Mike Sims
January 1st, 2009, 01:38 PM
A recent thread discussed at length aids to finding the subject with long lenses. It talked about optical sights, peep and frame sights, and “red dot” finders. I have used (and use) all three, but my current favorite technique involves the use of a green diode laser pointer.
A couple of years ago guides on birding field trips- especially in the tropics- began using green lasers to help their clients find birds in the bush. It is generally thought to be less intrusive than pointing your finger and less confusing than giving verbal clues (go left at the forked branch, then up two feet to the right and…). Amateur astronomers have been using the lasers as pointers for several years also. I had previously used red lasers to align the cameras in the dark prior to turning on flood lamps and was eager to try the green lasers on my camcorder. The green lasers are much more visible in daylight. I have been very pleased with the results. It is especially helpful with small subjects that move unpredictably- songbirds in heavy vegetation, insects, some small mammals ect.
There are, of course, ethical issues involving use of lasers in the field. These have been extensively discussed in the birding literature and I won’t go into detail here. Suffice to say they don’t burn holes in feathers or fur, and don’t generally cause eye damage. (I’ve been hit in the eye by one and suffered neither damage nor discomfort. It remains a concern to always keep in mind.) Never point a laser at a human for civil reasons. Most subjects simply ignore the laser. The few that don’t often try to capture the green dot.
Since I’m new to the forum and haven’t mastered attachments, I have set up a web page with photos and links to suppliers. At the bottom of the page is a video of the finder in use.
Green Laser Finder (http://www.hotspot-online.net/green_laser.html)
If you decide to try one of these I’d love to hear how it works out for you.
A couple of years ago guides on birding field trips- especially in the tropics- began using green lasers to help their clients find birds in the bush. It is generally thought to be less intrusive than pointing your finger and less confusing than giving verbal clues (go left at the forked branch, then up two feet to the right and…). Amateur astronomers have been using the lasers as pointers for several years also. I had previously used red lasers to align the cameras in the dark prior to turning on flood lamps and was eager to try the green lasers on my camcorder. The green lasers are much more visible in daylight. I have been very pleased with the results. It is especially helpful with small subjects that move unpredictably- songbirds in heavy vegetation, insects, some small mammals ect.
There are, of course, ethical issues involving use of lasers in the field. These have been extensively discussed in the birding literature and I won’t go into detail here. Suffice to say they don’t burn holes in feathers or fur, and don’t generally cause eye damage. (I’ve been hit in the eye by one and suffered neither damage nor discomfort. It remains a concern to always keep in mind.) Never point a laser at a human for civil reasons. Most subjects simply ignore the laser. The few that don’t often try to capture the green dot.
Since I’m new to the forum and haven’t mastered attachments, I have set up a web page with photos and links to suppliers. At the bottom of the page is a video of the finder in use.
Green Laser Finder (http://www.hotspot-online.net/green_laser.html)
If you decide to try one of these I’d love to hear how it works out for you.