Intervalometer help please!

wigs

wigs

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phil
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Hi, I bought http://www.avextra.co.uk/acatalog/Nikon_DSLR_Intervalometer_Timer_Shutter_Releases.html this intervalometer for my D3100 for exposures past 30 seconds. The trouble is, I can't for the life of me get it to work!

If anyone has any experience of this, can you please tell me if I have it set up wrong.

Instructions say to set up like this
set.jpg


I have it like this
D3100set.jpg


I cant get the shutter to release through the remote. A light comes on in the intervalometer to tell me it should be doing its stuff, but the camera wont release. If I half press the exposure button on the camera, then press the remote, it starts to take, but when I remove my finger, the camera stops itself. It is only partly communicating with the camera.

The worrying part is the supported models list in the instructions say this (mine being the N3)
support.jpg


So.......I dont know if I have the camera set up wrong, or just that my model isnt supported by the device, but I bought on the strength of the website advertisement, which clearly states it does.

I wanted to ask on here before going back to the vendor to see if anyone has any ideas to try in case I have the setup wrong.

Cheers in advance, Phil.
 
Bulb mode requires you to manually hold the shutter open, as soon as you let go, it closes the shutter. There is a lock button to solve this on the remote, press the button and slide it forward.

I've also had issues with remotes not focusing the camera mind, can't remember how I sorted it

Just spotted on your pic, it says it's on manual focus, make sure it's in a focus mode.
 
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TCR4x4 said:
Bulb mode requires you to manually hold the shutter open, as soon as you let go, it closes the shutter. There is a lock button to solve this on the remote, press the button and slide it forward.
Click to expand...

no you dont thats what an Intervalometer for timed preset shutter and number of shots

TCR4x4 said:
Just spotted on your pic, it says it's on manual focus, make sure it's in a focus mode.
Click to expand...

:nono:

Manual focus is best, as if your taking a series of shots the camera may try to refocus between shots
 
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Does it fire the shutter at all outwith bulb mode?

How are you using the intervalometer? Are you using the remote's countdown timer or just sliding the locking control the main button and manually timing it?
 
That model of remote release is sold under many different brand names. I have two Canon versions, one works flawlessly and the other is extremely erratic due to a loose connection in the plug that connects with the camera.

I'm not sure how to read you LCD screen.. but if you're in manual exposure with bulb mode set, with manual focus (to eliminate potential focus lock issues) then the intervalometer should work. Set the intervalometer to 2secs delay 30sec exposure and 1 shot. If you haven't got an image 33 seconds after pressing the remote release something is wrong.

If not, the remote could be a dud.
 
Just Dave said:
no you dont thats what an Intervalometer for timed preset shutter and number of shots

:nono:

Manual focus is best, as if your taking a series of shots the camera may try to refocus between shots
Click to expand...

He is talking about using bulb mode for exposures over 30 seconds not the intervalometer for timelaspe. I have this exact model for my d700. It's both a remote and a intervalometer.
My information is correct for the question asked.
 
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TCR4x4 said:
He is talking about using bulb mode for exposures over 30 seconds not the intervalometer for timelaspe. I have this exact model for my d700. It's both a remote and a intervalometer.
My information is correct for the question asked.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected Soz Tom, but I would still go for manual focus
 
I've also had issues with the same version timer - turned out to be a wire come off inside and not allowing it to focus lock first. Was a quick 5 minute job with the soldering iron and works a treat now.
I got the Hahnel Giga T Pro now as a main intervalometer but still use this old one a backup/ emergeny for when the batteries go flat in the Hahnel one.

Whereabouts are you located? If you are close to me I will have a look at it for you and see if its the same problem as mine if you like - hopefully would only take 5 minutes to fix:thumbs:
 
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AndyB1976 said:
I would agree with that, even if you autofocus for the shot and switch to manual prior to using the timer.
Click to expand...

Aye that's what I do too.

No hard feelings Dave, didn't mean to snap. Someone on another forum dismissed something I said that was correct and his answer was male cow dung. Narked me a little!

Hugs all round!
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Ok, heres where I'm at

TCR4x4 said:
Just spotted on your pic, it says it's on manual focus, make sure it's in a focus mode.
Click to expand...

Have tried both Manual focus and AF-C focus mode, no good. Also tried the lock button, no good.

AndyB1976 said:
Does it fire the shutter at all outwith bulb mode?
Click to expand...

While in live view when I press the button on the intervalometer, the light goes on as if its taking a shot, but it doesnt fire the shutter. Strange thing is my camera screen goes blank then reappears after I release the button as if it has fired. But the shutter never opens, and a shot is never taken.

Alastair said:
I'm not sure how to read you LCD screen.. but if you're in manual exposure with bulb mode set, with manual focus (to eliminate potential focus lock issues) then the intervalometer should work. Set the intervalometer to 2secs delay 30sec exposure and 1 shot. If you haven't got an image 33 seconds after pressing the remote release something is wrong.

If not, the remote could be a dud.
Click to expand...

As above, tried both focus modes with the timer set to what you said, a shot is never taken.

JulesP said:
I've also had issues with the same version timer - turned out to be a wire come off inside and not allowing it to focus lock first. Was a quick 5 minute job with the soldering iron and works a treat now.

