PhotoTrigger! Users manual

Transcription

1 PhotoTrigger! Users manual 1 Introduction Photo-Trigger! is a device that enables users to take High Speed Photos. Typical examples can be the photographs of a bursting balloon or a splash of droplets on the surface. The device was designed in order to be the most universal and not limiting the imagination of the photographer. The general principle of operation involves the expectation of the signal from the connected sensor, and then (after the programmed time interval) taking photo respective to the selected mode. The use of two types of sensors (sound/vibration or light) captures virtually any type of subject. In addition, Photo-Trigger! is equipped with an intervalometer which allows time-lapse films to be made. Specification: sound and light sensors trigger on rising or falling signal level adjustable trigger sensor level modes: normal / bulb / mirror lock-up works as a light barrier using (included) laser and light sensor shutter and/or flash release disabling the laser beam during exposure works with low and high voltage flashes (older models) autofocus support shutter lag measure capability fully functional intervalometer (allows you to create time-lapse movies) automatic the trigger delay increment ability to work as a flash photocell with programmable delay auto-save settings to the non-volatile memory quartz clock for precise time intervals low power consumption battery discharge control (2xAA) built-in buzzer LCD display with backlight intuitive three-button control ergonomic and compact size (105x75x26mm) galvanic isolation which excludes the possibility of damaging the camera one-year warranty

2 2 Photo-Trigger! kit content Photo-Trigger! kit consists of the following elements: 3 Usage Photo-Trigger! module sound sensor light sensor flash hot shoe + cable laser module cable to connect Photo-Trigger! with a camera manual The Photo-Trigger! module is powered by two rechargeable, or non-rechargeable, AA batteries. The power-on switch is located in the middle of the right side. The three buttons below the display are used to control the device. While navigating, and during most options, the middle button is used to choose and accept an option. The buttons on the sides are used to adjust parameter values or select options. In case of changing any of the time settings, it is possible to speed up the scrolling through the values by repeated pressing and releasing the middle button (without releasing the left or the right button at the same time). Each pressing of the button increases the scroll value by five times. Each menu option is used to change a parameter, or leads to a submenu. The camera must be connected to the device using an appropriate cable. The camera connector is usually described as an external input trigger / cable release. If the module is set to fire external flash, it should also be connected to the module using the cable and the hot shoe. If you use a mode other than the interval timer, the sensor (sound or light) must also be connected to the module. In the case of using the light sensor as a laser barrier, you can also connect the laser module (this is not necessary, but is recommended). The following figure shows how to connect devices to the Photo-Trigger module:

3 3.1 Menu structure Menu has a tree structure and it looks like this: MENU > Intervalometer > Start > Options > Autofocus > Flash > Flash Delay > Shutter Close > Repeat Count > Repeat Unit > Repeat Delay > Back > Back > Audio Trigger > Start > Options > Mode > Trigger Method > Trigger Delay > Trigger Delay Delta > Signal Level > Autofocus > Flash > Flash Delay > Shutter Close > Back > Back > Light Trigger Options identical as for Audio Trigger > Settings > LCD Backlight > Buzzer Enable > Shutter Lag > Shutter Lag Measure > Autofocus Delay > Mirror Lock-Up Time > Battery Level > Reset Settings > Back

