Remote Controlling your camera HELP

Hi

As some are aware bird photography and wildlife is my big thing that gets me out of the house most days and weekends. I always crave the "great" shot and will go hours just to get one moment on camera that I am happy with. For instance my latest photograph (check flickr thing below)took me over two hours to get and I had to lie in a river to get it - a shot of a Dipper. I waited until the light was just perfect and the bird had caddisflies in its mouth - Very satisfied.

However, I cant go on like this forever because I have other committments - family etc.

Can anyone explain to me (in very simple terms) how the trap shot works? Have I got this term right? Its when you can set you camera up to fire off when something like a bird enters the frame.

Any thoughts on how that works very appreciated.


SECONDLY

I was wondering how far the range on one of those remote IR shutters is for shooting cable release style. Can I set the camera up and hide somewhere and then simply press it or is there a range and direction on these things?

MANY THANKS TO THOSE THAT READ AND ARE WILLING TO REPLY!

Cheers

QC

1 It's 'catch in focus'. Suggest a search of the forum?

But here's an over-view;

1. Custom Menu 5 option 35 set to 2

2. Camera set for AF-S

3. Manual lens (M,K, A) on the camera or a lens that allows turning off the AF (DA* FA*).

4. Point camera towards target area, press the shutter release completely, focus on the target spot. When the camera detects an object in focus, it will take the picture.


2 What camera model?

Ok manual lenses only?

K-x

Here is a page full of reviews of camera traps. They aren't cheap.

An IR remote needs filed of sight of the camera to work. Depending on the model camera you have sensors front and rear or rear only. The range of the IR remote varies depending on the model. The Pentax remote F has a working distance of about 5 metres.

Edit: K-x only has a remote sensor at the back - which restricts your use of it quite a bit.

Not tried it myself, but i think PK Tether will also do the functions you require ableight having a lead connecting the camera to a laptop

Cheers

Manual lenses - yes. Suggest you do search the forum though, as 'cif' is a little quirky.

K-x. Problem, as the infra red port is at the front only and there's no provision for a cable release.

You'll need to devise something to 'bend' the infra red around the camera, but search the forum as someone sold a home made cable operated device on here recently.

Look at page 134 of the manual for more information. You can buy a remote control, Pentax or otherwise. There were some being sold by 7dayshop recently but pot-luck on whether they worked or not. Search for the thread.

thanks guysnot interested in camera traps mate just with the camera (k-x) five metre range then from the back?

Why to investigate radio control rather that IR. I believe the IR flashes and can scare the intended target.
Never tried this with cif but it is worth investigating.
I can set it up outside and then sit indoors and watch and fire away at any bird feeding on the target area. I fire three shots to capture flight movement. It can activate through walls and windows and has a good range.

Wish I hadnt purchased an infa-red remote device now as I can only use it from the front.

i thought i could have hid in bushes 20 yards away

The IR control is very convenient but do consider an RF trigger as it doesn't require line of sight and works over a larger distance.

This looks to be a useful thing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RF602-Wireless-Remote-Flash-Trigger-Pentax-K10D-K200D-...

Not tried that one but I do have something similar I purchased several years ago. This one looks to be able to trigger flash as well, so dual purpose.

John

The RF remote triggers are very effective and more versatile than the IR ones. Unfortunately if I remember correctly, the K-r does not have a cable release socket so that would not help the OP.

Thanks for the above JAK

So It doesnt work Helios?

CONFUSED

Can you explain the RF trigger thing? What is it?

Is that a link for it?

If its some sort of device that can control my camera from longer distances and can go behind the camera I am interested!

A

No, it does not work on the K-x and the K-r as they don't have the connection for a wired remote (that can take the little connector shown in the image in the earlier link).

Somebody on pentaxforums made a construction to use an old-fashioned mechanical cable release to activate the shutter release button of the K-x.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/do-yourself/142591-diy-digital-slr-camera-k-x...

I think you can get the 'air release' shown in the photo for significant length (I think I saw a 10 meter one recently in a local junkmail advertisement).

The RF (radio frequency) triggers consist of a hand held transmitter and a receiver which has a lead fitted with a miniature plug to connect it to the camera. Here is a picture of the RF trigger I have.




The plug fits into the socket on the camera for the remote control cable. Most of the Pentax DSLRs have this socket but I think the K-r does not. It is a year since I used a K-r so it would be as well to check the camera and the manual. Other K-r owners on this forum might be able to help.

There are quite a lot of RF triggers available in eBay. I bought mine two or three years ago so there will be different models available now.

Sterretje confirmed that the K-r does not have the remote socket while I was composing my reply.