Please tell me this exists...

JohnBiggs

I want a simple focus assist light that fits in the hot shoe. It can have its own battery and no electrical connection to the camera if needed.

Anyone know of one?

Thanks,
John

ziggy53

JohnBiggs wrote:

I want a simple focus assist light that fits in the hot shoe. It can have its own battery and no electrical connection to the camera if needed.

Anyone know of one?

Thanks,
John

Sorry, I have looked for something similar for myself and never did find anything. The cheapest available part that is similar in function (for Canon cameras) is the ST-E2 transmitter. It does provide a focus assist light and is small and lightweight.

It is not terribly cheap, however, but it has the additional use as a master to compatible remote flashes.

Scott_Quier

The problem, as I see it, is that the light either has to be IR (so as not to contribute to the exposure) or it has to shut off just as the exposure is being made.

In the first case, an appropriately filtered LED flashlight and some gaffer's tape might be a solution. And, then again, this might not work as IR light will focus at a different point than will visible light.

In the second case, it has to have some sort of connection to the camera to open the light circuit just before the shutter opens. This also implies that the light will dampen very quickly. Hmmmmm ... don't know.

ziggy53

I did play with a pocket laser and a laser lens that provides a pattern. I mounted the whole thing at the base of the camera and used the momentary contact switch of the laser to turn it on while I half depressed the shutter button, and then I let up on the laser for the actual exposure.

While it worked pretty well I never had guts enough to actually use it for people and it was pretty clumsy to use.

For another test I purchased several pocket red LED flashlights in the closeout aisle at WMart. I had a lens leftover from a $1 camera and glued it onto the front of the LED flashlight bezel, creating a fairly collimated red beam. While not as good for AF as the laser pattern, the LED beam helped AF a bit.

If I can figure a way to project a pattern instead of a beam, and if I get a better switch solution installed, maybe I'll post some plans and links. (Don't count on it any time soon though. I've been messing with it for a couple of years now already. )

JohnBiggs

Thanks, This is what I was afraid of. I'd hate to buy the STE2 just for the light (I use radios for the flashes).

I was thinking that while the light may stay on the flash should over power it. I know it will contribute to the exposure, but by how much.

rpcrowe

Our "friends"
Our "friends" in the People's Republic of China should read this thread. Then there would be such a unit on the market pretty soon!

Manfr3d

JohnBiggs wrote:

I want a simple focus assist light that fits in the hot shoe. It can have its own battery and no electrical connection to the camera if needed.

Anyone know of one?

Thanks,
John

Can't you trigger the ST-E2 focus assist light if you connect it like a
regular flash to a radio controled flash triger system? (Pockerwizard,
Radiopopper).

Many people use a laserpointer as a focus assist light with good success.

Scott_Quier

JohnBiggs wrote:

Thanks, This is what I was afraid of. I'd hate to buy the STE2 just for the light (I use radios for the flashes).

I was thinking that while the light may stay on the flash should over power it. I know it will contribute to the exposure, but by how much.

You could mount the ST-E2 on the hot shoe and then trigger your radio trigger via a PC cord. You mount the radio trigger to the tripod socket on the bottom of your camera via bit of threaded bar and a rubber gasket between your trigger and the camera body.

I've done this and it works quite well!

gryphonslair99

What a bunch of skeptics. Of course it exists. Just follow this thread from another forum. http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/digital-discussion-q/171412-getting-most-my-camera.html

Pictures and everything towards the end starting on page 5. rofl

rwells

As bad as it erks me to say these words: Just buy the ST-E2

I've shot in pitch black, not even knowing for sure if the model was looking toward the camera, and the ST-E2 allowed perfect focus.

You already have (3) 580EX units. The ST-E2 does work very well indoors (and not too shabby outdoors), and I find ETTL very nice for quickly changing scenes.


There you have it ~ I can't believe it ~ I recommended someone buy an ST-E2 I'm going to go pout now...

docwalker

I assume that you are shooting from a tripod if it is dark enough to require focus assist. I am not sure if this would work for you as I don't know what you are shooting. If shooting handheld, some of this may still work.

One thing I have done in the past is to use the Focus/Exposure lock with the flash unit turned on. Some cameras have a setting/settings to allow the AF lock to be set without setting the exposure. Use the flash unit IR for the focus lock. Then turn the flash off for the manual exposure.

Or, use the manual focus switch if your lens has it. Set the focus using the flash units IR assist in autofocus. Set it to manual focus and turn off the flash so that the exposure can be set if you are using AE.


I just re-read that you might be working with the AB's so possibly you are working handheld with a model that could be moving. That is a pain. I have even given a small flashlight to my helper (wife) to help with focusing. I just tell her when to turn it on and use manual focus. :-) Not optimal at all.

JohnBiggs

Scott_Quier wrote:

You could mount the ST-E2 on the hot shoe and then trigger your radio trigger via a PC cord. You mount the radio trigger to the tripod socket on the bottom of your camera via bit of threaded bar and a rubber gasket between your trigger and the camera body.

I've done this and it works quite well!

Scott, I already keep the radio hooked into the pc port. I was trying to avoid buying the STE-2 just for the light.

Thanks,
John

JohnBiggs

docwalker wrote:

I assume that you are shooting from a tripod if it is dark enough to require focus assist. I am not sure if this would work for you as I don't know what you are shooting. If shooting handheld, some of this may still work.

One thing I have done in the past is to use the Focus/Exposure lock with the flash unit turned on. Some cameras have a setting/settings to allow the AF lock to be set without setting the exposure. Use the flash unit IR for the focus lock. Then turn the flash off for the manual exposure.

Or, use the manual focus switch if your lens has it. Set the focus using the flash units IR assist in autofocus. Set it to manual focus and turn off the flash so that the exposure can be set if you are using AE.


I just re-read that you might be working with the AB's so possibly you are working handheld with a model that could be moving. That is a pain. I have even given a small flashlight to my helper (wife) to help with focusing. I just tell her when to turn it on and use manual focus. :-) Not optimal at all.

This is all handheld at wedding receptions. No helper. I pulled out my emergency keychain mag light and it still wasn't good enough. Yuck.

I guess its the STE-2 then.