Hummingbird Shooter

Late this summer, hummingbirds finally began visiting the feeder we'd put up on our back porch. I wanted to try and get some digital shots of them, but couldn't stand there with a camera "in range"--they'd never come.

I needed a remote cable release so I could set the camera up on a tripod, aim it at the hummingbird feeder, and release the shutter from a distance away. Problem is, my camera, like most digital snapshooters, isn't equipped for remote shutter release.

Although an earlier instructible had a great hack for opening up the camera and tapping into its electronics, I didn't want to permanently modify my camera, and wasn't sure I would be able to do the surgery without damaging something.

So after some thought, I designed this simple fixture using low-tech parts readily available for $10 or less that allows you to leave your camera intact, but still allows you to "sneak" up on wildlife, have camera on elevated position, and other remote-shutter release situations.

Step 1: Design the Frame

The Hummingbird Shooter is basically a wooden frame that closely fits the camera body, that allows the piston of an "old fashioned" bulb release to be positioned over the shutter button of the camera.

I originally planned to have some sharp-pointed screws driven in toward the camera, which I planned to lightly tighten to hold the frame in place, but while building the device, thought of a better way. (more about that later)

My camera, a Canon Powershot A75, has no provision for remote releases, only the finger button in the center foreground of the photo below.

The first step was to measure how high and wide the camera was at the end where the shutter button was. Because of the "sculpted" shape of the camera body, there were a lot of humps curves, and other non-linear dimensions to contend with, so I just cut the wood pieces --1 inch wide pieces of 1/2 inch plywood to rough dimensions to start.

I also had to make note of where the various controls, sensors, etc. were located to be sure my frame would not interfere with them.

Comments

[jexter]

Late to this Instructable, but:

A - great job, very useful and well presented, and
B - "CAUTION ! Whenever drilling sheet metal, there is a tendency for the bit to "grab" the sheet metal from your grasp, making a wicked rotary knife that can slice you up pretty good."

This should be include in any Instructable that involves working with sheet-metal. I worked in a sheet metal shop in the summers of my high school years, worked in construction to put myself through college, and have working with sheet metal on various projects ever since. I'm 45, and as comfortable with sheet metal work as a seamstress is with cloth.
Six months ago I was mocking up a 3-axis sled for a camera mound, and ignored these basic facts:
1 - sheet metal edges are really REALLY sharp, and
2 - sheet metal tends to grab the drill bit and spin if not well secured.

I was in a hurry, and "just reaming out a hole a little", so I held the piece in my left hand against a wood backing plate and started to drill. I can't describe how fast that 2" x 1" piece of metal turned into a high-speed blade, slicing into the tip of my left index finger at least 5 or 6 times before I could get my hand out of the way (picture spiral cut ham!) .

The local clinic pulled it all together without any significant tissue loss, but it hurt like a mofo for weeks afterward, and I've lost most feeling in the tip of that finger, which is a lot more of a problem than you might think. And I was very lucky; I could have just as quickly lost that finger.

So keep trying out new ideas, and don't be afraid to try out new tools and materials, but always suit up and clamp down with the worst case scenario in mind. Let's be care out there!

[beavercleaver]

Very good advice, I cut completely through my index finger, with just one eighth inch of the meat left intact, the feeling will return in your damaged digit over time.

[lbrewer42]

Just the other day I was just thinking of needing a cable release for my camera. It was a passing thought and I wondered why digital cameras do not come standard with this feature. I know the mechanism instead of mechanical and some cameras also have remotes. But a couple of slots molded into the case and positioned so you could have a small, clamp-on attachment for a cable release would be a good idea (maybe a selling point also?).

[Makescreenname]

I agree.  In fact, I don't see any reason digital cameras couldn't be configured like all the old SLR;s used to be--with a threaded cable release fitting right in the top of the shutter release button.**  Seems like it would only cost them a tiny bit to drill the hole and thread it.  Maybe they want you to upgrade to more expensive cameras that have wireless or other electronbic remote capabilities.  My little Canon supposedly is able to electronically release via the mini USB port, but I don't consider using a laptop or even my little netbook as a camera release accessory very convenient or logical.
**See Tord's comment of April 8.  Apparently Fuji "gets it".

[Tord]

My Fuji S9000's release button is made for cable release - should work well for things like this!

[struckbyanarrow]

i am totally going to make this but i might follow this design they sell online!

[Makescreenname]

That's a nice rig.  Wish I 'd seen it sooner.  One problem for me is that I really don't have the metal-working equipment to do the precision work this device seems to require.  Probably could have gleaned a few ideas from it, though.

