AEO Photo Micro 4.0 User Manual

Photo

AEO

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY TRIGGERS™

Professional Lightning & Motion Activated Camera Shutter Triggers

AEO Lightning Strike! Micro Lithium Series Version 4.0

BEFORE TESTING YOUR DEVICE READ THIS ENTIRE MANUAL, ESPECIALLY THE SECTION ON
“IMPORTANT BATTERY INFORMATION”.

IF YOUR TRIGGER SHIPPED FROM A DISTRIBUTOR AND YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A CABLE, OR YOU WERE
NOT OFFERED TO SELECT A CABLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE, PLEASE CONTACT AEO PHOTO AT

[e-mail]. WE WILL ASSIST YOU IN OBTAINING THE CORRECT CABLE FOR YOUR CAMERA.

Test your new device right out of the box: Set the mode switch to “Lightning”. Turn the power on. The
red LED will flash every time the device triggers. It’s normal for it to trigger once on power up. If it
continues to trigger, check for light sources leaking into the room. (If you cover the window of the
device with your hand, it should not trigger). Set off a camera flash (using another camera or a flash
attachment). The flash should trigger the device.

Photographic Capture of Lightning The device triggers on the first bolt it detects. Your camera shutter
mechanism is not fast enough to catch that first bolt, but fortunately, most bolts are followed by many
more. Thus, you want to have the camera shutter open for a fairly long time to capture those
subsequent bolts (we’ve used 10 seconds with good results).

Photographing Lightning is as much Art as it is Science. Getting the right conditions and settings can be
challenging, and some folks have a better knack for it than others. But to get you started, here are some
basic “recommendations”:

1. The camera should be mounted on a tripod. You want it stable during the exposure.

2. Mount the device in your camera’s hot shoe mount with the red semi-clear window facing the

direction you are photographing. Insert the supplied plug into your camera remote shutter
interface.

3. Point the camera at the storm or in the direction you see lightning activity.

4. Set your Auto Focus feature to OFF or Disable.

5. Set the focus to infinity. (If the lightning is closer than that, you’re too close to it!!!)

6. We’ve found that when photographing lightning at night, an f-stop of 5.6 works well.

7. Shutter speed should be long, example around 10 seconds. (This won’t work during the day.

For daytime shots, don’t exceed 1 second and you’ll need a smaller aperture/ larger f-stop as
well).

8. Turn the lightning trigger device power on FIRST before you power up the camera. (When the

trigger is first tuned on, it will trigger once on power up . . . not a big deal for digital
photography, but if you use film, you’ll lose one frame.)

9. Avoid using your cell phone near the device while it’s operating. Your lightning shutter trigger is

a sensitive device and can be triggered inadvertently by strong, nearby RF transmissions.

10. Grab your favorite refreshing beverage and wait for the show to start!

IMPORTANT BATTERY INFORMATION: The LS 4.0 Lithium Series Triggers are designed to operate with a
single Li-Ion 14500 3.7V rechargeable battery ONLY. Using any other type of battery may cause damage
to the charging system (PRO Models) and the battery itself.

In accordance with postal regulations regarding the shipment of Li-Ion batteries, your AEO LS 4.0 Trigger
is shipped with a partially depleted rechargeable Li-Ion 14500 battery. Before using your device, ensure
the battery has been completely charged. Once charged, the device is designed to operate for over 180
hours continuously on a single charge.

The LS Micro 4.0 does NOT include a built-in recharge system (Pro-Models only). You will need to charge
the Li-Ion 14500 battery using an external charger (not included, but readily available from most
electronics resellers).

INSTALLING NEW BATTERY: The Li-Ion 14500 battery is accessible via a slide out battery compartment
cover on the bottom of the device as shown below:

Take note of the polarity of the battery, and ensure that the replacement battery is inserted correctly.
IF the battery is inserted incorrectly, protection circuitry will ensure no damage occurs, however, your
device will not operate.

The 900mAH Li-Ion battery included with your trigger will last over 180 hours on a single charge. Higher
capacity 14500 batteries will last proportionally longer.

If you have questions, or if you wouldn’t mind sending us some of your photographs, contact us at

[e-mail] or by mail at 1435 Tally Ho Lane, Norco, CA 92860

HAVE FUN!