TomB_tx Posted August 14, 2020 Share #1 Posted August 14, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Some months back I supported a Kickstarter effort to produce a tiny light meter for old cameras, to be made in Canada. After some delays due to COVID, the first production is finished, and I received my unit today. It is easily the smallest and lightest light meter I've seen. The body is 3-D printed, but seems good quality. The control buttons are also tiny, but easier to use than I expected. Nice clear LCD display on the back. Works in either Aperture or Shutter priority. It calibrated easily to my Luna-Lux SBC and seems very accurate. Here it is on a IIIf, where it works fine, although is very close to the shutter speed dial. On a model III or II it is too close, so the dial can't be lifted to set the speed. Otherwise it is worth a look. The designer called the company REVENI LABS. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4027245'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 14, 2020 Posted August 14, 2020 Hi TomB_tx, Take a look here Tiny Light Meter. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lukeadair Posted August 15, 2020 Share #2 Posted August 15, 2020 Interesting. My long-ago choice was the Voigtlander VC Meter II, seen here on my IIIf. Not to pick nits, but it does seem smaller than yours. Not sure about weight. Yours is also seemingly about twice the height of the Voigtlander. And it's black. Agree with you, though, that it's worth a look. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeadair Posted August 15, 2020 Share #3 Posted August 15, 2020 Oops, forgot to attach pic. Here you go. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4027293'>More sharing options...
romualdo Posted August 15, 2020 Share #4 Posted August 15, 2020 I contacted the owner (Matthew Bechberger) recently after watching the video (third down) at the website - got a swift reply https://www.reveni-labs.com/ I'll probably order one in September (he's backordered with over 1000 units but items will be back in stock by end of August) - looking to be popular item He also has other interesting items/accessories on his site ie a double hotshoe Tom, thanks for the heads up re which cameras the lightmeter is best used with (I have a IIIa, IIIf & IIIg) - will work well with the latter two I presume Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon_dragon Posted August 15, 2020 Share #5 Posted August 15, 2020 I don't think Voigtlander makes theirs anymore, do they? I have the 1st gen version and I love it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted August 15, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted August 15, 2020 (edited) Here's a comparison of the VCII and Reveni for size. The VCII weighs 38 grams, and the Reveni only 8 grams. I think in general the VCII is a better fit for ltm Leicas as it looks "right" on them, and the larger size and analog controls make operation intuitive and fast. The Reveni has 4 tiny push buttons to control everything. Push the front button and it displays a single fstop and speed - side buttons let you change the setting for the priority chosen so it displays the matching exposure. Everything else requires button pushes to configure the options, such as ISO, aperture/shutter priority, calibration, etc. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I suggested he offer a spacer to raise the unit enough to work on older Leica models before IIIc. Edited August 15, 2020 by TomB_tx 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I suggested he offer a spacer to raise the unit enough to work on older Leica models before IIIc. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4027499'>More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 15, 2020 Share #7 Posted August 15, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) The VC II is an excellent meter but I found an old Metrophot meter that has a lovely look and is a little smaller that the VC II (the Metrophot's rear is curved and makes it smaller) and needs no batteries because it has a Selenium metering cell. The Metrophot looks marginally larger than the Reveni bans meter. Leica also produced a "Leicaphot" Selenium meter but I haven't found one with where the Selenium cell is still working and sellers often ask ridiculously high prices. Incidentally, the meters are not arranged that way to deceive about size, it was just to stand them up for the picture. Pete. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4027661'>More sharing options...
