# Led tracking markers **URL:** \ **Category:** Tools and Tech\ **Created:** [July 12, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423 "2021-07-12T20:45:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vfxjamie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/vfxjamie/32/8823_2.png) [@vfxjamie](https://forum.logik.tv/u/vfxjamie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/1 "2021-07-12T20:45:28Z")
Hello, Suping an upcoming shoot with talent against a black cyc. It’s meant to be a dark environment, but there will be graphic elements added around the talent in post. Thinking some led tracking markers might be useful here. I’m reading that they can be handmade with a diode, battery and some tape, but wondering if anyone has used anything a little more turnkey? Also seeing some interesting laser pointers that make a point grid, but that would really only work if you can control how many dots it shines. Would like to avoid having 100+ tracking markers to paint out. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![PlaceYourBetts](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/placeyourbetts/32/6852_2.png) [@PlaceYourBetts](https://forum.logik.tv/u/PlaceYourBetts)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 8:51pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/2 "2021-07-12T20:51:35Z")
I have used led tea lights with great success. Buy a pack of 20 on ebay for $10. They are a little harder to mount. I found that using an red diode clamped to a battery was fiddly but a little lighter in weight. You could clip them to a black curtain or stick them up. ---
**Author:** ![andy\_dill](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/andy_dill/32/47_2.png) [@andy\_dill](https://forum.logik.tv/u/andy_dill)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/3 "2021-07-12T21:40:14Z")
Be careful if they go into soft focus—they can get big. ---
**Author:** ![vfxjamie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/vfxjamie/32/8823_2.png) [@vfxjamie](https://forum.logik.tv/u/vfxjamie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/4 "2021-07-12T21:47:57Z")
Yeah, also worried about them creating flares. I plan to have a few different things on hand. ---
**Author:** ![kirk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/kirk/32/151_2.png) [@kirk](https://forum.logik.tv/u/kirk)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 9:50pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/5 "2021-07-12T21:50:18Z")
That’s the thing. Modern leds are quite bright. I’ve heard horror stories of tracking markers causing lens flares in low light situations, which, like… I think I would just walk into the ocean at that point. I like @PlaceYourBetts tea light idea. Just don’t get the ones that flicker. ---
**Author:** ![andy\_dill](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/andy_dill/32/47_2.png) [@andy\_dill](https://forum.logik.tv/u/andy_dill)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/6 "2021-07-12T21:59:28Z")
> [@kirk](#): > > Just don’t get the ones that flicker. Coward. ---
**Author:** ![kirk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/kirk/32/151_2.png) [@kirk](https://forum.logik.tv/u/kirk)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 10:03pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/7 "2021-07-12T22:03:03Z")
Hear that everybody? Outsource your tracking to Andy! He will handle your flickering tea lights… for free! Overnight? I bet you couldn’t turn them around overnight. ---
**Author:** ![andy\_dill](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/andy_dill/32/47_2.png) [@andy\_dill](https://forum.logik.tv/u/andy_dill)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/8 "2021-07-12T23:04:38Z")
> [@kirk](#): > > Overnight? I bet you couldn’t turn them around overnight. Definitely. ---
**Author:** ![PlaceYourBetts](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/placeyourbetts/32/6852_2.png) [@PlaceYourBetts](https://forum.logik.tv/u/PlaceYourBetts)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/9 "2021-07-12T23:07:47Z")
Oh yeah! Don’t get the ones that flicker. No matter how romantic it would make the shoot. Have a test with taping up the white light and see if you can reduce the brightness. I used to put a little orange tape over them to reduce their sting. ---
**Author:** ![hBomb42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bbce88/32.png) [@hBomb42](https://forum.logik.tv/u/hBomb42)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/10 "2021-07-12T23:13:57Z")
Our engineering department happily made a bunch of the little red diode ones for me 7 or 8 years ago for a night shoot at _checks notes_ the Universal City Walk in LA. We did limited testing beforehand, and certainly didn’t check their relative brightness next to a bunch of giant neon signs. They were completely invisible on camera. I guess that’s better than flaring the lens? Thankfully there was plenty to track, so it ended up not mattering. ---
**Author:** ![ytf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/ytf/32/109_2.png) [@ytf](https://forum.logik.tv/u/ytf)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/11 "2021-07-12T23:43:00Z")
> **[Amazon.com: Glow in The Dark Tape Dots/Circles Stickers, Huge Roll of 150 Dots,...](https://www.amazon.com/Glow-Dark-Tape-Glow-Dark/dp/B0743434LY)** > > Size:1" Dots/Circles > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Glow Lion Glow-in-the-Dark Tape Dots can be used to make steps or the rungs of ladders more visible. Perfect for use on stages where lights are quickly turned off, leaving a group of... ---
