Laser Mount for Hot Shoe

I know there is another thread for this, however I wasn't the OP for that thread and thought it would be best
not to use someone else's thread

Machined from aluminum hex, I may make another as there are a few things I can improve upon.

Hey this is pretty cool! I didn't see the other thread though, what would you use this for? As a focusing aid at night?

Sidenote: probably will get stopped going thru airports with this in my bag?

-alex

rent wrote in post #17419537
Hey this is pretty cool! I didn't see the other thread though, what would you use this for? As a focusing aid at night?

Sidenote: probably will get stopped going thru airports with this in my bag?

-alex

Hey Alex, it's used to aid in aiming, especially with a longer focal length lens.

HERE is the other thread.

So if you see a red dot (or green dot) on your body, realize immediately you are about to be 'shot'...dive for cover and shoot back, or cover your naked body and hide your face (depending upon circumstance!)

Heya I've recently developed an interest in astrophotography, been looking into making a DIY aiming guide. Exactly like this. What type of laser do you have mounted?

It may be an obvious question, but I'm very green. Your build looks nice BTW

Tyguy wrote in post #17845349
Heya I've recently developed an interest in astrophotography, been looking into making a DIY aiming guide. Exactly like this. What type of laser do you have mounted?

It may be an obvious question, but I'm very green. Your build looks nice BTW

Make certain there are no aircraft in the vicinity or you may get a visit from large men with uniforms and big sticks, or guns in many countries!
People pointing lasers at aircraft is a big problem in many countries and the authorities can get very grumpy about it if they catch you.

http://www.leicesterme​rcury.co.uk …0967256-detail/story.html

That cracks me up... "It was an accident!" The stupidity of people who would purposely aim lasers at planes.

Anyways, I'm assuming since this is a common method of aiming for night photos, that it's relatively safe.

I am not so sure, one of my cousin's husband flew for Cathay Pacific up until last year and he had some strong opinions on the subject.
I am in no way suggesting that anybody here would intentionally point a laser at an aircraft - I just wanted to make sure that people were aware of the potential issues when pointing them skywards.

How does a laser help in astro photography? I'd think a reflex sight would make more sense. There's nothing to hit with the laser?

You know more than I do, CDS. Let me rephrase my question... What type of THINGAMAJIG do you have mounted? I've seen people use the term 'laser', 'red dot sight', and others for those, but haven't read any description of what it is or how to use it. A reflex sight makes much more sense than a laser

Ah, well "Red Dot" and "Reflex" are essentially the same, a red dot is a kind of reflex, but not all reflex have red dots

The old school reflex sight for aiming telescopes (or followspots in my industry!) is the "Telrad"

http://www.skiesunlimi​ted.com …JTZ5fX5k8oCFYqG​fgod7qQKGg

Telrads however are BIG, good for mounting to a telescope or followspot, not good fro mounting in a hotshoe.

But there are all sorts of ones made for guns now that cost anywhere from $35.00 to $500.00 or more, the vast majority of which would be smaller and lighter than a telrad (ie: if it's made to fit on a pistol, it can't that big!)

Sorry I can't actually answer your question as I don't actually have such a set up, but I'd theorize it would make sense to mount to your "scope" or lens, as opposed to the hotshoe? Some scopes would block the view of anything mounted to hotshoe. And of course there is always live view on most modern DLSR.

I think these are the sort of thing that Jake is referring to. There are no light emissions so no worries!
http://www.uttings.co.​uk/c759-red-dot-sights/

I can't find it but about a year ago I saw a YouTube video of a bunch of Japanese photographers using similar sights (mounted on their HotShoes) for aiming large telephoto lenses.

On a rifle or pistol a reflex site is fast to use as you keep both eyes open and its easy to point and obtain a target fast. It never occurred to me to try on on a camera with a long lens,. hmm...


Getting one in the hotshoe would be as simple as this part here;
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1452043​127&sr=8-1

Screw into 1/4' 20 thread on bottom of sight,. or maybe it needs to thread into a weaver rail...

Hmm, //begins to wonder if the Weaver rail dovetail happens to fit Arca clamps, the weaver predates Arca by oh, 100 years or so.. ?

Quite a few years ago I did try one of the original military SinglePoint sights on a camera. Just a test with the sight secured with Blu Tack. it sort of worked but wasn't any good for moving subjects. However I do see that a lot of the cheaper Astro Scopes come with a reflex sight as a "Finder" so they obviously have their uses - note the aiming sight/finder on this scope:

http://www.wexphotogra​phic.com …lector-telescope/p1017011

Might be just the job for Astro Photography?

Whilst I didn't find the SinglePoint much use on a camera it was great on a British Service 7.62 SLR out to 300 yds or so. The definition of Point and Shoot?

Cool, good info here. I'll probably search a bit more through all the reflex sight options. Still interested in what OP has mounted. The hotshoe-mount would be nice since I don't have a scope at this point (just a telephoto lens), so it's easy to install/remove.

I'm curious about the Weaver/Arca compatibility... Looks like the weaver is narrower and deeper than the arca, wouldn't work without an adapter.

This one is a nice price. Might be just the thing for someone like me to try before spending big dollars on a proper solution.

http://www.amazon.ca …fRID=1GQ07JNSHE​231FYN017K