Beam Breaker for Shutter

[kdthomas]

Does anyone know of something that will trip the shutter when an object moves into/interrupts a beam?

I want a picture of a gavel/hammer slamming down.

 

[Overread]

Cognisys - Capture the Hidden World

They make exactly what you're after with their stop-shot system. They also do a series of IR beams that might work and also audio triggers as well. Their stopshot controller can be set so that instead of when the beam brakes (or audio trigger is tripped) it will delay the shot/flash being fired or it can happen at the exact same instant.

That said its a very expensive approach. The best bet if you want it to be done cheaper would be to google for custom microphone triggers (I suspect that audio will be best for this kind of shot)

 

[Alexr25]

You mean something like this? http://www.cactus-image.com/img/digitalphotoMay2013.jpg

 

[Buckster]

I use the Camera Axe system. Also not the cheapest system, but it can be used with various triggers from IR to laser to sound and light, motion, and so on. Also valves for precise drips/drops, and a cool projectile sensor. It's upgradeable as new software (free upgrades) and additional sensors and so on come out.

There are also a number of DIY IR transmitter and receiver circuit plans available on the internet if you look around a bit. I built one once for drips/drops that worked well for that, but didn't have the kind of range you'd need for the hammer thing. That was before I got the Camera Axe.

 

[kdthomas]

Yes, these things, exactly Thanks much!

 

[tirediron]

I use a Nero Trigger; reasonably priced and functional.