Thanks for sharing,

Happy Shooting!

[struckbyanarrow]

I collected random metal bits and pieces to build it, and it was fairly simple.

[Soupraok]

what do you type in ebay to find this?

[Makescreenname]

Sorry for the delay in responding.  Try searching ebay with something like "air release", or "pneumatic release", "air remote shutter release", "pneumatic shutter release", something with those terms.  Specify the photographic equipment or cameras/equipment categories. 

Happy shooting!

[Crucio]

I'd like to know the search terms too, please.

[Phil B]

I bought one of these in a camera store a couple of decades ago. It would be a squeeze bulb (pneumatic) remote shutter release, or some variation of that phrase.

[guy90]

Great upload, due to my lack of electrical skills' this rig seems simpler for me (Y)

[flammel]

 Flash won't help at the distances you'll be shooting. You should use a faster shutter speed.

[lilpepsikraker]

On the A75, I would use the 1/2000 shutter speed with the lowest f/ number (widest aperature). You don't need much in focus in that setup more than 5 feet or so, I'm guessing, so set it to manual focus too.
I personally never use flash outside unless I'm using it a fill flash, which is rarely.

[The 4th Doctor]

just two changes would yield you much better pictures,use manual focus to lock onto the bird feeder, and set the shutterspeed as high it can go while still having a decently bright picture (maybe set up some kind of lighting or use flash)

you should be able to freeze the birds beating wing with something around 1/1000 of a second

[cynical_chemical]

Check out my hummingbirds, there are pics up of them on my 'ible
http://www.instructables.com/id/Create-A-Color-Accented-Photo-In-Photoshop/

[Coolboyme]

superb

[woodgeek]

air cable shutter release will get a lot of hits.

[conceptualstratagem]

Well I've almost completed my jerry rig, though it turned out to be some thing completely different than yours. I'm not interested in hummingbirds or nature photography, but knew this project was full of other potential uses. I've redesigned your bracket and added some features. The camera be set into the rig to prevent unwanted light from entering the lens. This rig will eventually hang from a custom crane attached to my work bench. Both of the cameras this works with have plastic tripod mounts, I suggest not to put any stress on these with a construction bracket, instead just sink a screw head bolt into the wood and use that as the tripod mount. Though this rig is still under completion, I thought its documentation might clear up some of the criticisms concerning its intended purpose. This works with Canon PowershotA75 and Nikon coolpix2100. I'm working on adding a power supply port because these cameras eat batteries. So far this has only taken me a day or so to make. Thanks Makescreenname I'm looking forward to reading your next instructable.

[MizzMouse]

wow, great modifications. Way to innovate!

[mweston]

Just a tip - before you go to wait to snap a picture, focus on the metal pole or feeder part - press the button down half way, but don't take the shot. Right now it looks like its focusing on the leaves and not the bird, this should yield a better result and then you won't have to worry about the camera going out of focus when you squeeze the bulb.

[zjharva]

Hey this is a great instructable! At first when i looked at it i though "how can you shoot a hummingbird?" and "what kind of a sick, cruel person would shoot a hummingbird?" and then i realized it was pictures! :D

[DELETED_dannydutton]

(removed by author or community request)

[girrrrrrr2]

but how much meat would you get???

[BastardMan]

Enough meat.

[girrrrrrr2]

it would mostluy be tough... see the speed of the wings...

[maker12]

damm!

[girrrrrrr2]

BRIDGE!!!

[Bartboy]

The frame could be knex

[Sandisk1duo]

pretty much ANYTHING can by made out of K'nex

[thoraxe]

TREE HUGGER!

[zpersichetti]

i hug trees a lot they smell good..........sumtimes i wonder if i deserve 2 be burned in a large drum of oil though

[thoraxe]

well we're saving them from being in a landfill until they rot to death. They get to fuel our forges, grills, and guns.

[zpersichetti]

lol exactly

[wolf555hound]

hehehehe dont forget our furnaces to stay warm while we look at out bear heads form the guns =]

[=SMART=]

wow very good!

[halomaster117]

i had a big red flower on a table and sat very still for 10 min. and i got to hold the humming bird in my hand

[Keith-Kid]

I love it! I've been looking for something like this!

[Doveman]

I should try this. Hummers swarm our house by the hundreds, serously. We have up about 20 feeders. Its so cool, I like to stand really still at a feeder and see a hummer really up close. We also like to sit near one, and hold a stick or a fishing rod out, hoping that a hummer will take the time to rest on the end. Its awsome!

