RED and lasers...OK or bad?

[Jeff Barklage]

I have a shoot coming up where we will be adding laser beams [in a high-tech security set] in post, but we wish to shoot a few plates of actual high-powered 'club style' laser beam against black [with appropriate atmosphere to allow these beams to become visible].
My question, is it safe to use powerful lasers around the RED's CMOS chip?
Is there any danger of damaging my chip?
We will NOT aim into the lens, but probably fairly close to it...any thoughts or advice or warnings would be most helpful!

 

[Florian Stadler]

According to past posts by Red's staff the sensor can get damaged if directly hit by a powerful laser. I think you are fine as long as you make absolutely sure it never hits the lens. This includes reflections off mirrors.

 

[David Battistella]

There are threads here that I have seen that show the laser damage on the sensor from a shoot similar to the one you are describing.

BAsically, if that hits your sensor you will permanently burn out pixels. If this happens, you basically render teh camera useless.

I would never get in a room with lasers with my RED, but that is just me. If it is absolutely controlled, you might get away wiht it.

I would not take a chance because of the cost of repair.

 

[mikeburton]

BAADDD!!! If any part of that laser accidentally crosses the lens you will risk burn in marks on your sensor. This is a $7-$8,000 repair if I remember correctly from the guy I know who had someone renting his camera do this. No good, stay away!.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Lasers = bad. And not just with RED, but with other cameras too. I've seen laser damage on other HD cameras and security cameras too. Yep, damn criminals use lasers to damage surveillance cameras before they do their thing.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Sure you need to be cautious, but the danger is overblown.

I've intentionally pointed astronomy grade lasers at both CMOS and CCD sensors without any issues. I've tested with a Canon 50D, Canon XL-1, iPhone 3G & 3GS, Sony F900, Sony EX3, HVX200 and several point and shoot still cameras in video mode.

You'll note the lack of RED.

You need a fairly powerful laser to damage a sensor with a transient beam. The kind that can very quickly blind a person.

It can damage from a bounce- but it has to be a bounce that maintains beam collimation & coherence. A good mirror maybe.

You should also be using your mattebox, with all its brows and ears, and make sure its properly sealed. This way only light from where you point your camera will be a factor.

Also, it bears mentioning that this is a good time to trot out a "cheap" camera like a Canon 7D. Its far easier to replace a 7D than to repair a RED, in terms of both time and money. Heck, a 1Dmk4 is cheaper to replace than the cost to repair the RED.

Also, shooting film for this would work without any issues. Just make sure not to use the viewfinder. If the beam is potentially dangerous to the eye then the viewfinder will multiply that danger. Use a video tap for framing whenever the lasers are operating

There is one simple common sense test. Get a nice piece of clean white showcard at least 8"x8". Put it in front of the lens/mattebox. Do a test run with the lights set as dim as safe, but with the lasers on at their intended level. Watch the card. If you see laser light on the card, then move the camera or the laser. Repeat until the card is clear the entire test run.

Best of luck

 

[Tim Sutherland]

BAADDD!!! If any part of that laser accidentally crosses the lens you will risk burn in marks on your sensor. This is a $7-$8,000 repair if I remember correctly from the guy I know who had someone renting his camera do this. No good, stay away!.

Exactly right. I had to send away a camera to RED to have the sensor replaced. The burn marks appeared as purple dead pixels, but they were in little groups and somewhat soft. An $8,000 repair is something you don't want to have happen.

 

[PatC]

Just say no to lazers.

 

[Erik Bien]

I'm with Pat on this one: sorry, boys ...

 

[Nate Heartt]

just echoing the other posts..

I would certainly advise to use caution when shooting around lasers.

 

[Nate Heartt]

haha amazing!!!! thanks for spectacular picture.

 

[Jeff Brown]

I'd agree you need to take precautions but it's not an absolute no no.

I'm just having a sensor replaced in a camera that shot a 2hr live Faithless concert recently.

No problem for the whole show except the 2 seconds that the laser went straight down the barrel and held (these were the robotic random move and hold type) the camera op was probably doing something else at the time.....
I think with a bit more care and attention it would have been avoidable.

Lesson learned.

Rushes looked great by the way.

Jeff Brown
Brownian Motion