Manual Focusing Light Aid?

tromboads · 08-22-2012, 08:57 PM

really??

Pentax K10 plus Mag-lite

Cause if i wanted to take photos in the dark, I imagine it would be nice to carry a blunt instrument.

If I can do it with a 2kg mag-lite. you can do with with a 2gram LED.

...I wonder what else I can carry with my shooting hand.

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elliott · 08-22-2012, 09:51 PM

Now do that with something bigger than a 50mm prime on there, maybe with a hotshoe mounted flash too. There is no way I could do that with my Komine made Vivitar 70-210mm mounted and a Yongnuo YN560 on top. It might not be the most typical combination, but with a gutted out teleconverter behind that lens it makes for an awesome macro setup with some good working distance, so I do like using it and having a focus assist light would come in handy.

tromboads · 08-22-2012, 10:17 PM

You would use that all hand held? in low light? without a tripod?

Point being that if you had a tripod surely your hand is free again to point a torch?

But alright, I'll Play.

Pentax k10
Mag-Lite
135mm Soligar
Metz45 with frame
Pentax Af200

All held with the right hand, so I could focus and shoot with the left.

The hardest thing was getting far enough back in the bath to squat in front of the mirror to get it all in actually. The torch was good tho to give some light in the mirror to highlight the top of my left hand actually. Even at 1/6th a second it was ok to hold steady.

elliott · 08-22-2012, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by tromboads

You would use that all hand held? in low light? without a tripod?

Point being that if you had a tripod surely your hand is free again to point a torch?

I have used it on a tripod, but it works fine as a handheld setup too.

Originally posted by tromboads

But alright, I'll Play.

Pentax k10
Mag-Lite
135mm Soligar
Metz45 with frame
Pentax Af200

All held with the right hand, so I could focus and shoot with the left.

The hardest thing was getting far enough back in the bath to squat in front of the mirror to get it all in actually. The torch was good tho to give some light in the mirror to highlight the top of my left hand actually. Even at 1/6th a second it was ok to hold steady.

You'd rather do this than attach a light to your camera in some way? I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it is awkward, which your picture really does prove.

tromboads · 08-22-2012, 10:42 PM

Rather do this? No I don't have problems manual focusing in low light .

And no, I'd use a simple light weight LED that I could wrap around one finger. But if I needed to, or couldn't be stuffed walking to the shops and buying one, yes I'd use this to check focus.

Really tho I suspect I'd probably just check my LCD each time to see if it was in focus or not and adjust it accordingly.. .. .. .. ..

Good luck with it all.

tromboads · 08-23-2012, 03:44 AM

God now I worry I've been a dick.

I suppose I was just worried about you spending a lot of effort looking for a solution that seemed obvious to me.

*goes and sits in the corner

Vicboy · 08-23-2012, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by tromboads

God now I worry I've been a dick.

I suppose I was just worried about you spending a lot of effort looking for a solution that seemed obvious to me.

*goes and sits in the corner

It's just a suggestion, I'm 100% sure you'd rather have this feature built in the camera and fully automated. I personally dislike using the LiveView, but it's because of preferential reasons.

You guys think if I send an email to Pentax, they'd listen?

**savoche** · 08-23-2012, 08:25 AM

How 'bout a cheap led headlamp? Takes no hands to hold, and no teeth

Somthing like this ought to do:
Amazon.com: Rayovac SPHLTLED-B Sportsman LED Headlight: Home Improvement

Not that I have used the one linked to here, but I'd think any of this kind would do.

elliott · 08-23-2012, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by tromboads

God now I worry I've been a dick.

I suppose I was just worried about you spending a lot of effort looking for a solution that seemed obvious to me.

*goes and sits in the corner

Don't worry about that, it was pretty funny.

My failed attempt at making a half press triggered one took all of 10 minutes on a breadboard, while it did work, it isn't practical.

I realized I have a cheap flash bracket laying around meant for a point and shoot that screws into the tripod mount, I zip tied a flashlight to that and it works well enough and doesn't really get in the way. The flashlight is small enough that I don't have to turn it off, I can just shield it with my focusing hand. Not as fancy as my first idea, but it works.