4 3.2 Initial configuration The first step is to enter the correct parameters in the submenu MENU>Settings. Here you can specify whether the display is to be backlit (LCD Backlight), which is very useful when working in the dark, turn on/off buzzer (Buzzer Enable), check the battery level (Battery Level) or restore all settings to the default value (Reset Settings). The most important thing, however, is to set parameters of the camera. The most important parameter is the Shutter Lag, which describes the time that elapses between the pressing of the trigger to the actual moment of exposure (time needed to open the shutter). After this time, the flash connected to the module fired. Shutter Lag is important mainly when triggering shutter and external flash. If there is no information about this parameter in the camera manual, the Photo-Trigger! module is able to measure the value of shutter lag by using the Shutter Lag Measure (Shtr Lag Msr). In order to take measurements, connect the light sensor and the camera to the module, set the flash to the first curtain in the camera, direct the sensor towards the flash (the one connected directly to camera or built-in) and choose Shutter Lag Measure option. The module will trigger the shutter (and the flash) and will measure the delay. If the flash is not detected within one second, the measurement is considered unsuccessful. Modern cameras have a shutter lag at the level of tens of milliseconds. Subsequent measurements can result in a broad range of values. This results from the mechanics of the camera. Performing several tests and taking the average measurement is a good method of estimating. Another option is Autofocus Delay, which tells the PhotoTrigger how much time to wait to let the camera focus automatically (only if autofocus option is set to Yes ). You should enter here the maximum time the autofocus can take. To take photos with autofocus, it has to be enabled in both camera and the PhotoTrigger. It is important to be aware that autofocus is a relatively slow operation (seconds) and it cannot be used for capturing of quick moments. In this situation, you should manually adjust the focus and disable the autofocus option on the module. The last thing to do is setting the parameter called Mirror Lock-Up Time. Mirror Lock-Up is a feature that can be incorporated in cameras in order to reduce the opening of the shutter (Shutter Lag), often by half. To accomplish this, the camera raises the mirror at the first pressing of the trigger and only after the next pressing of the trigger the shutter opens. When a certain time elapses from the first (raising of the mirror) to the second pressing (the opening of the shutter opening), the camera will automatically lower the mirror. The required time lapse is to be specified in this setting. It is important to specify the time not shorter than the actual time of the lowering of the mirror. Therefore, if the mirror lowering time is 30s (very common case), providing a value of 31 or 32 will be a good idea. Thanks to this parameter, the module knows when the mirror has been lowered and will raise the mirror again. 3.3 Modes of operation Intervalometer The interval timer allows you to take a series of photographs at set time intervals. A series of such images is then often combined, using software, to make a film, which is called time-lapse. This mode is selected with the MENU>Intervalometer option in the main menu. This mode of operation does not require connecting any sensors (you should only connect the camera and, optionally, a flash). The following options are available here:

5 Start starts the intervalometer. The display provides information about the current photograph number and the time remaining until the next shot. Options intervalometer configuration. Back back to main menu. Menu Options contains the following settings: Autofocus the option allows you to enable automatic focus on the camera. In order to use this function, the camera must be set to use autofocus mode. After sending the focus signal to the camera, the module waits the time specified in MENU>Settings>Autofocus Delay allowing the camera to focus automatically. After this time the open shutter signal is send. Flash determines whether the flash connected to the module should be released (PhotoTrigger is not able to control the flash attached to the camera and it is the camera that deals with the configuration of the flash). Flash Delay this option is relevant only when the Flash option is enable. It specifies how long the module has to wait from the opening of the shutter to the releasing the flash. Shutter Close this parameter describes additional delay to wait before the shutter closes (default 0). This option is useful when the camera's mode is set to take many pictures (series) by continuously holding the shutter. By properly adjusting this parameter, you let the camera take more or less photographs in the series (camera must be set to take series of photos). Repeat Count specifies the number of photos to take. A zero value means that the camera will shoot images until the memory card is full. Repeat Unit allows you to select the time unit by which the intervals will be counted. You can choose between seconds, minutes and hours. Repeat Delay the most important option, which regulates the interval between shots. The value is showed in units selected with Repeat Unit option. A graph presenting the detailed behaviour of the module, with respect to the parameters, is presented at the end of the manual.

