Laser dot sight damage XL1S ? at DVinfo.net

Keith Loh · October 15th, 2002, 12:51 AM

I want to shoot a laser dot sight (the laser sight you always see on guns), directly at the camera. Will this damage it? Or is this something that I can quickly flash the lens with but not leave pointed at the CCDs for any duration?

It says it's a Class 3A 5MW Wavelength 670mm laser. (With the warning not to point at the eyes).

Don Berube · October 15th, 2002, 07:20 AM

I would suspect that aiming a high-intensity laser beam into the lens of any camera is not a good idea, however, I am not entirely sure.

I would at least start by activating the internal ND filter, and probably also add an additional 9db screw-on filter on the front of the lens, closing the iris prior to pointing the laser beam into the lens, slowly opening the iris until perhaps you see the effect you want.

Careful though, years ago an associate of mine zapped me in the eye with a laser pointer, it hurt.

Keith Loh · October 15th, 2002, 10:07 AM

Hmmm, sounds like a no go shot for me. I won't have the lighting I need. Probably I will have the actors aim off center.

Don Berube · October 15th, 2002, 10:55 AM

perhaps you could use a slight amount of B-smoke (fog) to enhance the beam of the laser in the shot?

Keith Loh · October 15th, 2002, 11:10 AM

I doubt I will be that organized, to be honest.

Question though: would that set off a sprinkler system?

Dylan Couper · October 15th, 2002, 10:45 PM

I think Don is right on the money. If you are going for the look I think, you are going to need smoke to really bring out the beam. Lazer dot sights don't make a beam on their own, so all you will see if a tiny red point on the sight itself, barely noticible at all.

Maybe dry ice might produce the same smoke effect? I dunno, not my specialty.

I don't think I'd ever shoot a lazer straight down my lens right into the heart of the camera no matter what filters I put on it.
Of course, your camera is still under warrenty, isn't it? :)

Don Berube · October 15th, 2002, 10:55 PM

Call your local grip supply company or perhaps studiodepot.com or barbizon.com,,, there are different forms of fog machines and even some "smoke in a can" (spray can) solutions that I do not think will interefere with smoke detectors at all.

I'd be more afraid of the smoke eminatting from your burning eyes after being hit with the laser beam hehe

Ken Tanaka · October 16th, 2002, 12:44 AM

Ruby (red) lasers, such as those used for pointers, are quite low power. While they can temporarily damage a retina it's doubtful they'd harm your camera's ccd with limited exposure. The risk to your eye through the camera's viewfinder is nil since there is no direct exposure; you're basically watching the laser on tv.

Still, you might actually get a better head-on effect by creating the laser beam in something like After Effects rather than the actual practical effect of a beam. Getting a practical profile view of a beam might be cheaply and easily achieved with a humidifier or simple cigar smoke in a still room.

Nathan Gifford · October 16th, 2002, 07:56 AM

I hope you mean 5 mW and MW laser. A 5 MW would blow a hole right through an XL-1, maybe even two or three...

I agree with the others about using a fogger. Lasers are pretty hard to spot without particulates in the air. Every movie that has used one always uses smoke or fog to enhance the beam.

I don't think it would damage the XL-1 image array if its only as powerful as a typical laser pointer and the duration is short. However, if in doubt go try it on a cheap camcorder somewhere and see.

Keith Loh · October 16th, 2002, 10:01 AM

Yes, I think mW (not completely sure since I didn't bring the assault rifle it is attached to to work today).

I'm not going to chance it. I'll just have the dot settle on the (target) actor.

