| Sound Flash Trigger |
| DIY - DIY Logs | ||||||
| Monday, 15 December 2008 22:25 | ||||||
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This is a construction log of my sound reactive high speed flash. Essentially it listens for a sharp sound and sets the flash off when it hears it. The entire setup cost me $7.50 because most parts were salvaged from other eTrash. This allows one to take high speed flash photography like balloons popping or bullets smashing bottles. The camera is set up for a 3 or 4 second exposure and during that time a sound triggers the flash catching the action at the speed of sound. My next project will be to run wires from the scr to the remote shutter port on the camera. When a sound is heard the camera will take a photo. Birds love to take a shortcut through what they think is my lounge room, but turns out to be a solid glass window pane. They make a hell of a sound when they hit and i though i would set this baby up with the microphone on the window pane and the trigger on the shutter. I will catch a series of mug shots as the birds face plant into the window. I will call it the crash course of birds!Whats it do then?The tape recorder is activated and the stereo lead is plugged into the headphone socket, or the 'monitor' socket in this relics case. When a sound is heard it sends a spike of electricity through the stereo lead which is connected to the SCR. The SCR allows a very small current to turn a switch on and also acts as a diode. It passes the message onto the flash which is fired. Ultimately sound is converted into light with a single AA battery for power. In a dark room i can now set up the camera to take a 3 or 4 second exposure during which time a sound will trigger the flash. At that instant the action will be flashed and caught on film/chip. Alternatively i can send the message from the SCR directly to the cameras remote shutter release port. Parts list:
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