**JimJohnson** · 08-23-2012, 05:04 PM

Velcro this to your camera-
Bulk LED Key Lights at DollarTree.com

They cost all of US$1.00 if you have a Dollar Tree in your area. Buy a bunch, throw them away when the battery burns out ... which if used periodically as a manual focus assist might be quite some time.

Keep It Sweet and Simple (KISS)

tromboads · 08-23-2012, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by elliott

Don't worry about that, it was pretty funny.

I had fun :P

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08-22-2012, 09:51 PM	#17
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Now do that with something bigger than a 50mm prime on there, maybe with a hotshoe mounted flash too. There is no way I could do that with my Komine made Vivitar 70-210mm mounted and a Yongnuo YN560 on top. It might not be the most typical combination, but with a gutted out teleconverter behind that lens it makes for an awesome macro setup with some good working distance, so I do like using it and having a focus assist light would come in handy.

08-22-2012, 10:32 PM	#19
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by tromboads You would use that all hand held? in low light? without a tripod? Point being that if you had a tripod surely your hand is free again to point a torch? I have used it on a tripod, but it works fine as a handheld setup too. Originally posted by tromboads But alright, I'll Play. Pentax k10 Mag-Lite 135mm Soligar Metz45 with frame Pentax Af200 All held with the right hand, so I could focus and shoot with the left. The hardest thing was getting far enough back in the bath to squat in front of the mirror to get it all in actually. The torch was good tho to give some light in the mirror to highlight the top of my left hand actually. Even at 1/6th a second it was ok to hold steady. You'd rather do this than attach a light to your camera in some way? I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it is awkward, which your picture really does prove.

08-22-2012, 10:42 PM	#20
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,240	Rather do this? No I don't have problems manual focusing in low light . And no, I'd use a simple light weight LED that I could wrap around one finger. But if I needed to, or couldn't be stuffed walking to the shops and buying one, yes I'd use this to check focus. Really tho I suspect I'd probably just check my LCD each time to see if it was in focus or not and adjust it accordingly.. .. .. .. .. Good luck with it all.

08-23-2012, 03:44 AM	#21
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,240	God now I worry I've been a dick. I suppose I was just worried about you spending a lot of effort looking for a solution that seemed obvious to me. *goes and sits in the corner

08-23-2012, 04:39 AM	#22
Vicboy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40 Original Poster	Originally posted by tromboads God now I worry I've been a dick. I suppose I was just worried about you spending a lot of effort looking for a solution that seemed obvious to me. *goes and sits in the corner It's just a suggestion, I'm 100% sure you'd rather have this feature built in the camera and fully automated. I personally dislike using the LiveView, but it's because of preferential reasons. You guys think if I send an email to Pentax, they'd listen?

08-23-2012, 08:25 AM	#23
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	How 'bout a cheap led headlamp? Takes no hands to hold, and no teeth Somthing like this ought to do: Amazon.com: Rayovac SPHLTLED-B Sportsman LED Headlight: Home Improvement Not that I have used the one linked to here, but I'd think any of this kind would do.

08-23-2012, 08:52 AM	#24
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by tromboads God now I worry I've been a dick. I suppose I was just worried about you spending a lot of effort looking for a solution that seemed obvious to me. *goes and sits in the corner Don't worry about that, it was pretty funny. My failed attempt at making a half press triggered one took all of 10 minutes on a breadboard, while it did work, it isn't practical. I realized I have a cheap flash bracket laying around meant for a point and shoot that screws into the tripod mount, I zip tied a flashlight to that and it works well enough and doesn't really get in the way. The flashlight is small enough that I don't have to turn it off, I can just shield it with my focusing hand. Not as fancy as my first idea, but it works.

08-23-2012, 05:04 PM	#25
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	Velcro this to your camera- Bulk LED Key Lights at DollarTree.com They cost all of US$1.00 if you have a Dollar Tree in your area. Buy a bunch, throw them away when the battery burns out ... which if used periodically as a manual focus assist might be quite some time. Keep It Sweet and Simple (KISS)

08-23-2012, 10:33 PM	#26
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,240	Originally posted by elliott Don't worry about that, it was pretty funny. I had fun :P