Auto collimator from Reveni Labs - feature requests

[Daimon]

Hi folks. It looks that Matt from Reveni Labs is looking to produce a budget auto collimator.
I've been chatting with him on that in past but at that time he had other projects on roadmap. Now I see that he's starting to play with prototype.
There's ask in Facebook to share requestsfor useful features. Many people here have loads of experience - if you share your knowledge there, maybe we could end up with an affordable and useful autocollimator: Reveni Labs Autocollimator

 

[WoodallP]

This definitely looks interesting. I suppose many of us make do with other methods, but if the price was right, who knows. The problem is, never having used one, it’s hard to make suggestions, as the limits of possibility are not clear to me. I’d like to check infinity and then know my lens scale was accurate at 1 or 2m for instance.

I’m ashamed really as I used to be an astronomer and then worked with lasers so I should know more 🙁 But that was another life.

 

[Duofold RF]

This will be a niche market. The high-end clients won’t be interested, while amateurs will likely prefer more readily available options. I have both a top-tier professional model and a homemade model that closely matches professional quality.

 

[brusby]

I feel certain that most people don't have a clue what a collimator is and I'd bet that many if not most of those who do know in theory what they are don't know how to use one or what benefits can be had by using one.

'Long winded way of saying that it would be really helpful to have a video or series of videos showing what they are and illustrating common uses.

Hi folks. It looks that Matt from Reveni Labs is looking to produce a budget auto collimator.
I've been chatting with him on that in past but at that time he had other projects on roadmap. Now I see that he's starting to play with prototype.
There's ask in Facebook to share requestsfor useful features. Many people here have loads of experience - if you share your knowledge there, maybe we could end up with an affordable and useful autocollimator: Reveni Labs Autocollimator

 

[reveni-matt]

This will be a niche market. The high-end clients won’t be interested, while amateurs will likely prefer more readily available options. I have both a top-tier professional model and a homemade model that closely matches professional quality.

It's very niche. The goal is to make something in the $500 range to get decent performance. Not sure of other readily available options that aren't just hacks.

 

[Duofold RF]

It's very niche. The goal is to make something in the $500 range to get decent performance. Not sure of other readily available options that aren't just hacks.

I would suggest also creating a lens adapter with a front-coated mirror for the autocollimator. For instance, i used a Nikon Z 18mm Meike extension tube provides a 16mm flange distance of a Z-mount body, allowing compatibility with various lenses when combined with appropriate adapters. This approach can be similarly applied to Canon, Sony, and other camera systems by selecting extension tubes that match their respective flange distances and mounts.

 

[Duofold RF]

Over two decades ago, a Canadian company produced shutter testers and autocollimators priced between $180 and $300. Following Kodak’s bankruptcy in 2012 and the rise of digital photography, numerous Gokosha autocollimators became available on eBay for $200 to $400. 

 

[reveni-matt]

I would suggest also creating a lens adapter with a front-coated mirror for the autocollimator. For instance, i used a Nikon Z 18mm Meike extension tube provides a 16mm flange distance of a Z-mount body, allowing compatibility with various lenses when combined with appropriate adapters. This approach can be similarly applied to Canon, Sony, and other camera systems by selecting extension tubes that match their respective flange distances and mounts.

That's not a bad idea. My only concern is that the adapters, generally intended for digital use, are not machined to the dimensional tolerances required to use them in a lens calibration setup. I'd worry the jig + adapter would not equal the flange focal distance it should since digitals can easily compensate.

 

[Duofold RF]

That's not a bad idea. My only concern is that the adapters, generally intended for digital use, are not machined to the dimensional tolerances required to use them in a lens calibration setup. I'd worry the jig + adapter would not equal the flange focal distance it should since digitals can easily compensate.

Then you have to make the major brands specific adaptor in tight tolerance, like Gakosha, and others, or you make the base adaptor with mirror and adjust the matched lens adaptor to the spec.

 

[Daimon]

Prototype:

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[reveni-matt]

Here's the latest prototype, with image taken off film, K1000 with 50mm f2 lens attached.

 

[WoodallP]

Hi Matt, please keep us informed. As a user if your camera tester I really appreciate the effort you put in to this.

 

[reveni-matt]

Hi Everyone,

I've been slacking on this project for a while, I got burned out on it after having issues with the focusing barrel. I opted for a few compromises:

1. Use an off-the-shelf M42 helicoid to get a quality and reliable focusing mount at a reasonable price at this quantity (and stop wasting time and money developing my own inferior design). The 25-55mm length M42 helicoid with a brass interior works very well.
2. No longer include a stand. The size, weight and issues with the quality of the base was not to my liking and was going to greatly raise costs for the customer. I redesigned the unit to have arca-swiss compatible geometry and a 1/4-20 brass insert to make it easy to adapt to a copy stand, tripod or table-clamp arm rig.

Some more info is here.

My plan for production is to secure at least 20 $100 CAD deposits, to make sure there is serious interest. If I don't secure 20 deposits before the end of the year, I'll cancel the project and refund them. Then I'll begin a production run of 50 units, ordering the parts in January 2026. I'm hoping to ship the finished units in March 2026. Before your Autocollimator ships, you'll make a second order for $600 CAD + shipping, bringing the total to $700 CAD (about $502 USD), plus shipping. More details are on the order page. The Autocollimator will qualify for tariff-free entry into the USA.

If you're interested, please click here to place your deposit.

See the images below of the prototype, which is production-grade, it just has some misplaced laser etching on the body and some other cosmetic variances.

 

[Daimon]

Autocollimator is now available for pre-order: Autocollimator — Reveni Labs

Here’s the plan: I’m hoping to collect 20 deposits of $100 CAD before the end of 2025. This will show the there is sufficient committed interested in producing a run of 50 autocollimators. If 20 deposits aren’t received by the end of the year, production will be cancelled and the deposits will be refunded in full.

Parts will be ordered in January 2026, received in February 2026, and assembled autocollimators will ship in March 2026, if everything goes smoothly.

Before shipping, the remainder of the cost, $600 CAD plus the shipping costs, will be collected by placing a second order

 

[WoodallP]

Autocollimator is now available for pre-order: Autocollimator — Reveni Labs

Very tempted, just seen the mail on the subject and I need to look more.

 

[rfaspen]

Ya know. This is rather useful if you like to repair cameras. I was deep into camera repair about 10 years ago and really really could have used this thing I would have paid the asking price with little second thought. It's that useful.
So glad to see this....I hope it proves viable.

 

[JeffS7444]

Deposit submitted.

I could see wanting some sort of case to store it in, maybe something repurposed.

 

[WoodallP]

Me too, lets get the 20 needed! 18 or less to go.

 

[Mikut]

Made a deposit last week. 17 to go?

 

[WoodallP]

Zero to go it seems!