Laser damage to 5D sensor - Beware!

Here is a video showing how:

http://blog.planet5d.c​om …dslr-cameras-cmos-sensor/

Be careful out there!

Mike

Ouch!

Here's the technology providing an actual benefit:

http://www.timesonline​.co.uk …europe/article6​841380.ece

Just curious as to why you posted a rumor without any evidence to support it. The link has an unsubstantiated claim that has a link to a long video about a gay pride parade and a promise to later show the effect of the laser.

Not only is it unsubstantiated, but the claim that a laser can harm a sensor at a public gathering flies in the face of the reality that the retina of the eye is far more sensitive to laser light than the semi-metal constitution of a digital sensor. Laser light will peak the sensor's output, but the only effect is likely to be a momentary peaking of the sensor output. All those 1 bits are not going to destroy anything in the camera. If somebody's willfully or accidentally flashing a laser around, you're more likely to burn the retinas of eyes of anyone unfortunate enough to be hit by it. That would be a real worry.

By the way, that story of the Russian millionaire and his brilliant plan to thwart paparazzi has been around and largely dismissed as either (1) unworkable, (2) a hoax, or (3) a joke.

joedlh wrote in post #10583279
as either (1) unworkable, (2) a hoax, or (3) a joke.

http://gtresearchnews.​gatech.edu/newsrelease​/anti-camera.htm

Unstated effects regarding CMOS sensors...I'll give you that much. To imply that it's not possible when you have China blinding US satellites with lasers...

Josepi wrote in post #10583332
http://gtresearchnews.​gatech.edu/newsrelease​/anti-camera.htm

Unstated effects regarding CMOS sensors...I'll give you that much. To imply that it's not possible when you have China blinding US satellites with lasers...

1. Maxing out a sensor with intense light is not the same thing as damaging it.

2. The Georgia Tech thing is for small spaces. There's nothing remarkable about the technology, but the implementation would be a challenge. The Russian millionaire would have trouble applying it while at anchor.

3. Digital sensors on SLRs are only detectable as such when the shutter is open. The Georgia Tech technology has the potential of disrupting video cameras, but is it fast enough to pick up and blind a dSLR that is open for 1/60 sec? Again, the Russian millionaire would be out of luck.

4. I would love to go to a movie where lasers lights are flashing all over the place. Although, I admit it might be a cool effect at a rock show. In any event, I would think that it's unnecessary to blind the sensor. Just pinpoint the seat and escort the offending party out of the theatre.

5. How do you keep the equipment from making a mistake and hitting somebody in the eye?

6. Do we in fact know that China is blinding US satellites with lasers? And that it works 24/7?

joedlh wrote in post #10583279
Just curious as to why you posted a rumor without any evidence to support it. The link has an unsubstantiated claim that has a link to a long video about a gay pride parade and a promise to later show the effect of the laser.

Not only is it unsubstantiated, but the claim that a laser can harm a sensor at a public gathering flies in the face of the reality that the retina of the eye is far more sensitive to laser light than the semi-metal constitution of a digital sensor. Laser light will peak the sensor's output, but the only effect is likely to be a momentary peaking of the sensor output. All those 1 bits are not going to destroy anything in the camera. If somebody's willfully or accidentally flashing a laser around, you're more likely to burn the retinas of eyes of anyone unfortunate enough to be hit by it. That would be a real worry.

I'm the guy at planet5D who posted the story. I don't have any 'proof' that this guy's sensor was really damaged, but I did enough looking around the web to see that others have talked about similar incidents and several have chimed in to say that it happened to them after I posted the story.

I still feel that it is rare, but possible - especially if the laser isn't properly set up - and yes, there are reports of lasers hurting people's eyes.

http://www.newscientis​t.com …linds-russian-ravers.html

dadCameraGuy wrote in post #10583482
I don't have any 'proof' that this guy's sensor was really damaged, but I did enough looking around the web to see that others have talked about similar incidents and several have chimed in to say that it happened to them after I posted the story.

Did you ask these people if they've also taken pictures with odd blurs in them that they could only explain as ghosts?

With all due respect, anecdotal evidence is not evidence at all. Where's the scientific proof? Where in my camera's manual does it say not to shine a laser on an exposed sensor? While it is true that one should not aim a camera at the sun for too long, the damaging effect is that heat build up, and the possibility of blinding yourself with the sun's UV hitting your eye through the view finder when the shutter is closed.

joedlh wrote in post #10583514
Did you ask these people if they've also taken pictures with odd blurs in them that they could only explain as ghosts?

With all due respect, anecdotal evidence is not evidence at all. Where's the scientific proof? Where in my camera's manual does it say not to shine a laser on an exposed sensor? While it is true that one should not aim a camera at the sun for too long, the damaging effect is that heat build up, and the possibility of blinding yourself with the sun's UV hitting your eye through the view finder when the shutter is closed.

Well, again, I don't have any proof, but here's another sample that was sent to me:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=J0TgaGePhJA

You didn't see the line appear across the video image after the sensor was flashed by the laser? Looked pretty obvious to me...

Why wont you beleive it? You cannot draw a parallel between an eye and a camera lens/sensor. Totally different construction/sensitivi​ty to light, etc.

I suggest you expose your sensor to a laser and report back to us .. I dont think anyone here is going to risk it, so you should get the job done for us.

mikerault wrote in post #10585886
You didn't see the line appear across the video image after the sensor was flashed by the laser? Looked pretty obvious to me...

I'd be interested to see the sensor afterwards as well. I've only seen videos of it happening and never afterwards.

Far too much nonsense is published on the internet that at first glance may appear realistic or scientific - until it's examined more carefully. This one seems to fall into this category (I recall the crap about the Swiffer causing liver failure in dogs - people actually believed it).

I put absolutely no stock in any of the stuff on blogs because too many people are trying to prove a pointless point.

G

Recognize the flag Humboldt?

Glenn NK wrote in post #10587349
Recognize the flag Humboldt?

Noticed it even before I read the post

you are really discussing if this is true at all?

a laser can very well permanently harm a digital sensor, why wouldn't it. you wouldn't point you camera at the bright sun for longer than seconds, would you?

just go to right corner of the internet, there is more than enough proof, one example: http://laserpointerfor​ums.com …digital-camera-27833.html

edit: quote from a member of the beforementioned forum: