Hey Reader,
The newest piece of photography tech I've been using has really surprised me, and it's not what you'd expect.
So today, I wanted to share my initial thoughts and workflow with the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2s.
Let’s dive in.
A bit of context first...
I recently partnered with Ray-Ban Meta to test their Gen 2 glasses from a photographer's perspective.
The wide-angle lens, POV video features, and overall style really appealed to me, but honestly?
I thought they'd be more of a bonus tool than an essential.
Well, I'm slowly changing my mind.
Image Quality
I'll be honest, I went into this with no expectations.
A camera in glasses? I figured it'd be something fun for Instagram stories or content, but not much else.
But when I started actually looking at the files... I was genuinely surprised.
The shots are sharp and detailed, and they handle cropping really well.
The colours come through clean, the dynamic range is better than I expected, and there's enough information in the files to work with in post.
From a 12mp camera built into glasses, I've been quite impressed.
Are they replacing my main setup, my Fujifilms or even my iPhone?
No.
But they're producing images I'm actually excited to share, which says a lot!
These feel less like "camera glasses" and more like a legitimate tool.
Especially when you consider they do plenty more than just a camera.
Usability - and where I'm most surprised
The convenience factor is what's actually won me over.
If you've been a reader for a while, you would know this about me.
When I'm out shooting solo, and I'd like a POV perspective (especially to make videos like this), all I need to say is:
"Hey Meta, take a photo."
From here, they instantly capture what I'm seeing, and the media saves directly to my camera roll when I'm connected to wifi or using my data.
Considering normally I have to insert SDs into laptops, copy files and reimport... this has been a refreshing change.
It's eliminated the friction you often run into when you're just trying to document daily life!
And here's what that actually means:
I'm capturing more moments.
Moments I would've missed because packing a camera to go grab a coffee on the way to the shops felt like an effort.
The Composition Adjustment
One of the most unique perspectives of these glasses is the fact that the camera is mounted where your eyes are.
Specifically, your left eye!
So every image you take is quite literally your perspective (and a bit to the left).
This has been really unique for me as it invites my viewer into my world in a way that feels intimate and authentic.
Including my hands, feet, and my actions in the scene, I've really enjoyed capturing these everyday moments that usually go undocumented.
It's shifted how I think about storytelling.
These aren't the hero shots that drive a series. Far from it.
They're the in-between moments.
The walk to the location.
The coffee before the shoot.
The real life that happens around the work.
And those moments? They're beginning to matter just as much.
Editing the Files
The files from the glasses are a small 1MB, so flexibility when it comes to editing is limited.
However, still very decent.
You certainly don't get the raw flexibility of RAF or ARW files, but adding a light edit is perfect.
I've found 25% of a RAW preset works best, and from there, any spot removal.
But here's the thing... with photos like this, you kind of want minimal effort.
They're just documentary after all.
So this workflow actually matches the intention.
(This is probably only super applicable to the purist anyway...)
Video Capabilities
As I mentioned, the Gen 2s can also shoot very good video - specifically, 3K 30fps.
Which is honestly incredible for short-form creation and documenting life in such high quality.
One drawback for me, though...
These only shoot vertically.
If they had the potential to shoot landscapes as well, they would really be a powerful content camera.
However, for now, the vertical is fine for what I'm using them for.
Battery Life
It's key to remember that these aren't just a 'camera.'
They're a full-on AI, connected piece of tech—where you can message, search the web, and listen to music.
So from a battery-life perspective, I've actually been impressed.
When using these to capture a lot of video and photos, they last me up to 2 days, especially since the case is a charging case.
So if battery life was on your mind, you can check that box with these!
Wrapping Up
These glasses have quietly become part of my daily carry.
They're not essential, but they're capturing perspectives and moments I would have otherwise missed.
And that's made them valuable in a way I didn't expect.
Sometimes the best tool isn't the one with the best specs... it's the one you actually use.
Catch you next week,
Matty 📷 🚀
BTW - If you're a photographer looking to level up your content creation and storytelling, I work 1-1 with creators to start growing their profile. If that's you, send me an email, and I'll send you the details.