Whereabouts are you located? If you are close to me I will have a look at it for you and see if its the same problem as mine if you like - hopefully would only take 5 minutes to fix:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I'm in N.Ireland. If I had to send it away, I'd send it back to the vendor, but thanks for the offer.

I fear I've got a dud, but still cant ignore it may be something simple that I've not done! At the minute, I've got an intervalometer that I cant use for long exposures or time lapse.
 
Try it when not in live view. In live view you you are performing two actions. As the mirror is already up, it closes, then reopens. This could be what is happening. Worth a shot.
 
Ok, you Nikon users! I've only got 1 day shooting experience of consumer Nikon but I'll try.

It is rather obvious that the camera is trying to be way too 'clever'. 'Subject is too dark' is a tell tale give away it has some custom setting preventing you from taking anything but 'properly' exposed.

So go through the menu till you find and disable anything that my stop you taking an underexposed shot. I am sorry I can't remember specifically where.

Also double check you are in the 'bulb' mode.
 
TCR4x4 said:
Try it when not in live view. In live view you you are performing two actions. As the mirror is already up, it closes, then reopens. This could be what is happening. Worth a shot.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but tried it too!

daugirdas said:
Ok, you Nikon users! I've only got 1 day shooting experience of consumer Nikon but I'll try.

It is rather obvious that the camera is trying to be way too 'clever'. 'Subject is too dark' is a tell tale give away it has some custom setting preventing you from taking anything but 'properly' exposed.

So go through the menu till you find and disable anything that my stop you taking an underexposed shot. I am sorry I can't remember specifically where.

Also double check you are in the 'bulb' mode.
Click to expand...

I'm definately in bulb mode. I can understand your thinking about the subject too dark message. But it has always comes up when shooting at night eg, for star or light trails. This message has never stopped the camera from releasing ever before and I've done a few star and light trails. I did try interval shooting there now in daylight, still not firing!

AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

I'm extremely disappointed because I wanted to do a timelapse of xmas day with the kids. It was one of the reasons I bought it!

Thanks again for all your help, but its to no avail at the mo.

Cheers, hope yous all have a good day tomorrow, Phil
 
Can you tell us what settings you are using on the timer?

Have you set the interval to account for both exposure and interval?
 
Hi Steve, thanks for the suggestion. I had set it up as Alastair had advised on in post number 5 above.
It wont take with 2 second delay, 30 second exposure, 1 shot.

I know what you mean about the interval, but if I'm only trying single shots right now, then surely it rules that out?

Does that sound right?
 
if you shoot for 30 seconds in bulb mode, you need to allow the camera to process and write the image

start off with an obvious no conflicting timings... will it take one shot on manual 1/60th sec every 20 seconds?
 
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wigs said:
Hi Steve, thanks for the suggestion. I had set it up as Alastair had advised on in post number 5 above.
It wont take with 2 second delay, 30 second exposure, 1 shot.

I know what you mean about the interval, but if I'm only trying single shots right now, then surely it rules that out?

Does that sound right?
Click to expand...

Okay, a few suggestions.

Has the camera got a memory card in it?

Will the remote take a shot just by pressing the lock button?

The timer may have conflicts in the program, try taking the batteries out for 5 mins or so and try again.
 
Right guys, I have got it to work......partially.
It will take a single shot when I press the button and it will do a timed sequence now when I put the values in.

But.......and this is a big but, I need to have the release button on the camera half pressed.

So does that mean I'm in the wrong focus mode, because the instructions say to put it in AF-C mode (see my first post)?

Making slow headway here!

Have just tried every focus mode on the camera. All depend on me half pressing the shutter button on the camera for the intervalometer to do its stuff.

So, my next question is, if its not too stupid, is there a way to change how the shutter button acts on a D3100?
ie, can I set the camera to focus all the time without the half press?

Just thinking thats no good because if I want to set it up for startrails, I need it to be in manual focus.
Back to square 1 then.
I knew I should've stumped the extra cash for the D5100 with an internal timer!
 
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I suspect the release button on the intervalometer isn't working properly. The symptoms fit it not closing the half-press contacts, only the full press. This would explain why it works when you do the half-press on the camera.
 
wigs said:
Right guys, I have got it to work......partially.
It will take a single shot when I press the button and it will do a timed sequence now when I put the values in.

But.......and this is a big but, I need to have the release button on the camera half pressed.

So does that mean I'm in the wrong focus mode, because the instructions say to put it in AF-C mode (see my first post)?

Making slow headway here!

Have just tried every focus mode on the camera. All depend on me half pressing the shutter button on the camera for the intervalometer to do its stuff.

So, my next question is, if its not too stupid, is there a way to change how the shutter button acts on a D3100?
ie, can I set the camera to focus all the time without the half press?

Just thinking thats no good because if I want to set it up for startrails, I need it to be in manual focus.
Back to square 1 then.
I knew I should've stumped the extra cash for the D5100 with an internal timer!
Click to expand...

I don't know Nikon cameras but the timer should operate independently from the shutter button.
 
Just got it, its a remote, wondered what the heck an interthingy was.

Ive had these for years, going back to my EOS10 days, an interval timer.

Have two, used one on my sons D3100 as we couldn't figure out what was eating the bird seed from the outhouse, set it to 1000 shots one every 3 minutes, (didn't want to leave MY camera out all night used his :lol:

mouse-1.jpg


JPEGImage22814097.jpg


Sadly and with regret no longer around. Don't live long.
 
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