Distance measurement apps for scale focus cameras ?

[Joao]

I am looking for members experiences with cell phone apps aimed at distance measurements. I would like to know how useful they are with scale focus cameras. They should be accurate within a range of 1 to 20 meters for obvious reasons.
I use a Voigtlander rangefinder and I’m aware of several other cold-shoe mounted devices. Hand-held rangefinder meters are not practical (size, weight) and they are mostly aimed at measuring larger distances.
There are several apps intended to measure distances. Any experiences or recommendations ??

Thank you in advance
Joao

 

[Coldkennels]

I've never seen an app that measures distance that I'd trust as anything other than a last resort. I generally trust my own estimate more than I trust a phone app for such things.

Honestly, stick to a proper optical rangefinder accessory. I used to use a cheap Soviet BLIK that sits in the accessory shoe horizontally, but now I prefer a Leitz FOKOS or FODIS. You can get third-party clones, too. They're so small and light that you can slip them into a pocket without any issue and they're usually scaled to match the typical measurements present on the lens. I also quite liked the Watameter Super; they're easy to adjust and have a close-focus scale that goes down to something daft like 30cm.

Also, avoid the new laser-based "rangefinder" units that are now being sold for camera use. They're basically useless unless you're focusing closely and have a flat wall to aim at. You'll lose track of the dot in foliage and you risk blinding your subjects (or even just being accused of potentially doing so) if you're photographing people.

 

[splitimageview]

there are some decent LIDAR apps for ios.

 

[Beemermark]

Go to your local hardware store and buy a digital ruler. Very small and very accurate.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-BLAZE-100-ft-Laser-Measure-GLM100-23/327669702

 

[splitimageview]

Laser Measure Pro, ios, $7. Requires an iphone with Lidar (iphone 12 pro and up.)

 

[rbiemer]

My experience has been poor enough that I am not very interested in phone apps for this purpose.
To be fair, I tried a couple apps quite a while ago and so I can't really speak to any current apps.
What I have learned over the years is how tall I am and I can estimate fairly closely how many times I could fit between me and my subject.
With that and judicious f-stop choices(where possible), I can reliably get focus where I want it.
And, ultimately, it comes down to practice.

 

[webouser2]

There is a webpage that one can use to print a rangefinder 'card'. Human Rangefinder Card Generator

This may be of interest.

Steve W

 

[Joao]

Thank you all for the replies, some suggestions are worth being explored.
Best regards
Joao

 

[justins7]

Also, avoid the new laser-based "rangefinder" units that are now being sold for camera use. They're basically useless unless you're focusing closely and have a flat wall to aim at. You'll lose track of the dot in foliage and you risk blinding your subjects (or even just being accused of potentially doing so) if you're photographing people.

I actually really like my camera-mounted digital rangefinder/ light meter (the brand is LD). I have used it along with the Soviet Blik ones, and they both have their place. The optical rangefinders are probably the most useful, but the digital one works well too, depending on the situation. You're right that it doesn't work in bright sunlight, but it's been good for indoor shots of fast-moving people (without pointing it at their eyes).