Harbortronics DigiSnap 2700 User Manual

DigiSnap 2700

DigiSnap 2700

The DigiSnap 2700 is a variation of the DigiSnap 2000, adding a Real-Time Clock, simplified for use with
modern digital cameras, and includes a set of connections optimized for long term time-lapse projects. The
DigiSnap 2700 was tailored specifically for use in the Harbortronics Time-Lapse Package.

The DigiSnap 2700 has a simplified feature set compared to the other members of the DigiSnap 2000
family, reducing the configuration complexity substantially. The DigiSnap 2700 is intended for use with
SLR and other 'contact' style camera interfaces. In addition, a Real-Time Clock has been added, to more
easily use the Advanced Time-Lapse feature of the DigiSnap controllers.

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DigiSnap 2700

This DigiSnap has no internal battery, but is powered via a connector to a 5V power source, such as an AC
adapter, or the Harbortronics Battery Converter. New to the DigiSnap controller series is the ability to
control power to the camera, lighting, or strobe via connection to the Harbortronics Battery Converter.

Block diagram

The following block diagram shows a typical application of the DigiSnap 2700. The DigiSnap controls the
power to the camera, as well as the shutter release.

Standard Operation :

Status Indicator

The LED on the top of the case indicates how the DigiSnap is working. It may flash green, red or
yellow/orange.

During operation, the DigiSnap will flash green periodically to signal that it is working properly, and to
indicate in which state it is operating. Checking this interval is an easy way to determine the operating
state.

Time between Flashes Operational State

4 sec Simple Time-Lapse

6 sec Terminal Connection

8 sec Advanced Time-Lapse

12 sec Single Snap

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DigiSnap 2700

Waking the DigiSnap

The DigiSnap 2700 will automatically wake when power is applied. If the DigiSnap is shut off, for
instance at the end of a Simple Time-Lapse sequence, you can re-awaken it by pressing any button, or
activating the input trigger signal.

When awakened and connected to a camera, the indicator will flash amber/yellow briefly. Following that
initial amber flash, there will be a green or red sustained flash, indicating whether the internal Real-Time
Clock is set. If the clock is not set, the color will be Red, and you may wish to reconfigure the clock for
proper ATL operation. A few seconds later, the DigiSnap 2700 should flash 4 times Green in quick
succession, indicating that it is ready to control a camera.

When connected to a terminal, the initial amber flash will be followed by a single Green, to indicate that it's
attached and communicating with a terminal.

Taking a single picture

A single picture may be taken at any time by momentarily pressing the * button. The images captured are
retained in the camera, exactly as if the camera were used without a remote control.

After each picture has been taken, the DigiSnap will briefly flash green, to indicate success.

Note that the DigiSnap 2000 series controller does not alter camera setting. Therefore you should be able to
set the camera up manually for most any situation, and the DigiSnap will continue to use those settings.

Time-Lapse Photography

Time-lapse operation can be used to automatically take a number of pictures with a period of time between
each shot. The DigiSnap can use either of two different Time-Lapse techniques, called ‘Simple Time­Lapse’ (STL), and ‘Advanced Time-Lapse’ (ATL).

Any and every critical application should be tested before it is actually used in the field to verify
reliability. The DigiSnap controllers are consumer products, and Harbortronics cannot and does not
guarantee operation for any critical application.

During Time-Lapse operation, the DigiSnap buttons are still active. If there is a need to take an additional
picture in between those of the time-lapse sequence, simply press the button, and the DigiSnap will
command the camera to take a picture immediately, without interrupting the time-lapse sequence.

Simple Time-Lapse

A Simple Time-Lapse (STL) sequence consists a number of pictures taken with a particular interval
between each picture.

The number of pictures to capture in the sequence can be set from 1 to 65535, or infinite by entering 0.
Many applications require the camera to continue to take pictures until turned off later. The infinite setting
is useful for these applications.

The time-lapse interval may be set from 0 seconds, to 255 hrs, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds, which is over
10 days.

There are three ways to initiate the STL sequence.

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DigiSnap 2700

1 If the DigiSnap is configured for STL mode (see configuration), then when the DigiSnap is
awakened, it immediately starts the STL sequence.

