lightweight, easy to use, and can accommodate a wide variety of photographic materials and workflows. Today I'm giving you my impressions after a month's use of the new Reveni Labs Spot Meter.
Back the Kickstarter Campaign here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
More from Reveni Labs: www.reveni-labs.com/
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High Res Scans from Test: www.flickr.com/photos/mat4226...
Questions? Send me an email: largeformatquestions@gmail.com
Content by Mat Marrash: www.matmarrash.com
Music: The Life and Death of a Certain K. Zabriskie, Patriarch by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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#largeformat #filmphotography - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
this meter is a really surprisingly good, considering it’s a kickstarter project
hopefully we’ll see more from reveni labs, they did a fantastic job.
Well rest assured this is the good kind of kickstarter. Already massively funded and backers should be pretty pleased with the final product!
You read my mind! I got the notification for this video while browsing for a new light meter after my Minolta finally kicked the bucket
The algorithm works in mysterious ways! ;)
thanks for the review. Great help in understanding the product and principles behind it
Great review of this meter! I've already backed it and am looking forward to giving it a test this fall!
Excellent !! I will definitely saving money for buying one
Thank you for this very in-depth overview!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent review. Very informative. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Mast, thank you for the link!
Mat Typo on on your name
I am hunting for a spot meter quite some time now. If the price tag of that meter did not already convince me to try it out, the ISO 1 sold me! I'm only doing direct positive and that is just what I need. I backed it now.
I think you're going to like it! The wide ISO range is critical for photographers that work in a variety of processes.
Thanks for sharing this, Matt. I have backed this project.
Very cool, thanks Chirag! It's one thing to talk about how small and lightweight it is, but wait until you get it in your hands.
Really good review!
Thanks Todd, yours was very instructional and filled all the gaps that my video leaves out. Cheers!
@@MatMarrash I was just thinking the same thing, your's has all the info I left out. ;-) Cheers!
BRAVO!
Looking forward to receiving mine. Nice portraits btw.
Thanks Jim, I can't wait for the final release versions!
Thanks for the review! Based on the original meter and now seeing what this meter can do I signed onto the Kickstarter, can't wait to try it out! Their original square meter does a great job for me and all of my old film cameras.
Erik I think you're going to like this one too! And thanks again for bringing your meter in for me to see last year. Were it not for that hands-on experience, this whole thing may not have happened!
Merci!
Also saw this on Nick Carver's channel. Decided to bite the bullet and signed up on kickstarter. Won't ship until August 2021, so I'll just continue to use my older Pentax digital spotmeter until then.
Even if this thing did a single reading like an older spot meter it would be worth the backing price. Having the averaging and P.M.M modes make it a fantastic portable device!
Hi Mat! Superb presentation! Pls can you make a video here: reflective vs incident? Thanks!
Nice comprehensive test of this handy little lightmeter 👍
My 'wish list' for the mk2 version would be an optical viewfinder,
And diopter adjustment like the Sekonic .
One thing I like about the current model is the lack of all those features keeps size very small, and price in a competitive place. I would wager any one of those other features would add compromise, cost, or both.
Saw you using this on your channel in another video and immediately wanted one. My 4x5 bag is packed so full, so even though I love my Minolta Spotmeter F, the idea of having such a tiny meter to free up space in the bag was really appealing. Waffled for a while since it would be duplicating a piece of already perfectly functional kit, but finally pulled the trigger.
Glad I didn't wait any longer, his site right now says orders that come in at this time will ship around February 2022 :D
Hey Andrew thanks for the comment and let me know what you think once you get it! I'd say hold on to the Spotmeter F in case you need flash sync in the studio, my Sekonic L-778 is now much studio meter while the Reveni heads out to the field.
@@MatMarrash Oh yeah, never getting rid of the Spotmeter F.
