Are lasers safe?

I recently took some photographs at a party with a laser light show. Although this played havoc with the camera's ability to focus, read for exposure and flash - it did produce very interesting images.

The laser light filled the room (the accompanying photo illustrates this), sometimes I was probably facing the laser source so suspect the laser entered directly.

My worry now though is - have I affected my image sensor (Sony NEX-5)?

I'm currently trying to set my white balance for some more product photography and think it may now be different - I'm experimenting further.

you're playing with fire. You can get some very interesting shots, no question, but if you get a beam reflected directly into the sensor, you will risk damaging it irrepairably.

There are several video on youtube and vimeo showing that very thing happening. Personally, I wouldn't risk my gear. it's just too easy to have one reflect off another surface and into your lens

There are several videos showing cameras being trashed by "safe" lasers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onkey5D3Yfk&NR=1

As has been mentioned, there have been times when lasers have irreparably damaged sensors and, indeed, it is a risk well known in the video world when filming displays.

However, for this to happen needs a set of conditions which are, thankfully, not that frequent.

The biggest factor is the power of the laser. In a small function room then it is unlikely and almost certainly illegal for a laser to be of the power needed to damage a sensor. I suspect that when damage occurs at concerts the power has also been illegally high!

After that, exposure time becomes an issue, although these are often long in such dark environments. It is for this reason that video is a far greater risk.

A further factor is the type of laser. Those creating a 'wall' risk overloading the circuitry, as can be seen for the 5D cameras on Youtube that have a permanent line left behind.

In your case, I think it likely that the power level would be low enough for you to have no issues (although not impossible) and I suspect it would be apparent if any damage had been caused. WB should not have been affected, so that may just be an understandable worry on your part.

You may be able to check by shooting a plain white screen or completely dark shot and see if there are any unexpected anomalies, but I'm sure it will be alright.
--
2011 : My new year's resolution -
To be positive, not negative.
To help, not to hinder.
To praise, not to criticise.

Lasers are not safe for eyes.

Chas Tennis

We have lots of lasers in my lab and often shoot videos of them. They have a great tendency to wipe out small areas of the CCD sensors with stray reflections, usually ending up with permanent white dots (we wear protective goggles so the same thing does not happen to our eyes). So I would not consider shooting lasers with a camera I was planning on using for other things.
--
Leonard Migliore

HighPeak said:

I recently took some photographs at a party with a laser light show. Although this played havoc with the camera's ability to focus, read for exposure and flash - it did produce very interesting images.

The laser light filled the room (the accompanying photo illustrates this), sometimes I was probably facing the laser source so suspect the laser entered directly.

My worry now though is - have I affected my image sensor (Sony NEX-5)?

I'm currently trying to set my white balance for some more product photography and think it may now be different - I'm experimenting further.

Click to expand...

As several others pointed out, a laser hit will "scar" a sensor, leaving permanent hot, dead, or low sensitivity spots.

But it won't alter your white balance. If you're doing product work, the odds are your white balance problems come from your light, especially if it's any sort of fluorescent light. Get a Macbeth ColorChecker or X-Rite Passport, and do some serious white balance correction. Your product work will benefit greatly.

--
Rahon Klavanian 1912-2008.

Armenian genocide survivor, amazing cook, scrabble master, and loving grandmother. You will be missed.

Ciao! Joseph

http://www.swissarmyfork.com

Great advice guys - thank you.

Aardvark7 was quite right - my fears were getting the better of me and I can't find any anomolies nor any black dead spots.
I shall however, take care from now on and be wary of such things.

Joseph S Wisniewski - I do use 'white' lights etc and think I hadn't replicated a setting from a previous shoot - colour checkers are very interesting, didn't know about them thanks.

The NEX-5 keeps performing well has earned its keep - it seems it shall continue to do so!