Laser pointers - focussing · AditNow Community

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simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

14 years ago

I have a devil of a time focussing my Panasonic Lumix in larger chambers - it needs a lot of light focussed on a spot to use auto focus. Which got me thinking about laser pointers...

Has anybody used one underground for this purpose? Does it work or is the laser spot too tiny for anything to focus on?

:flowers:

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

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Edd
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Not tried a laser pointer actually but i generally get the camera to focus on a point on the floor as far away as i can and then set to manual and reframe the shot. With about F7 up you wont notice much difference in focus on larger chambers 🙂

'I started reading it with full intention to read it all and then got bored and went and got beer instead!'

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

14 years ago

Ta Ed. I shall give that approach a try! I have done the auto focus with somebody in the frame then got them to move and switch to auto but probably didn't pay enough attention to aperture.

Might order a laser pointer anyway though to give it a try 😉

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Edd
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

There good fun for teasing cats and dogs so always worth a purchase :thumbsup:

In fact i have one at home i will bring it with on Sunday and we can try it 🙂

'I started reading it with full intention to read it all and then got bored and went and got beer instead!'

Brakeman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Simon, with my Lumix I nearly allways find I have to light an area that gives some contrast with a bright beam just to start off with, then remove that beam & carry on as per normal. I only ever use the autofocus as I find it much better than when in manual mode, and with my LX3 I only use f5.6 for everything.

The management thanks you for your co operation.

BertyBasset
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Got a small keyfob laser from maplin for £10. Beam remains compact for a good 100m+. Don't know whether camera would pick it up though.

Cat_Bones
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

"edd" wrote:
There good fun for teasing cats and dogs so always worth a purchase :thumbsup:

Or shining it in your girlfriends eye, that's fun too :devil:

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

14 years ago

"Brakeman" wrote:
Simon, with my Lumix I nearly allways find I have to light an area that gives some contrast with a bright beam just to start off with, then remove that beam & carry on as per normal. I only ever use the autofocus as I find it much better than when in manual mode, and with my LX3 I only use f5.6 for everything.

Agreed, that's pretty much how I try to do it. I just struggle in big chambers where's there's nothing to focus on. This shot for example the yellow person in the middle (blackshiver) made focussing a doddle. But trying to get the same shot without a person in was next to impossible.

🔗Ratgoed-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-57381[linkphoto]Ratgoed-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-57381[/linkphoto][/link]

I might get a laser pointer just to give it a test!

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Hal_Chase
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Been meaning to take my green laser down a mine for ages just for the hell of it, having read this I will do next time !!

All I want for Christmas is an Eimco...

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#10

"simonrl" wrote:
🔗Ratgoed-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-57381[linkphoto]Ratgoed-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-57381[/linkphoto][/link]

I might get a laser pointer just to give it a test!

That photograph would look very nice in the 2012 calendar... 😉

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

14 years ago

#11

The blue polyprop rather spoils it IMO.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Edd
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#12

Light room and remove the Blue :thumbup:

'I started reading it with full intention to read it all and then got bored and went and got beer instead!'

Brakeman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#13

Just had a look at the bigger picture, Good photo, I don't think the blue poly detracts from the photo, & no one else would know. I like it :flowers:

The management thanks you for your co operation.

NewStuff
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#14

At that kind of distance, and with (presumably),a wide angle lens, why not just throw it in manual, and turn it to infinity?

Searching for the ever elusive Underground Titty Bar.

DDDWH CC

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

14 years ago

#15

"NewStuff" wrote:
At that kind of distance, and with (presumably),a wide angle lens, why not just throw it in manual, and turn it to infinity?

Unfortunately the camera I use doesn't have a lock it off infinity mode. Not that I've found anyway. And the focus ring isn't marked; and turning its furthest point results in out of focus shots.

That however is the approach I used for 5 years with the Nikon 8400 thought :thumbup:

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

rikj
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#16

Is there not an infinity symbol on the scale on the screen when manual focusing?

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

14 years ago

#17

"rikj" wrote:
Is there not an infinity symbol on the scale on the screen when manual focusing?

No. My old 8400 had one, but then you manually focussed that by scrolling a wheel on the back of the camera. The Lumix has SLR style changeable lenses, and there's no indicator on screen.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

NewStuff
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#18

"simonrl" wrote:

"NewStuff" wrote:
At that kind of distance, and with (presumably),a wide angle lens, why not just throw it in manual, and turn it to infinity?

Unfortunately the camera I use doesn't have a lock it off infinity mode. Not that I've found anyway. And the focus ring isn't marked; and turning its furthest point results in out of focus shots.

That however is the approach I used for 5 years with the Nikon 8400 thought :thumbup:

Aha... I suspect that you can fit an adaptor, and get some cracking old (and cheap), glass on there to remedy that.

Searching for the ever elusive Underground Titty Bar.

DDDWH CC

mountainpenguin
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#19

tipex :)
Take camera out on a nice sunny day and get it to infinity focus
make sure it really is then tipex the focus / barrel
instant infinity mark!
also you could use glow in the dark stuff to make it easier :)

RichardB
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#20

I use a laser pointer for focussing, it works very well. Once the camera has focussed you should be able to hold the shutter button half down, release the laser and then take the shot.

I have a green laser (not one of the super-powerful ones that's supposed to be able to pop balloons), it seems to do the job better than the more common red ones.

I discovered that toddlers will chase a laser in much the same way as cats will. I found it much more amusing than their parents did. :lol: