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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Filter for Shooting with Lasers

M

Matt W.

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Hi, are there any filters that doesn't lose a lot of stop that let you shoot lasers without risk of damaging the sensor? Just curious. Are there any lasers that are safe to use? I figure those for light shows should mostly be okay since they're meant to be safe for eyes.
 
Mark Toia said:
Ive shot a lazar show.... not an issue at all.... and filterless..
I would how ever just stick a bright one deep into the sensor for a minutie, but all is fine to shot lazar shows...
Click to expand...

polls_what_you_talking_about_2026_487364_answer_2_xlarge.jpeg


hahahaha, sorry. I had to.
 
There was a thread a month or so ago that asked the same thing. If I remember correctly, the final answer was you can shoot a laser show, but be prepared to fry your sensor, about an $8500 repair bill I think. No filter will save you either if the laser hits the sensor directly.
 
Thanks. Not going to risk it.
 
Something came to mind that maybe someone can address.

What about shooting a laser show through a pinhole? No lens to gather and focus extra light, unlikely to directly align with a pinhole, and shooting 5k, you could have a large image to crop. I'm not wanting to do it... just tossing it out for discussion.
 
Elsie N said:
Something came to mind that maybe someone can address.

What about shooting a laser show through a pinhole? No lens to gather and focus extra light, unlikely to directly align with a pinhole, and shooting 5k, you could have a large image to crop. I'm not wanting to do it... just tossing it out for discussion.
Click to expand...

Not enough light and poor "optical" quality... ;-)

Pat

PS: there must be a way of filtering out/diffract such a parallel light as a laser...
 
The only safe way would be to use a Ground Glass 35mm adapter.

This focuses the relatively high energy light beam on the glass and not the sensor.

You would give up a couple of stops and have to deal with reduced quality of the image though.


Patrick Tresch said:
Not enough light and poor "optical" quality... ;-)

Pat

PS: there must be a way of filtering out/diffract such a parallel light as a laser...
Click to expand...
 
The only thing i could come up with is use the translucent mirror.. with 45 degree of angle to deflect the laser beam... well the teleprompter mirror for example, or the 3D rig one. Not sure if it works, just theoretically speaking here..

Just think the possibilities of the accessories you can use to avoid the laser beam to hit directly to the sensor.. I can't think of any, the laser is too strong
 
There is absolutely no problem shooting a laser show. You will NOT damage your sensor. I don't know where this nonsense comes from. The only danger in shooting an entertainment laser is if the beam is not moving, the beam is directed into your eye or sensor, and you are close to the source. Once it is scanning there is little danger. Entertainment lasers are not supposed to scan an audience but this is overkill on the part of FDA/Health and Safety. You will notice on X-Factor/American Idol that the lasers freely scan the performers! Search the entertainment laser manufacturer's websites and you'll see plenty of videos - they all got shot somehow...
 
Let me put it this way - if sensors have been damaged then it is highly likely that some people's eyesight has also been damaged on that shoot.

If this is the level of competence of laser hire companies these days then I withdraw my earlier statement.

Don't go within a f*cking mile of any shoot involving lasers.
 
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