I’ll buy it.
does look excellent, Voigtlander made some external viewfinder following the same principle of closing one eye. On just started getting into spot metering with the Sekonic L-558, does the job but can definitely see the advantage of something so small
and the price
Price and size are the big wins in this meter. I've lost count on how many times I've skipped out on bringing an extra lens because I had to pack my larger Sekonic meter.
you're like a brunette johnny bravo, great content
Nice review! I sold my Pentax spot meter last year after realising my iPhone app gave more trustworthy readings. This product is tempting me to go back to a dedicated meter with the size and price
Matthew it sounds like this one might strike the right balance for you. What puts it over the top and into my bag is the size first and foremost. If it's small, out of the way, and reliable, it will be more convenient that other devices every time.
Snow and HC-110 are definitely good tests. Living in Canada, I can say that if it can handle those two things it definitely must be good.
Thank you Francois, it's a way less forgiving combination than my standard Pyrocat HD with snow!
@@MatMarrash If you want to experience the unexpectedly toughest material to expose I've seen yet, you need to try Arista.EDU/Fomapan 400 exposed at box speed and developed in HC-110 dil. B
This stuff has kicked my rear end more than once and it bit me almost every time.
Thanks for the presentation, very promising. But how to be sure that the meter aims at the exact same spot than your eye, since we are talking about only a few degrees regarding the field of view..?
Hell yeah, now I can leave my flash meter for the studio only. It's a chonky thing.
Sold! Wanted a backup to my pentax digital spot, but the price has been a prohibiting factor. The size and cost of this meter are intriguing. Excited to play with it.
I think you'll be pretty pleased with the features of this meter and it's pocket-friendly size.
I just got my hands on a reveni still haven't tested it out. I read on the manual that with slide film the ppm limits should be set to + and - 3 as the limits of the range account for textureless white and black respectively. Your velvia shots look spot on with the settings of + and - 2? I'll probably test it out next to my trusty sekonic just to get used to it (I also have trust issues haha)
I've got two Pentax one degree spot meters (Zone VI modified) and they've always caused me issues with TSA at airport check-ins (looks like a weapon on x-ray). I've now backed this device and look forward to getting it. Now if I can only get film around those new CT scanners and uncooperative security.
Steve glad to hear you've backed it and I'm right there with you on the CT scanners. Mailing stuff ahead just isn't an option for some photo trips.
@@MatMarrash you got to be careful there too, mail and shipping packages also get scanned with xrays but I don't know how prolific it is.
If the next version has a see through scope so I can aim it I am in. My right eye is damaged so this will not work so well. I have the Sekonic 858 and super happy with it but it would be nice to have a small meter sometimes.
Totally understandable. All things considered you are working with one of the best out there. I think where the Reveni sits in the market is to give options at a more affordable price point.
Hi Mat!
Thank you for your great review!
I'm approaching to large format photography...and my question is: why you have to use a lightmeter instead a little, tiny, lightweight digital camera to acquire the right exposition?
I think it could be useful for other simple pictures you really can't take with a 8x10 camera.
Even in studio, using flash, it could be helpful, I think, when you have to combine flash light and ambient light.
What do you think?
Thanks a lot!
Greetings from Italy!
Thanks for the question! If you've already got a compact camera with a long-ish lens and built-in spot metering, you wouldn't technically need this meter. It's convenience, however, lies in those photographic trips where one doesn't want to carry any more gear than they have to. And as someone that now brings along digital gear (for filming) while shooting large format, it's just a different feeling from using dedicated tools.
Great video, Mat! Not related to this review at all, but in the future do you think you could do a video about converting smaller format lenses (like maybe M42 lenses specifically) to larger format, if that's possible? Thanks!
That's an interesting idea, and I'm no engineer on optics, but I think in order to increase the image circle of something designed for a smaller format would significantly impact the "look" of a lens if it's even possible.
Loved the review. How do you like your gloves? I really need to find a new pair for when I am out in the field.
The gloves are nice, since they are capacitive touch, they still get a little chilly in single digit temps.
Praise has its limits, and promoting use of this meter for a one-eyed user is well over that line IMO. I really like the PMM function, which is just stepping you through a simplified Zone System analysis. I hope there are enough folks out there who are ready to give up shooting color negative at half box speed because they don't know how to use a meter in exchange for the menu guided usage of this meter. I wish I cold justify buying one myself, but 'll be back to it if my Minolta Spot F packs it in.