[gmcc]

Not actually related to the instructable, but I noticed you had a red color liquid in your feeder. This is not needed because the red plastic top will do all the attraction, and it is debated as to whether the red dye might be harmful to the bird. Just FYI though.

[JonH2O]

Looks like the center of the camera is centered on the trees behind it rather than the bird feeder. That's why it's out of focus.

[codykage]

its a just a normal digital camera so it wouldn't have manual focus so when you push the shutter realese it probably just auto-focuses on the shrubbery behind.

[Spokehedz]

That's bunk. I have the exact same camera, and it has a manual focus feature. Most POS (Point-and-shoot) cameras do, they are just a little bit harder to get to than on a DSLR. The camera is at home, but I will go home tonight and find out how to set it and post it here in this thread.

[codykage]

oh it does? would love to know how because i never thought they did. wb

[Spokehedz]

Turn on camera. On the bottom, there will be a button that has a little flower next to it, and a MF. This is the Manual Focus. In that mode, the left and right buttons on the d-pad are used for setting the focus. It's not as easy to get the focus to be correct on these cameras as it is on a (D)SLR but it can be done. And if you always have it the same distance away, it's easy to figure out where it needs to be and set it there.

[codykage]

oh i see. i always wondered how they would use manual focus on a personal digital cam. thanks but, does it focus slowly?

[Spokehedz]

Ugh... I forgot how to actually set it the easy way. DOH! Turn on the camera. Switch it to the 'sports' mode. Hold up something BIG (like cardboard) where you want to have it focused. Press the autofocus button, it will chirp. Then press the MF button until you are in MF mode. There. Done. Focused perfectly, and it won't change ever again. Also, in the instructable, you wanted to prevent it from turning off automatically--that's in the settings, under 'auto power down'. Simply set it to 'no'. Although I would recommend hooking it up to a wall AC Adapter (it takes 4.3v, which you can find at radioshack) for those long picture taking sessions.

[s666666666666]

good job on tackling this on a point and shoot camera. With a DSLR it is a lot easier. Like ewilhelm i shot some good pictures of humming birds in the rainforest but without a hummingbird feeder in the background. It is nice to be where they are not scared of humans and you can stand very close and take pictures. So depending on how much time you have you might be able to just sit in one spot have the camera pointed and ready and chill out. best of luck to you man. take lots of pictures!

[n2wishin]

plant some hollyhocks for a more natural background, also honeysuckle, they luuuuv those.

[frollard]

As has been suggested - use centre-weighted auto-focus or manual focus in Macro (flower) mode. Macro on that camera will be something like 5cm to 45 cm focal distance. *note, thats a total guess, but in my experience its very small objects, very close to the lens, research the real numbers* Small aperture (big number) will have a very narrow depth, only a few mm or cm, so go with the smallest aperture that will capture the entire feeder in the focal length. On that camera in aperture mode, the shutter will be decided automatically. You will need to use the flash to stop the wings in-air, so you may need to compensate for the flash with a lower exposure (Ev) You'll get great shots out of that. Flash without diffuser is good to catch the gleaming point source light of iridescence in feathers - diffused is good for getting the colours right. 1st image - Macro Mode - Flash non-diffused from about 10 cm away (he was sat on my finger. Very small bird (smaller than a budgie) but looks big) 2nd image, Hummingbird, Flash, on a better camera, with diffuser. Note how even with fast flash the wing is still blurred. The blur is because it was bright out, and the moving wing still exposed even though the flash froze it (note its brighter at one spot). Thats one fast little bird! Great writeup, good luck next season.

[peterrabid9]

Frollard isn't wrong, has the right ideas, but it may not be so easy to adjust these features on your model of camera. Great build by the way, it's a good solution to the lack of remote on the model. In the manual mode on your camera, you have the option to select MF or MANUAL FOCUS mode. Once your tripod is in place, select this mode to work in the area around your feeder (see page 89 in your manual). The aperture information above is correct, so using a higher F number will better guarantee your bird gets in focus. Flash, however, may not work quite right. Most PowerShot camera flashes automatically set the shutter speed a bit lower, but try it out. 1/200th of a second or better should be okay (page 77). In any case, play with these settings, but you'll get it down. Still a good write-up : )

[maker12]

good poly.....

[theRIAA]

AHHHHH!!! AUTOFOCUS!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!

