Determining Distance? (Page 2): I think I explained in my reply to Dook, above. I'm really bad at estimating distance, and I needed the info, this time, to explain what I needed to the...

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

mcveed wrote:

I'm curious to know when you would need this information any more accurate than just estimating it.

I think I explained in my reply to Dook, above.
I'm really bad at estimating distance, and I needed the info, this time, to explain what I needed to the Sigma tech who was fine-tuning my new lens.
Also, I just like to know.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

You could always purchase a laser measuring device if you really need that kind of accuracy...I use one in construction (Hilti) and it's accuracy is plus or minus 1/16"

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

OnDSnap wrote:

You could always purchase a laser measuring device if you really need that kind of accuracy...I use one in construction (Hilti) and it's accuracy is plus or minus 1/16"

Thanks.
I wouldn't need anything near that kind of accuracy.
I checked on some of those. I think the range is limited. I may have misinterpreted the description because it said 50'. That may be only the length of the actual tape.
Is there a limit to the laser measurem?

sassman3629L Loc: South Florida

Please excuse double post!
Sonny

sassman3629L Loc: South Florida

Good source for range finders: Weather proof excellent optics such as Leica, Nikon, Sworski are the premium brands. The more expensive ones are very accurate and sturdy.
Look on Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, etc.
Cabela's has a closeout department called Bargain Cave for sale, closeout where a lot of money may be saved. Just like any optics or laser gear, usually the more money spent adds up to accuracy, performance!
Sonny

RRS Loc: Not sure

Indi wrote:

I believe I've seen several posts by DavidPine indicating, in feet, the distance from the subject. Perhaps a few others have done this.
I would have PM'ed him but I think others might want to know the answer, too.
I have a Nikon D5300. Can I get this information from my camera or do I need a separate tool (range finder) or do I need a different camera.

I hope David can jump in here, or anyone who might have the answer.
Thanks.

If you look at the eagle shots that Regis does he gives the exact distance using a Nikon digital range finder. I use a"Ranging 610" it's old but it works. I don't know of any camera that provides that info.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

If you are focusing using a dslr why do you need it for anything?

Either you are in focus or not and you should be able to tell by looking through the lens or am I I missing something here?

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

ole sarg wrote:

If you are focusing using a dslr why do you need it for anything?

Either you are in focus or not and you should be able to tell by looking through the lens or am I I missing something here?

No, don't need it for focusing. Sometimes I just want to know the distance I am from an object.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Indi wrote:

No, don't need it for focusing. Sometimes I just want to know the distance I am from an object.

Indi, I see David P never chimed in.
I'm with Sarg, in the years I've been shooting, the ONLY times distance has ever been a factor is if I've been inside the minimum focus distance of one of my long lenses. As far as a farther distance, personally I can't think of any time I've ever needed to know or that it's been even remotely important.
If it's important to you, you'll just need to bite the bullet and spend what it takes to buy what you need. Look at it just like buying a lens you need. You just spend what it takes and that you get what you pay for, just like any equipment. Good luck. ;-)
SS

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

SharpShooter wrote:

Indi, I see David P never chimed in. br I'm with ... (show quote)

You're right. I PM'd him and got the answer to how he did in. A 15' rope.

As I said to Sarge, I don't need it for focusing. Sometimes I just want to know the distance I am from an object.
I bought a real cheap golf scope ($5.99) on eBay. I know. I know. You get what you pay for, but in this case it's probably all I need.
I do not need accuracy, just a ballpark number...more for curiosity than anything else.
This scope, if it works, determines distance by the user focusing on the object, and reading the scale on the side of the tube. Should be all that I need.
Thanks for your advice.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

Indi wrote:

I believe I've seen several posts by DavidPine indicating, in feet, the distance from the subject. Perhaps a few others have done this.
I would have PM'ed him but I think others might want to know the answer, too.
I have a Nikon D5300. Can I get this information from my camera or do I need a separate tool (range finder) or do I need a different camera.

I hope David can jump in here, or anyone who might have the answer.
Thanks.

Best way is like I do I travel with a team of surveyors. I also have an animal trainer that gets wildlife to remain in place till I am done. Works great.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

thephotoman wrote:

Best way is like I do I travel with a team of surveyors. I also have an animal trainer that gets wildlife to remain in place till I am done. Works great.

:lol: :thumbup:

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

wolfman wrote:

I use the free version of this. it gives you all kinds of information, including focus distance. You have to use an unedited raw or jpeg file
http://www.picmeta.com/en

Bob

I have the same one installed on my computer now. I probably got the link from Bob.
After installing the free version (which works great!) I finally realized to scroll down on the information and there it was Focus Distance.

I only had one exception to the vast amount of data it can tell.
On a moon shot, it said the moon was 281.84 meters away.
I'm pretty sure the moon is further away than that.
I mean, I was born in the dark, but it wasn't last night. :shock:

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

If you know object dimensions and lens focal length, pixel counting and trig 101 will give you a pretty accurate distance.

LJR

What's the point of knowing the exact distance to something in an image? Most DSLRs have and, indeed, old film SLRs had, preview buttons. Depress that button and you can see everything in the image that is and is not in focus. Change aperture and focus to get the depth of field you want and where you want the sharp focus. No calculations needed. Use your eye.