Andre De Clercq · October 16th, 2002, 03:14 PM

If you have a 5 MW you will never need bullets. Your power laserbeam will do "a perfect job"...No no, pointers are milliwatt stuff. Your pointer will not deteriorate your CCD if you point the light straight into the lens (unles you keep it minutes focussed on the same spot), but your image will be unusable because all you will get is excessive blooming and smear filling the whole picture. You can easely shoot a pointer if not pointed straight into the camera without problems and if you want to reduce the relative amount of light, keep in mind that pointer lasers produce polarized light which can be dimmed by a polar (up to 9 F-stops if you have a good polar)

October 15th, 2002, 12:51 AM	#1
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Laser dot sight damage XL1S ? I want to shoot a laser dot sight (the laser sight you always see on guns), directly at the camera. Will this damage it? Or is this something that I can quickly flash the lens with but not leave pointed at the CCDs for any duration? It says it's a Class 3A 5MW Wavelength 670mm laser. (With the warning not to point at the eyes). __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

October 15th, 2002, 07:20 AM	#2
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	I would suspect that aiming a high-intensity laser beam into the lens of any camera is not a good idea, however, I am not entirely sure. I would at least start by activating the internal ND filter, and probably also add an additional 9db screw-on filter on the front of the lens, closing the iris prior to pointing the laser beam into the lens, slowly opening the iris until perhaps you see the effect you want. Careful though, years ago an associate of mine zapped me in the eye with a laser pointer, it hurt. __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

October 15th, 2002, 10:07 AM	#3
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Hmmm, sounds like a no go shot for me. I won't have the lighting I need. Probably I will have the actors aim off center. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

October 15th, 2002, 10:55 AM	#4
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	perhaps you could use a slight amount of B-smoke (fog) to enhance the beam of the laser in the shot? __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

October 15th, 2002, 11:10 AM	#5
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I doubt I will be that organized, to be honest. Question though: would that set off a sprinkler system? __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

October 15th, 2002, 10:45 PM	#6
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I think Don is right on the money. If you are going for the look I think, you are going to need smoke to really bring out the beam. Lazer dot sights don't make a beam on their own, so all you will see if a tiny red point on the sight itself, barely noticible at all. Maybe dry ice might produce the same smoke effect? I dunno, not my specialty. I don't think I'd ever shoot a lazer straight down my lens right into the heart of the camera no matter what filters I put on it. Of course, your camera is still under warrenty, isn't it? :)

October 15th, 2002, 10:55 PM	#7
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Call your local grip supply company or perhaps studiodepot.com or barbizon.com,,, there are different forms of fog machines and even some "smoke in a can" (spray can) solutions that I do not think will interefere with smoke detectors at all. I'd be more afraid of the smoke eminatting from your burning eyes after being hit with the laser beam hehe __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

October 16th, 2002, 12:44 AM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Ruby (red) lasers, such as those used for pointers, are quite low power. While they can temporarily damage a retina it's doubtful they'd harm your camera's ccd with limited exposure. The risk to your eye through the camera's viewfinder is nil since there is no direct exposure; you're basically watching the laser on tv. Still, you might actually get a better head-on effect by creating the laser beam in something like After Effects rather than the actual practical effect of a beam. Getting a practical profile view of a beam might be cheaply and easily achieved with a humidifier or simple cigar smoke in a still room. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 16th, 2002, 07:56 AM	#9
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	I hope you mean 5 mW and MW laser. A 5 MW would blow a hole right through an XL-1, maybe even two or three... I agree with the others about using a fogger. Lasers are pretty hard to spot without particulates in the air. Every movie that has used one always uses smoke or fog to enhance the beam. I don't think it would damage the XL-1 image array if its only as powerful as a typical laser pointer and the duration is short. However, if in doubt go try it on a cheap camcorder somewhere and see. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

October 16th, 2002, 10:01 AM	#10
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Yes, I think mW (not completely sure since I didn't bring the assault rifle it is attached to to work today). I'm not going to chance it. I'll just have the dot settle on the (target) actor. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

October 16th, 2002, 03:14 PM	#11
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	If you have a 5 MW you will never need bullets. Your power laserbeam will do "a perfect job"...No no, pointers are milliwatt stuff. Your pointer will not deteriorate your CCD if you point the light straight into the lens (unles you keep it minutes focussed on the same spot), but your image will be unusable because all you will get is excessive blooming and smear filling the whole picture. You can easely shoot a pointer if not pointed straight into the camera without problems and if you want to reduce the relative amount of light, keep in mind that pointer lasers produce polarized light which can be dimmed by a polar (up to 9 F-stops if you have a good polar)