Laser rangefinder in the house?

[studiocarter]

Is there a laser rangefinder good for measuring short distances? I want to focus on people indoors less than 30 feet away and as close as 6 feet?

 

[Glenn2]

Yes, I’ve seen ones that are for indoor use. They are often used by people measuring rooms for carpet, that sort of thing. Check a tool store or higher end hardware store they’ll probably have them or know a source.

I played with one a couple years ago, quite accurate. Wonder why this technology never made it into cameras?

Glenn

If you’ve got money to spend check the Leica DISTO D810 it’ll measure up to 660 feet with 1 mm accuracy. This was from Amazon, there were lots of others costing far less that would likely do the job.

 

[retinax]

This tech or very similar has made it into cameras, just in simplified form w/o laser because that accuracy isn't necessary. But there are plenty cameras with active IR AF, like the Hexar AF.
For the OPs use, consider if the focus scale on your lens is accurate enough for the DOF you want to work with, if you can make sure to hold the RF in the very spot where the camera will be and if it's safe for the subject's eyes.

 

[studiocarter]

My old Minolta SRT202 works good enough I just found out. And the light meter is spot on at 1600 Asa for what I got pushing 7222. Now I suppose I'll have to buy some 5222 for it. Too bad it doesn't shoot movies.