Camera trap on a budget, based on an older Nikon

[mikuni]

I am building a budget Camera trap based on an old Nikon D200

The plan is to make a Arduino based trap for Wildlife in Finland. Being a newbie in electronics this is a small challenge and mostly for fun to get use of that old D200 that just collects dust. I try to follow this guide that i found on this forum http://www.instructables.com/id/Buildin ... rap-for-W/

I have managed to get the PIR to light up a led, while getting 5v power from the Arduino. Next challenge is to get the camera to operate the shutter via an 4N27 Optocoupler. It did not do it at the first attempt for some reason.

The case is one of those "most cheap tool box" with gasket one can find, and a small portion of a waste water pipe

[mikuni]

The hardware

[Gartooth]

Good work you have there.

Are you using an Arduino so you can eventually custom program?

The reason I ask is because the Arduino is battery hungry. You can run the output from that PIR straight to a resistor/NPN transistor connected to your D200 shutter wires and eliminate all that extra stuff. Very simple, extremely low current. But... not programmable. .

[tiger hunter]

Welcome to DSLR camera trapping...the D200 is just fine...however, keep the ISO at 400...as anything over that will be very noisy...and make sure you have good flash power...at least two SB-28s or equivalent...!!

[mikuni]

Thank you for your replies, thankful for every bit of hint.

The use of Arduino is to get the camera to trigger a 3 picture burst, then pause while the flash is recharging.

A more simple starter kit could be a PIR->camera trigger. Can Gartooth make a quick schematics so i do not destroy the camera Would an optocoupler be safer than a transistor? Coming from the 12V Car side i think then Optocouplers and Transistors as relays Is there by the way a need for diodes when you have metering/shutter connected together?

The D200 is old and i know it starts to be noisy above iso 400. I nowadays use a D500 and have a 300s as a spare camera.

I managed to get the camera to meeter/trigger shutter from the PIR.
Used the Code below from you tube ( Z-HUT ) i modified the 50ms delay to 100 then it started working with the Arduino R3 Clone.

Hopefully it is ok to share.

#define pir 8
#define cam 2
int val;
void setup() {
// put your setup code here, to run once:
pinMode(cam,OUTPUT);
pinMode(pir,INPUT);

}

void loop() {
// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
val = digitalRead(pir);
if (val == HIGH)
{
digitalWrite(cam,HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(cam,LOW);
delay(3000);
}
delay(50);

}

[Gartooth]

In your code are there 3 second pauses between the 3 shots? Does that require a 10-second high signal from PIR?

Here is digram of a generic PIR/transistor rig. You can use a 2N2222 transistor. I don't think this will destroy your camera. .

Basic PIR Camera Trap Circuit.png

[Gartooth]

Most of the mass-produced PIR'S have a sensitivity and pulse length (delay) adjustment. You can set D200's FPS on the CL setting menu and then adjust the delay time on the PIR so it gives a longer or shorter high-pulse when triggered. This won't technically give you a huge recharge time between trigger events, but works well to control how many shots you can get per trigger event without having to use a microcontroller. Don't know... that might be of help to you.

[mikuni]

This being a "just for fun" project I am eager to try different approaches.

So I will for sure try any of these more simple solutions, that you were so kind and shared. But probably do some programming on the Arduino to learn that also.

Today it was more of an Enclosure work day.
- digged out some foam for the camera
- made an adaptor for a Hoya filter from a insulation material
- sprayed the PIR junction box with some black paint

Now the empty enclosure is hanged outside in a tree for some IP testing, when it happens to poor outside.

Below some pics

[Gartooth]

Nice! Programming the Arduino to control the camera is fun and challenging. Good luck and let us see how it turns out.

[mikuni]

Looks like a mad scientists lab but i got the PIR to trigger the camera with just with the resistor/transistor setup. The Arduino is just acting as a 5V power source. Thanks for the support so far. My old SB-22 flash was capable of flashing 5-7 times on motor drive setting, but probably not much light. I think i will use that for starters anyway.