subject: Remote Camera [print this page] Necessary items Necessary items
The general list of items that are necessary to set-up and use a remote camera are:
1. A camera with automatic film advance or motor drive
2. Mounting hardware
3. Safety cables
4. Triggering units and cables
5. Gaffer tape & black wrap
Uses and practices
Remote cameras are used by photographers to make more pictures and from different angles. Remotes are very popular in sports and wildlife photography.
Cameras are often placed in angles that a photographer cannot physically be during a shoot. Sport use examples include behind the backboard at a basketball game or overhead in the rafters of an arena during a hockey game.
Placement
Remote cameras that placed in suspended positions usually are mounted with clamps and arms such as the Bogen Super Clamp and Variable Friction Arm, often referred to as "Magic Arms". The camera and lens are connected to the variable friction arm which is attached to the Super Clamp which in turn is secured to a fixed item such as a basketball post, hand railing, or rafter. Ground plates or tripods are typically used for remote cameras placed on the ground.
Triggering
Remote cameras can be fired via hand triggers, radio transmitters, or the self timer built into the camera.
For remotes that are in close proximity to the photographer, hand triggers can be used. A hand trigger consists of a button or switch that is connected to the camera via a wire that is set to fire the camera's shutter.
For remotes that are placed away from the photographer, radio triggering systems such as Pocket Wizards or Flash Wizards are used. A radio trigger consists of a button or switch that is connected to a radio triggering transmitter or transceiver which is set to fire a radio triggering receiver or transceiver that is connected to the camera via a wire that is set to fire the camera's shutter.
For rocket launches, including the Space Shuttle, remote cameras are triggered by the sound of the launch.
Safety
The number one priority with remotes should be safety for other people during the shoot. Steel safety cables should be used to secure each part of the remote camera to a secure fixture. Safety cables are made of braided steel cord with steel carabiners on each end.
Game camera
The White-tailed deer is often the target of game camera users.
Another type of remote camera is the game camera or trail camera. It is a device that records images, either as a still photograph or a video. It is a rugged and weatherproof camera designed for extended and unmanned use outdoors. The images it produces are used for game surveillance by hunters.
Most cameras come with a strap that allows it to be hung from a tree and a lock to prevent theft. It will automatically take a picture when it senses motion. Each image is stamped with the date and time it was recorded. The game camera will usually function day and night by sensing game out to around 45 feet.
The first hunting trail monitor used heat sensing motion detectors to trigger a counter to count the number and record the time of animals passing by. The sensors are also known as passive infrared light sensors or PIR sensors. Normally, hunters are never around so they do not know what kind or size animal was being counted. Later, a camera was added. Game camera technology has evolved since then. Originally wildlife photography was only available by using film, but now there is a choice of film or digital cameras. The ability of game cameras to tell hunters where game is located is useful for pre-season scouting. The information tells hunters where to best place their blind or tree-stand. For digital cameras, all images are recorded onto a memory card, such as a commonly available SD card. This also allows hunters to conveniently transfer the images to a home computer or they can be viewed, copied and deleted by a Viewer in the field. More expensive units have the ability to wirelessly upload captured images to a computer or website without any user interference.
Types available
Digital - Produce digital pictures instead of film
Film - Instead of digital these cameras use film, usually 35mm
Laser aim - Produce a red light beam for aiming where the image location is to be taken from
Strobe flash - Incandescent flash that will usually reach out to 15 feet for nighttime images
IR - Sometimes available in addition to strobe flash or alone, for more stealth like performance
Sound producing - Game calls or sounds to attract any of a wide variety of animals, with sounding intervals adjustable from 1 to 24 hours
Technical details
Depending on how the camera is set up, a new photo can usually be taken every 30 seconds for as long as motion/heat events are detected. Some game cameras give the user a choice of settings for regular camera flash or stealth-like LED flash. LED flash enables the hunter to discretely image game in the night without a visible flash. This prevents the flash from giving away the hunters position in popular hunting areas. Some models have a manual switch to set an infrared filter for day or night mode.
Advantages of strobe flash cameras
Long range flash performance Some have a flash range of over 60 feet
High quality color images during both day and night makes animal identification easy
Completely freezes animal movement so there is never any nighttime motion blur
Disadvantages of strobe flash cameras
The flash may spook game
The flash can be noticed by other hunters
Cannot record night time videos
Advantages of IR cameras
Less likely to alarm an animal (as no visible light is generated)
Less likely to be noticed by other hunters
Disadvantages of IR cameras
Nighttime images are black and white and have less detail and clarity
Infrared Flash quality/range tradeoff: If the Infrared flash is designed for maximum range the images may be overly white, or blur. If the Infrared flash is designed for best image quality, range will be sacrificed.
See also
Types
Digital camera
Infrared photography
Movie camera
Film format
Video camera
Brands
Bushnell Corporation
Cuddeback
Leaf River
Moultrie
Predator
Reconyx
Stealth
Trail-Pod
Wildview
Other uses of the game camera
Game cameras are also used by Bigfoot research groups and enthusiasts making an effort to capture a photo of the legendary creature.
References
^ http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1429
^ a b c "Bushnell Corporation Trail Cameras". http://www.bushnell.com/products/trail-cameras/. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
^ a b c d Non Typical Inc. 860 Park Lane, Park Falls WI 54552, Trail Cameras
^ BFRO Bigfoot Field Research Organization 11-04-09
^ $1,000,000 dollar Sasquatch photo challenge Field & Stream 05-29-08
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Categories: Cameras | Photography equipment | Optical devicesHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from November 2009