[maker12]

hahahaha

[ewilhelm]

I use a Canon A70, so this is perfect for me. Thanks! While traveling in Ecuador, I went to a "hummingbird park" where the hummingbirds were accustomed to people hanging around their feeders and snapped a few pictures like this:

[maker12]

awsome!

[xNewkirAjx]

LOL! when i saw this i thought you were either going to shoot humming birds (with a projectile of some sort) or shoot humming birds(as a projectile of some sort!!!)!!! Good idea, Anyhow! XD

[maker12]

zip gun?

[_soapy_]

I'm waiting for the South Park inspired Cow Launcher Instructable. :-) Though this one is pretty neat too!

[maker12]

greeeat!

[hg341]

me too!!

[ninjaman]

That's what I thought at first too.

[babyboi512]

original
wud rate it up [=

[hypercube33]

There is a utility built into windows xp that lets you control your camera, if I'm not mistaken - thought your camera has to support this. Also look for 3rd party software and you should be able to aquire images directly to your pc over USB. perhaps this would save you some headache. Woot! It should also let you adjust everything on the camera!

[Doveman]

Ill have to use this with my instructable!

[tcat143]

I apologize if my comment seemed to be rude, as that is not how it was meant at all. I was saying that if you use a camera that helps with the "shakyhand" that persons like my self have, and have a decent zoom lens. I apologize if you feel that I was being rude. I will be more careful about what I say in the future, though I don't write understand how I was breaking the "be nice" comment policy.....I was just saying that I had little trouble shooting a hummingbird without any extra help and it seemed like a complex device for the task. I am sorry that you feel I was not nice. Your device seems like it would work for its purpose, its just that when I opened your article, I was looking for a device that would catch the hummingbirds on its own, perhaps because of motion detection...this to me is more of a remote release for a digital camera, and I agree that it is difficult to find them for digitals....so again...I apologize for the misunderstanding

[tcat143]

it seems like an awful lot of trouble..I have a perfect shot of a hummingbird that I jus happened upon at a park and I got a bit closer, zoomed in and it came out great...perhaps you should have a camera that has a setting for those of us wit hshaky hands...that was all I needed..and with a higher ISO I caught the wings mid beat without them in motion...pretty cool...but if you feel the need, I would jsut use a tripod and some patience

[Makescreenname]

'We have a "be nice" comment policy. Please be positive and constructive with your comments or risk being banned from our site."

Please point out the constructive parts of your comment--I think I missed them.

If it seems like too much trouble to you, by all means, don't try it.

[conceptualstratagem]

Nice work, I have this camera and have encountered many dilemmas with it. Your remote solution is impressive, I'm trying this out with a wire and syringe type remote. So far the syringe remote allows all the sensitivity needed to focus it. As soon as I hear the focus beep I press a little more and snap the flick. What your up to looks a lot more difficult, with this extended air pump remote. Well great first instructable.

[frollard]

I forgot to add, in the 1st bird pic, note from macro how the eye is too close and out of focus, the areas surrounding it are in perfect focus, and the lower body is out of focus, macro makes use of a small aperture on my camera, this results in a very narrow DoF.

[Tool Using Animal]

Instead of manual focus, I'd try center zone focus aimed at the feeder, aperture priority mode with a high F stop for depth of focus and a flash diffuser.

[kambykitten]

Tool Using Animal. It's a point and shoot, it doesn't have the capabilities of a SLR. On Canon P&S there is a "flower" option, which is the Macro option. For this close of range, he'd be better off using that. Although, with auto focus cameras, you generally have to depress the button slightly to focus and then fully to take the picture, and I'm not sure if you can do that with this mechanism he built. I would like to see it up close. I would try, but I'm afraid I have a quite larger camera, as well as....no hummingbirds. :(

[Tool Using Animal]

Kamby, the A75 he's using has all the features I suggested he use, and a flash diffuser is as simple as this

[kambykitten]

Well, most of us that have point and shoots are not as technical as that. Point and shoots are also known as "PhDs" (Press Here Dummy). Just was giving the "non technical" easy option. Although I like the idea of the diffuser. I've been looking for an easy fix for my over powerful canon flash.

[Tool Using Animal]

That's alright, I'm cheap and always try to push anything I buy beyond it's limits, which is why I just killed my second camera (No new camera for you, quoth the wife)

Oddly when I logged in the cigarette pack diffuse you mentioned was on my screen cig pack diffuser

[kambykitten]

ARGH! That tis it!! SUH-WEET!!

