Lightning Triggers

Old Man · 04-16-2012, 09:38 PM

Does anyone have any experience with either "Zeus" or "Camera Axe" trigger systems? I know there are more expensive ones out there, but am contemplating on trying out one. The Zeus is not a system so to speak, just a lightning trigger. But, any info you can give will be appreciated. P.S. I am not really into building my own.
Thanks, Mike

Last edited by Old Man; 04-16-2012 at 09:41 PM. Reason: add info

Anvh · 04-16-2012, 11:01 PM

Might a simply flash trigger with the right connector not work?

Old Man · 04-17-2012, 01:01 AM

I am definitly not an electronics type, but it would have to trip the shutter. Do they do that?

Clavius · 04-17-2012, 01:07 AM

Wow... I didn't know those even existed! I'm going to follow this thread.

Anvh · 04-17-2012, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by Old Man

I am definitly not an electronics type, but it would have to trip the shutter. Do they do that?

Yep, they simply trip it nothing more.

Clavius · 04-17-2012, 03:34 AM

Originally posted by Anvh

Yep, they simply trip it nothing more.

What type of flash triggers are you referring to?

Anvh · 04-17-2012, 05:48 AM

Optical slave trigger.
You can connect a flash to it via PC socket or the shoe mount and it simply close the circuit when it sees light and that triggers the flash.
If i remember correctly closing circuit on the remote trigger of the camera should release the trigger.

There should be adapters going from PC to the jacket you need.

I'm not 100% sure this works though so maybe someone can confirm this but i believe it should.

The triggers are $20 or so.

Last edited by Anvh; 04-17-2012 at 05:53 AM.

Clavius · 04-17-2012, 06:04 AM

Wonderfull, thanks!

**Ron Boggs** · 04-17-2012, 06:04 AM

No experience with the two brands mentioned in the original post, however I had the Lightening Trigger company build me a custom unit for my PZ1p film cameras. I'd be happy to sell it to a film shooter.

Coeurdechene · 04-17-2012, 07:33 AM

The camera axe seems like a hell of a trigger system...what do you need it for? it looks like a specialized tool, and ressembles other arduino based projects out there...an arduino based trigger that will fire the flashes and trip the shutter ain't so expensive or complex to build yourself.
Thanks for pointing me towards camera axe...didn't know this one, the wiki is nice and well organized...i love how people share knowledge

newarts · 04-17-2012, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Anvh

Optical slave trigger.
You can connect a flash to it via PC socket or the shoe mount and it simply close the circuit when it sees light and that triggers the flash.
If i remember correctly closing circuit on the remote trigger of the camera should release the trigger.

I'm not 100% sure this works though so maybe someone can confirm this but i believe it should.

I was told by a supplier that such flash triggers are desensitized to prevent accidental firings during normal use. This probably prevents use as a lightning trigger. I am not sure this is always the case but it sounds reasonable to me.

I'd sure like to find out differently!

newarts · 04-17-2012, 09:18 AM

The $20 Camera Axe Lightning trigger looks great! Light Sensor [ca041] - $20.00 : Dreaming Robots Store

Maybe it can be hacked to work alone.

The Camera Axe seems like a good system for triggered photography in general. In the old days I did a lot of high speed & ballistic photography. Camera Axe seems to cover all bases - Certainly seems worth the asking price if it meets its specs. http://www.dreamingrobots.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

Old Man · 04-17-2012, 07:28 PM

Thanks to everyone for all the input. I am going to think about it before I get one, but the camera axe seems to be very versatile what with all the trigger options.

newarts · 04-17-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Old Man

Thanks to everyone for all the input. I am going to think about it before I get one, but the camera axe seems to be very versatile what with all the trigger options.

You'll find the that the delay timers are highly valuable for high speed photography.

04-16-2012, 09:38 PM	#1
Old Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 171	Lightning Triggers Does anyone have any experience with either "Zeus" or "Camera Axe" trigger systems? I know there are more expensive ones out there, but am contemplating on trying out one. The Zeus is not a system so to speak, just a lightning trigger. But, any info you can give will be appreciated. P.S. I am not really into building my own. Thanks, Mike Last edited by Old Man; 04-16-2012 at 09:41 PM. Reason: add info

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04-16-2012, 11:01 PM	#2
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Might a simply flash trigger with the right connector not work?

04-17-2012, 01:01 AM	#3
Old Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 171 Original Poster	I am definitly not an electronics type, but it would have to trip the shutter. Do they do that?

04-17-2012, 01:07 AM	#4
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Wow... I didn't know those even existed! I'm going to follow this thread.

04-17-2012, 03:11 AM	#5
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by Old Man I am definitly not an electronics type, but it would have to trip the shutter. Do they do that? Yep, they simply trip it nothing more.

04-17-2012, 03:34 AM	#6
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by Anvh Yep, they simply trip it nothing more. What type of flash triggers are you referring to?

04-17-2012, 05:48 AM	#7
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Optical slave trigger. You can connect a flash to it via PC socket or the shoe mount and it simply close the circuit when it sees light and that triggers the flash. If i remember correctly closing circuit on the remote trigger of the camera should release the trigger. There should be adapters going from PC to the jacket you need. I'm not 100% sure this works though so maybe someone can confirm this but i believe it should. The triggers are $20 or so. Last edited by Anvh; 04-17-2012 at 05:53 AM.

04-17-2012, 06:04 AM	#8
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Wonderfull, thanks!

04-17-2012, 06:04 AM	#9
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,350	No experience with the two brands mentioned in the original post, however I had the Lightening Trigger company build me a custom unit for my PZ1p film cameras. I'd be happy to sell it to a film shooter.

04-17-2012, 07:33 AM	#10
Coeurdechene Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: madrid Photos: Albums Posts: 833	The camera axe seems like a hell of a trigger system...what do you need it for? it looks like a specialized tool, and ressembles other arduino based projects out there...an arduino based trigger that will fire the flashes and trip the shutter ain't so expensive or complex to build yourself. Thanks for pointing me towards camera axe...didn't know this one, the wiki is nice and well organized...i love how people share knowledge

04-17-2012, 09:09 AM	#11
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by Anvh Optical slave trigger. You can connect a flash to it via PC socket or the shoe mount and it simply close the circuit when it sees light and that triggers the flash. If i remember correctly closing circuit on the remote trigger of the camera should release the trigger. I'm not 100% sure this works though so maybe someone can confirm this but i believe it should. I was told by a supplier that such flash triggers are desensitized to prevent accidental firings during normal use. This probably prevents use as a lightning trigger. I am not sure this is always the case but it sounds reasonable to me. I'd sure like to find out differently!

04-17-2012, 09:18 AM	#12
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	The $20 Camera Axe Lightning trigger looks great! Light Sensor [ca041] - $20.00 : Dreaming Robots Store Maybe it can be hacked to work alone. The Camera Axe seems like a good system for triggered photography in general. In the old days I did a lot of high speed & ballistic photography. Camera Axe seems to cover all bases - Certainly seems worth the asking price if it meets its specs. http://www.dreamingrobots.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

04-17-2012, 07:28 PM	#13
Old Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 171 Original Poster	Thanks to everyone for all the input. I am going to think about it before I get one, but the camera axe seems to be very versatile what with all the trigger options.

04-17-2012, 08:06 PM	#14
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by Old Man Thanks to everyone for all the input. I am going to think about it before I get one, but the camera axe seems to be very versatile what with all the trigger options. You'll find the that the delay timers are highly valuable for high speed photography.