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Ivan J. Eberle · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Monterey, CA

I've re-mirrored my RF and gotten it very accurately dialed in with my Caltar IIN 135mm. I'm also stoked that a common red LED laser pointer does a fantastic job of focus confirmation and rapid focus acquisition in broad daylight.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a specific brand and model laser pointer that can be adapted/hacked to fit inside the original right-angle Focuspot housing? (My Meridian 45CE has a revolving back that would interfere with simply clamping one on the eyepiece). I'm thinking it will be really slick to use the original rotary switch, too.
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pv17vv · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject:

IIRC it has been discussed here some time ago by someone from Italy.

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

A simple search for laser will bring up a lot of ideas discussed here.
I am sure that one of them will get you started.

Ivan J. Eberle · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Monterey, CA

Thanks, and yes, I did think to search first.

From what I see of the resulting threads, however, no one has yet indicated which specific laser pointer or module works with and fits inside the Focuspot housing. I've already burned a lot of gasoline looking for laser pointers in all the local Targets and Walmarts etc to no avail, as well. Looks like I need to order something online, sight unseen.

Anyone who's actually done this have a specific recommendation of what worked for you?
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45PSS · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:33 am Post subject:

1st. choice: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/513525/Office-Depot-Keychain-Laser-Pointer-1/

ND. choice: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/343483/Quartet-Class-3A-Standard-Laser-Pointer/

3.rd choice: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/905072/Quartet-Comfort-Classic-Class-2-Laser/

Staples and Office Max do not have any lower cost or small models that use button batteries.

Careful removal of the workings with external of the focus spot mounting of the batteries may work.

Search engine for Laser pointer(s) in shopping of office supplies may produce some more or better possibilities.
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Ivan J. Eberle · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Monterey, CA

Thanks Charles!

Of the #1 choice, does it fit inside the Focuspot housing without disassembly? 3 button cells or 2?

I've already got a couple of #3's, that I use in conjunction with beam interrupt triggers. Like the voltage (takes 2 AAAs =3V) but the form factor won't work with the Focuspot.
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45PSS · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:31 pm Post subject:

I do not have a focus spot on hand; I do not have a pointer to try; just knew where to look to find something to research further.
http://www.staples.com/Apollo-MP1200-Plastic-Laser-Pointer/product_829630?cmArea=SEARCH
may actually be a better choice after giving it some more thought.

Click on the product details tab on the items page, some show manufacturer and model number. the keychain uses 3.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Ivan J. Eberle · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Monterey, CA

A problem with most of the common pen-type and keychain types is that the capsules containing the LED have it off center, and are nearly as large as the Focuspot tube.

After trying a few different ones and hacking them apart, the best I found so far is a cat toy (Fat Cat) that has a terrific and tiny all brass, threaded well-focused laser capsule. With a small amount of filing it will fit vertically and centered in the downtube of the Focuspot (The original lens had to be popped out).

Now on to finding a 3 volt rechargeable soldertab battery (LiOn?) that will neatly fit inside the horizontal tube.
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graphicdave · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Maryland

I used the Graflite 2 cell flash for the power source for my experiment. I was able to fit the laser into the Focuspot and use the flash cord and rotary switch as well. Unfortunately this was done several years ago so I don't recall what brand of laser I used. I do remember it was a short keychain type. Much easier to focus with than the image of a filament. One word of caution, and I'm sure you've already considered this....careful with the eyes of your subjects!

Ivan J. Eberle · Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Monterey, CA

A common CR2 lithium 3V photo battery fits the bore of the Focuspot almost perfectly, with the caveat that it didn't fit all the way down inside the tube until I dusted down the stops with a 120# Dremel-type sanding drum. (Less than 5 minutes work). Still puzzling out the battery terminals, have decided against a rechargeable because the CR2 type is so commonplace and it's a type I already have need of, with RF flash triggers (Yong Nuo and Phottix, both)
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