Laser rangefinders for photography?

Does anyone use Laser rangefinders to measure the distance for

setting the focus on cameras without rangefinders? There are some

handy Laser rangefinders on the market.

 

But are they safe to use? For example measuring on a person or an

animal? Can the laser beam be dangerous? Especially if the laser

beam hits the eyes?

 

Just curios.

The laser rangefinders I'm familiar with have a minimum read distance of about 19 yards. In other words, the range at which focus precision is most important is not available to you.

I saw one that measures down to 0,6 meters.

Sony F707, F717, and now the F828 use a laser + hologram to throw a pattern on a flat surface that the AF system can then focus on. Sort of a laser rangefinder, although you have to switch to manual focus mode while holding the shutter half depressed to get the distance read out.

I saw an uncomplicated laser rangefinder model, with the list price �56. It use to sell for around �35 on eBay.

 

I haven't heard of anyone using these instruments for photography, but I thought this might be a good alternative to the old optical rangefinders that often suffer from misalignment.

 

The laser is weak, class 2, so it won't harm eyes or skin.

The Disto from Leica measures to 300ft to within 1/8 inch; in is an actual interfermeter; and is orders of magnitude more accurate that "laser rangerfinders" use for hunting; which read to yards; and sometimes to feet.

The Leica Disto is handy when photographing crime scenes; where accurate measurments are required; and the scene cannot be disturbed.

I bet you could get a lot of neat candid street photos of peoples' expressions when they see a little red dot dancing on their chests ;>)

I agree with much of what has been said above. Laser rangefinders are mostly used at significant distances for golf and hunting (e.g. the Leica and Nikon finders). The only rangefinder lens I can think of off hand that might benefit from one of these finders is the 210mm lens for Mamiya 7 cameras, which has a minimum focus distance of 23 feet.

 

If I needed a rangefinder, I'd look on eBay for an optical one. Leica shoe mount rangefinders sell for $20 up in good condition. See also:

 

Blik Rangefinder For Smena and other cameras Item number: 2945961852- Buy It Now $12

 

Medis Rangefinder ideal for your Leica ...NR Item number: 2946544816- Starting Price $12

The Contax G2 35mm 'rangefinder' camera uses an infrared laser diode system (as well as a phase-contrast visible light system) to measure distances and has a distance readout on the top plate. It reads in meters from 15 meters down to 10 meters, .1 meter increments down to 2 meters, and .01 meter increments from 2 meters down to the minimum focus distance (.5 meter).

 

The infrared diode used (don't know if it's technically a laser) seems low-powered and thus as safe as those used in some point-and-shoot cameras - and works invisibly even in total darkness.

 

The distance readout functions even without a lens mounted, and used G2 bodies are down to around $400 - same price as some decent laser RFs.

 

Personally, I just estimate distances visually when working with, e.g., a Biogon or other scale-focused lens.

A little off topic, but it's kinda cool:

 

http://www.graflex.org/images/kalart/focus-spot-100.jpg

Indifferent of class, lasers are never supposed to be directly shine into somebody's eye. It might not be very dangerous if it's weak enough, but it is always very annoying, I can tell you.

Yes, I don't want people to be annoyed by me metering the distance, so I'm giving up this idea. I will try to find a nice optical rangefinder made for cameras, and that can be mounted on the accessory shoe.

I use the Leica FOKOS or FODIS rangefinders to measure the distance when I use the

SWC. However the FODIS only goes to 1m and the FOKOS to 0.75m.

 

Ken

Reasons for preferring traditional optical rangefinders:

1 - They measure nearer distances.

2 - They cost a few dollars/euros/pounds on eBay, not a hundred or two.

3 - You can select the object in the finder without having to project a red dot on it, which, as mentioned above, can be frightening, and might render you suspect.

4 - If you're photographing a person, you probably want to focus on the eyes, and you probably don't want to take the slightest risk of damaging anyone's sight with a laser beam.

5 - An optical rangefinder is tiny, so it doesn't intimidate the subject.

6 - Many rangefinders can be fitted directly on to the camera's hot shoe.

Two years ago, when the majority of this thread was posted, I could agree with Ken regarding how much you get for your money from an optical rangefinder versus a laser rangefinder, but a few months ago, Stanley started shipping the TLM 100 (the "Stanley FatMaxﾮ TruLaserﾙ TLM 100 Distance Measurer"), manufactured by Leica Geosystems in Austria.

 

This unit is accurate to within 1/4 of an inch, from only two feet to about 60 feet (my experience, in bright sunlight), is small (4 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/4"), light, comes with a nice codura nylon belt loop holster, and is currently available for only $95.00 with free shipping at the place where I bought mine:

 

http://laserstreet.com/stanley-tlm100.htm

 

It does not have an optical viewfinder or even a peep sight. You simply press a big red button once, to turn on the laser, position the rectangular red dot wherever you need it in the subject space, then press the red button again to read the distance in your choice of meters, feet or inches. It's so much more accurate and easier to use than an optical rangefinder, at $95.00, it's the clear winner in my opinion (except for portraiture, perhaps, as mentioned earlier).

 

Mike Davis

Mike the Stanley/CST pro model has a peep site, costs 3 to 4 times more, and goes to about 650 feet to 1/8 inch accuracy, it has a 1/4-20 tripod socket too.. The low cost 100 model is speced to 100 feet. Mine seems to go to 105 feet, it seems the be software limited to not read past much 100 feet, with the tests I have run on mine. There is also an intermediate model 200 too. These three units were released Nov 1st, they are built in Austria. CST worked with Leica's disto design group to bring a lower cost model of their famous Leica Disto unit. The model 100 was limited in range purposely, so as not to distroy the upper end disto's sales base.

Easy solution for you...Look to ultrasound distance measuring devices, like those used in contracting. These are very accurate for close distances and have no risks to the subject, as do laser rangefinders. I use this one: http://www.professionalequipment.com/xq/ASP/ProductID.3669/id.15/subID.124/qx/default.htm

 

Good luck.