Laser Beam ... at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Techniques for Independent Production

Techniques for Independent Production
The challenges of creating Digital Cinema and other narrative forms.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 9th, 2006, 07:16 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 67
Laser Beam ...

Hi all - I'm shooting a documentary shortly with a Canon XM2 (GL2) where the subject will be pointing a laser temperature gun towards to camera.

As in "Terminator" I was considering letting the laser track across the lens ... two questions:

1) Is this safe? (I won't be looking in viewfinder!).
2) Is there any danger to the camera itself?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Paul.
Paul Grove is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 9th, 2006, 10:23 AM   #2
Air China Pilot
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 2,389
Paul, I did this once with a laser pointer on an XL1S. However, I did not point it directly at the lens. The effect of it hitting the *edge* of the lens cap momentarily, however, was quite enough. It flared nicely. I had smoke and dust in the air so the beam showed up nicely as well. I didn't need to blast the sensor with a light hotter than the Sun! Don't do it! Your manual probably even says don't. And don't point it at your eyes directly either.
__________________
--
Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com | stuff about living in Vancouver | My Flickr photo gallery
Keith Loh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 9th, 2006, 10:32 AM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 67
Thanks Keith. Yes, I'm planning to have smoke in the air as well to highlight the beam.

I think I need to find someone with a steady hand with the laser ... !
Paul Grove is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 9th, 2006, 11:29 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 101
can i ask why you do not just simulate this digitally? using lasers is never safe, and its better to be safe than sorry.
__________________
(Wishes to be more informative and helpful than a nuisance)
Tim Johnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 9th, 2006, 12:39 PM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 67
Hi Tim - yes I would consider it - any suggestions?

I'm using Sony Movie Studio as my editing package.

Paul.
Paul Grove is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 9th, 2006, 12:46 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 101
i think something like aftereffects could be used here. if you want to do it so it appears directly its just a matter of having a red circle and messing with its blending mode till it gives you something you desire. lens flares can be added in alot of programs to.
__________________
(Wishes to be more informative and helpful than a nuisance)
Tim Johnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 9th, 2006, 02:31 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 270
Looking in the view finder wouldn't be an issue as the tv can't emit the same sort of light that the laser is... it's just duplicating what it can... and in this case rather poorly in comparison.
Kevin Richard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2006, 01:22 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Richard
Looking in the view finder wouldn't be an issue as the tv can't emit the same sort of light that the laser is... it's just duplicating what it can... and in this case rather poorly in comparison.
yeh but the problem is damage to the sensor..
__________________
(Wishes to be more informative and helpful than a nuisance)
Tim Johnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2006, 01:45 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 270
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Johnson
yeh but the problem is damage to the sensor..
I understand this... I was just stating the facts as he was concerned about "I certainly won't be looking in the view finder".

I agree it's not a good plan to shoot it at the ccd's either, but looking at what would be recorded/burned in to the ccd on a monitor isn't harmful.
Kevin Richard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM   #10
Air China Pilot
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 2,389
How about shooting a mirror image?

If it was just a laser pointer, I think it might be diffused by striking the mirror so would be safe filming it.
__________________
--
Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com | stuff about living in Vancouver | My Flickr photo gallery
Keith Loh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2006, 03:14 PM   #11
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 270
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Loh
How about shooting a mirror image?

If it was just a laser pointer, I think it might be diffused by striking the mirror so would be safe filming it.
I'm pretty sure a mirror would be just as bright... you can't really diffuse a laser or you lose the effect of the "beam"
Kevin Richard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2006, 03:22 PM   #12
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 49
According to this site, http://www.naimark.net/projects/zap/howto.html, it shouldn't damage the sensor.

Still, you might consider a ND filter, a green filter would also be effective on a red laser.
Adam Keen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2006, 03:54 PM   #13
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Posts: 270
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Keen
According to this site, http://www.naimark.net/projects/zap/howto.html, it shouldn't damage the sensor.

Still, you might consider a ND filter, a green filter would also be effective on a red laser.
Thanks for posting that... it was a very interesting article!
Kevin Richard is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Techniques for Independent Production

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:35 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network