Just wanted to share some quick observations after having used a few different rangfinding tools with the tech cam.
First one I tried was an older ultrasonic measuring device I had bought for a home project a few years ago. It worked great for measuring interior walls, but needed a pretty flat reflective surface to measure accurately after 10 meters. Less than 10 m and it seemed to be accurate to around 1/8" or 3 mm. On the upside, it was cheap -- about $35 -- and would probably be fine for most studio or interior applications.
I then went whole hog and bought a Leica Disto, top of the line D-8. It was extremely accurate, like to 1/32" or 1mm, and had a much longer range, easily measuring out to 30 or 40 meters in bright sun. But it got harder to point accurately as range got further, even using its built-in magnifying display and target. Plus it did not like to read off brush or gravel very well at longer distances, preferring more of a reflective surface.
Enter my current favorite, a monocular laser rangefinder. I did a lot of research and have been using the one I chose for about three weeks now, and find it excellent. These are designed for shooters and hunters to measure longer target distances. Since they are designed for hunters, many of the newer generations are designed to read off less reflective objects like brush and dirt. You sight through a 4x to 6x optic with a reticle, press a button and the distance reads out directly in the viewfinder. The downside is most only read to the nearest yard or meter, and most can't read if an object is under 10 meters or so. Some also have inclinometers to measure your sighting angle and even ballistic trajectory compensation readouts -- of course not really needed for photographic purposes.
The low end of these run in the $150 range and offer direct ranging only range to around 500 meters, and usually have a black LCD readout -- not the best for reading in dim light. The mid range options run $250 - $500 and usually have red LED readouts with some other ranging options like sight angle, and range from 500 to 1000 meters. The top end have several functions, range out to beyond 1000 meters. Some are made by companies like Leica or Swarovoski, and can cost upwards of $1000.
However, there is one in the mid range worth mentioning... It is made by a company called Leupold, famous for excellent rifle optics, called a RX 1000i with DNA. This model was designed for both a bow hunter and rifle hunter, so it measures to 1/10th meters (or yards) at distances under 125 m, then full meters out to 1000, PLUS it ranges down to as close as 5m. This unit has a big red LED readout, and I have accurately ranged objects like rocks under bright sun to 700m, then turn around and measure a tree limb at 104.5 m and then the trunk at 105.2 m -- pretty cool for photographic purposes. This model does not have any other ballistic features, but it does have three selectable reticles for targeting, adjustable LED brightness, and reads in yards or meters. It costs about $350. They make a model that runs $50 more, the RX 1000i with DNA and TBR, the TBR means it includes a bunch of ballistic angular calculation features; but note that this version does NOT measure to 1/10ths, only full meters, and the display is pretty clogged up with data not necessary for a photographer.
You can find retailers by clicking through the Amazon link at the top of our site and entering the model number.
Here is a link to the manufacturer's website for more info: http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-.../rx-1000i-with-dna-digital-laser-rangefinder/
First one I tried was an older ultrasonic measuring device I had bought for a home project a few years ago. It worked great for measuring interior walls, but needed a pretty flat reflective surface to measure accurately after 10 meters. Less than 10 m and it seemed to be accurate to around 1/8" or 3 mm. On the upside, it was cheap -- about $35 -- and would probably be fine for most studio or interior applications.
I then went whole hog and bought a Leica Disto, top of the line D-8. It was extremely accurate, like to 1/32" or 1mm, and had a much longer range, easily measuring out to 30 or 40 meters in bright sun. But it got harder to point accurately as range got further, even using its built-in magnifying display and target. Plus it did not like to read off brush or gravel very well at longer distances, preferring more of a reflective surface.
Enter my current favorite, a monocular laser rangefinder. I did a lot of research and have been using the one I chose for about three weeks now, and find it excellent. These are designed for shooters and hunters to measure longer target distances. Since they are designed for hunters, many of the newer generations are designed to read off less reflective objects like brush and dirt. You sight through a 4x to 6x optic with a reticle, press a button and the distance reads out directly in the viewfinder. The downside is most only read to the nearest yard or meter, and most can't read if an object is under 10 meters or so. Some also have inclinometers to measure your sighting angle and even ballistic trajectory compensation readouts -- of course not really needed for photographic purposes.
The low end of these run in the $150 range and offer direct ranging only range to around 500 meters, and usually have a black LCD readout -- not the best for reading in dim light. The mid range options run $250 - $500 and usually have red LED readouts with some other ranging options like sight angle, and range from 500 to 1000 meters. The top end have several functions, range out to beyond 1000 meters. Some are made by companies like Leica or Swarovoski, and can cost upwards of $1000.
However, there is one in the mid range worth mentioning... It is made by a company called Leupold, famous for excellent rifle optics, called a RX 1000i with DNA. This model was designed for both a bow hunter and rifle hunter, so it measures to 1/10th meters (or yards) at distances under 125 m, then full meters out to 1000, PLUS it ranges down to as close as 5m. This unit has a big red LED readout, and I have accurately ranged objects like rocks under bright sun to 700m, then turn around and measure a tree limb at 104.5 m and then the trunk at 105.2 m -- pretty cool for photographic purposes. This model does not have any other ballistic features, but it does have three selectable reticles for targeting, adjustable LED brightness, and reads in yards or meters. It costs about $350. They make a model that runs $50 more, the RX 1000i with DNA and TBR, the TBR means it includes a bunch of ballistic angular calculation features; but note that this version does NOT measure to 1/10ths, only full meters, and the display is pretty clogged up with data not necessary for a photographer.
You can find retailers by clicking through the Amazon link at the top of our site and entering the model number.
Here is a link to the manufacturer's website for more info: http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-.../rx-1000i-with-dna-digital-laser-rangefinder/