Laser Beam ... at DVinfo.net

Paul Grove · July 9th, 2006, 07:16 AM

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.

Keith Loh · July 9th, 2006, 10:23 AM

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.

Paul Grove · July 9th, 2006, 10:32 AM

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 ... !

Tim Johnson · July 9th, 2006, 11:29 AM

can i ask why you do not just simulate this digitally? using lasers is never safe, and its better to be safe than sorry.

Paul Grove · July 9th, 2006, 12:39 PM

Hi Tim - yes I would consider it - any suggestions?

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

Paul.

Tim Johnson · July 9th, 2006, 12:46 PM

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.

Kevin Richard · July 9th, 2006, 02:31 PM

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.

Tim Johnson · July 11th, 2006, 01:22 PM

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..

Kevin Richard · July 11th, 2006, 01:45 PM

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.

Keith Loh · July 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM

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.

Kevin Richard · July 11th, 2006, 03:14 PM

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"

Adam Keen · July 11th, 2006, 03:22 PM

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.

Kevin Richard · July 11th, 2006, 03:54 PM

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!

July 9th, 2006, 07:16 AM	#1
Paul Grove 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.

July 9th, 2006, 10:23 AM	#2
Keith Loh 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

July 9th, 2006, 11:29 AM	#4
Tim Johnson 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)

July 9th, 2006, 12:46 PM	#6
Tim Johnson 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)

July 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM	#10
Keith Loh 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

July 9th, 2006, 10:32 AM	#3
Paul Grove 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 ... !

July 9th, 2006, 12:39 PM	#5
Paul Grove 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.

July 9th, 2006, 02:31 PM	#7
Kevin Richard 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.

July 11th, 2006, 03:22 PM	#12
Adam Keen 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.