NMX firmware .22 (and later) enables the Aux port. To update your NMX firmware use the DP Web Updater
There are common cases where you might want to setup a move and then have an external device set the timing between moves (or shots) in SMS mode. This is important when using external 'Bulb-Ramping' devices as the exposure time may gradually change or when shooting 'Stop-Motion' where the scene is adjusted and after triggering the next shot/move.
Enabling 'Slave Mode'
Setup on the NMX is very simple, the firmware has a 'toggle' to switch this mode on/off using the Emergency Stop button. After booting the NMX TRIPLE CLICK the stop button and the far right light on the mocobus ports will light up indicating that the NMX is in 'Slave Mode' for Stop Motion or Bulb Ramping.
Bulb-Ramping Devices
(see 'Holy Grail' article)
There are a couple of ways to link 'bulb ramping' devices to the NMX, some devices (like the RamperPro or Timelapse+) have an 'out' signal port, in this case you simply link the out signal port to the NMX AUX port using our 3/32 (2.5mm) Canon E3 cable. Other devices may not have an out port or you may prefer to monitor the camera's shutter instead and have the NMX only move when the camera's exposure is complete, in this case you can use the camera's PC-SYNC port (or flash shoe PC-SYNC adapter) and link to the NMX using our PC port monitoring cable. In either case, the NMX is set to move only at the end of the signal (or end of exposure).
Stop Motion with the NMX
For stop motion there are a couple of options as well, you can connect a hand or foot trigger directly to the AUX port and use it to trigger both camera and the move (don't forget to set the exposure in the app properly if your shooting longer exposures to ensure that the rig sits still while the exposure is occurring). Some examples of triggers would be our multi-function switch, any basic camera trigger (with 3/32" / 2.5mm TRS or 'mini-stereo') or a wireless shutter trigger will work as well. Another option would be to trigger the camera with an external trigger device and use our PC port monitoring cable to link the camera to the NMX and trigger the next move when the exposure is complete.
How to set up a shot in ‘Slave Mode’
In both cases the setup is the same as it would be normally, you can use one of our apps to setup the start and end points, then choose SMS mode and choose how many shots you want over the course of the move. First start the program on the NMX and then start your external device, the NMX will simply wait for the signal before advancing to the next position.
Important Notes!
-All of the settings in the interval cycle ARE respected in slave mode! For example if you have the Focus set to 0.5, the Trigger set to 0.1 and the Motor Delay set to 2.0 seconds the motors would actually move 2.6 seconds after the signal is received.. (the sum of all three settings) If you want the motors to move soon after the signal is received reduce the Focus, Trigger and Delay Times to a minimum.
-Although the NMX Motion app may display a shot time remaining in the status screen, this is certainly not accurate in Slave Mode.. =)
Comments