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Laser Pointer Used as an AF Assist Tool

 

Laser Pointer Used as an AF Assist Tool lasersassist

Photographer Adrian Onsen wanted to use the AI Servo autofocus mode on his Canon 40D in low-light situations, but found that the AF assist beam is only emitted once until focus is achieved rather than every time the camera needs to refocus. He then purchased a laser pointer from a dollar store, disassembled it to obtain a defocused beam of light, and attached it to the top of his camera. The hacked-together AF assist tool ended up working pretty well — Onsen was able to shoot sharper photos at a dance club without anyone noticing the extra light. To learn more check out his in-depth writeup here.

AF Assist tool (via Hack a Day)

 
 
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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Khip-Ormsby/584046705 Khip Ormsby

    No big deal. I’ve been using a laser pointer as a manual focus assist for a while now. It’s the best way to focus at night that I’ve found. And it doesn’t disturb the nature. :D

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Khip-Ormsby/584046705 Khip Ormsby

    No big deal. I’ve been using a laser pointer as a manual focus assist for a while now. It’s the best way to focus at night that I’ve found. And it doesn’t disturb the nature. :D

  • http://www.facebook.com/joakim.bidebo Joakim Bidebo

    I see one big issue tho with this system since you often wanna focus on the subject eyes and pointing a laser into a animal or persons eyes ain’t a good thing.

    But for the rest of subjects it should work perfectly…

  • bri

    can’t you use a 580ex this way and just disable the flash?

  • Torn_faith

    haha just use a nikon…

  • Aonsen

    The 580ex or nikons don’t put out a continuous af assist light in AI servo mode.

  • WILLIAMZ AlphaShooter

    Or Use a Sony Alpha a700 and a77 (APS-C), a850 and a900 (FF).