Range Finder/laser Measures

How can they be used in photography?

To research how long of a lens you need?

Most lenses don't come with accurate focusing marks on them anymore, so unless you're working on a Measurebaters Merit Badge, I can't think of a real world application that would be better than the built in Canon focusing system? ; )

maverick75 wrote in post #15898476
To research how long of a lens you need?

I used to hold my hand out at arms length for that, but I'd already "calibrated" parts of it to correspond to my lenses.

Thanks
The reason I asked is, I was reading reviews at Home Depot and Lowe's on laser distance measures to find the best one for the price and I saw one reply that said he used his in photography as well as using it for what it was made for, something to do with his flash set up.

DigitalDon wrote in post #15899343
..., something to do with his flash set up.

OK, it's possible because the intensity drops off rapidly with the square of the distance. More: See post #3 in:
Tips for Xmas Ball Please
Look at the "Fill light at sunset" link in there for more.

Personally, I wonder if he's just putting on a show for the peasants with "Lookit all the great gadgets I have so I must be a great photographer!"?
If I was really concerned about a particular exposure, it would be faster for me to take a shot & check the histogram.

Three examples...

• If the lcd of your flash says that, at the current FL setting and aperture setting and ISO setting, you can get good exposure out to 34' distance, and you are unsure of your subject distance (too far for the very limited max stated footage on your len's distance scale), a laser distance finder assures you that your subject is close enough or is too far.
  
• If your hyperfocal distance calculator tells you to focus at 37' to maximize in-focus area out to Infinity, a laser distance finder allows you to find 37' out, then you can aim that camera at that same point to AF before shooting.
  
• I set my light 5.6' from my subject and it is 1EV too bright, yet my flash power is already dialed down as far as it will go...I can move the light back to a point which is 8' from my subject to reduce its intensity, verifying its new position with the laser rangefinder
  

Wilt wrote in post #15899881
Three examples...

• If the lcd of your flash says that, at the current FL setting and aperture setting and ISO setting, you can get good exposure out to 34' distance, and you are unsure of your subject distance (too far for the very limited max stated footage on your len's distance scale), a laser distance finder assures you that your subject is close enough or is too far.
  
• If your hyperfocal distance calculator tells you to focus at 37' to maximize in-focus area out to Infinity, a laser distance finder allows you to find 37' out, then you can aim that camera at that same point to AF before shooting.
  
• I set my light 5.6' from my subject and it is 1EV too bright, yet my flash power is already dialed down as far as it will go...I can move the light back to a point which is 8' from my subject to reduce its intensity, verifying its new position with the laser rangefinder
  

Thanks Wilt

What are you planning to shoot ? No people / street / transportation photography I assume.

Amamba wrote in post #15900548
What are you planning to shoot ? No people / street / transportation photography I assume.

Sure won't be pointing it at the sky, thats for sure, I wanted a laser measure for things around the house, was reading the Home Depot reviews about the laser measure and one of the replies somebody said they used it in photography, just wondered where it fit in photography.

DigitalDon wrote in post #15901049
Sure won't be pointing it at the sky, thats for sure, I wanted a laser measure for things around the house, was reading the Home Depot reviews about the laser measure and one of the replies somebody said they used it in photography, just wondered where it fit in photography.

It would be dangerous and illegal to point it at people or cars. Even the el cheapo $5 laser pointer that's typically useless for presentations in anything but a small room can blind someone, at least temporarily, but enough to cause an accident.

Amamba wrote in post #15903865
It would be ... illegal to point it at people

Really!

hollis_f wrote in post #15905907
Really!

Is this meant to be sarcastic ?

Amamba wrote in post #15908046
Is this meant to be sarcastic ?

Nope, it's meant to be sceptical. I find it hard to believe that a state that allows you to point a loaded weapon at anybody you like would make it illegal to point a laser pointer at somebody.

However, I must remember the advice of may father. "There is a pair of words", he told me, "that, when placed at the beginning of a sentence, will make that sentence totally believable. Those words are 'In America'."

Apart from general illegality of pointing laser at an aircraft, there is illegality of pointing it at a peace officer or at anyone else, "with the specific intent to cause a reasonable person fear of bodily harm is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to 30 days." That last case of inciting 'fear of bodily harm' fits into the legal definition of 'assault'.

Additionally it can be illegal to "aim directly or indirectly into the eye or eyes of another person or into a moving vehicle with the intent to harass or annoy the other person or the occupants of the moving vehicle" or "directly or indirectly into the eye or eyes of a guide dog, signal dog, service dog, or dog being used by a peace officer with the intent to harass or annoy the animal."

Countries such as Canada and the U.K. also are considering bans on laser pointer sales.

Mar 22 2012 -- Filed in: Aviation incidents | Statistics | Updated story
"Aircraft in the United Kingdom are 2.24 times more likely to be involved in a laser incident, than aircraft in the United States, according to a LaserPointerSafety.com analysis. "