Thanks Randall, the Minolta Spot F is one of the best deals in spot meters. Hoping to see lots of these little meters out in the wild in the near future. The largest benefit we all receive from affordable technology is bringing more new folks into the craft!
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Is there not a problem with parallax depending on which eye you use to look through the meter ?
Cool review! Now I want too see to do a colab with Nick Carver
Lance, that would be super cool! Would LOVE to work with another LF film-tuber!
@@MatMarrash now we just need to get him to Ohio or you to SoCal lol. Thanks for all the great content! I look forward too your videos each week!
Mat,
Did the binocular design cause any noticeable parallax issues when metering close objects? And how quickly were you able to pick up the binocular style? Was a matter of minutes? Hours? Days?
Thanks in advance and thanks for the great review!
No parallax issues that I could find. The ability to probe around with measurements alleviated any concern with readings. Got used to the interface in < 1 min.
@@MatMarrash Awesome. Thanks for the great review and the quick reply. I'm off to Kickstarter!
could you do a video on how to use a spotmeter as well? with examples of metering for the shadows, midtones and highlights? I dont really know how either of this will affect the photo so I'm often unsure of how to actually meter :)
Hi Rhett and thanks for the question. Here's a video I did last year on getting started with spot metering:
th-cam.com/video/kHNEfTKXcWk/w-d-xo.html
Cheers!
@@MatMarrash thanks, I'm pretty new to your channel, so I don't know your old videos yet :)
What kind of probe can one buy that fits on the meter and reads the ground glass screen on the rear of the camera. THAT reading will include, filter factors, bellows extension factor etc and give a reading without having to use math?
Interesting little meter. You said you used it a month. Did you have to replace the batteries in that time? How long may they last?
Nope, still using the first set of batteries. The two LR44's are rated for 5 hours of continuous use. The beauty of the Reveni Labs Spot Meter is it automatically turns off; programmable from 5s - 30s.
@@MatMarrash Thank you that is good. hope they get it tight fitting in series production. It looks a bit loose now…
Hi Matt...I really got interested. Especially the Nick Carver Precision meter. But, I do have a hitch. I am basically one eyed vision I do everything with my left eye. Right eye has very less vision. Is this a problem?
Shamik thanks for the question. I would say it's possible to use with one eye open, but it may be harder to train the center of the spot on your intending subject. Might require taking a series of readings while pressing the measure button to find when a high/low EV point is hit.
@@MatMarrash Thanks Matt.
Hi Mat, great review on this, quick question: Did you have any issues using it with the sunglasses? I wear normal glasses and kinda hesitate using something like that in a binocular form, thanks!
Hey Sean, it's no trouble with glasses, sun or prescription. Just bring it right up to the glass when using.
@6:42 - Wait! Averaging your *Shadows + Midtones + Highlights* ...isn't it just like using the 1st reflective Reveni Labs meter? Won't it give you the same reading?
Good question, one big omission is the angle of view difference is MASSIVE! The original is a 45 degree reflected reading, while the new Spot Meter uses a 1 degree spot.
Mat, I've read about issues with weather colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius). Did you have problems with dead batteries or glitches in cold weather? I'm out in temperatures lower than 60 in the winter.
The public Kickstarter chats show that Reveni added a battery pack to address this problem. However, I read a few responses that complained that the extra batteries didn't work.
Thanks for the question! I've tested both the pre-production and upgraded models and have found the model that's currently shipping is better in cold weather. Both have been regularly exposed to sub freezing levels for several hours out in the field. A few glitches when really cold, but nothing that wasn't solved by a quick power cycle. Also, button batteries are notorious for being DOA, cold weather kills them faster than the components in the meter.
@@MatMarrash thanks Mat!
Could you please make a howto/review of the Sekonic L-778?
Damian, I'd love to but the interior LCD screen on my unit has been out of commission for the last 2 years. :(
Wonder what formula they use to measure light. I have 3 light meters all different brands and they all give a different reading when pointed at the same spot.
Not sure, but glad it works as well as it does in such a tiny package!
Mat, we need your thoughts only, feelings got nothing to do with LFP as it’s fully logical thing , anyhow thanks for your valuable videos
thanks for this great review! I hope I did not miss it, but can I measure a strobe with it? And how good is the measurement in the UV spectrum of light?
Hi Markus, flash/strobe isn't currently supported (I'm looking to see if it is possible to add this in), the meter spectral response drops sharply after 400nm so there is little UV response.
@@mattbechberger3298 thanks a lot for your quick reply Matt!
Is it good for night photography? I used keh LM and it was hard to meter the shadow.
Haven't used it for night photography yet, but it does read up to ISO 12800. My guess is it still may not pick up super empty shadows at night.
@@MatMarrash Hey Mat, the EV range is 2-10 @ ISO100 so you'd be metering lit subjects at night only
interesting product. Wonder how good it will be for the long term use. It still seems like an early proto. Now I know what you were hiding in one of the earlier videos. Keep them coming.
If it's like any other light meter I've used, it will be around for a long time. It's already withstood quite a bit of abuse in the field and still going strong.
I feel like I want a version two of this thing with an actual lens in it that could double as a loupe. If by flipping something out of the way it could sit around my neck and let me meter and focus I would buy one for even double the price. As it stands needing both eyes open I really just think it's not for me.
Sorry to hear it's not the right one for you. I see an awful lot of folks banking on a second version and while it's good to anticipate innovation, each convenience added to a device like this will add to cost. As it is right now I find it strikes a great balance of features and low barrier to entry.
Does anybody know whats the dynamic range of portra? so in the precision mode, what would i put there as parameters for the dynamic range? -5 to +7?
Thanks for the question! There have been several tests published by blogs and YT photographers over the years, but none that I know of in regards to adjusting metering like when using P.M.M. I think that -5 to +7 would be a good range to set it, especially since Portra can pretty well handle 5+ stops overexposure.
@@MatMarrash thanks a lot!
How does this compare to the Pentax Digital 1° spot meter? I am in the market for a spot meter and have been wanting one for awhile now(2 years). I could get the Pentax withing a few days. But is this one really worth waiting?
I'm not in a place to compare to the two since I don't own and regularly use a Pentax Digital. The Reveni has more modes but a slightly wider spot area. If you can afford it the Pentax is great, but they're also getting to the age where they may become less reliable. Big apples versus oranges decision here.
@@MatMarrash I see that and that's what worries me with older meters. One day they just may not work anymore. As for as other tests go. Think you could give it a try with constant lights instead of strobes as a test for portraits? I use nothing but that for my portraits. But I am hedging my bets that it should work with no issues at all with daylight balanced constant lights. I'll be backing this and just continue to use my L-358 for now.
@@BurlapandLight Already tested with constant lights and it performs as it should. Some tests didn't make the final cut, but the meter likes LED's and hot lights all the same.
@@MatMarrash That’s a thumbs up for me since mine are LED. A win win!
Not the meter to get if you are a pirate. Cool nonetheless.
I don't personally know any pirates that shoot film. Could it be they have a harder time processing it in the briny drink?
Backed $188 USD
GOSSEN LUNA PRO F !
I hear the voice of Mr. Michael Raso saying those very words every time someone asks me which light meter to purchase!
“Really really”, “Very very”, “Awesome, awesome”.
10:50 Newton rings
Good news is the darkroom prints look great!
Large format hair
Gear Review Mondays?
These are a non-standard thing for sure, lol.
It's NOT frickin' trees!!! LOL!!!
Mat "Tsunami" Marrash, "big wave" photographer. Uh, a light meter WILL make you a better photographer, IF you use/interpret the readings correctly. In Film, Exposure creates Density, development controls Contrast. There's only a few ways to fuck up a shot.....and Exposure is a primary one.
Thanks Tommy, I always want to add that caveat when recommending gear. You said it right there, the gear only matters if you can use it. These are tools, sometimes really pricey and glitzy tools, but tools all the same.
I'll wait for cheaper Chinese copies later.
Really, and not support the creator?!