Throwers Picture Comparison

So I'm going to do a picture comparison of my throwers. It includes my TM36vn XPG2 PDT, M25C2vnT XPG2 PDT, K40vn XML2 U3 PDT, X60vn XML2 U3 PDT, TK75vnQ XML2 U3 PDT, M25C2vn XPG2 PDT, and TK75vn KT XML2 U3 PDT. I think that's all of them. So my question is I have access to take pictures at either 275 meters, 300 meters, or 750 meters, so which one? I think doing 275 meters would still allow enough lumens to show up in the pictures well. I'm using my daughter's DSLR and I think 250mm zoom lens. I could be wrong on the size of the lens as I'm not home now but it's not a large zoom. I'm thinking of doing a wide angle and a zoom for each light. Any other ideas or votes on the distance?



Update::::::::::::::

Post 30 has 300 meter ultra throwers comparison

Post 36 has corrected photos for X60vn at 300 meters

Post 37 has 80 meter pocket throwers comparison

Post 86 has 25 and 50 meter nano throwers comparison

Whooooooo...some heavy artillery there :rock:

275 or 300m sounds good. I like the idea of both wide and zoom. 250mm lens would probably get too tight; I like a nice overall shot to get an idea of the beam/spill if any.

If you could, hit something white or rather bright in the distance for reference.

Looking forward to this. Thanks!!

markr6 said:

Whooooooo...some heavy artillery there :rock:

275 or 300m sounds good. I like the idea of both wide and zoom. 250mm lens would probably get too tight; I like a nice overall shot to get an idea of the beam/spill if any.

If you could, hit something white or rather bright in the distance for reference.

Looking forward to this. Thanks!!

Click to expand...

Thanks.
Unfortunately the only areas nearby and accessible to me and my crutches allow me to target trees. There are a few water towers but they are in populated areas and pretty well lit up. I've been racking my brain to find somewhere with reflective or white target but everything so far is a very short distance.

Anybody else? I'm getting ready to try and do this.

275 is enough for usability
and use 750 as well, on the ones that will reach that far, for reference

Myself I wouldn't use reflective traffic signs to gauge light reach, they reflect a simple Bic lighter from half a block away in dark.
Just saying, not trying to ruin effort.
Cheers for the test though +1

WarRaven said:

Myself I wouldn't use reflective traffic signs to gauge light reach, they reflect a simple Bic lighter from half a block away in dark.
Just saying, not trying to ruin effort.
Cheers for the test though +1

Click to expand...

That's true. Definitely will keep that in mind and not use any reflective surfaces.
I just got done taking pics at 275 meters. Thanks to my youngest because there's no way I could of done it by myself. Gotta upload the pics from the camera and I'll post them all.

Should I edit post 1 or make a new post.

WarRaven said:

Myself I wouldn't use reflective traffic signs to gauge light reach, they reflect a simple Bic lighter from half a block away in dark.
Just saying, not trying to ruin effort.
Cheers for the test though +1

Click to expand...

Yeah, I was thinking more of a cardboard box, posterboard, dead tree stump, etc. Trees are fine though...that's what I use!

Loading the pics onto my tablet now. Hopefully they turn out good as my daughter played photographer. LOL. Will update shortly

If you have a helper, consider setting up a camera near to the target. That might be more effective than trying to zoom in to see what is happening 300 meters away.

275 Meter Thrower Comparison
Nikon D5000 DSLR
200mm lens
1 second exposure
ISO 1600
The camera was on a tripod and each light was on a chair to the left and and even with the camera.

First picture is wide angle and second is zoomed in. Sorry the pictures aren't perfect but my youngest daughter and I are still learning how to use my oldest's camera. I had to manually focus, as the auto focus wouldn't pic up the lights. I'm gonna try again tomorrow so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to help.

I started from my weakest to strongest in Lux

341k Lux - TK75vnKT Fiat Lux XML2 U3 PDT

343k Lux - M25C2vn Fiat Lux XPG2 PDT

365k Lux - K40vn XML2 U3 PDT

366K Lux -TK75vnQ XML2 U3 PDT

600k Lux - X60vn Fiat Lux XML2 U3 PDT

775k Lux - M25C2vnT Fiat Lux XPG2 PDT

903k Lux - TM36vn XPG2 PDT

All of the Lux were derived from either Vinh or are lights that Jmpaul360 measured for his thread. All were measured except for the TK75vnQ and X60vn. I believe looking at the pics that the Q is under rated as the K40vn was just measured by Vinh at 365k. The X60vn is a Fiat Lux with U3 and the original X60vn with U2 burn in was measured by Jmpaul360 at 610k so I am inferring that it puts out more than the 550k Vinh is citing. Take that with a grain of salt. If you disagree, please let me know and why. My guess on my M30Cvn Fiat Lux may be way off per Alex1234 and that is possible but nobody has posted any Lux figures yet.

I will try to do the zoom pictures again tomorrow to get the in perfect focus. Again any advice is appreciated.

I hope you guys enjoy the pics as I spent a few hours putting this together.

BigWilly

KeepingItLight said:

If you have a helper, consider setting up a camera near to the target. That might be more effective than trying to zoom in to see what is happening 300 meters away.

Click to expand...

Good idea. Will try this tomorrow if I can get her help again. Thanks.

Nice work +1

Yes, very very nice work Bigwilly!
Yikes! That's X60vn has it all! :twothumbs

Bigwilly said:

Good idea. Will try this tomorrow if I can get her help again. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Bring your cell phones.

Great pics, bro! You've got some firepower.

Excellent comparison.... nice work :twothumbs

Thanks guys. Now after getting clearer pictures at 275 meters I wanna try further but we had a hard time with most of the lights picking them up in the viewfinder. Any tips for taking very long range shots?

Bigwilly said:

Thanks guys. Now after getting clearer pictures at 275 meters I wanna try further but we had a hard time with most of the lights picking them up in the viewfinder. Any tips for taking very long range shots?

Click to expand...

I think the best thing to do is use the brightest light you have to set up the shot; make sure what you're hitting is in frame. Then set your lens to manual focus (small switch on the side of lens). Rotate the manual focus ring all the way to (I think to the left) until you see the infinity symbol. Take a test shot. I'm not sure what settings you'll need to use at that distance so you'll need to play with that without overdoing it (i.e. 5-second exposure making the light look much brighter than it actually is)

I've been reading up on using her DSLR so I got a little grasp on what I was doing wrong. Hopefully tonight's pics will come out perfectly.