6 3.3.2 Audio Trigger / Light Trigger The most important feature of the PhotoTrigger is the ability to take photos in response to certain external events. MENU>AudioTrigger and MENU>LightTrigger modes are used for this. Both modes are slightly different, and here are the differences: in Audio Trigger mode, the sound sensor should be connected to the jack input in Light Trigger mode, the light sensor should be connected to the jack input in Light Trigger mode, if the light sensor is used as a photo barrier, you can connect the laser to the module. Thanks to this, the module will have control over the laser and will turn it off before the opening of the shutter (or flash) so that the laser beam will not be visible at the time of exposure. Using an external light source (laser) is of course possible. When laser is not used it is advised to disconnect it from module so that it does not consume additional power. The options Start, Options and Back have a similar function as the interval timer. After selecting the option Start the mode and the current exposure delay are displayed. The menu Options contains the following: Mode this option describes how to take pictures. Three available modes are described later in this chapter (also see chart at the end of the document). Trigger Method the option allows you to specify how the signal from the sensor will be treated. In the case of the Above option, a photo will be taken when the signal level is greater than the threshold (Signal Level). In the case of the Below option, a photo will be taken when the signal level falls below the threshold. The light sensor is a good example: if you want to photograph lightning, choose the mode Above (light from lightning will cause increase of sensor level). However, if you want to use a laser barrier - we are interested in the moment, when the laser beam is cut and the signal level on the light sensor falls - choose the option Below. Trigger Delay the delay from the time the signal is detected to the moment the photo is taken. This parameter is useful when you are not interested in the moment of detection of a subject, but in a later stage (the default delay 0). Trigger Delay Delta this option allows you to increase the value of Trigger Delay automatically, after each photo taken. So that the total delay time will be: Trigger Delay + n * Trigger Delay Delta, where n means a consecutive photo number. This parameter is especially useful for repeating events, such as dripping water, where the automatic capturing of the successive phases of splashing is possible. Signal Level this option allows you to set the signal threshold level, above (or below depending on the Trigger Method option) which the exposition takes place. The current signal level is shown in the upper left corner and the current sensor level is located in the upper right corner. The current signal strength, and trigger level are also presented in graphical form on the bottom line. Additionally (if the buzzer is turned on), the crossing of the threshold level is indicated by acoustically.

7 Autofocus the same meaning as in the intervalometer. Flash the same meaning as in the intervalometer. Flash Delay the same meaning as in the intervalometer. Shutter Close the same meaning as in the intervalometer. The description of the module behavior depending on the selected Mode option is shown below: Normal This is the simplest and most natural form of taking photos. The photo is taken when the sensor exceeds the threshold value. The camera should be set for normal shooting. The camera s autofocus should be set according to the settings in the module. Other parameters should be selected according to your own needs. In this mode, the response time of the camera reaches tens of milliseconds (the Shutter Lag option). This is the slowest, but easiest to configure mode. Bulb This mode differs from the Normal mode because here the shutter is always open, and the real exposure occurs during the flash of a flash bulb connected to the module (the scene is captured). Therefore, this mode should be used in the absence of external light (darkroom). In this mode, the exposure time of the camera must be set to BULB (usually the longest of the exposure times). This is the fastest mode in which the actual exposure time is equal to the time of the flash (You can experiment with the parameters of the flash as the module only gives a single signal of releasing the flash). After firing flash, the shutter is closed, finishing taking the photo, and the shutter is then re-opened in order to wait for the next event. Mirror Lock-Up Conceptually, this mode is the same as Normal however, it allows the user to reduce (by about half) the shutter lag (Shutter Lag) delay. This can be done through the knowledge of the operation of an SLR camera. In the normal mode, pressing the shutter button causes four consecutive stages of operation, which results in the exposure of photos: First, the viewfinder mirror is raised, then the shutter is open and after the fixed time of exposure it is closed. Then, the mirror is lowered. All those steps are mechanical and last for a certain time. The first two stages, which involves raising the mirror and opening the shutter, have a direct significance for the speed of the camera response to the pressing of the shutter. On most SLR cameras, it is possible to separate those activities into two consecutive pressings of the trigger. This enables us to shorten the reaction time of the pressing of the trigger by the time needed to raise the mirror (at the expense of the lack of looking through the viewfinder). In order to do this, set the camera to the Mirror Lock-Up (raised mirror). This option is usually located in the advanced settings. In order to ensure this option is turned on, press the trigger once and the photo will not be taken, but you will only hear the sound of the raised mirror (you will not be able to look though the viewfinder). It is only the second pressing of the trigger that should cause the opening of the shutter, the taking of the photo and the lowering of the mirror. Cameras also have the function of an automatic lowering of the mirror after a fixed time (unless a photo is not taken during this time). This time is described by MENU>Settings>Mirror Lock-Up

