those laser measure things

[ryandavid__]

does anyone carry around one of these for manual off camera flash?
might be a helpful tool, I think.



..but what do I know ?

:lol:

[PacAce]

I carry a laser pointer in my camera backpack but I've never thought of using it with my flash. In what way do you think it would be a helpful tool? Do you mean in setting up the flash? Triggering it?

[olly_k]

does he mean n ultra-sonic tape measure with laser pointer?

[TMR Design]

I think he's talking about the laser measuring devices. I never thought of it but it sure would be a great way to know the distance from an object rather than just guessing.

[PacAce]

I think he's talking about the laser measuring devices. I never thought of it but it sure would be a great way to know the distance from an object rather than just guessing.

I looked into one of those laser measuring tools for measuring distance for flash use but I was never able to find anything affordable that accurately measured distances that were within the useful range of a flash. They all measure longer distances.

[Wilt]

I think he's talking about the laser measuring devices. I never thought of it but it sure would be a great way to know the distance from an object rather than just guessing.

I guess if you didn't have a light meter, it might come in handy *if* you have a reliable Guide Number to use with a flash unit!

Simpler to have a light meter, since any light modified used with the light will totally invalidate any GN rating you have for the flash (unless you used the light meter to determine a new GN for a light modifier...but then you might as well bring along the light meter, rather than the laser measuring device!)

The laser thing would come in handy to determine if your flash could even reach the subject with sufficient light, when you could not walk up to where the subject is to use an incident meter.

[DocFrankenstein]

Hahahaha

This is funny, but it would work for something like...

I can't think of an instance when you'd need one. Maybe if you're shooting the other side of the grand canyon and using a huge flash?

If you're shooting performance, you're there beforehands anyways, setting up your stuff. So you can get a usual tapemeasure.

[Double Negative]

I guess if you didn't have a light meter, it might come in handy *if* you have a reliable Guide Number to use with a flash unit!

That's what I was thinking... I'd rather just use a meter. :)

[Titus213]

Well, you're not alone in thinking about it. I know I have, I just couldn't come up with any to actually use it for. The EX flash reports that info quite nicely and in a pertinent manner - can it give me enough light. It's a great technology that I just can't find an application for in photography.

Leo - what do you use the laser pointer for?

[tiziano]

Most of the laser measure things I have seen so far, use the the laser beam only for helping you aiming. The real measure is taken through high frequency sound waves. This implies that you need a wall for bouncing the wave and reading distance.
The real things that use a laser for precision measures are rather expensive. You would make your life easier simply buying a lightmeter.

[Choderboy]

There are cheap devices that measure smaller distances - sold as electronic tape measures , common use is for measuring interiors of homes for building work , carpet laying etc. I played with one I bought for a present about 3-4 years ago , cost about $70 AUS. Sure you'd get one cheaper on fleebay. They were a fairly new thing then.
I set it to measure in metres , resolution was 10cm , so I'd get 4.3m displayed for example. I remember being impressed with it's accuracy.
The distances it was designed for seem pretty ideal for a lot of flash photography uses.

[PacAce]

Well, you're not alone in thinking about it. I know I have, I just couldn't come up with any to actually use it for. The EX flash reports that info quite nicely and in a pertinent manner - can it give me enough light. It's a great technology that I just can't find an application for in photography.

Leo - what do you use the laser pointer for?
Nothing in particular. I just have it in my camera backpack along with a little tool kit and a little Maglite flashlight, just in case.

[Double Negative]

Those laser pointers are good to use in the dark when there's nothing to focus on and they usually reach further than a flashlight... Especially if you get one that shoots little patterns (heart, stars, words, etc.). :)

If you really wanted to find a distance, you could always focus on your subject and read the distance (roughly at least) on the lens distance scale (if it has one, most do).

[Titus213]

Nothing in particular. I just have it in my camera backpack along with a little tool kit and a little Maglite flashlight, just in case.

I have been known to carry one just in case I run into a cat...:lol:

[ryandavid__]

Yes, i was initially thinking it would be an equivelent to a light-meter, but some of these responses have proved me otherwise.

It might be a good tool for focussing in the dark though? but then again, the distance scale on our lenses is hardly accurate.

Some one find a use for it, i want an excuse to buy one. :lol:

[forkball]

Not sure why a light meter is suggested. If you're accross the room and need to figure out how much power is needed on a manual flash, you can't exactly run to the position of the subject, take a reading and run back to take the shot.

However, I think that being at an event like a wedding or something would be a bad place to use a laser distance finder. That little red dot is liable to annoy the hell out of someone. Personally, I just use TTL for that, but if I had to use manual flash... I'd just use the distance scale on my lens to get me close (Knowing the GN for my flash), then I'd use the histogram to help me tweak it til it's right. After a while, you'll be able to guess good enough to be close. I do know of some pros that use it though in other places... and they swear by it. I'll see if I can find some web sites about it.

[northlander]

most laser rangefinders have a minimum distance of 10-11 yards before it will take a reading, may be a limited application for flash. You'd most likely have to use the laser tape measure that was alluded to in an earlier post. Nice outside or the box thinking though.

[pparker]

I have the Trimble Spectrum (sold through Sears). I bought it to make my job simpler when I was doing some R&D work on a couple of Underwater Camera Systems designed for damage inspection of Ships. This was for a Government Contractor I used to work full time for.

I believe the Spectrum is good to 165 ft. They have another model thats good to 500 ft and a lot more expensive.

[inward/outward]

Yeah, I have one and use it quite often during shoots. I think it is made by Stanley and Home Depot carries them. About $100, but so much more easy to use than a tape measure. Since I also do our home handyman work, it has more than just photographical use.

[danieltr]

I've got one from Canadiantire in Montreal and it's perfect. And I pay only $19.99, and it goes from 0inch to 30feet

Daniel

[ryandavid__]

I have the Trimble Spectrum (sold through Sears). I bought it to make my job simpler when I was doing some R&D work on a couple of Underwater Camera Systems designed for damage inspection of Ships. This was for a Government Contractor I used to work full time for.

I believe the Spectrum is good to 165 ft. They have another model thats good to 500 ft and a lot more expensive.

Yeah, I have one and use it quite often during shoots. I think it is made by Stanley and Home Depot carries them. About $100, but so much more easy to use than a tape measure. Since I also do our home handyman work, it has more than just photographical use.

I've got one from Canadiantire in Montreal and it's perfect. And I pay only $19.99, and it goes from 0inch to 30feet

Daniel

what do you actually use them for though?

[pparker]

They're good for house projects and times where you need to take measurements with little or no hassle. A good example would be for Real Estate agents who need to need the dimension of a room very quickly. This would be a more attractive method than having to break out a tape measure and take physical measurements.

For photogaphy, it could come in handy too. I just took the physical dimensions of my in-house studio. Length is 16' 5 11/16" X Width 13' 6 1/8" X Height 9' & 5/8". It took me longer to write this reply than take the room measurements.

I'm sure there's a lot of ways one of these tools can be used in photography. Can you think of a way you could use one of these tools for photography?

Pete