User Manual Laser Trigger LV5
1 Table of Contents 1. Main Features of Cactus LV5 02 2. Caution and Warning 02 3. Major Specifications 03 4. Package Contents 04 5. Nomenclature 05 6. Setup 07 7. Basic Operation 14 8. Advanced Operation 19 9. LED Status Outline 28 10. Optional Accessories 28 11. Troubleshooting 29 12. Notices 33 13.
2 1. Main Features of Cactus LV5 Thank you for purchasing Cactus LV5 Laser Trigger. Cactus LV5 is a powerful yet handy device that allows you to do creative high speed photography and camera trap wildlife photography. With this trigger, you won’t miss a shot when those unexpected moments occur. • • • • • • EXCLUSIVE! Duo Mode Triggering (DMT).
3 Class 1 laser cannot emit accessible laser radiation levels in excess of the acceptable emission limit (AEL) within the inherent design or intended use of the laser. It does not pose a hazard under normal operating conditions as designed and intended. 3. Remove protective film on the LV5 Sensor for best performance. 4. Turn OFF all your equipments (e.g. Cactus units, flash units, and cameras, etc.) before changing batteries or making connection. Observe the correct polarities when changing batteries.
4 • Effective distance between Emitter and Sensor: – (1) 150m in dark environment – (2) 20m under strong and direct sunlight • RF effective distance: 0.3m to 100m • Operating temperature: -20°C to +50°C (-4°F to 122°F) • Camera voltage handling: 0V to 6V • Power input: Operates with 4 or 8AAA 1.
5 5. Nomenclature 5.
6 5.
7 5.3 1. LV5 works with all SLR and DSLR cameras that come with a shutter release port. Compatibility The shutter release function of the LV5 requires the use of a separately purchased shutter release cable for connection between the LV5 and the camera. This cable is NOT included. For a list of optional accessories, see Section 10. 2. Different cameras vary significantly in duration they need to respond to a shutter signal.
8 6.1.2 Two AAA batteries The LV5 can also operate using only two (2) AAA batteries, but you must insert them in pairs as depicted on the right. 6.1.3 Battery Consumption: BATTERY LIFE* (HRS) 2 X AAA 4 X AAA 40 80 STANDBY 90 180 TRAP MODE OPERATION 85 175 ESCAPE MODE OPERATION 60 125 LV5 EMITTER LV5 SENSOR * Battery consumption based on battery capacity of 1000mAh Note: The LV5 works with Alkaline and NiMH batteries. Battery life will depend on the capacity and quality of batteries used.
9 6.2 Mounting to Light Stand, Tripod, or Umbrella Swivel There are a few ways to install the LV5 Emitter and Sensor: 1. Light stand: Mount the LV5 by using the standard 1/4” tripod mount. Rotate the unit until it is secured in place. 2. Tripod (via quick release plate): Mount the LV5 to the tripod screw on the quick release plate. Secure the mount by turning the lock from the underside of the quick release plate. 3.
10 6.4 6.4.1 Installing the Hood Using the Bayonet Mount 1. Attach the Hood using its bayonet-style mount to the Sensor. 2. Align the white dots on the Sensor and Hood. When they are in place, turn the Hood clockwise to lock it. 3. Turn the Hood counterclockwise to detach it. 6.4.2 Storing the LV5 system 1. Remove the Hood if it is mounted on the Sensor. 2. Align the centre of the LV5 Emitter On/Off Switch to the white dot on the rim of the LV5 Sensor.
11 3. When the Sensor detects the laser beam from the Emitter, it will automatically detect the selected frequency and perform accordingly. 4. To change frequency subsequently, switch OFF the Sensor. Select the desirable frequency using the Frequency Selector on the Emitter. Pair up the Emitter with the Sensor again, then switch the Senor ON. The Senor will automatically detect the new selected frequency and perform accordingly. 6.
12 6.7 6.7.1 Direct Cable Connection Connecting LV5 Sensor to the Camera 1. Connect the shutter release cable (optional) to the Sensor’s shutter release port. 2. Plug the other end of the shutter release cable to the camera’s shutter release port. 3. The Sensor sends a signal to the camera directly via the shutter cable, so the distance between the Sensor and the camera is limited by the length of the shutter release cable. EMITTER SENSOR SENSOR 6.7.2 Cactus V5 Wireless Shutter Release EMITTER 1.
13 5. Cactus V5’s Multi-Channel Triggering also applies to LV5, triggering up to four (4) groups of V5 transceivers separately or all at once. To make use of the multichannel triggering feature, set LV5 to Channel 1 and V5 transceivers to a channel in blue (i.e. Channels 1 to 5) 6.7.3 Third-Party Wireless Shutter Release EMITTER 1. Connect a third-party wireless shutter release transmitter to the Sensor using a 3.5mm shutter release cable. 2.
14 7. Basic Operation 7.1 Pair up the Emitter and Sensor within 1m by aiming the laser at the Sensor until you see a steady green LED. Before Use Tips: To prevent the laser beam -- i.e., typically a red spot on your subject -- from appearing in your images. Position the laser so that it hits the subject on the side facing away from the camera. 7.2 7.2.1 Single Shot LV5 Trap Mode LV5 triggers the camera to take one shot when laser signal is intercepted. 1. Set the Sensor to Single Shot. 2.