8 parameter and can be measured with using a stopwatch, and set longer by about 1-2 seconds in the module. In this mode, it is important to have the mirror lowered before pressing Start (in the normal position). The module will try to keep your camera on standby (it will raise the mirror by the value in seconds chosen in the settings) and when an action is detected, it will only open the shutter without wasting the time to raise the mirror. The diagrams showing the exact behavior in the timeline of the module for each mode are presented at the end of the manual. 4 Examples of application 4.1 Interwałometr The most common and impressive use of this mode is the ability to take series of photos and then compile them into a film (timelapse). Such films can, for example, show moving clouds in the sky, where photos are taken one after another at intervals of tens of seconds. Another example involves observing the growth of plants, but here greater intervals would be suggested. The device allows you to perform a wide variety of time-lapse films. 4.2 Audio Trigger This type of trigger can be used, when an interesting moment is accompanied by sound (or vibration, but in this case a microphone should be put closely to the test surface). An example of such event includes a bursting balloon generating a sound wave. If you want to capture a partly bursting balloon, you should take a photo in a darkroom with a long exposure (Mode: Bulb) using the flash connected to the module. This is because of an unavoidable shutter lag. In the Bulb mode the shutter is always open and the moment of exposure occurs during the flash. The flash is several times faster than the shutter and it lights up in less than a thousandth of a second. Another example includes an automatic capturing of animals (e.g. birds). Setting the camera with autofocus switched on, focusing on the place where we expect the subject to be and connecting a microphone close to this place which allows us to take photos automatically only when the subject appears (makes any noise). 4.3 Light Trigger The light sensor can be used in two ways: light sensor and light barrier. The former detects the changes in the level of light. This is perfectly suitable for taking photos of, for example, lightning during a storm. Here you can use the Bulb mode, which will keep the shutter open until the flash and will wait a certain time to expose the film (the Shutter Close option), after which it will finish taking the photo and it will automatically start waiting for the next one. Thanks to this you just set the camera and the PhotoTrigger module and leave the devices unattended for the time of the storm, which will result in a series of photos depicting only lightning bolts. Another method of "capturing" lightning can be the Normal mode, and a normal taking of photos, when the light sensor exceeds the set value (which of course can be set through experimentation with different values). If the shutter is too slow to open during the lightning, you can try to use the Mirror Lock-Up mode, which reduces the time needed

9 to open the shutter. You can try to capture lightning automatically even in the mode of the interval timer: you should set the camera to BULB mode, Shutter Close paramenter for, lets say, 10 sec. and Repeat Delay to 1s. This way module will open shutter for 5s, wait 1s and so on. There is a great chance that, after several photos, a lightning flash will be captured. The best thing about this mode is that everything is automatic, without the tiring trial and error. Also you can catch multiple lightnings at one photo. Another use of the light sensor is light barrier. It involves directing a laser beam on the light sensor and setting the options of the Trigger Method to Below, which means that the triggering will occur when brightness falls below threshold. An example of using this configuration can be the shooting of drops splashing on the surface of water. A falling droplet, cuts the laser beam, which is understood by the sensor as a reduced brightness and a photo is taken. You just have to select an additional time delay (the Trigger Delay option, and optionally also the Trigger Delay Delta), in order to let the drop reach the observed surface. 5 Hints When catching short moments in the Normal mode, you should reduce exposure time in the camera. When shooting high speed photos, it is best to set the camera to the full manual mode (turn off all time-consuming "boosters" such as autofocus, image stabilization, etc). Experiment with the Shutter Lag option to adjust it to your camera. If the time of the opening of the shutter is too long (Shutter Lag), you can try the Mirror Lock-Up mode. The shortest exposure time can be achieved in the Bulb mode in a darkroom with using a flash connected directly to the module. Keep in mind that the shorter the duration of the flash, the sharper the photo. Most flashguns have the ability to change the flash time (at the expense of lower brightness) and you should use the manual mode and set the strength to the minimum. Professional flashguns, due to their specific design, are particularly appropriate for photos capturing very quick phenomena, whereas studio flash units generate much longer flashes. In the Audio Trigger mode, microphone placement in the shortest distance from the place of sound source, is essential for the reaction speed of the device. This is due to the relatively low speed of sound in the air. A stable laser and sensor mounting is important for operation with the light barrier. For this purpose, you can use, for example, adjustable alligator clip stand used while soldering. Minimizing the distance between the laser and light sensor is also important, because thanks to this, you eliminate the problem of minor movements and vibrations, which can cause an unintended start of the shutter / flash. Some cameras need an active Autofocus signal enable before opening the shutter, even when autofocus is switched off in the camera. In this case, you should turn Autofocus on in the PhotoTrigger module and set its time (Settings>Autofocus Delay) to 0ms.

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