Cellphone cameras and big lights

NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
edited February 17, 2008 in Accessories
For all you soldering-iron-welding DIY junkies, here's a question:
how can I trigger my big lights with a Motorola RAZR V3 phone camera? :dunno
If only it had a built-in flash, I could've used an optical slave trigger, but it doesn't. The "shutter" sound it makes is most likely non-synched with the actual capturing process, so acoustical trigger is hardly an option.
Any thoughts?:scratch
"May the f/stop be with you!"

Comments

  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Whack the on-off switch with the 'phone???
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Icebear wrote:
    Whack the on-off switch with the 'phone???
    haha, very funny lol3.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Sounds like your trying to marry software and hardware. While anything is possible. Why on earth would you want to do that?

    I have a feeling you'd blow out every shot you took if you did this.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    SloYerRoll wrote:
    Sounds like your trying to marry software and hardware. While anything is possible. Why on earth would you want to do that?

    I have a feeling you'd blow out every shot you took if you did this.
    I was wondering how a properly-lit portrait would look like if shot with a crappy camera.
    But you're correct: the camera would set the exposure according to the dark ambient surrounding, and the flash will simply blow it..
    Oh well, I guess scratch that idea rolleyes1.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • SavedByZeroSavedByZero Registered Users Posts: 226 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Nikolai wrote:
    F
    how can I trigger my big lights with a Motorola RAZR V3 phone camera? ne_nau.gif

    I think Mitt Romney has a better chance of getting elected president then you putting a PC socket on a camera cell phone. But don't let me stop you in your quest.

    :D
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    I think Mitt Romney has a better chance of getting elected president then you putting a PC socket on a camera cell phone. But don't let me stop you in your quest.

    :D
    Well, with my previous Sony Ericsson T-610 I could have attached a specially designed flash (~$50 retail) and then trigger whatever lights I wanted.
    Unfortunately Mototola does not allow for such accessories. ne_nau.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • PhotoskipperPhotoskipper Registered Users Posts: 453 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Optical trigger
    I am using K800i with built-in flash.
    After reading your message, I did a quick experiment but using a cheapest SunBlitz flash with built-in sensor.

    It seems the built-in light sensor can detect the flash light from the K800i and triggered the flash.

    I think the flash gun just detect and the nearby flash light and trigger, it would care whether it is SonyEricsson or other brand.
    Photoskipper
    flickr.com/photos/photoskipper/
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    I am using K800i with built-in flash.
    After reading your message, I did a quick experiment but using a cheapest SunBlitz flash with built-in sensor.

    It seems the built-in light sensor can detect the flash light from the K800i and triggered the flash.

    I think the flash gun just detect and the nearby flash light and trigger, it would care whether it is SonyEricsson or other brand.

    That's what I was saying. If the cellphone has a flash, there is no problem.
    Mine doesn't :-(
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Nikolai wrote:
    That's what I was saying. If the cellphone has a flash, there is no problem.
    Mine doesn't :-(


    Not to answer your initial question, but to allow the experiment, you could always use hot lights, either "real" ones, or the Shop Light variety. Setup your ratios via distance only if using shop lights, or, one light and a reflector.

    Interesting... Let's see em' when your done.
    Randy
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Nik, you need to join the SoCal dorkbot.
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    DavidTO wrote:
    Nik, you need to join the SoCal dorkbot.
    rolleyes1.gif
    At least they'd have better pictures to use on their website!:D
    LMAO I can just see these huge lights and a razr taking the shot. That's a mastercard commercial if I ever heard one..
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    rwells wrote:
    Not to answer your initial question, but to allow the experiment, you could always use hot lights, either "real" ones, or the Shop Light variety. Setup your ratios via distance only if using shop lights, or, one light and a reflector.

    Interesting... Let's see em' when your done.

    Hmm... Good idea! I may try it! mwink.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    DavidTO wrote:
    Nik, you need to join the SoCal dorkbot.
    Laughing.gif
    I may as well!
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Long exposure on the phone cam, with a manual pop of the flash?
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    cmason wrote:
    Long exposure on the phone cam, with a manual pop of the flash?
    That will prolly result result to a huge overexposure, but I will try!
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2008
    Nikolai wrote:
    That will prolly result result to a huge overexposure, but I will try!

    Why are you being so dense? Just stack a bunch of ND filters in front of the phone. Geeze louise.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Icebear wrote:
    Why are you being so dense? Just stack a bunch of ND filters in front of the phone. Geeze louise.
    yeah, I see where this all is going mwink.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • PhotoskipperPhotoskipper Registered Users Posts: 453 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Sorry
    Nikolai wrote:
    That's what I was saying. If the cellphone has a flash, there is no problem.
    Mine doesn't :-(

    It seems not possible to use any flash if there cellphone camera does not have any flash. They just don't have any means to send the signal to trigger the external light source.

    Most of the cam-phone is fully automatic (it does everything by itself) including increase the sensitivity and exposure time to compensate the low light. It means we need sufficient ambient light for those cam-phone to improve the picture quality.

    Hot light is the only way out. For small and close up subject, you can use day-light table lamp. For room, you can use extra ceiling lights. But when out-door, you need to take out the HID head-light from your car to light up the faces.

    Again, the noise level of cam-phone at low light is not acceptable. I think, I will not waste the battery juice to try if the cam-phone cannot focus the object.
    Photoskipper
    flickr.com/photos/photoskipper/
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Nikolai wrote:

    Wait. I get it now. You set this whole thread up so you could post that link didn't you. BwaaaaHaaaaaa!
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    How's this for a link?
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    DavidTO wrote:
    How's this for a link?
    It's a cool DIY thing, but I already have the timer-enabled Canon remote ne_nau.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Nikolai wrote:
    It's a cool DIY thing, but I already have the timer-enabled Canon remote ne_nau.gif


    I was not looking to give you a practical link. I just think it's funny, that someone thought "I need an intervalometer, what do I have lying around...hmmm....hey, look, I've got this nifty graphing calculator right here in my breast pocket!"
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    DavidTO wrote:
    nifty graphing calculator right here in my breast pocket!"
    Nestled in a nice pocket protector..
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    DavidTO wrote:
    How's this for a link?

    OK. The fact that you even KNEW of such a thing speaks volumes. Get counselling. eek7.gif
    And you seemed like such a normal person.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Icebear wrote:
    OK. The fact that you even KNEW of such a thing speaks volumes. Get counselling. eek7.gif
    And you seemed like such a normal person.


    Heh. Actually, Andy had linked to this, and I just noticed the other link right there on that page. So, I plead innocent. :ivar
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2008
    Guilt by association buddy. To late!
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 17, 2008
    With my phone the exposure time is long enough
    to to trigger the flashes by hand (via radio
    trigger) and get proper exposure (with
    exposure compensation) after a little timing practice ...
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
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