Can lasers damage a camera sensor?

Your post made my spine tingle

It reminds me of something I heard a while back:

Warning: Do not look at laser with remaining eye.

-- John

I did a bit of research on the sensitivity of CCD/CMOS to damage from lasers and, depending on sources they suggest that CCD/CMOS devices are between 10 and 1000 times less sensitive to damage than the human eye. The damage depends on things like wavelength and energy exposure (Joules/m^2).

In practice this means that (unless you have been operating your camera remotely or your sensor had a very brief powerful over exposure to a laser pulse while the mirror was up) if you have laser damage to your sensor you have almost certainly damaged your eye(s).

The lasers to really watch out for (if you can) are those that operate into the UV which you cannot always see. I have strong memories of a colleague working with a UV laser who didn't see anything but just hear the "pop" coming from his eyes. An investigation revealed he must have been accidentally exposed to a tiny reflection from the laser. He was in agony for weeks and 20 years later he still has a black spot and blurred grey "L" shape superimposed on everything he sees.

Shall we now talk about laser weapons and plans to defend people and systems against them?

cringe.... "pop" ? ugh...

Carrier lasers are bad news (those used in Telecoms), we had a point to point connection between two sites 50km apart over fibre, that laser came out so bright we had to put an attenuator (i.e. dark filter) on it to stop it burning out the receiver!

But then again, I doubt anyone will ever have issues with a camera and one of those.

PetersCreek, excellent explaination though!

Some interesting pilots reports here http://asrs.arc.nasa.g​ov …line_issues/dl7​_laser.htm. Not too surprising I guess. When I bought a tiny wee laser pointer I pointed it at the forested ridge opposite (at night) and could clearly see the red spot through binoculars. Just checked a map and the distance is around 2000 feet (600 metres). I want me one of those show-lasers!

You can now buy reasonably affordable green lasers over the internet. Seems kind of dangerous to me considering you don't need a license to buy one and the damage it can do.

I'm talking 3 phase, water cooled lasers shining directly into the camera while taking a shot. Usually i try to use the laser or light show as back fill on a shot; sometimes the laser will change sequence just as i take the shot and shine directly into the camera (.3sec shutter speed). It doesn't seem to immediately damage the camera just wondering if in time it will or not.

My S30 i didn't really care about but its safe to say I'm a bit paranoid about my SLR.

If it was my camera, I'd limit the amount of time that happened.

Ever been hit in the eye with it? If you did, and it HURT, then I wouldnt do it EVER again, if not, I dont see a problem

-Johnny

If you're thinking of the 5 mW green pointers then the damage is a only a concern for extended viewing. It's pretty impossible to get sufficient exposure if you aren't a willing participant (who the heck would stare into a stationary beam?). My information comes from this page: http://repairfaq.ece.d​rexel.edu/sam/lasersaf​.htm#safcils

MiG82 wrote:
If you're thinking of the 5 mW green pointers then the damage is a only a concern for extended viewing. It's pretty impossible to get sufficient exposure if you aren't a willing participant (who the heck would stare into a stationary beam?). My information comes from this page: http://repairfaq.ece.d​rexel.edu/sam/lasersaf​.htm#safcils

Indeed. The article even pointed out that damage from a green laser is less likely than a red one because it appears brighter and will more quickly trigger a blink turn away reflex.

However the article is speaking of 5mw green lasers which it says is the max legal limit. WHich is strange because this place which ships from new hampshire is selling a 100mw green laser.

http://www.amazing1.co​m/laser3.htm

They even have this disclaimer:

These lasers cannot be used around pets or animals as you could cause them serious eye damage. The power of the 100 milliwatt system is easily demonstrated by pointing the laser at a flat black surface and note the impact point burning and smoking. Obviously this laser is very hazardous and requires protective eyewear and extreme caution when using for laboratory experimentation.

The article also says off the shelf green lasers are very easy to modify to 50mw or more and there are guides on the net on how to do it. Now I can finaly build that death ray I always wanted

LOL, did you see the Green Laser ray gun?

Only $10! Finally, I'll control the world! No one can stand up to my Laser ray gun!

LMFAO

-Johnny

jadedbastard wrote in post #722295
I have a S30 that has had a fairly rough life and now hopelessly over exposes when set to any of the auto settings.

I realise it could be a number of things but specifically I'm wondering can lasers damage the sensor on compact and/or D SLR shots? (difference being the sensor is always exposed in a compact).

Could continual/repeated exposure to event lasers cause damage to a sensor or camera?

YES very easily. I have a 75mW green laser pointer (www.dragonlasers.com) that i often take photos of. The beam has hit the sensor in my digital and now there are pixels missing in my photos