Anbaric Posted August 15, 2020 Share #8 Posted August 15, 2020 This V-201X looks interesting too. It seems to sit a bit higher than the Reveni, which might make it possible to use the shutter speed dial on those earlier Leicas, and there's a metal version. The downside seems to be the OLED display, which according to one of the reviews is hard to read in bright light: https://austerityphoto.co.uk/blinded-by-the-light-the-v-201x-light-meter-on-test/ https://johnnymartyr.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/upgrade-your-meterless-film-camera/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeadair Posted August 16, 2020 Share #9 Posted August 16, 2020 Well, the Voigtlander meter certainly cannot compete in the weight competition against the Reveni. On the other hand, it is an actual piece of metal and not something that came out of a 3D printer. (Not that that's a bad thing,. I guess.) I do confess that my problem with the Reveni is that (based on the photos here) it's so damned ugly and not in any way complimentary to the work of art that is an LTM Leica. Just my opinion, of course, and not meant to cast criticism on anyone who might choose to use it. And yes, Voigtlander still makes the VC II meter in both black and silver. You can get one brand new from B&H in New York City for $225. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted August 16, 2020 Share #10 Posted August 16, 2020 Thanks I’ll be ordering one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacey Posted August 16, 2020 Share #11 Posted August 16, 2020 I have one of these on order in black. While a silver -might- look more at home, my concern was that the silver might clash with the chrome of a Leica. They have gotten good reviews.https://www.kekscameras.com/em01.html#/ 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted August 30, 2020 Share #12 Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) The Reveni arrived earlier this week and I've had the time to learn a few things for anyone who may be interested. Reveni recommends using the EV setting to adjust the meter to match your reference meter but they also offer a calibration mode. The EV can be adjusted from -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 stops. In the calibration mode, each stop is equivalent to .01 EV and is adjustable between -20 to +20. The best way to adjust the meter is with a gray card and a meter set to read EV. When the meter ships, a card is included to show where the calibration was set before shipping. The following images were exposed using the Reveni. The camera is a M4 with a Voigtlander Heilar 50 2.0 Collapsible, o22 yellow filter. The film is Kodak XX 5222 exposed at ISO 125 and developed in HC-110B for 4.5 minutes. The negatives were scanned with a Sony A7II using a Micro-Nikkor 55 2.8 Ai-S, PK-13 extension ring and a metabones Nikon F to Sony E adapter. The light source was a Skier Copybox and editing was done with RAW Power plug in for Apple Photos. The images were captured in RAW and the only editing was to add .33 EV. I really like my Sekonic meters, a 308 and a 398 but the little Reveni is convenient. The OLED display is easy to read even in bright sunlight, can be adjusted to stay on for between 5 and 30 seconds. No meter is perfect but the little Reveni is handy to have. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited August 30, 2020 by madNbad 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4036537'>More sharing options...
Pecole Posted August 31, 2020 Share #13 Posted August 31, 2020 I agree with "farnz" : the Leica-Meter 2 (seen in the image below in its leathher case) or similar Metraphot 2 or 3 are at the same time smaller and much more "elegant". And are usable on all Leicas without "too close speed dial" problems. I had many lightmeters in collection, but not the Voigtlander (not to speak of the Reveni...About this, I like the idea of the LCD screen that must ease the "reading"). Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4036751'>More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted August 31, 2020 I also have a Leica Meter 3 in its leather case that is still quite accurate (thanks to the case that kept the selenium cell in the dark), and it is a jewel. However, the new small meters have a huge advantage in low-light capability. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted August 31, 2020 Share #15 Posted August 31, 2020 Even on the M cameras, the Reveni overhangs the accessory shoe just a bit making it difficult to see the shutter speed mark. It's been a while since I've owned a IIIc but can see how it would interfere with changing the shutter speeds. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4037118'>More sharing options...
willeica Posted August 31, 2020 Share #16 Posted August 31, 2020 I have the VC II, but I prefer the Gossen Digisix shown on the left in this photo. It is small, you can wear it around your neck like a film director and point it in any direction with ease and it has an incident metering cone. The main point is that it will give a range of combinations to use, which is what I really want. The iPhone with the Pocket Light Meter App on the right is OK, but I prefer to have a range to choose from. Each to his/her own. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! William 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! William ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4037140'>More sharing options...
JohnW. Posted September 3, 2020 Share #17 Posted September 3, 2020 (edited) I went with the V-201X with black metal casing which arrived earlier today. It is a perfect fit on my iif and is clear of the shutter dial. A little testing shows good accuracy. I personally like the top display as you would be normally looking down to adjust shutter speed and aperture. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited September 3, 2020 by JohnW. Spelling 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4038777'>More sharing options...
farnz Posted September 3, 2020 Share #18 Posted September 3, 2020 4 hours ago, JohnW. said: I went with the V-201X with black metal casing which arrived earlier today. It is a perfect fit on my iif and is clear of the shutter dial. A little testing shows good accuracy. I personally like the top display as you would be normally looking down to adjust shutter speed and aperture. Hi John, It's an interesting looking and useful light meter but it would live in my pocket since, in my opinion, it would spoil the look, lines, and metallic finish of my Leica screw mount cameras. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnW. Posted September 3, 2020 Share #19 Posted September 3, 2020 1 hour ago, farnz said: Hi John, It's an interesting looking and useful light meter but it would live in my pocket since, in my opinion, it would spoil the look, lines, and metallic finish of my Leica screw mount cameras. Pete. Hi Pete, I actually agree with you, perhaps the silver version would blend in better?. Anyhow I think it looks better on the Canon P or Autocord and is much more convenient to carry around than my Sekonic meter or using a phone light meter app. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312323-tiny-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=4038971'>More sharing options...
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