I'm REALLY enjoying this series...Excellent job....it's inspiring me to try this myself

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Peter, Next episode will be on sensors in this series, glad you're enjoying them!

Thank you for this nice series on DSLR camera traps, Tom. If I could request a couple of other episodes, I think they would be of interest to people like me who are either just starting out, or have already started and now have enough insight to want to learn from those such as yourself with much more experience. First, a segment on the gear you use or have used to set up equipment in different field environments. Things such as tripods, poles, mounts, ball heads, anything else. There’s not a lot of info out there on this aspect. Second, although you’ve touched on it, a while segment on choosing locations and then positioning all the system components. What direction to aim the camera. What height. How to properly position and program the flashes in relation to the camera and the hoped-for shot. Height and angle of flashes and how to achieve this. Thank you again for your helpful series.

Your nature photography videos are clear, enjoyable and inspiring. You do an expledament work of outreach. Thank you very much from Spain.

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Really glad you enjoyed the videos! Great to hear the feedback, more on the way in the near future, the last few weeks have been a little mad!

Man, this is a fantastic video. Incredibly informative. Thank you.

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

No worries, it’s a long one but I tried to get a lot in, more info on sensors next week as well! Thanks for watching!

Great video Tom!

Super nice video, very interesting to understand your process and way to think. I subscribe ! Thanks for the video !

finally managed to watch this vid and loved it - now i cant wait to see more ;)

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

They are coming, struggling to edit whilst I’m away as my laptop has decided to just... well... give up! 😂

@AikoSukdolak

6 жыл бұрын

Tom Mason thx for your answer, I hope you didn't loose any Data!?

Hi Tom, great videos. Please could you recap precisely the adaption of the AS-10 for the last flash, & also which is the ground pin to tape on the camera connector? Thanks

Great video

@TomMasonPhoto

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

interesting and informative

Great video. I am using a Canon T2i with Nikon 28's. When buying a Commlite trigger, should I get the Canon or the Nikon triggers? Thanks.

Awesome

Thanks for the video, very informative. At approx 13.20 you state that the electrical conduit box has an 82mm hole with a cut threaded inlay to receive a filter. I understand how you have cut the large diameter hole, but how have you cut the internal threading to receive the filter? Thanks.

I’m very impressed with the cases, can you secure them so they or their contents won’t be nicked?

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Indeed I can, I can use cable Locks and combination padlocks for them, the 1300 are the most solid for keeping things protected!

Nice video , I am building something myself. Can you please explain what you used to get the filter thread in the 82mm cutout? I am not a native speaker but I hear you saying something like pond glider between the box and juction box. What is pond glider?

Have you had any experience using the Nikon SB-28DX flash instead of the older SB-28? Do I understand that the SB-28DX doesn’t retain charge in the capacitor in standby mode so doesn’t fire instantly when triggered? Thanks in advance.

what exactly are you putting the tape over on the ttl cord?

Hi, great stuff, I've been playing with little trail cameras all summer, now keen to move up and trap with my slrs. Your videos are truly inspiring, one little tech question, which is the ground pin on the as10 ? Thanks, Colin

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Its the rear right one from memory that you need to cover with some tape to stop it grounding and keeping the last flash activated. Cheers, Tom

Hey Tom! Loving your videos as a learning resource while quarantining haha. Just curious, why add the pond liner in between the junction box and peli case rather than just using a waterproof sealant (caulk, silicone, etc)? Seems like the pond liner just adds an extra point of entry for water, what am I missing?

@AbbottNature

4 жыл бұрын

We have a bit of a cheaper solution that we have used in tropical environments and never lost a camera to the elements. We often have ours out for a month. water proofing is probably not that big of a deal. We also just use silicone or caulk to attach things. kzread.info/dash/bejne/a5-uxpWqacbcoNY.html

Hey, great video thank you! How did you made the place for the filter?

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Using a hole cutter, I have a 86mm one that is perfect for then attaching a 86mm screw in filter, Cheers, Tom

👍

Can we godox speedlights instead of nikon sb 28?

Hi Tom! Regards from Barcelona! Good job! I've a question ... why you don't use synchro system (the oldest method) to connect the flashes? I mean, the conections at the same way, but using the synchro cables? thanks!

