IR and LASER Remote shutter release recommendations.

[Austin Thomas]

I am about to invest in a remote shutter release device primarily to capture action images of birds in flight, and also insects in flight.

I would like something that will automatically trigger the shutter when an IR or Laser beam ( or beams ) are interrupted.

I have found data on Shutterbeam (by WOOD SELEC) and The Time Machine ( by BMUMFORD ) which would appear to do the job.

Has anybody any experience of these products or do you know of anything else more suitable that you would recommend?

Many thanks for any assistance.

Austin

[Joseph Martines]

I bought one of these and they are worth the money (for me).

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5535

It is not a beam but it is a wireless remote that might work out in some situations for you.

I know Bryan Mumford. Anything he makes is worth far more than what you pay.

He is extremely helpful and probably uses the item himself. He is hard to beat.

He responds quickly to any and all questions.

[Ed Erkes]

I've owned the ShutterBeam, the Time Machine, and, most recently, the Phototrap (from Bill Forbes). The Time Machine is probably the most versatile, but I really like the ease of set-up of the PhotoTrap. See the following link for a discussion of the Phototrap, with some comparison to the ShutterBeam and Time Machine.
http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=133986&p=1383575&hilit=phototrap#p1383575

The articles referred to in the above dscussion can be found at
http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/category-photographic-technique/41-photographic-technique/305-capture-the-incredible-using-the-photo-trap-and-high-speed-flash

and
http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/category-photographic-technique/41-photographic-technique/306-tom-vezo

[Austin Thomas]

Hi,
Thanks for your inputs.

Joseph, Your knowledge and feedback about Byran is much appreciated.

Ed, Your links have opened up a lot of information that will help me decide which system to adopt. Thanks for taking the time. I'd be interested to know how you got on with the narrower beams in Direct mode using PhotoTrap as that seems to be a weak area of that product.

Thanks again.

Austin