15 6. Aim the Emitter laser at the Sensor. When the laser is detected, the blinking LED turns to a steady green and the LV5 is ready to use. If the laser is never detected, the LED continues to blink green every 3 seconds. Aim again until the LED turns steady green. 7. Press the Test Button on the Sensor to confirm the shutter cable or wireless connection with your camera.
16 4. Setup is complete and the equipment is ready for use. 5. When an object passes through the laser and blocks the Sensor from detecting the laser, the LV5 triggers the camera to start taking multiple shots until the object no longer blocks the laser. 6. Once the laser signal is detected by the Sensor again, the LED turns green and LV5 is ready for the next group of multiple shots. 7. Follow the same procedures and set camera’s shutter speed to Bulb to take Bulb exposure shots.
17 7.3.2 Multi Shot 1. Follow steps 1-4 outlined in Section 7.3.1 but set the Sensor to Multi Shot and the camera’s drive mode to burst/continuous/high speed mode (refer to your camera’s user manual for corresponding function key). 2. When the laser is detected by the Sensor again, the camera’s shutter releases and takes multiple images until the object blocks the laser. 7.
18 3. Slowly move the black card away from the Emitter towards the Sensor. Note: The further away the black card is from the Emitter, the lighter and larger the red dot appears. 4. When the black card reaches the Sensor, take note of the approximate location of the red dot and adjust the height and angle of the Sensor to match the same dot. Remove the black card. If the laser is detected by the Sensor, the status LED will turn from blinking to steady. 7.
19 7.6 Option 1: Suggested LV5 Setup with Cactus V5 Wireless Flash Transceiver 1. Connect the Sensor to camera by shutter cable (optional). 2. Mount V5 TX to camera hot shoe and flash to V5 RX, both set to the same channel. EMITTER FLASH V5 RX SENSOR V5 TX CAMERA Option 2: 1. Use the Sensor’s wireless function by pairing it with a V5 RX. Set both to the same channel (e.g. Ch 5). 2. Connect this V5 to camera by a shutter cable (optional). 3.
20 8.1 Basic Concepts Event : An Event begins when an object blocks the laser beam in Trap Mode (or leaves it in Escape Mode). An Event ends when the laser beam is not blocked anymore in Trap Mode (or is blocked again in Escape Mode). An Event therefore has a duration that can range from very short to very long. Shutter Open Signal : Signal transmitted from the LV5 to the camera which commands the camera shutter to open.
21 2. Sleeping: In Multi Shot, LV5 will send a Shutter Close Signal at Event End. During the Freeze period after shutter closes, LV5 ignores all Event happening. The Freeze setting does not affect the length of shutter signal. 8.2 Set and Reset Delay and Freeze Values 1. To disable the Delay and Freeze functions, make sure the LV5 Sensor is ON. Turn the Select Dial to position 1, then slide the Delay/Freeze switch to either direction once. 2.
22 5. Each dial position corresponds to a Delay or Freeze value as indicated below: DIAL POSITION DELAY PERIOD FREEZE PERIOD 1 OFF OFF 2 1ms 20ms 3 2ms 30ms 4 3ms 40ms 5 4ms 50ms 6 5ms 70ms 7 7ms 90ms 8 10ms 120ms 9 15ms 180ms 10 20ms 240ms 11 25ms 300ms 12 30ms 360ms 13 50ms 600ms 14 100ms 1s 15 200ms 2s 16 400ms 4s Tips: A sticker version of the above table is included in the LV5 package. Stick it on the LV5 Sensor for easy references.
23 8.3 Delay Timer in Single Shot 8.4 Delay Timer in Multi Shot 1. To set a Delay time, see 8.2(2). 2. The Delay period starts when the LV5 detects an Event Beginning. During the Delay period, the LV5 will not detect any new Events. After the Delay period has elapsed, the LV5 will send a shutter signal, causing the image to be taken. 1. To set a Delay time, see 8.2(2). 2. The Delay period starts when the LV5 detects an Event Beginning.
24 8.5 Freeze Timer in Single Shot 8.6 Freeze Timer in Multi Shot 1. To set a Freeze time, see 8.2(3). 2. Different cameras vary significantly in duration they need to respond to a shutter signal. Freeze helps you manipulate the duration of shutter signal to ensure your camera has enough time to respond to an Event. 3. When Freeze timer is OFF (dial position 1), LV5 will send Shutter Open Signal upon the beginning of an Event, and Shutter Close Signal upon the end of an Event.
25 3. Freeze timer in Multi Shot will not affect the duration of shutter signals. 8.7 Delay and Freeze Combinations in Single Shot 1. Refer to 8.2(2) and 8.2(3) to set desired Freeze and Delay times. 2. Refer to the illustration below for how Delay and Freeze work together in Single Shot. 3. The Delay period starts when the LV5 detects an Event Beginning. During the Delay period, the LV5 will not detect any new Events.
