Remote Trigger for nanoFlash
 

I thought that I saw a remote trigger for the nanoFlash that fit on the Sony EX3 so that it was as if you were operating the EX3 as usual but it would trigger the nanoFlash and EX3 at the same time. I did a search and couldn't find it. Was I dreaming or does this really exist and if so has anyone had any experience with it?

Thanks,
Garrett

I Just asked about this too Garrett, see second post down.

Dear Anthony and Garrett,

I am not aware of a device that triggers both the Sony EX1 / EX1R / EX3 and the nanoFlash at the same time.

We have not attempted to design or build one.

Hi Dan,
I didn't know that, I thought this Hawk-Woods XV-04A (XV04A) did that. Thanks for letting us know.

Dear Anthony,

I read the description of the Hawk-Woods device.

It did not say that it triggers both the nanoFlash and camera simultaneously, but it may.

It did say that the trigger for the nanoFlash mounts over the camera's record button for the convenience of the camera operator.

Hi Dan,
No it doesn't, pity. It still might be useful but not in the way I would have hoped for.

Anthony, I did see the Hawk-Woods trigger but this isn't what I was thinking of. I'd be interested in something that would be able to be used on say a tripod handle or for a jib setup. There are times when I'd like to have TC set to Free Run and be able to trigger the NF without having to use the control panel.

Dan, In theory it shouldn't be hard to rig a trigger to start the EX3 and NF with one button. Is there some technical info that I could find to try to create such a trigger? I would also need to find the layout of the EX3 pins and requirements too.

Thanks,
Garrett

Dear Garrett,

Anthony had a problem over the weekend.

He was recording to the nanoFlash using Trigger on Incrementing Timecode.

And he was recording in-camera to the SxS card, which is commom practice as it gives redundancy.

It appears that the camera stopped recording to the SxS card for no apparent reason.
Anthony reported that the SxS card appeared to be "stuck" as it was reporting 70 Minutes and not counting down.

The nanoFlash recorded the files properly.

Most people just press the Record Button on the camera, and then record in-camera and in the nanoFlash. And this appears to be fine for many people.

Of course, if the timecode stops incrementing, the nanoFlash will stop recording.

I have not researched what facilities are available in the Sony EX cameras to start recording from an external source.

But, most people find the normal record button on the Sony EX cameras to be adequate when triggering the nanoFlash to record on incrementing timecode.

I hope this helps.


If one does not want to record in-camera, then we provide a remote control with tally light for the nanoFlash.

Hi Garrett, Thanks for taking an interest in this.
What I think would suite me best is to have the NF recording independent from the Camera.
I know this is possible but I would like to be able to stop/start both at one time with the one trigger and as Dan said I did have an experience at the weekend and thankfully it worked out good.

OK. So here is the setup that I think may have some value. Please weigh in and let me know if there is some flaw in my thinking.

If I have a device that has a single button that will send a signal to the nanoFlash that is equivalent to the signal to remote trigger with tally, and a separate lead to the EX3 that sends the same signal equal to the record on/off on most zoom controllers it should be able to trigger both. I will have to figure out how to be able to control the rec on/off on the EX as well as have a zoom controller connected to be use full for jib application.

Then set the NF to Remote trigger, and then the camera and NF would be stared with a single button push and the NF would not be depending on the TC to remain running.

Dan, could you provide me with the pin out and signal requirements for the remote trigger on the nanoFlash? I will look for the same on the Sony EX cams. I have a friend who is an EE that I might consult just to make sure I don't fry something in my camera or nanoFlash.

Thanks,
Garrett

Dear Garrett,

We make it very simple. It is just a simple contact closure.

The Pin Out is in our manual.

For the human interface, a simple contact closure starts recording, a press and hold for 1 second or more, then release, is necessary to stop recording.

For an electronic device interface, we have a mode that records when the switch is closed and we stop when the switch is opened.


I am not aware of a connector on the Sony EX1 that allows the camera to be started and stopped remotely. I just did a preliminary check in the manual, and the specifications do not mention any such connector.

Thanks Dan,

The lens remote connector in the front of the lens control grip allows for start/stop record as well as zoom servo control. Now if I'm lucky, the rec start/stop on the EX is controlled by a simple contact closure like on the NF and just cycles between on and off then it's just a wiring exercise. At least in theory.