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

The old style Sync cables dont "wake" the flashes from standby for the first flash, meaning the first trigger will happen without all the flashes going off, the primary light might do as the camera can pre wake, but any of the others will have to wake (trigger 1) and then fire (trigger two) meaning if I'm set for the first shot, I'm a frame late! Hope that makes sense!

Tom, have you/Terry Whitaker thought about using Rotalight Neo 2s as the remote flash units instead of speedlights? I have contacted Rotalight and from what I understand, the Neo 2s can be wirelessly controlled using their wireless transmitter which would do away with all the cabling issues. The Neo 2s have no wake up time nor recycle time which is one of the issues with using speedlights. I could not, however, get to the bottom of the standby time or power output of the Neo 2s compared with speedlights, online reports suggest the Neo 2s give approximately a quarter the output of a speedlight which may not be an issue. I have not been able to get my hands on a Neo 2 to test, I did ask Rotalight on the basis that the Neo 2s could be very popular with camera trappers but with no success, and wondered if WEX could lend you a couple to test.

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

I doubt I'd be able to get a few to test - Id have to speak to Roto separately. personally I don't have many problems with the SB28's as they have excellent standby time and wake immediately when rigged correctly. Personally the biggest problem I've had is with wireless triggers, they are OK but just don't have the reliability of wired set ups. The more batteries you are relying on to keep charge etc adds extra areas for a system to fault, and thats why I always return to wired set ups. The Rotolights are also massive compared to a speedlight, in terms of housing and hiding in the field so thats something i'd see as quite a big disadvantage too. Also with the immediate wake and lesser power that could also be a problem, but I don't know enough about those to really judge and don't really see major benefit over the SB28 setup - as long as you do it right!

I wanted to ask when you put a zoom lens out there in the pelican cases what do you recommend for focal length to keep the shot from catching the vignetting around the insides of the case

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

I just admit I build my cases so I have no vignetting most of the time, trying to keep the front lens as close to my filter/opening as possible to avoid this. However if you can’t often just zooming in to around 28mm will help stop and issues!

hi there loved the video you obviously done your research, if i buy your ebook does it explain how to solder the as10's so i can use hardwired flash with minimum battery life, many thanks !!

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Les, it’s not my ebook but yes it does explain the soldering etc for the extended battery life! It’s a very good read!

@lesgibbon6781

6 жыл бұрын

hi thank you very much i'll look into that cheers

Very interesting Tom you certainly know your stuff, just a question regarding vr if its ok In one of your other videos you said you set your shutter speed to 1250 would you turn vr off when hand holding at that speed.

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

It depends on the subject/context. The reason to turn VR off at higher shutter speeds (1500 upwards) is that sometimes it can be counter productive, adding a hint of movement to exposures and causing shake - it can work against you in other words. At low settings I’d always have VR on, it’s just in a camera trap, it an once again be a problem, adding shake when the camera wakes and fires quickly. The reason I turn off at fast shutter speeds when handholding is I just don’t need it and it can add shake, however often you’d never notice.

@michaelrobbins1632

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom its just you read that much I`d rather ask someone (an expert in my eyes )who goes out in the field and uses his camera.

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

No worries and tbh the small benefit it makes probably only affects 1/100 frames. One other major plus is it helps minimise battery draw that keeps me shooting longer!

Hi Tom, just a couple of question First does the piece of tape needs to cover all pins ? if not could you show a picture of wich pins it needs to cover. Also I just put up my first camera trap ,at first everything was working well but it seems that after a very short while or when there was a lot of activity I had two flashes ( 2 sb-28s) not firing or only one was firing at a time . Was it because there was too much activity and the flashes needed to charge up again? Because I had the system working only on one shot at a time and not continous . Also It is important to note that I was in very cold weather -20 to -30 celsuis and the cables to link the flashes that I am using are the sc-19 and not the sc-27 since I couldnt find the 27 anywhere (but heard both were the same except the color) . I had 533 shots and the camera and sensor worked for 14 days ( with the camera dying first). The flashes and sensors seemed to still have battery life left in them but started to malfunction on the very first night ! and In the last day where picture where taken the flashes where rarely firing ! Also what king of battery AA batteries would you recommend for the flashes and sensors ! Thank you and thanks for the great videos !