26 8.8 Delay and Freeze Combinations in Multi Shot 1. Refer to 8.2(2) and 8.2(3) to set desired Freeze and Delay times. 2. Refer to the illustration below for how Delay and Freeze work together in Multi Shot. 3. The Delay period starts when the LV5 detects an Event beginning. After the Delay period has elapsed, the LV5 sends a Shutter Open Signal. 4. When the LV5 detects the Event end, it starts another Delay period.
27 8.9 Advanced Timing: Finding the Optimum Freeze Value for Your Camera Different cameras vary significantly in response time. In Single Shot, set Freeze timer to an optimum period that is long enough for your camera to respond and short enough to capture the maximum number of Events. The following procedure allows you to find out the optimum Freeze value for your camera.
28 9. LED Signal Outline SENSOR INDICATOR STATUS TRAP MODE ESCAPE MODE POWERED ON GREEN BLINKS EVERY 3 SECONDS ORANGE BLINKS EVERY 3 SECONDS LASER DETECTED STEADY GREEN STEADY ORANGE LASER NOT DETECTED STEADY RED HALF-PRESS ORANGE FULL-PRESS GREEN LOW BATTERY RED GREEN & ORANGE BLINKS EVERY 5 SECONDS BULB MODE ACTIVATED GREEN LIGHTS UP FOR 2 SECONDS BULB MODE CLOSED GREEN BLINKS ONCE 10. Optional Accessories Shutter Release Cables 1.
29 11. Troubleshooting Laser does not hit the Sensor EMITTER LASER STATUS POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTION NO LASER 1. BATTERIES INSTALLED INCORRECTLY • ENSURE CORRECT POLARITIES WHEN FITTING THE BATTERIES. 2. INSUFFICIENT BATTERY POWER • REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE EMITTER. 3. LASER SPOT FALLS ON WRONG POSITION • USE THE BLACK CARD TO TRACE THE PATH OF THE LASER BEAM AND FIX THE ANGLE LOCK ACCORDINGLY. SEE SECTION 7.4. LASER EMITS PROPERLY • MOUNT THE EMITTER TO A BALL HEAD FOR VERY FINE ADJUSTMENTS.
30 Laser not detected (assuming the laser beam does hit the Sensor) SENSOR LED STATUS POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTION NO LED 1. BATTERIES INSTALLED INCORRECTLY • ENSURE CORRECT POLARITIES WHEN FITTING THE BATTERIES. RED GREEN ORANGE BLINKS EVERY 5 SECONDS 2. INSUFFICIENT BATTERY POWER • REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE SENSOR AND RETRY. TRAP MODE: GREEN BLINKS EVERY 3 SECONDS 3. LASER FREQUENCY MISMATCH • RESET THE SENSOR TO DETECT THE LASER FREQUENCY AGAIN. ESCAPE MODE: ORANGE BLINKS EVERY 3 SECONDS 4.
31 Camera shutter or flash not triggered with wired connection (assuming laser is detected) SENSOR LED STATUS POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTION TRAP MODE: STEADY GREEN REMAINS 1. NO OBJECT HAS PASSED THROUGH THE LASER BEAM • RETRY WITH BIGGER OBJECT TO INTERCEPT THE LASER BEAM AT A CLOSER DISTANCE WITH EITHER THE EMITTER OR THE SENSOR. 2. OBJECT MOVING TOO FAST • SWITCH THE EMITTER TO 1KHZ, RESET THE SENSOR AND RETRY. • USE MORE THAN ONE LV5 TO TRAP THE OBJECT. ESCAPE MODE: STEADY RED REMAINS 3.
32 Camera shutter or flash not triggered with wireless connection (assuming laser is detected) LED STATUS POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTION LV5 SENSOR IN TRAP MODE: TURNS RED 1. CACTUS TRIGGER SET INCORRECTLY • ENSURE THE CACTUS TRANSCEIVER IS SET AS RX AND ON THE SAME CHANNEL WITH LV5. LV5 SENSOR IN ESCAPE MODE: TURNS ORANGE V5: NO LED • ALWAYS SET LV5 CHANNEL BEFORE POWER ON. 2. BATTERIES INSTALLED INCORRECTLY • CHECK BATTERY POLARITIES OR REPLACE NEW BATTERIES OF CACTUS TRANSCEIVER. 3.
33 12. Notices Notices for Customers in the U.S.A. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statements. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
34 R&TTE Declaration of Conformity (DOC) We, Harvest One Limited, 9D On Shing Industrial Building, 2-16 Wo Liu Hang Road, Fo Tan, Hong Kong, declare under our own responsibility that the product: Cactus Laser Trigger LV5 is in conformity with the essential requirements and other relevant requirements of the R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC).
35 13. Warranty The limited warranty set forth below is given by Harvest One Limited in the world with respect to the Cactus brand Wireless Laser Trigger purchased with this limited warranty.
36 RESPECT TO THE LASER TRIGGER SHALL BIND HARVEST ONE LIMITED.
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