-Garrett

Dan, I just went to your site looking for your remote control with tally light and could not find it anywhere. Can you tell me how much it is and how I can get one?

Dear Ron,

You can go to nanoFlash.net, then go to the Remote Control and Time Code Page

nanoFlash.net - Remote Control & Time Code

nanoFlash.net can also custom build these cables to your specifications.

Hi Dan,
I wonder about that and whats the difference in this Hawk-Woods XV-04 PMW-EX nanoFlash and the one you linked to.

I saw this one in the Symbiosis site nanoRMT-LTC, is this the correct one


Thanks.

Hello Garrett,
I had the same issue when I first got my Nanoflash in my case I needed to simultaneously record from the EX3 to the Nanoflash and my Datavideo MP6000 DVD recorder. The way that I have done it is to buy a A-EX8F 8 Pin Fujinon Zoom Adapter Cable for Sony EX1 or EX3 from Jonyjib.
JonyJib Camera Solutions

I then connect from the lens tap to at VariZoom VZ-PG-F12 remote zoom control for Fujinon 12-pin video lenses .

VariZoom Lens Controls, monitors, Camera Stabilizers & Supports, Batteries, Monitor Kits Phone: 512-219-7722

(The record switch supplied on this unit is crappy I replaced it with NKK mon on toggle switch mounted sideways. The position of the record switch just ahead of the zoom control makes it very easy to accidentally hit the record switch with your thumb and terminate the recording.)

You the need to get into the VariZoom VZ-PG-F12 remote zoom control unit and tap off from the record button switch to the NanoFlash remote cable and you are done. This combination works well I run the Nanoflash on internal TC and the Nanoflash will continue to record as long as you have and SDI signal out of the camera. I have also experienced record failure to the SxS cards I believe that Sony has a recall notice out you may want to check with them, the SxS cards need a firmware update to fix the problem.

I know it's a bit messy but once it's done it very reliable system . I have not been able to find an output from theEX3 lens tap connector so you use the record switch on the camera to fire other devices, I need to get hold of a logic probe to see if there is anything there I rather suspect it a one way signal.

Good luck Cheers

Dear Anthony,

The Hawk Woods one fits over your record button on the camera.

The ones on the nanoFlash.net and Symbiosis can be held in your hand, if desired.
If they need to be mounted on your camera, the Hawk-Woods one may be more desirable.

Thank you Dan for the explanation.

Just to add to my post #16 most of my work is tripod mounted and I needed to fire three devices.
Anyone wishing to try the method I have outlined in post #16 do so their own risk.

Hi Dan,
I was talking to Mike today at Symbiosis to find out a wee bit more about the nanoRMT-LTC cable.
He also suggested a basic cable but didn't have a picture of it on their site.
Could you please link me to a picture of it.

Thanks again.

Dear Anthony,

Here is a picture of the Remote Control Cable, with Tally Light, and Timecode input.

Thank you Dan.
Then the one Mike suggested is like that, minus the BNC end.
So is the record button is also the tally light

Did a bit of searching, Is it,

10-Pin Female Hirose to Remote Control with Tally, 1.8m


Thank you.

Dear Anthony,

You contacted Mike Wattley of Symbiosis. You mentioned nanoRMT-LTC.

The picture in the last post is the one typeically sold by Symbiosis, and should be available from our dealers in the UK / Europe / Middle East and Africa. Or they may have a custom one.

Thus the one in the picture is nanoRMT-LTC. This one has a Female BNC connector for timecode input to the nanoFlash.

We can build these with a wide variety of options. and lengths.

Do you want to have the ability to input external LTC timecode into the nanoFlash, now or in the future?

Hi Dan,
It was the nanoRMT-LTC I was going to get from Mike, I told him I just wanted to have the NF record independent form the EX3. It was then he thought, I have another cable that doesn't have the BNC end just a basic on/off cable and would do as well.. but don't have a picture of it on our site.
I said OK that's good enough.
Thats the one then Dan, I asked you to link me to a picture of it, a basic cable. (Mike's words)

I was happy enough taking the nanoRMT-LTC but Mike thought If the cheaper one would do my job, go for that instead, which was a good idea.

I don't think so, no.

Thanks Dan and sorry if i confused things a little, I didn't mean too.

Dear Anthony,

No problem at all.

You can go to the following link to see a variety of these type cables:

nanoFlash.net Remote Control and Timecode Cables