At the end of a STL sequence (the programmed number of pictures have been taken), the DigiSnap will
flash yellow to indicate that it is shutting down.

2. If the DigiSnap is operating in Single Snap mode, then the  button (time-lapse control function)
may be used to start and stop an STL sequence. This button can also program the interval in the field
(please refer to Switch Menu section for more detail). Note that when the STL sequence is completed, the
DigiSnap will revert back to Single Snap mode.

3. There is switch function available that does nothing but start the STL sequence. This is also
described in the Switch Menu section.

Advanced Time-Lapse Photography

The DigiSnap can be configured for Advanced Time-Lapse (ATL) photography, where a set of Time-Lapse
sequences can be programmed to start at particular times of the day.

The DigiSnap 2700 includes a Real-Time Clock, so you can specify the exact daily starting time of the
sequences. Note that the DigiSnap clock may possibly drift slightly relative to the camera clock.

Up to eight sets of sequences may be programmed to start at particular times of the day. Each sequence
consists of a number of pictures to take, and an interval between them. The DigiSnap does not check for
overlaps between the programmed intervals, so please plan them carefully.

As the ATL process consists of multiple STL sequences triggered per a daily clock, the observant operator
may note that the DigiSnap will flash green at either the 8 second period for ATL, or the 4 second period
for STL, depending on the operating state at that time.

The ATL operation is intended for multi-day unattended applications, and as such will run until either the
power is lost, or the sequence manually stopped.

There are two ways to initiate the ATL process.

1 If the DigiSnap is configured for ATL mode (see configuration), then when the DigiSnap is awakened,
it immediately starts the ATL process.

Note that there is no ‘end’ to an ATL process… it will continue day after day. In our integrated Time-Lapse
Package, it may continue for years!

2 If the DigiSnap is operating in Single Snap mode, then it is possible to manually start the ATL
process, if one of the DigiSnap buttons is re—mapped to that function (see Switch Menu section).

Terminal Configuration

In order to configure the settings, the DigiSnap is designed to communicate directly to a computer terminal
(or terminal emulator). Once the terminal is set up, the cable connected between the DigiSnap and the
terminal, waking the DigiSnap will display a menu of available commands. There is a wealth of features, so
several independent menus of configurations are presented. The DigiSnap 2700 has been designed to
simplify the configuration choices, so there are less menus available than in the other DigiSnap 2000 family
controllers.

Connecting to a terminal

If you have a desktop PC, you probably have a serial port on the back of your computer. Use the supplied
beige cable (labeled Null-Modem), to connect the DigiSnap to your serial port.

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DigiSnap 2700

If you have a newer laptop or a Mac, you may need to buy a USB to Serial converter, and install it's
drivers. These are available at any computer store from $15 and up.

You now need to run a program to open up a terminal window. If you are running Linux, you already know
how to do this! If you have a windows PC you can use the DigiSnap_Terminal.exe program supplied on the
CD Rom.

If you are using a Mac, you can download a shareware program called ZTerm, or you may already have a
terminal program installed with your particular OS. The particular COM settings needed are listed in the
DigiSnap 2000 manual.

Once you have your terminal program running, and ‘connected’, cycle the power on the DigiSnap (flip the
toggle switch off and on again), and you should see it present a menu on the screen. You can select the
different menus or particular commands. Once you have configured the DigiSnap via a terminal, the
settings are saved forever, or until the next time you change them using this same procedure.

If you have problems getting the 'terminal' working with the DigiSnap, please refer to the “Terminal
Instructions” article on the CD-Rom. If you suspect any problem with our equipment, please call us!

Example menus for version 4.01 of the firmware are duplicated below, with descriptions of each command.
Depending on the model and selected camera interface of your DigiSnap, not all of these menus or menu
items will be available.

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DigiSnap Clock : 10:25:00 2000/07/29

DigiSnap 2700 Firmware : July 31, 2010, Version 4.01

Main Menu

Operating Mode : Advanced Time-Lapse

Camera Release Time : 002 Sec

Power to Camera :

Always On

Power On Polarity : 001

Simple Time-Lapse Settings

# of Shots : 00010

Interval (HHH:MM:SS) : 000:00:05

Commands (enter a single letter)

M - Set Operating Mode

I - Change the Camera Interface

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