Looking for a nice folding ruler for spatial calibration in photographs for my job.

January 31, 2007 10:19 AM

Looking for a nice folding ruler for spatial calibration in photographs for my job.

I am having a hard time finding a decent folding ruler.

This "Engineering" ruler is close to my needs but is too long and I do not like the way that the low end of the scale folds out from the bottom of the ruler stack (does that make sense?).

I need something like this, however, that is bright and easy to position and see in photographs. I would also like something that is a bit smaller, maybe maximum of 2'. English-standard units are fine, but if it had metric that would also be nice.

Shiny metallic rulers do not show up well in photographs especially if there is a flash. High contrast and matte is my friend.

Thanks for your help.

posted by nickerbocker to Shopping (6 answers total)

I have one of these BMI aluminium folding rules. Similar one shown here, 6th one from the top, though mine is black, inches & metric, very accurate and drop dead beautiful. I bought it at Moss Design in NYC several years ago, though they don't list it on thier website right now. I would try calling them since BMI still seems to be around.
posted by R. Mutt at 10:33 AM on January 31, 2007

Response by poster: R. Mutt: I can't tell what units those rules are in. That small plastic one looks like what I need but I would prefer it if it were in inches. That looks like centimeters to me, but it is hard to tell.
posted by nickerbocker at 10:42 AM on January 31, 2007

Mine has inches on one side, cm on the other.
posted by R. Mutt at 11:10 AM on January 31, 2007

Best answer: Try looking in a forensic supply company like this one
posted by tkolstee at 1:03 PM on January 31, 2007

There are tons of folding rulers/rules on fleabay.
posted by exogenous at 2:28 PM on January 31, 2007

Response by poster: I really like that forensic supply company. Some of those look great! What do you know, I'm needing this for forensic stuff ;). Should have known.
posted by nickerbocker at 3:00 PM on January 31, 2007