FAQ
"DigisnapTerminal.app" is damaged and can't be opened.
This article applies to an older version of DigiSnap Terminal.app. To avoid the procedure below, please download the current version of the app: download DigiSnap Terminal.app
If you see the error ""DigisnapTerminal.app" is damaged and can't be opened. You should eject the disk image." like in th...
About how many images is the Pentax spec'ed for before its shutter fails?
Good question... Pentax never responded when I asked :) None of the camera manufacturers really like to advertise that there is a potential failure mode in the cameras. I'd expect a couple hundred thousand shots...
Are there slots/holes to output cables?
The housing is made of solid fiberglass, so it can be machined as needed. We currently add a 'gland' for the solar panel cable, and any number of these can be added for round cables. Holes for some odd cables can simply be sealed with RTV Silicone Rubber.
Camera quirks... what do you mean by that?
Many of the digital camera use a 'standard' protocol for serial communication, intended primarily for image download. There are some printers that also use the protocol to talk to the camera, and there may even be some manufacturer specific camera control programs. While we don't have any particular...
Can I connect multiple cameras to the DigiSnap?
You bet... If each camera receives the same serial commands then they should all perform the same operation. The trick here is route the commands from the DigiSnap to each camera, and the responses from only one camera back to the DigiSnap. This can be accomplished by a custom serial cable system, a...
Can I use a Palm to configure the DigiSnap in the field?
Yes you can! Like any other computer with a serial port, the Palm has several terminal emulator programs available. We've successfully tried Online from Markspace.com, but I suspect all of them will work. You will need to turn off the RTS?CTS and XOn/XOff handshaking.
The tougher part is that you...
Can we output a signal to a computer to put pictures up on the web?
We have designed the system to be autonomous, for good reasons, and don't really have any 'hooks' for this. Also, it appears that some cameras don't like to have USB powered while taking pictures... connecting to a computer full time might be a problem.
Can you use larger memory cards or attach to an external hard drive?
The Pentax K110D/K100D can be used with much larger cards... as much as your wallet can buy! We do not have a provision for using an external hard-drive.
Comparison of Image Transfer Options
The Time-Lapse Package comes with a pair of SD cards so that when the first card is nearly full, you can swap in the empty card, bring the full card back to your office, and download the images. This is the most efficient way to transfer image data, because you don't have to wait on-site for the ima...
Could you please tell us how to configure the DigiSnap to take pictures on a daily schedule?
The Advanced Time-Lapse process is what you need. Connect the DigiSnap to a terminal, and start it up. You should see a menu presented on the screen.
From the main menu, set the operating mode to ATL... [command M].
Enter the ATL menu... [command A].
There are 8 sequences that you can confi...
Do I need to reprogram the DigiSnap in case of power failure?
The DigiSnap will retain its settings through any power failure, but the internal time-of-day gets reset to midnight each time the power is cycled.
Do you have any references from experienced users as to reliability and user friendly status?
We have a policy of not subjecting our customers to questions like this. I know it irritates me when people ask me to refer their product or company.
However, we've been doing business on the internet for almost 10 years now, with literally thousands of customers all over the planet. If you can f...
Do you have plans for an USB or FireWire remote?
The DigiSnap products are camera controllers. To control a camera via USB would require that the DigiSnap become a USB host device, which is hugely more difficult than the requirements for a USB slave device, like a mouse, or even a digital camera. To my knowledge there are very few if any hand-held...
Do you have suppliers worldwide?
We ship all products directly at this time.
For most countries, we have the rates posted online for 1 pound packages.
Do you lease or rent this equipment out?
Sorry, we design, manufacture, and sell the equipment, but we do not rent it out. You might suggest our product(s) to a local camera supply / rental company... you are not the only one to ask us!
Does the DigiSnap 2100 run off the large lithium battery as well or is it run from it's small internal battery? If it is from the small battery, should I replace it with a lithium battery if I want to be assured it is not going to run out over the period of many months?
The large Lithium-Ion Polymer battery will power everything!
If you've installed an internal AAA battery for configuring the DigISnap away from the housing, please remove it when using it in the housing. The external power will 'fight' with the battery, and end up making a mess.
By the way, th...
How can I tell if the DigiSnap will work with my camera?
We have a full list of the compatible cameras on the compatibility page.
For other cameras we offer a very simple program on our website to check if your camera supports the protocol that is common to many digital camera manufacturers. Click to download: digisnap.exe.
How close can the recommended camera & lens focus?
It will focus to about 4-5 inches at wide angle.
How do I connect my Nikon Coolpix camera to the DigiSnap? My camera only has an USB port.
Although Nikon does not advertise a serial port on those cameras, they actually have them. Both the USB port and the serial port use the same connector, just separate pins within the connector.
How do I control my DigiSnap through wireless for remote controlled ariplanes/balloons and other applications?
Wireless Remote Controls for DigiSnap 2000:
1) IR (infrared)
Some cameras come with IR remote controls, allowing the camera zoom and shutter release to be operated while standing in front of the camera.
The Nikon Coolpix cameras do not have this IR control feature. The DigiSnap 2500 include...
How do I get the DigiSnap to work with my HyperTerminal program?
There are many terminal programs available for every model computer. Hyperterminal is a program that is bundled with Windows, so it's the one we use for most our work. The rest of this discussion applies to the Hyperterminal setup, but many other programs operate similarly.
As is the case with an...
How do I use the DigiSnap with a Mac?
This article describes how to configure the advanced features in a DigiSnap 2000 series controller with Mac OS X. Configuring with Windows and Linux is also supported.
What you'll need:
- Mac running OS X
- DigiSnap 2000 series controller (most common are DigiSnap 2100 and 2700)
- power for the Di...
