Intro to Camera Trapping
A Beginners Guide to DSLR Camera Trapping
DSLR camera traps have become a popular tool for wildlife photographers, researchers, and conservationists alike. These cameras allow you to capture high-quality images of wildlife without disturbing the animals or altering their behavior. In this post, well cover the basics of DSLR camera traps and how to get started with them
What is DSLR Camera Trapping?
How does a DSLR Camera Trap work? A DSLR camera trap is typically set up in a wildlife habitat and triggered by motion sensors to take a photo. These sensors are connected to the camera’s trigger mechanism either wired or wirelessly, which activates the camera when an animal passes by. The camera may also be programmed to take a series of photos, allowing you to capture multiple images of the same animal.
Camera and Lens
If you are lucky enough to have an extra DSLR around your home then that might be the perfect camera for camera trapping. I use the Nikon D3200 since it has a long lasting battery life as was the only camera I was willing to put out in the wilderness.
Camera Housing
Leaving a camera out in the wilderness for months on end would be impossible if it were not for a waterproof and dustproof hard case. These make the perfect home for your camera to stay safe and dry over months in the outdoors. If you're not planning on leaving a camera outside for longer than a few hours then a rain cover may be all you might need but if you want to do anything more I suggest a hard case housing. I built mine from a Monoprice case from Walmart for under $30 with a Ram Ball Mount on the bottom so that I could easily mount the camera onto a tree.
There are alternatives to building your own housing but will be more costly. Camtraptions has a great portable shelter for protecting your camera out in the field. Lucky I haven't had a camera destroyed or stolen in this setup and I won't be switching anytime soon.
Flashes and Housings
Flashes are critical components of a DSLR camera trap when attempting to capture images of animals during the night as the darkness requires artificial light. Animals tend to be more active between twilight and at night. Flashes allow you to freeze the animal in motion as they trigger the PIR sensor. The best camera trapping flash is the Nikon SB-28 as it has a fast wakeup time as well as a long lasting standby mode. A two flash setup is ideal for a natural look of the photograph being higher and farther from the camera with the farther flash set at a lower brightness than the other to create some shadow in the image.
If you are wanting to run a long term camera trap and are uncomfortable in using plastic bags to protect your flashes I would recommend building a waterproof housing for the flash. I built mine out of four inch right angle PVC pipes with a cap on one side for protection and plexiglass on the front to properly light the scene. You can also cut out sections of PVC and capping one side then using a translucent plastic piece on the other side to let light pass through.
Why Use a Camtraptions PIR Sensor with a DSLR Camera?
The Camtraptions PIR sensor is specifically designed to be used with DSLR cameras and offers several benefits over other types of sensors. Firstly, it is compact and lightweight, making it easy to set up in remote locations. Secondly, it is highly sensitive so you can be sure to capture images of even the shyest of wildlife.
Camtraptions PIR V2 Motion Sensor
A PIR sensor is a vital part of a camera trap setup as it is used to detect animals walking in front .The Camtraptions PIR V2 sensor is my sensor of choice for my camera trapping setup. This version uses a connected setup rather than a wireless one allowing for long lasting battery life saving more juice for a perfect shot.
By altering the program switches and the turn dials it alters when the camera might fire affecting its sensitivity, number of shots, video or photo mode, and desired time of day. Camtraptions offers an in depth Manuel and I would highly suggest reading it in full before setting up a camera trap.
Set It And Forget It
Once you’ve chosen the right camera and sensors for your camera trap, it’s time to set it up. First, decide on the location for your camera trap. This could be a trail, a watering hole, or any other location where wildlife is likely to pass by. Next, secure the camera to a tripod or mount to ensure it stays in place. Make sure the camera is pointed in the right direction and that the sensors are positioned in such a way that they will detect the animals you want to photograph. Finally, set up your trigger mechanism and test it to make sure everything is working properly. You can also adjust the settings on your camera, such as ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, to ensure you get the best results.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your DSLR camera trapping setup:
Choose the right location – Set up your camera trap in an area where wildlife is known to frequent. This may be near a water source, or near a food source, such as a bird feeder.
Position the sensor correctly – Position the Camtraptions PIR sensor so that it covers the area you want to capture, but avoid positioning it too close to the ground, as this can result in false triggers from insects.
Use a camouflaged camera – Use a camouflaged camera and sensor to blend in with the surrounding environment, so as not to startle the wildlife.
Test the setup – Before leaving your camera trap unattended, test it by walking in front of the sensor to ensure it is functioning correctly.
Check the results – check the results of your camera trap to see if you have captured any images of wildlife. Be sure to take time between checking to allow the least amount of disturbance to the area.
Conclusion
DSLR camera traps are a great tool for capturing high-quality images of wildlife. Whether you’re a wildlife photographer, researcher, or conservationist, these cameras can help you get closer to the animals you want to photograph without disturbing them. By choosing the right camera, sensors, and setting up your camera trap properly, you can get the best results and capture amazing images of wildlife.
My Gear
When starting in your camera trap journey you’ll be surprised how quickly gear can accumulate. Because camera trapping is done in uneven, wild, landscapes mounts and housings are necessary in keeping your gear both safe and dry. Cameras and flashes out in the field can stay charged for over a month on a wired setup as they can stay on standby mode only shooting when triggered by the Camtraptions sensor. Do not let the list of gear intimidate you since the camera trapping can be done without many of these items but can help in your longterm success.
Cameras: Nikon D3200, Nikon D7200
Lenses: Nikon 18-55mm Kit Lens
Housing: Monoprice 10x9x7 (cheaper and secure alternative to a Pelican hard case), Plexiglass (cut to fit for interior to protect lens), RAM Ball Mount (C Size)
Flash: 2x Nikon SB-28, AS-10 Multiflash Adapter, Nikon SC-26 TTL Cable, Nikon SC-17 TTL Cord
Flash Trigger: Camtraptions Motion Sensor V2, Nikon DC2 Camtraptions Cable, Mounted with Gorriliapod
Flash Housing: 2x 90 Degree 4in PVC Pipes, 4in rubber stopper, 4in round plexiglass (siliconed onto inside of housing), Mounted with K&F Concept Trail Camera Mount, All Painted green.
Cables: Nikon UC-E6, USB-C to USB adapter (These combined I used to check cameras without taking the SD card out of the camera)
Trail Camera: Spypoint Flex Cellular Trail Cam (Connects to Spypoint App)
Camouflage: Mossy Oak Camouflage Mesh, Cafoflauge Gator (used to cover flash housings)