Photoelectric Beam to Trigger Photo (2 for 1 posting)

[rdy4trvl]

I'm sure someone makes a device that would automatically trigger a shutter that's actuated by light beam (vs motion or sound). Could someone point me in the right direction of such a device.

Secondary request - any suggestions for a digital camera model that would work with the above trigger. Not necessary interested in high resolution (8 meg is fine), pictures will be outside (good light), I'd be using a fixed lens of 50mm? or so, subject will near the trigger so focusing will not be as important as the ability to take about one pic per second. This is kind of a test project (unsure of the value of the exercise) so I'd prefer to keep it inexpensive until there's acceptance.

Thanks

[urbansickness]

when you say light beam, are you thinking of a sort of laser trip wire that sets off the camera ?

[rdy4trvl]

I was going to say laser but that sounds too strong ....more like the electronic eyes that are part of most electric garage door openers to avoid closing on someone. That may be a laser - I'm not sure. A low powered laser would certainly work I suspect.

[Canajun]

I've seen something like this at National Geographic channel. Where the author left his point & shoot camera with a laser trip mechanism (like the garage door safety beam) along the animal tracks to capture big cats prowling at night.

[urbansickness]

maybe this sort of thing http://www.bobrigby.com/brp_products/misc/shutterbeam.html

[dreamcatcher23]

agree with urbansickness - probably a suitable off-the-shelf item. Otherwise, look up "high speed photography" and see what that shows up, or if you're technically inclined, why not wire up a light-gate to a shutter release - you should be able to get the specs for a shutter release connection relatively easily, they're usually based around shorting two connections or putting a P.D. across them and so shouldn't require a complicated circuit.

What exactly are you trying to photograph? Perhaps there might be a simpler (cheaper?) way of doing it, or it might help direct peoples' searches. Whatever the case, it'll be interesting to find out!

[basroil]

maybe this sort of thing http://www.bobrigby.com/brp_products/misc/shutterbeam.html

Looks expensive ;)

If you really, really want to make it for less (talking about 1/10th the cost or less), you'll need some familiarity with electronics and DIY guesswork. You can find your beam in home depot, it's a garage door obstruction sensor. If you don't plan on using it in rough environments, you could probably also just make it yourself with a laser pointer/cd reader and a photodiode (both parts are found within your standard cd player, or you can purchase a broken one for as little as 5 bucks). Strap on some voltage adjustments and signal converters (not even going to go into this, it'de take too much time to make an actual schematic with all required parts, but im sure you can hire people on this forum with the knowledge to do it ;)), and you get yourself a pc port compatible shutter light trigger.

As for cameras, any camera with pc port or IR can potentially work, and that includes plenty of point and shoots as well, not just SLRs.

[Karl Johnston]

There was a guy around here who had developed a piece of software that you could operate a camera by remote.

[basroil]

There was a guy around here who had developed a piece of software that you could operate a camera by remote.

Someone other than this "Canon" guy with his "EOS Utility"?;)

[rdy4trvl]

Fantastic responses! urbansickness - this is what I'm looking for....but the suggestions to build it yourself certainly will get some consideration given the price.
Even found a site with a forum on the subject--OK, a little off as they focus on capturing wild life - but it primarily DIY http://homebrews.forumwww.com/
Thanks for your help!

[GM_of_OLC]

I think this:
http://www.hiviz.com/kits/tpg.htm
May be what you're looking for.
Really cheap too.
They got some great stuff on that site.

[basroil]

Also of interest, http://abehman.com/2009/05/11/project-arduino-laser-camera-trigger/ , for use with P&S camera. You can easily modify the base design to output to pc terminal