How long is the cable for the DigiSnap? Is it extendable?
The DigiSnap is connected to the camera via the serial cable offered by the camera manufacturer. The DigiSnap does not come with a cable to connect to your camera. Most other compatible cameras are sold with with PC type serial cables included.
If your camera came with this cable then you are set...
I need a DigiSnap in a few days for a big project, can I get one fast?
Most shipping takes place within 2 business days. You can choose Overnight shipping to insure its arrival within 3 or 4 days. Call us if you want to check on expedited delivery.
**** Please be aware: There is a learning curve for the advanced DigiSnap functions. Please give yourself time to learn...
I was taking some interval photos from the inside the building to record the sunrise. I get the sun reflection and glare in the window. Do you have any suggestions how to eliminate that (polarizing filter for the camera or something similar)?
Glass reflections are going to be an issue in many setups. Polarizers might help... worth a try! Fundamentally though, it's a tough problem. Minimize the distance from the lens to the window, use black felt to mask areas around the lens, etc. Clean the windows as much as possible, try to shade the s...
I work with the University of XXX and do educational work. Are you able to provide any educational discount?
A great number of our systems go to universities, so there is no particular discount available there, but we can do purchase orders with universities. We are able to offer a quantity discount (and can even apply that to prior purchases if you remind us).
I'm wondering if the fiberglass housing would be available in some color other than white?
The housing only comes in one color, but since it's fiberglass and not plastic, you can paint it any way you'd like!
Is there a heater for the glass?
No... heat = power, and lot's of it! With the internal dessicant pack, you should not have any frost build-up on the inside, and if you shield the front of the box, you can minimize external frost. Some photographers in the Arctic have noted some pleasing effects as the frost builds and dissipates, ...
Is there a way to start an ATL sequence after the desired 'Start' time? So if I set a 6am – 6pm active period and start the sequence ‘during this time’ it appears to do nothing until the next day.
You can program multiple sequences to start at various times during the day. You don't need to make them contiguous either, you can set them to end at the same time. Once a sequence starts, the DigiSnap doesn't look for any other start times until that particular sequence ends. This means that overl...
Is there any danger to the camera using remote control?
Not that we are aware of! The DigiSnaps have been used thousands of times without incident.
There used to be some warnings posted from camera manufacturer rep’s about using remote control. There is a slight danger if you start poking into the various registers of the camera. There are commands ...
Let's say that I want to replace the memory card in the camera after a week. I disconnect the digisnap from the camera (because I have to take the camera out of the box) and replace the card. Do I have to reprogram the digisnap or it will continue taking pictures as previously programed?
The cables should be long enough to remove the camera sufficently to remove the card. Once running, as long as you don't disconnect power to the DigiSnap, it should continue forever... regardless if the camera is attached.
May I submit a video to be included in your Gallery?
Yes! Please visit the Gallery section where you can upload your video with a brief description of your camera, technique and other information as appropriate.
Our site will have AC power available. Do we really need the internal battery pack?
It certainly is possible to power the system from AC, but I strongly recommend to our customers that they avoid any dependence on available utilities, and consider the camera system an independent element.
There are few places that will have 100% reliable AC power over the long period of an inter...
Rather than removing the memory card each time to extract the images, can we simply leave the USB cable attached to the camera?
Certainly, but as always, there are some slight complications. The camera will go to 'sleep' between pictures, if the interval is long enough, to save power. If the camera is asleep, it might not wake up when you connect the USB cable to your computer. You may need to cycle the power on the camera, ...
The camera seems to be working intermittently, what should I check?
Most likely, its a configuration issue with the DigiSnap. When the DigiSnap wants to take a picture, it sends a signal to the camera, which electronically presses the camera's shutter release button. The camera may be asleep between pictures, so that signal has to be long enough for the camera to wa...
We would like use our existing camera (i.e. Canon Rebel, Nikon D80, whatever) in your Time-Lapse Package. Is this possible?
Each time we've worked with a customer that wanted to use their own camera, we've run into additional difficulties, slowing everything down, and creating multiple shipments. While we are happy to sell the package without the camera, I would ask that you send us your camera so we can make sure everyt...
What equipment do I need to use the DigiSnap 2000 products?
The DigiSnap 2000 requires a digital camera with a serial cable. Many of the newer digital cameras only come with an USB cable, so an accessory serial cable must be purchased.
What is the difference between the DigiSnap 2000 and Nikon's Mc-eu1?
We have a detailed comparison article of the two products on our website.
What is the most frequent frame capture interval you would trust with the Pentax camera and the digisnap? Could you do an image every 10 s? Or faster?
An image every 3 seconds should be sustainable until the card fills.
What is the size and weight of the DigiSnap?
Size:
DigiSnap 2000 measures 2.45" x 1.8" x .9"
Harbortronics Coolpix Serial Cable is 5 feet longWeights:
DigiSnap 2000 : 1.745 Oz (49.4 g)
Harbortronics Coolpix Serial Cable : 2.770 Oz (78.5 g)
16" Modified Serial Cable : 0.750 Oz (21.3 g)
Why is there a delay when the DigiSnap 2000 is triggered to the time the camera actually takes a picture?
The delay can vary quite a bit, depending on a lot of things. First off, rather than a simple electrical signal to trigger the shutter, there is a communication process between the DigiSnap and the camera, which takes a little time to tell the camera what to do. Sometimes the camera isn't ready to a...
Will your all-in package operate in UK (240 volt mains) or does it operate solely from battery? And can you ship it here?
The Time-Lapse Package is designed to be autonomous, and operate from the internal battery, kept in charge by a solar panel. We can install an AC adapter (110-240VAC) in place of the solar panel if you like, so that AC keeps the battery charged. We ship all over the world... literally. Shipping to...