anyone with DSLR camera trap for wildlife experience?

i've got buddy who lives on some land, and he's had a few encounters with mountain lions...he's got game cameras set-up already...but we were thinking of trying to go next level with it...i've got an old 40D, he's got an older 70D sitting around, and figured i'd put them to use...right now im thinking of trying to make a PIR sensor to fire of the camera, and will have a flash set up wirelessly

just wondering if anyone has any experience with this, any tips or tricks would be appreciated

Seems like a good idea as long as you have a good sealed container for the camera and peripherals. You will need sealed containers for the flashes as well as the camera. I don't know how you were planning to implement the trigger, if it were me I would be looking at using an Arduino system to take care of the interfacing. That way you could have the option of connecting to the camera either via the normal remote switch contacts, or via USB.

Because of my disabilities I'm looking to use an Arduino to add a power zoom function to my Sigma 150-600 when it's on my shoulder stock rig. I thought I might add a wired USB connection for camera control instead of just plugging into the remote socket. At the moment I have separate switches for AF and shutter, but it seems the shutter won't fire without the AF activating first. My old 300D with the TRS plug remote would trip the shutter without the need for the AF to be active.

Alan

Seems like a lot of work when existing game cameras are available. Already with motion sensors, flash and waterproof?

duckster wrote in post #18777686
Seems like a lot of work when existing game cameras are available. Already with motion sensors, flash and waterproof?

The quality of the current game cameras is quite poor even by mobile phone standards. They are good at what they are intended to do, identify what critters are walking about, but you're not going to get a wall hanger from them. I investigated doing the same a while back but decided the effort wasn't worth it for me. Check out this forum though. Lots of interesting info there. If you're looking to build a setup yourself, check out the homebrew thread.

Link?

Hmm.. I though I had it in there, sorry, Link HERE.

BigAl007 wrote in post #18777498
Seems like a good idea as long as you have a good sealed container for the camera and peripherals. You will need sealed containers for the flashes as well as the camera. I don't know how you were planning to implement the trigger, if it were me I would be looking at using an Arduino system to take care of the interfacing. That way you could have the option of connecting to the camera either via the normal remote switch contacts, or via USB.

Because of my disabilities I'm looking to use an Arduino to add a power zoom function to my Sigma 150-600 when it's on my shoulder stock rig. I thought I might add a wired USB connection for camera control instead of just plugging into the remote socket. At the moment I have separate switches for AF and shutter, but it seems the shutter won't fire without the AF activating first. My old 300D with the TRS plug remote would trip the shutter without the need for the AF to be active.

Alan

yeah, i was thinking to get the arduino, but would probably just go through the regular remote spot ont he camera...as far as sealing it looks like lots of people modify just tupperware type containers, so that seems relatively easy to figure out

duckster wrote in post #18777686
Seems like a lot of work when existing game cameras are available. Already with motion sensors, flash and waterproof?

yeah, as pointed out the quality differences between the two are night and day...i did get a trail camera for christmas though, so looking to put that out there...but still figure i've got the 40D just sitting, i've got flashes, and triggers also just sitting...why not put them to use.

gjl711 wrote in post #18777698
The quality of the current game cameras is quite poor even by mobile phone standards. They are good at what they are intended to do, identify what critters are walking about, but you're not going to get a wall hanger from them. I investigated doing the same a while back but decided the effort wasn't worth it for me. Check out this forum though. Lots of interesting info there. If you're looking to build a setup yourself, check out the homebrew thread.

gjl711 wrote in post #18777876
Hmm.. I though I had it in there, sorry, Link HERE.

thanks for the link...i think i had been to the site before, but didn't notice the forum