Good distance meters

Cinematography Electronics also makes one.

Mitch
 >> Stay informed about: Good distance meters 

Bzzzt! wrote:
> toke lahti wrote:
>> for camera assistants work?
>> Leica has some laserpointers, but are there any better and more
>> specifically designed for movie work?
> Panatape. See the Panavision website.

When pana is going to make a website?

I presume that panatape cannot be bought or used with other cameras, so...
Is it really limited to 20 feet?

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 >> Stay informed about: Good distance meters 

>
>I presume that panatape cannot be bought or used with other cameras, so...
>Is it really limited to 20 feet?
>

No, you can't buy them as they belong to Panavision. But they can be used
with other cameras. Admittedly, it's a rare occurence but not unheard of.
24 volts is 24 volts and if you can supply that to the Panatape, it will work.

Yes, it is limited to about 20 feet. In fact, that is really pushing it IMHO.
I find it useful only to about 10'. Beyond that, it works, but there is just
too much stuff around typically to have a good reading. The Panatape can be
extremely useful for close work (inside of about 8 feet)...say handheld on a
tight close-up, wide-open, etc. If you know how to use it, it can be a
significant aid. It does not, however, eliminate the need for and skill
delivered by a good focus puller. Indeed, you almost need to have more skill
to risk using it.

-B
 >> Stay informed about: Good distance meters 

Briancamera wrote:
>>Is it really limited to 20 feet?
> Yes, it is limited to about 20 feet. In fact, that is really pushing it IMHO.
> I find it useful only to about 10'. Beyond that, it works, but there is just

Just for academic curiosity: does Cinetape work better with longer distances?

> You could build your own. Ultrasound sensors are out there. You'll need a
> microprocessor to control them. You'll need to write software to control that.
> You'll need a display. And mundane things like voltage regulators and
> filters, and controls to calibrate it and lots more that I don't understand.

Could there be us-sensor packets with usb connector?
Then all you would need is a phone with usb-connecor and symbian and
write a little bit of sw...

--
___ / ` . Selkämerenkatu 18 A 11
_ _/______ | ` ` . ten.epa FIN-00180 Helsinki Finl
toke | |\__(__O-----\---D--)------->--csten@it +358-(0)41-5222009 a
@iki-----|-| __ _ | | . . ? halekot +358-(0)9-6856258 n
..fi |_|/ |__/ \___/ \ . ? +358-(0)50-5458386 d
 >> Stay informed about: Good distance meters 

>
>> I find it useful only to about 10'. Beyond that, it works, but there is
>just
>
>Just for academic curiosity: does Cinetape work better with longer distances?

I haven't used the Cinetape as much as the Panatape but I would still say they
are about the same. The Cinetape might be a little better but it is still
limited to about 20'.For distances of 12'-20', it is not really a limitation of
the sensors anyway.....in the real world the useful range falls off because the
"beam" widens and begins to pick up all sorts of things that you may or may not
want in focus. Also, both systems can suffer from differences in sensors, RF
interference, shielding issues, noise on the DC input, and other mysterious
issues. These things give each individual unit its own "personality". Some
assistants jealously protect "their" Panatape and for good reason
really....there does seem to be noticeable differences from one unit to
another.
>
>Could there be us-sensor packets with usb connector?
>Then all you would need is a phone with usb-connecor and symbian and
>write a little bit of sw...
>

You're getting beyond me here as I only know enough about electronics really to
get into trouble. That said, this seems awfully convoluted even if you could
get it to work. Good luck....

B
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