Is there any where to setup a camera to take a picture when a flash is fired?

I would like to setup my camera to take a picture when a flash is fired. I want to take a picture when a flash (not under my control is fired). Is there a sensor that would trigger my shutter when a flash is seen?

Perhaps one of these….......

-AP- wrote in post #10363493
Perhaps one of these….......

Looks cool but would it be fast enough to catch a strobe flash?

I don't know, I bought one specifically for lightning last year and couldn't get the thing to stop snapping away without modifying it. It did not have a nice case like the ones listed now on Ebay, so that's the main reason why.

Maybe email one of the sellers there? I'm sure someone else here has seen something.

This guy has a test video here..

http://www.youtube.com …A&feature=playe​r_embedded

seattle1 wrote in post #10363467
I would like to setup my camera to take a picture when a flash is fired. I want to take a picture when a flash (not under my control is fired). Is there a sensor that would trigger my shutter when a flash is seen?

I do not believe this is possible if you are asking for the shutter to be tripped by some sort of slave that detects a flash firing. The reason is a combination of the short duration of most flash sources and the time it takes to get the first curtain fully across the film/sensor space.

You could, however, lock the shutter open in a darkened space and manually fire a flash unit (even more times than just once if you need the effect of multiple lights but only have one and the subject is not moving) while the shutter is open.

SkipD wrote in post #10363547
I do not believe this is possible if you are asking for the shutter to be tripped by some sort of slave that detects a flash firing. The reason is a combination of the short duration of most flash sources and the time it takes to get the first curtain fully across the film/sensor space.

You could, however, lock the shutter open in a darkened space and manually fire a flash unit (even more times than just once if you need the effect of multiple lights but only have one and the subject is not moving) while the shutter is open.

Thanks. I could get the shot at night and just use a very long shutter speed then and hope the flash fires. I have no control over when the flash fires though.

Short answer: no.

Long answer: it should be pretty easy to rig up an optical trigger to fire your camera, but allowing for the delay between triggering the camera and the shutter actually opening, the light will be long gone before your camera catches up.

Curious about the scenario ...

ofdphoto wrote in post #10363572
Curious about the scenario ...

I thought is would be cool to setup my camera at an intersection and catch some cars getting caught by a red light camera and get the flash in the picture. I could try at night but it would be hard to know when the flash might fire.

Interesting scenario.. Your post prompted me to order a new trigger for my 7d. So I did place a "best offer". If I get it, I can test out the scenario at home with my xsi as the flash.

Do the red light camera's in Seattle actually use a camera and flash?
I got a automated ticket in Fife Wa. and it was actually a video recording of the infraction

J Kacey wrote in post #10363603
Do the red light camera's in Seattle actually use a camera and flash?
I got a automated ticket in Fife Wa. and it was actually a video recording of the infraction

The one near Redmond does. I saw it flash today as someone went though the light. I think it does both video and still.

Cool
I think I will manufacture a license plate frame with a built in optical slave and flash.
Flare

J Kacey wrote in post #10363641
Cool
I think I will manufacture a license plate frame with a built in optical slave and flash.
Flare

Cool idea!

J Kacey wrote in post #10363641
Cool
I think I will manufacture a license plate frame with a built in optical slave and flash.
Flare

I would think a scratched reflective cover would produce similar glare patterns. Like trying to flash through aquarium glass.

Probably the easiest solution is just not to push it on the yellow lights. Safer and no tickets (but no fun, right?)