[Kev Lewis]

I'm in the process of designing a remote trigger for wildlife photography and would appreciate any input into the specification below (sorry, it's kinda long) Infrared lasers switches, optical sensors or audio switches would plug into the box. I've looked at the commerical ones available and used some of their ideas plus more of my own . Anyone like to add to the 'wish list' so I can make this box of tricks dance lol

Remote Camera Trigger System

Mode 1 – Sensor 1 connected
Animal breaks the beam

Sensor 1 beam is broken and the signal is processed.

Mode 2 – Both Sensors connected
Animal approaches from either direction and breaks one of the beams

Either Sensor 1 OR Sensor 2 beam is broken and the signal is processed.

Mode 3 – Both Sensors connected (directional)
Animal approaches Sensor 2 breaking Sensor 1 first; system doesn’t react if the animal breaks the beams in the reverse sequence. This gives a system a directional sense. i.e takes picture of an bird exiting a site but not entering the site or of an animal walking along a trail.

Sensor 1 beam is broken and system waits for Sensor 2 beam to be broken then the signal is processed.

Mode 4 – Both Sensors connected and angled across each other
Animal breaks both beams at the same moment where the beams cross. This gives a very small area that the animal must be in before the system triggers.

Both Sensor beams are broken and signal is processed. (Either beam is broken first)

Circuits required

Power ON/OFF switch and LED

External DC power socket 12v. Internal 2x9v batteries through a 12v regulator

Mode selector switch

LEDs on both Sensor inputs to show when they are active

Lockout Timer (0.1 - 20 second variable)
This disables any input to the delay timer once the delay timer has past the trigger signal to the shutter trigger circuit to allow flashguns to recharge before another sequence is allowed. Timer activated by the output from the Delay timer. Fit ON/OFF switch to bypass this feature.

Delay Timer (0.001 – 100’s seconds)
Black box receiving the signal from the Sensors after the lockout timer circuit, delaying it by a variable time to allow for focussing position etc. and then outputting it to the Shutter Trigger Timer. Fit switch to bypass Delay Timer.

Shutter Trigger Timer (0.1 – 2 second variable) i.e. approx 1 to 20 images
The signal duration providing the shutter trigger signal to the camera. Fit switch to bypass the duration setting i.e. continuous output until the beam(s) are made again or one-shot.

Stay Awake Timer (0.1 second pulse every 4 minutes?)
This will send a pulse to the focus circuit on the camera to stop the camera and flashgun going into sleep mode. Fit ON/OFF switch to enable this feature.

Output ON/OFF switch

LED to show shutter trigger output signal