Why I Keep Penlights In My Bag

Why I Keep Penlights In My Bag · 05:45 AM

A night photo I took this evening after parking my truck. Thirty second exposure (tripod, of course) with the focus set by estimating the distance and using a penlight to focus via the distance scale on the lens. I then used the same LED penlight to illuminate the coupler.

Pentax K20D
S-M-C Takumar 28/3.5

dazman · 12-22-2008, 11:43 PM

Note to self...must buy penlight. Nice one Mike.

Damn Brit · 12-22-2008, 11:47 PM

I have a 'hands free' one that fits over my ear like a bluetooth earpiece. Yo can get some call effects with those led's.

cupic · 12-23-2008, 01:13 AM

Seen this used with great result in others threads I have one

cheers

Mike Cash · 12-23-2008, 02:02 AM

Whether used to illuminate a scene or not, they're definitely handy to have if you go out on a night shoot or to some low-light venue. They cost very little and take up almost no space in a camera bag.

Under normal circumstances I would have laid the penlight down at my focus point and used it as a focus aid, but there was no way I was putting it in all that grease. It can also be used to illuminate a scene for focusing through the viewfinder, but I just decided to use the distance scale on this shot.

J.Scott · 12-23-2008, 04:30 AM

I suffer from FBA - flashlight buying addiction! I have flashlights of all sizes and strengths tucked away everywhere. I am never more than 10' away from a flashlight and the new, small LED ones are fantastic! The batteries last a long time and I love the blue/white light. I often use a small flashlight to highlight a subject.

Brighten up your life - buy a flashlight!

Mike Cash
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12-22-2008, 11:43 PM	#2
dazman Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,949	Note to self...must buy penlight. Nice one Mike.

12-22-2008, 11:47 PM	#3
Damn Brit Guest	I have a 'hands free' one that fits over my ear like a bluetooth earpiece. Yo can get some call effects with those led's.

12-23-2008, 01:13 AM	#4
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Seen this used with great result in others threads I have one cheers

12-23-2008, 02:02 AM	#5
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950 Original Poster	Whether used to illuminate a scene or not, they're definitely handy to have if you go out on a night shoot or to some low-light venue. They cost very little and take up almost no space in a camera bag. Under normal circumstances I would have laid the penlight down at my focus point and used it as a focus aid, but there was no way I was putting it in all that grease. It can also be used to illuminate a scene for focusing through the viewfinder, but I just decided to use the distance scale on this shot.

12-23-2008, 04:30 AM	#6
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	I suffer from FBA - flashlight buying addiction! I have flashlights of all sizes and strengths tucked away everywhere. I am never more than 10' away from a flashlight and the new, small LED ones are fantastic! The batteries last a long time and I love the blue/white light. I often use a small flashlight to highlight a subject. Brighten up your life - buy a flashlight!