Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

My new toy:

 

I recently came across a deal on a refurbished pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses for just $200, and I couldn't resist giving them a try. They look like the real deal to me, and I believe I got a great bargain.

While these glasses are slightly heavier than regular Ray-Bans, they're still quite comfortable to wear. The case adds some extra weight too, as it includes a built-in battery for recharging the glasses. Overall, the build quality is excellent, and everything feels solid and well-made.

To set up the glasses, you'll need to use the Meta app and a Meta account. I ran into a bit of trouble at first, but after a few tries, I finally got them paired. Once they're set up, using them is a breeze.

The Meta app also prompts you to connect to Apple Music or other audio apps, but it's not really necessary. You can simply use the glasses as regular Bluetooth headphones. I've had no issues using them to listen to podcasts.

One bug I noticed is that if you're using another Bluetooth headphone, taking off the glasses stops the audio on that device as well, not just on the glasses.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses support voice control, enabling you to interact with your phone's virtual assistant, like Siri or Google Assistant. You can send messages, set reminders, check the weather, or get directions, all hands-free, simply by speaking commands.

You can tell it to take a picture or capture video using the voice command or you can use the button on its right arm. Just press the button to take a picture. To capture a video, hold the button down, and press it again to stop recording.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses feature dual 12-megapixel cameras, which capture photos at a resolution of 3024 x 4032 pixels and videos at 1440 x 1920 pixels. The cameras offer high-quality imagery, allowing for clear and detailed photos and videos directly from the glasses. 

The quality is good enough. Here are some examples:

My use case for these glasses will be pretty straightforward. I'll mainly use them as regular sunglasses. When I don’t have my headphones with me or when wearing headphones isn’t practical, I’ll use the glasses as Bluetooth headphones. And occasionally, if I spot something interesting and don’t have time to grab my phone, I’ll use them to snap a picture or capture some video. Another way I'll use the glasses is to capture behind-the-scenes footage during my photo shoots. So what are your use cases?

SmallRig Cage and Handle

As I mentioned in my previous post, we cannot mount the handle to the cage directly. I think that is stupid. We need this extra part:

This one is: SMALLRIG Quick Release Safety Rail 

Another option is to the SMALLRIG Universal Low-Profile Quick Release NATO Rail

However, even with this, the screw holes do not line up:

I have to use the holes on the right and this is the end result:

Not sure why they designed it this way but this the way I got it to work:

with the side handle:

Rigging the Sony A7cII

I recently took a big step in my creative journey by purchasing the Sony Alpha 7C II camera. This compact yet powerful full-frame camera is renowned for its impressive image quality, 4K video recording, and advanced autofocus capabilities. Eager to dive into video production, I’m excited to explore how this camera can elevate my work. In the coming weeks, I’ll share my experiences with the Alpha 7C II on the blog, including tips and insights on maximizing its potential.

In this post, I’ll discuss how to rig the A7CII to enhance its performance. Rigging your camera can offer several benefits:

• Improved Stability: A well-rigged camera system helps reduce camera shake and vibrations, which is crucial for achieving steady shots, especially in dynamic or handheld filming situations.
• Enhanced Ergonomics: Rigs often come with handles, shoulder pads, or grips that make it easier to maneuver and operate the camera for extended periods, reducing fatigue and improving comfort.
• Customization and Versatility: Camera rigs can be customized with different accessories like microphones, lights, follow focus systems, and matte boxes. This versatility allows for more creative and technical control over your shots.
• Better Control: Rigging allows for better control over the camera's position and movement. This is particularly useful for complex shots or when using large cameras that are hard to handle manually.

I'll be unboxing and reviewing the latest offerings from SmallRig. 

Here are what I got:

• Cage Kit for A7cII
• Mini NATO Side Handle
  
• Lightweight NATO Top Handle

Here is how the A7cii looks with the cage mounted:

Here is the bottom mounting screw:

To add extra stability and prevent the camera from shifting, tighten the M2.5 screw through the right shoulder strap hook hole of the camera:

To access the battery, you need to flip this latch:

and here is how it looks with the side handle attached:

I ran into problem when I tried to attach the top handle. The cage doesn't support the top handle out-of-the-box. That's stupid, SmallRig! What were you thinking? I will talk about the solution in the next post.