**Author:** ![randy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/randy/32/6122_2.png) [@randy](https://forum.logik.tv/u/randy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/12 "2021-07-13T00:25:25Z")
Maybe it cuz I was always picking up tracking markers that the last guy never turned off, but I’ve had horrible experiences with tea light tracking markers. I think about these things constantly and I prefer to have a variety of objects and, more importantly, ways to attach them to things. I LOVE these glow sticks that you can hang over traffic cones. [Premium 6" Glow Sticks Green (25-Pack) | Green Glow Stick](https://glowsource.com/glow-led-sticks/premium-6-glow-sticks-green-25-per-pack/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0K-HBhDDARIsAFJ6UGhgHdW4w7yqWfHjlH_5_DWgjd3IgFydZifw4gFWqCpmQvdYJBkbtdwaAl6GEALw_wcB) I LOVE for bigger and more important LEDs cheap USB powered bike lights with butyl tape to stick them anywhere… > **[Amazon.com : QUMENEY 24PCS Silicone Bike Lights Set, LED Clip-On Bicycle Lights,...](https://www.amazon.com/QUMENEY-Silicone-Lights-Bicycle-Included/dp/B08M3Z27C6)** > > Product Specifications Product name: Silicone Housing Bike Lights Set Material: Silicone Housing Weight: 16G/0.035LBS per unit Package: 24PCS Silicone Housing Bike Lights Silicone Housing Color: 6 Colors of Silicone... Whatever you do bring, make sure you know how you are going to attach them to things. And, if you need production to supply said things. ---
**Author:** ![vfxjamie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/vfxjamie/32/8823_2.png) [@vfxjamie](https://forum.logik.tv/u/vfxjamie)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/13 "2021-07-13T13:57:54Z")
Also a fan of reflective tape. I’m hoping this works and avoid even breaking out the leds. > **[Starrey Flexible Reflective Tape White Silver 1/2 Inch X 15 Feet High Intensity...](https://www.amazon.com/Starrey-Reflective-Tape/dp/B08R8LWTZ7)** > > Size:1/2IN X 15FT > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Providing wide-angle reflectivity and maximizing night-time visibility,indoor/outdoor,super bright,Great for reducing traffic accident.High intensity reflective film with best quality for... ---
**Author:** ![finnjaeger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@finnjaeger](https://forum.logik.tv/u/finnjaeger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/14 "2021-07-13T15:40:57Z")
some laser party lights are awesome as well. Ive used them before just did green on a greenscreen worked really well. something like this : [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/thedepartmentofexternalservices/original/2X/3/3b2b77c750bab72b4c527b17f0237ccffa1075d7.jpeg "Random-Dot Calibration") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLHPIBEaVB4) ---
**Author:** ![vfxjamie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/vfxjamie/32/8823_2.png) [@vfxjamie](https://forum.logik.tv/u/vfxjamie)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/15 "2021-07-13T16:04:23Z")
Yeah that is cool. I’ve seen some laser pointers that do a similar thing, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to choose the number of points? Say 10-20 instead of 100+. ---
**Author:** ![uzer\_name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f19dbf/32.png) [@uzer\_name](https://forum.logik.tv/u/uzer_name)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/16 "2021-07-13T16:12:25Z")
i tried to use laser pointer with green laser and “disco” prism to add trackng marks to xhromakey bkg, but it was a lot of glass in scene (windows, etc) so marks was clearly reflected and even re-reflected from glass to scene, so decided not to use pointer ---
**Author:** ![randy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/randy/32/6122_2.png) [@randy](https://forum.logik.tv/u/randy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/17 "2021-07-13T16:25:31Z")
Plus lasers. Eye damage. Celebrities. Insurance. Yikes. ---
**Author:** ![finnjaeger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@finnjaeger](https://forum.logik.tv/u/finnjaeger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/18 "2021-07-13T18:16:37Z")
Glas and greenscreen is horrible no matter what 🙂 The lasers I used I just put on the rails that the electricians use so they where next to the main lights hitting the chroma backdrop ) and it was no hazard and incredibly quick to setup vs gaffa-konfetti. Had 12 of them and filled out a pretty large stage ---
**Author:** ![ytf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/ytf/32/109_2.png) [@ytf](https://forum.logik.tv/u/ytf)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/19 "2021-07-13T18:17:47Z")
Not to mention the threat of wild fires while clearing a path for the California High Speed rail. ---
**Author:** ![sharondiaz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.logik.tv/sharondiaz/32/895_2.png) [@sharondiaz](https://forum.logik.tv/u/sharondiaz)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423/20 "2021-07-13T20:24:29Z")
Brilliant! What a great find! Thank you! [Next page](https://forum.logik.tv/t/led-tracking-markers/3423.md?page=2)