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Hey there so... For the flash cable, the tape only needs to cover the rear right hand pin (looking from behind when attached to the camera), this will mean the end flash doesn't stay turned on and not in standby mode. Regrading flashes could be a few problems. 1) the activity is to fast and the power to high, for example if the camera is firing 5-10 images in quick succession when thew power is 1/4 or above the recycle of the flashes won't be fast enough meaning they can go out of sync and can not fire/fire alternatively /intermittently. 2) the flashguns have been knocked out of the shoes/come loose, this happens often, means that they will then not fire on the first image, being woken only and firing on the second, the other flashes in the chain will fire later as well thus resulting in single fires/no fires on images. 3)weather certainly will affect the flash recycle time, the very cold will hamper the batteries an so they might not be charging the flash in time for each shot. One of the reasons I like to Cognisys Scout trigger is I can set an interval between each frame to ensure I have each flash recharged between shots to ensure both go off each time. Battery wise I often use rechargeable if close to home as I can replace every week etc, however for longer work single use alkaline/lithium work better because they don't discharge their power as fast and so last longer. Soon however I'm hoping to have a far better solution that ill share on here! let me know if the above helps, always happy to lend a hand! Thanks for watching and more videos on camera trapping will be on route in the year! Cheers, Tom

@poulamongauthier1711

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for the fast answer. Just to make sure we are on the same page, when we are talking about the tape on the nikon sc-28 rear pins you mean the pin on the side of the camera lcd right? I was covering the two pins on the lcd side and it seemed to work but i'll try putting tape only on the rear right pin and see what happens ! Thanks for the very interesting guidance for the flashes . I think i've figured what it was .....since I wasnt in burst mode and the setup was working well at home I think it was because it was alkaline batteries wich starts to malfunction at 0 degree celsius ...Since I was working in the (minus) -20 ,-30 degree celsius range I think the batteries couldnt just keep up .... I've read about batteries and learned that lithium are the best AA batteries for extreme temperatures and life but they dont make them rechargeable ... But supposedly eneloop "pro" nihm batteries doesnt have has much life but are rechargeable and the "pro" model are almost has good in extreme temperatures (even cold )has lithiums. So I might just try that ! Do you also think that could have made my flashes malfunctions ? I wasnt expecting an answer and especially not that fast so thanks a lot Tom ... You have a great channel, looking forward to your future videos !

nice conetent👍

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Cheers Dude!

Hi Tom, I'm currently having an issue where the 2nd of three flashes won't go to sleep. At 09:30 into the video you mention you use tape to stop the connecting ground pin from hitting the camera. What exactly are you taping off, the whole surface of the ground on the hot shoe or just a single pin? Would really appreciate an answer considering I'm leaving to Surinam soon and would hate to have to leave the system home :(

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Hey Jillian, so the tape is for the rear right hand side pin, it’s only that pin you’ll want to isolate, it will help the SB28s shut off to standby. So you’ll need to use some electrical tape to squeeze between the SC-28 and camera. Any issues drop me an email.

@JillianGreenfield

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your quick reply!

Hello Tom, thank you for the great info about cam trapping. I've been using sb 28 flashes on my camera trap for the last year or so and am finding that after a few months of continuous use in the field they malfunction and can only output a full power pulse only. Even when i select 1/16th power they still output a full power flash, any fix for this you know of? All the best and keep those videos coming. ;)

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Hey Carl, Hmm sounds odd, Have you fully dried the flashes out - I had a few get wet and do this kind of thing, always max powering and it was due to hem not being fully dry. A few weeks in the airing cupboard with silica gel stuffed in the battery hole helped. _ is their any corrosion on the battery terminals? Sometimes this shorts them out and reboots them (as its like they have been turned off and on again - re setting to full power) If there is a little bit of baking powder and water can help clean the terminals up for a better connection to help stop this. Ill have a think and see if I have any other ideas! Cheers, Tom

@carlmorrow1

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Tom, no corrosion on the terminals soi'll try your drying it out in the airing cupboard tip, sounds like that is the problem as i only had a plastic bag covering them (i've since upgraded to a plastic milk bottle cover). Thanks again and all the best. ;)

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Good Luck!

@vinwray1732

6 жыл бұрын

I had the same thing with one of my sb-28s and a sb-28dx firing full power no matter what id set it to, but they both seemed to correct themselves after a few days of using a set of weak batteries, burning all the power out of them, then leaving them with no battery's in for a few days then onto a full power set, must be something to do with the flashes capacitor?

