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Triggertrap

Triggertrap is a company that creates several different hardware and software products centred on triggering SLR cameras.

Products include several Arduino-based camera triggers, along with Android and iOS apps which interface with cameras using a device that plugs into the headphone socket of the smartphone or tablet.

Background

The story of Triggertrap started in July 2011, when Haje Jan Kamps started a Kickstarter campaign[1] aiming to raise support for a new type of camera trigger. The project asked for $25,000, but within a month nearly 900 supporters had pledged more than $77,000 in exchange for more than 950 Triggertrap v1 products - which is nearly three times more than what they wanted for the project.

Arduino-based products

Triggertrap shield on arduino

The Triggertrap v1 is a programmable trigger based on Arduino open-source architecture, and the source-code for the product is downloadable from GitHub. It has a built-in ambient light sensor, laser sensor, and sound sensor. In addition, it has an auxiliary port, which enables Triggertrap v1 to trigger a camera based on anything that generates an electric signal.

The Triggertrap v1 is classed as a high-speed device, able to use the ambient light sensor to respond and fire the external flash such that it would correctly sync at shutter speeds down to 1/640th of a second- that’s a response time of less than 1.6 milliseconds.[2]

By using the Laser sensor, users can use a laser pointer or laser module (both visible and infra-red lasers are supported),[3] pointing it at the laser sensor of the device. The user can then choose to trigger "on break" (when the laser beam is broken), "on make" (when the laser beam hits the sensor), or both.

The device has a built-in sensor (a microphone with simple amplification circuitry) that can trigger the camera whenever Triggertrap v1 senses sound over a user-adjustable threshold.

Triggertrap v1 also has an auxiliary port, to which the user can connect anything as long as the user can find a way to create an electric signal. This can be used to connect the Triggertrap v1 to a number of other devices. Among other things, the product's users have used the Aux sensor to take photos as part of theme-park rides and Halloween haunted house-type projects.[4]

The device can control hundreds of cameras via infra-red or wired trigger system (depending upon cameras capability). "Part of the excitement about the Triggertrap", says its inventor, Haje Jan Kamps, "is that I have no idea what people are going to use it for. It's an incredibly versatile piece of photography kit, and because it is so easy to hack, I'm expecting creativity to go off the charts."

The open-source nature of the Triggertrap v1 has attracted users to create a series of hacks and amendments to the original design, including 3D printed casings,[5] suction mounts,[6] tripod mounts,[7] multi-camera adaptations,[8] and others.

In addition to the Triggertrap v1, the Triggertrap company markets a Triggertrap Shield for Arduino. This is a feature-compatible version of the Triggertrap v1. After a user-configurable change in the config files,[9] it runs on the same source code. The Shield for Arduino is cheaper, and aimed more at the hacking crowd.

Triggertrap Mobile

In May 2012, Triggertrap introduced Triggertrap Mobile for iOS,[10] followed by a version for Android in September 2012.[11]

Triggertrap Mobile utilises the sensors and processing power of a smartphone or tablet running IOS to trigger cameras based on sound, motion, vibration, or location, in addition to timelapse, bulb ramping, and other features. The Android app has more limited functionality, to some users dismay.

The apps connect to a camera by connecting a Triggertrap Mobile Dongle to the headphone socket of the smartphone or tablet. The app uses a coded audio signal, which the Mobile Dongle then translates into a signal the camera can use to trigger. The company currently sells nine different connection cables, covering more than 300 different camera models.

Triggertrap Ada

In November 2013, the Triggertrap Ada was successfully crowd-funded via Kickstarter, raising £290,386 though the original goal was £50,000.[12] On 2 March 2015, Triggertrap announced that they had failed to bring the product into production and that the remaining 20% of the funds from the Kickstarter campaign was going to be returned to the original backers.[13][14][15]

Triggertrap and CEO Haje Jan Kamps received criticism from backers of the failed Triggertrap Ada project. Some backers have questioned the accuracy of the updates during the course of the campaign. Less than three months before the project was cancelled, Triggertrap announced that the shipping date would be May 2015, exactly 12 months after the original shipping estimate.[16] Others have questioned the allocation of funds by Triggertrap and their interpretation of the Terms of Service that Triggertrap entered into when the project was created. Some have threatened legal action.[17]

