Measuring Distance

shyguy · May 8, 2005

is there a practical, and accurate tool available for determining the distance to objects you are shooting?

Here is the scenario; i want to control the depth of field to within a specific range front to back. Say 30 feet to 40 feet. But i don't have an accurate means of measuring the distance. Short of breaking out a tape measure, is there another solution?

S.

Ole · May 8, 2005

There are inexpensive laser meters that give distances to 1/10mm...

There are also classic rangefinders if you want to stay "analog" - either the separate shoe mounted, or pick up a FED-2 camera (!) or similar with long base-line rangefinder. They are surprisingly precise.

modafoto · May 8, 2005

I will try out the "laser gun" way.

shyguy · May 8, 2005

what do i look for when looking for a "laser meters "? Do you know of any mfgs. or vendors that sell them?

S.

David A. Goldfarb · May 8, 2005

A lot of those laser rangefinders are made for golf, so they often don't measure photographically useful distances (does a golfer really need to measure distances less than 15 feet very precisely?), and they're priced for golfers (check out the Leitz models, for instance).

I'd recommend going with one of the old analog rangefinders made for cameras, which can often be had for under $50 and will even mount in an accessory shoe if you've got one. I use a "Widor" model on my Voigtlander Perkeo II. They were also made by Voigtlander, Leitz, and other companies.

Another alternative for LF is to make yourself a focus scale. This can take the form of a tape measure for a monorail camera (you can put several scales on one tape for different lenses), or with a flatbed, you can put a label or piece of tape with a scale on the bed. Determine the distances by setting up a target and measuring with a tape measure.

VoidoidRamone · May 8, 2005

Like David said, a lot of laser meters are made for golf (I think I have one since I'm a golfer... but they are illeagal, so I never use it). Bushnell is the big company for those, and I assume that they make laser meters that aren't golf specific. Here are some
-Grant

Nick Zentena · May 8, 2005

Type in laser tape measure into google. You should find plenty. OTOH it seems they use soundwaves. Don't expect to use them like a 1degree spotmeter. If you're pointed at something big or nearby it'll be okay. But trying to get the measurement on something small far away might not work too well.

jmdavis · May 8, 2005

You might try using the search term "laser rangefinder." These are used in golf and hunting, although the hunting models may have too much "range" (800yds is not uncommon). I can vouch that the small analog models work. I have one of these accurate and marked to 100 yards that predates the tech shift to less expensive laser models. With the laser models you likely will pay at least $149-$189.

Mike Davis

James Bleifus · May 8, 2005

Another approach, though less precise, is to focus a third of the way into the area you want sharp and use a small aperture. This has been working surprising well with me and it doesn't cost anything.

Cheers, James

Dave Parker · May 8, 2005

You can also pick up a analog rangefinder, that is made for bowhunters, they are quite accurate, due to the fact that to hit a target with an arrow you have to be pretty well right one with your yardage estimation, it is used quite often in archery 3-D type shoots, and used to site your bowsite in for hunting.

They can be found at various prices from about $20 up to about $100 depending on the model and how far you need to estimate. Most good quality outdoors stores carry them in the states.

Dave

Lee L · May 8, 2005

You can also make up an analog manual rangefinder using your interocular distance and a scale along the edge of a card. You make the scale to be held at arms length or another consistent distance from your eye (say the length of a string), sight the target with one eye, then switch to the other eye and the mark on the card that coincides with the chosen target point gives you the distance. I made one of these to put on the baseplate of my rangefinderless Bessa L, and I grip the lens and sight along the scale to measure distance. It works well at the near to intermediate distances needed for photography.

Lee

P.S.
Found it more quickly than expected (thanks to Google Desktop);

http://daniel.mitchell.name/cameras/cardboardrf.html

I made up an Excel spreadsheet to do some calculations. Been a while since I used it, so I'll have to double-check it later and post it if I got it right.

phfitz · May 8, 2005

Hi there,

Now for the 'DAH'
Every 35mm I have seen has the distance scale on the lens and they are cheap on ebay used and usually accurate.

Happy Mother's Day.

Ole · May 8, 2005

There are laser rangefinders for carpenters and similar - accurate to lots of decimals within 10 meters or so. That's the ones I meant, I had no idea anyone would consider the other kinds!

Donald Miller · May 8, 2005

shyguy said:
is there a practical, and accurate tool available for determining the distance to objects you are shooting?

Here is the scenario; i want to control the depth of field to within a specific range front to back. Say 30 feet to 40 feet. But i don't have an accurate means of measuring the distance. Short of breaking out a tape measure, is there another solution?

S.

What's wrong with determining depth of field on the ground glass? Since the depth of field will be related to focal length and aperture it seems that checking the effects on the ground glass using a good loupe would work.

jovo · May 8, 2005

I've kept a small plastic rangefinder with me since my dad gave me some of his photo equipment more than four decades ago. I didn't realize what he used it for until I began to use a LF camera in 2003. It was made in the 1930's or 40's, uses no batteries, is all but bulletproof and is digital only in the sense that there are digits on the distance dial. Such a tool is all you'll need.

djolicoeur · May 9, 2005

What's wrong with determining depth of field on the ground glass? Since the depth of field will be related to focal length and aperture it seems that checking the effects on the ground glass using a good loupe would work.

That along with this chart makes sense to me.
Near/far spread
D(mm) f
1 16.6
2 22.6
3 32.2
4 32.6
5 32.9
6 45.2
7 45.4
8 45.6
9 45.8
10 64

Regards,
Dan

shyguy · May 9, 2005

isn't this dependant on the lens used?

geraldatwork · May 9, 2005

You might try one of these rangefinders. They were placed in the accessory shoe of Leica cameras before they had coupled rangefinders. BTW I am not in any way connected to this auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=711&item=7512898849&rd=1

noseoil · May 9, 2005

Since this is an analog forum, how about a tape measure? tim

shyguy · May 9, 2005

Often i am shooting out over a river or other body of smaller water. I haven't mastered the water walk yet but i am working on it. Just ask my kids.

As far as that Vintage CPC Viewfinder/Rangefinder goes, how does that thing work??

S.

geraldatwork · May 9, 2005

They generally work like a rangefinder in a camera. You turn the wheel by looking through the eyepiece (you will notice there are 2 windows on the front and one, the eyepiece on the rear) and when the two images overlap or line up you look at the wheel and note the distance.

Measuring Distance

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