@carlmorrow1

6 жыл бұрын

Vin Wray, thanks man, will give it a try.

I can connect a SB800 and an old SB24.

Great video but the color grading seems a bit dull/cold/unnatural. Loving the series though haha

Because I’ve got some local little owls I want to photograph at night but have no idea what to buy and how to set it up . Hope you can direct me what to buy so I can photograph them at night

Would using the trap to fire a flash, and a lightning trigger to fire the camera be too silly?

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Not silly at all, it all works from One trigger, the single trigger waking the camera + firing both cam and flashes

Hi Tom, and thanx a lot for your great videos. I have a question for you. The SB-28's are hard to come by. I thought i got my hands on one recently, but what the seller sent me was an SB-24. So my question is simply: Is the SB-24 usable for camera trapping? Is there really a big difference between the two? Thanx in advance :-)

@TomMasonPhoto

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Stian, so the difference only really becomes apparent depending on field time and the sensor used. In use any Nikon flash can work, it will just not have as good standby as the SB28 and also when sleeping for a long time some of the flashes don’t immediate flash and need to kind of charge up for a second before firing. If using on short assignments / close to home when you can visit regularly it’s not a problem, leave in non-standby mode and you’ll get maybe 3 days battery or so before being a change but you’ll get immediate fire. For longer term stuff when the standby is needed, you’ll either have the option to use a cheaper trigger with no waking options - this will mean the fist trigger is usually black as no flash - due to them needing to be woken - before the second image being exposed correctly. Fine for 1/200 sec exposures or when you know you’re subject will hang about a bit. Other option is to use a more expensive trigger that wakes the camera and flashes before firing, giving you 1st time fire on everything but costing more ££z When I was getting started I used a lot of SB26 for local stuff and they worked fine, just had to change batteries a little more often. Of course newer flashes also work well SB80 etc but obviously cost more!

@yournemesis1969

3 жыл бұрын

@@TomMasonPhoto Thanx for the reply :-) I've been looking at the "Camtraptions triggers. They look sweet. Have you tried them? Thinking of buying them with their PIR-sensor V3 :-)

How can I set up a Nikon D300 to shut off the auto metering? When my PIR sensor is plugged in the metering won't go into sleep mode and my battery life is only a few hours.

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

I’ve only had this problem once, and it was a problem with the trigger not the camera, kept pushing a signal across this waking the camera. I’ll double check the settings and drop them here for you when I get a moment! But often it’s the sensor not the camera causing them to wake

@wayneH450

4 жыл бұрын

@@TomMasonPhoto Thanks for the quick reply. It does seem to be an issue with the trigger rather than the camera settings. I quit using an long cord that I put between the camera and the sensor and it will now go into standby. Thanks again.

How much the cost of complete set of this equipment...let say i order everything from you..

Sir how to connect an Android mobile phone to wild life trap camera.....

The flash case are 1120 models?

@TomMasonPhoto

9 ай бұрын

Yes they are, but I do now days also use other types of container but the 1120 fit well with space for adaptors and triggers

@ffcn

9 ай бұрын

Many thanks @@TomMasonPhoto it seems that i could put inside also an external battery pack for trigger and flash without sponge

Are there any cheaper good sensors??

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Cheaper sensors are a mixture however the best choice would be the Hannel Capture Pro - its a beam, trigger for about £80 that offers a good way to get into camera trapping on a budget.

What about canon gear ?

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

I don’t shoot canon but the triggers and wireless system works the same. For the flashes when cabled they require a few changes but you’ll have to check the ebook linked in the description more info. Cheers, Tom

Doesn't the animals get scared by all the flashes

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

So far with a variety of species I haven't had any issues - of course subjects always come first in regards to welfare. The flashes are always on a low power, and I've had creatures except the traps without issue, with some subjects, sitting in front of the cameras for a number of minutes at a time, and repeatedly coming back. With any trap keeping the shots a little separated with a second or so in between helps also reduce the impact of multiple frames in very quick succession.

@eiricnj7664

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I really want to start camera trapping, but only if it doesn't impact the animal too much am I actually going to do it. Thanks to your answer I can now do it with a good conscience.