Public reception

The Triggertrap products have been well received in the media, with an App of the Day accolade[18] from Gizmodo, an Editor's Choice reward from Trusted Reviews,[19] a 9/10 rating from ePhotozine,[20] a 'Recommended' rating from Forbes,[21] and many others.[22]

Triggertrap Products have clocked up a large number of positive reviews, including on Camera Rec,[23] Trusted Reviews,[19] ePhotozine,[20] Digital Imaging Resource,[24] Forbes[21]

Triggertrap users maintain an active community pool on the website, Flickr.[25] Contributors post a wide range of images taken with the assistance of a Triggertrap V1 or Trggertrap Mobile device.

Their latest Timelapse Pro application for iOS devices has been less well received, largely due to the perceived high cost and limited functionality. Triggertrap owners have voiced concerns about the app being IOS only and have questioned the use cases provided by Triggertrap that would involve the monopolization of a mobile device for several days. Others have argued that the new features should have been included in the existing app.[26]

References

  1. ^ "Kickstarter: Triggertrap". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  2. ^ Kamps, Haje Jan (24 Nov 2011). "Using the Triggertrap as a Slave Flash". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  3. ^ Kamps, Haje Jan (15 Mar 2012). "Aligning an IR laser for Triggertrap". Get Satisfaction. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  4. ^ Hayes, Brett (9 Oct 2012). "Spooky Reaction Shots". Get Satisfaction. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  5. ^ Hellers, Mike (6 Sep 2012). "Improved case for the Triggertrap v1". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  6. ^ Jones, Evan (16 Oct 2012). "Triggertrap suction Mount". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  7. ^ Jones, Evan (16 Oct 2012). "Triggertrap Tripod Mount". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  8. ^ Bates, Andrew (17 Sep 2012). "Triggertrap Camera Splitter". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  9. ^ Triggertrap Ltd. "GitHub: Triggertrap Readme.md". Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  10. ^ Sorrel, Charlie (4 May 2012). "Triggertrap Triggers Your SLR With Your iPhone". Cult of Mac. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  11. ^ Alvarez, Edgar (13 Sep 2012). "Triggertrap brings its auto shutter release powers to Android with new application". Engadget. AOL Media. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  12. ^ Triggertrap Ada: Modular Camera Trigger; Kickstarter; November 2013.
  13. ^ "It's the end of the road. We failed". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  14. ^ How our $500K Kickstarter campaign crashed and burned; Haje Jan Kamps; Medium.com; March 2, 2015.
  15. ^ Hardware is Hard: Getting a Kickstarter project out the door; Haje Jan Kamps; Medium.com; January 22, 2015.
  16. ^ Shipping Date Announcement! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/triggertrap/triggertrap-redsnap-modular-camera-trigger/posts/1085421 Retrieved 15 April 2015
  17. ^ Triggertrap Ada Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/triggertrap/triggertrap-redsnap-modular-camera-trigger/comments April 15, 2015
  18. ^ Alampalle, Gana (14 Sep 2012). "Triggertrap: App of the day". Gizmodo UK. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  19. ^ a b Seghers, Ardjuna (12 Dec 2012). "Triggertrap Mobile Review". Trusted Reviews. IPC Media. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  20. ^ a b Bell, Daniel (11 Dec 2012). "Triggertrap Mobile Review". ePhotoZine. Magazine Publishing. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  21. ^ a b Truong, Alice (10 Oct 2012). "Triggertrap Happy: A Modular, Robust App-based Intervalometer". Forbes. Forbes LLC. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  22. ^ "Triggertrap Media Coverage". Triggertrap. 1 Jan 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  23. ^ "Use your smart phone to smartly trigger your camera". Camera Rec. 13 Dec 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-07. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  24. ^ Pasini, Mike (1 Nov 2012). "Triggertrap -- Computer-Aided Remote Release". Digital Imaging Resource. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  25. ^ Triggertrap Pool https://www.flickr.com/groups/triggertrap/ Retrieved April 15, 2015
  26. ^ Triggertrap introduces pauses and delays for timelapse sequences with the Timelapse Pro app. DP Review http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7616081343/triggertrap-introduces-pauses-and-delays-for-timelapse-sequences-with-timelapse-pro-app Retrieved April 15, 2015
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