[valleymiss]

I think it is a great instructible,but if I were to try to make it I would probably ruin my camera or the parts to make it. I am NOT mechanically inclined.. I was wondering about the center zone focus... and at what aperture and what f stop. I know I must have shot 1000 or more humingbird photos only to delete them oimmediatly because they are blurred,out of focus,too light,too dark or something. I would truly appreciate your comments.

[MadMechanicMike]

who needs a humming bird shooter when you have a live one land on your shoulder? not me. heres the proof.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=66voq3p

amazing.

[corester123]

Dude that pic is crazy how'd u do that? hb are so timid, nice job :P

[PikesPeak]

Second picture at the feeder, those red lips that you see, are a smile.

[mchammer98]

wait up guys! couldn't you just stand back put it on a tripod and zoom in

[theadamlevy]

possibly but you would probably lose resolution and picture quality if it was digital zoom

[jridley]

Hummingbirds are actually quite bold and will come up to a feeder with people around. I have a feeder hanging about 4 feet from a chair and the things are always buzzing around my head and will even land and let me take pictures. I saw a BBC nature show a few days ago where the host took one of the yellow plastic flowers out of a feeder and put it in his mouth and stood still for a few minutes, and a hummingbird came up and tried to drink from his mouth.

[Ben.land101]

at my house the hummingbirds will come and land on the feeder id you are holding it! so theres no need for me to use this but it is preety cool

[lakeside69]

LOL when i first saw this i thought you were gonna kill humming birds and i was gonna leave some nasty comments about that!

[LinuxH4x0r]

Sweet! I also have an A75 and will try it. Nice instructable. BTW there is an option somewhere in the menu that can change how it focuses, but I don't have my camera with me so I can't tell you how.

[whiteoakart]

Great- I am in the process of trying to figure this out for an underwater snorkeling rig for my point and shoot Digital Elph. I have everything except the shutter release. I think you have the answer. I will use your design and credit you, if that is acceptable. Clearly, a remote USB release would not work for my purposes.

[rhambric]

I will need to look at building one for my camera. Since these cameras don't have a fast shutter speed, look at using the flash to stop the action.

[bobbyk881]

can you plz chang the name of the insructable?,because it sounds like it is something that kills a hummingbird

[bobbyk881]

ps nice job

[xsquid]

VERY cool! I'm going to a rain forest soon and was wondering how to get close shots of wildlife..thanks!

[Karim]

Beans that's all I got to say man!!!

[Tazzz]

Nice BUT.... You don't need all these gadgets. I once stood under a feeder and the hummingbirds completely ignored me and I took many a macro photos.

[Tazzz]

Now that I think about it I was wearing a camouflaged hat. They'll come if you stand there long enough and appear to be part of the environment.

[rbrown3rd]

I do kite aerial photography using a radio controlled camera mount. The mount allows pan and tilt and shutter triggering. It would be very simple to adapt a single servo "finger" and an RC receiver to do this. See my rig and photos here.
and particularly the rig details here.

[kolya]

Contrary to what you state, I believe the A75 camera does have remote release, whih can be triggered via USB. Canon has a software package called "RemoteCapture" for this purpose, or there are a number of third-party programs that can do the same thing as well. Another minor comment: since you're hard-mounting your camera, you might as well go into manual-focus mode and make sure your focus ends up on the hummingbird/feeder, and not on the background bushes, as seems to be the case in your pictures.

[Makescreenname]

Kolya-- Yes, you're correct about the "Remote Capture" feature that can be used to trigger the shutter via the USB connection, however, to my knowledge (and I did a bit of a search), there is no accessory such as a handheld pushbutton or similar device that can be used as a simple remote trip. Lugging even a laptop for use as a remote shutter trigger just didn't seem a practical solution, even if I got a long cable. . . Also good call on the manual focus. I literally got my project built about 3 days before the weather turned chilly, and the hummingbirds disappeared, so my shots were fully automatic, and both focused on background, and adjusted flash for dark green background foliage. Next spring I'll be doing a lot of experimenting with focus, shutter speed, and other factors, when hummingbird season starts again.

[Fake_Name]

You've got focusing issues. You have to pitch the camera down, so the feeder is in the center of the image. As it is, the camera is focusing on the leaves in the background.

[trebuchet03]

What timing! I'm working on a very similar setup (just not as long) - except my shutter release is a spring loaded throttle cable :P Excellent work :)

[Makescreenname]

Thank you for the kind words. Good luck on your project--hope you're going to publish it--? Always room for improvement and mods !!