INTRODUCTION
Hello my friends, this time i was contacted by Pluto to test they bluethooth camera trigger.
Pluto Trigger is a high-speed smart camera trigger that is controlled through a free iPhone or Android app via Bluetooth. It is a very practical gadget, highly appreciated by DIY and commercial photographers who are involved in specialized projects with specific requests.
Have you ever missed a great photo opportunity because you weren’t quick enough pressing the shutter button, or were fumbling with camera settings? There are many products on the market that allow you to remotely control your camera, removing the mundane process of doing repetitive actions. One of these products, the Pluto Trigger, is a very powerful device that could help broaden your photographic vision. Will the Pluto Trigger inspire you?
ABOUT PLUTO
BAICHENG INNOVATIONS
Baicheng Innovations was founded to create smarter photo & video devices in 2015. Our first product is the Pluto Trigger - a high-speed, smart camera trigger for photographers of all levels. This full-featured device will take your skills to a whole new level. We aim to continue creating innovative photo & video gadgets just for you!
We are based in Shenzhen, China, and have an office in Hong Kong, as well. We are close to our suppliers and manufactures.
THE FOUNDER
Jimmy Chen, the founder of Baicheng Innovations, graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has a Master's Degree in Electronic Engineering. His research interests include wireless sensor networks, wearable medical sensors, medical robots and humanoid robots. As a senior pursuing new technologies, he loves making innovative, smart, intuitive and affordable products.
PACKAGING AND UNBOXING
The Trigger came with a beatifull box. After opening we can find this inside the package:
->Pluto Trigger
->Laser Pointer
->USB Cable
-<USB Charger (US Standard)
->Flash PC Sync Cable
->Hot Shoe Adapter (some Sony cameras need a separate Shoe Converter).
DESCRIPTION
Pluto Trigger is a high-speed smart camera trigger that's controlled by a free iPhone/Android app over Bluetooth LE(Low Energy) that can be used for remote shooting, time lapse, High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography, video recording and lightning photography.It enables your DSLR to do high-speed photography triggered by sound, by light, or by something breaking a laser beam aimed at the Pluto Trigger (the laser is included). With the built-in PIR sensor, Pluto Trigger can detect animals’ body heat and take photos.It can also wait until a person is smiling to shoot a photo, or take pictures triggered by motion or vibration. You know those fancy photos of water droplets colliding in mid-air? There's a mode for that too(Droplet Valve required) -- 24 modes in all.
Pluto Trigger has infrared(IR) remote control capability, which enables it to support a wide variety of cameras (not just DSLRs). It can also work as a selfie remote for your iPhone(Pluto Camera required). The app can even calculate depth of field, shutter speed when using an ND filter, 500 Rule and Sunrise/Sunset Time!
Want to trigger multiple cameras simultaneously AND wirelessly? Check out the RF Transmitter & Receiver.
Refer to User Manual and FAQ for more information. Check the Quick Start Guide to see how easy it is to use Pluto Trigger!
SMARTPHONE BLUETOOTH BLE COMPATIBILITY
To use the Pluto Trigger camera remote, your smartphone model must support Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE or BLE).
Compatible Apple and Android devices include the iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3 or later, iPod Touch 5 or later, iPad Mini, and the Android 4.3 with Bluetooth 4.0 LE or later.
To double-check Android devices, go to Google Play and install the "BLE Checker" to see if BLE is supported on your device.
SPECIFICATIONS
CAMERA SHUTTER CABLE AND COMPATIBILITY LIST
The Pluto Trigger supports most popular camera brands including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Minolta, Panasonic, Olympus, and Pentax.
The camera shutter cable is required for the Pluto Trigger to work with your camera. When ordering, you can select No Cable, or choose the one compatible with your camera. More than 300 types of cameras are supported with 13 types of cables: E3, N3, DC0, DC1, DC2, S1, S2, UC1, CB1,P1, L1, F and SA cables.
Check the Chart below to find the correct cable to order with the Pluto Trigger.
As well as triggering cameras via shutter cables, Pluto Trigger can also trigger most IR remote-compatible cameras. Below is the list of cameras supported by each camera cable and IR remote. Although it's okay on a mobile, this is best viewed on a Tablet or Desktop.
Nikon:
->DC0: D1, D100(w/MB-D100 grip), D1H, D1X, D2, D200, D2H, D2HS, D2X, D2XH, D2XS, D3, D300, D300S, D3s, D3X, D4, D4S, D5, D500, D700, D800, D800 E, D810, D810 A, D850, F5, F6, F90, F100
->DC1: D70S, D80
->DC2: D750, P7800, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5350, D5500, D5600, D600, D610, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D90, Df, 1v3, Coolpix P7700, Coolpix P7800, Coolpix A
->Not supported: 1 AW1, 1 J1, 1 J2, 1J3, 1 S1, 1 V1, D40, D40X, D50, D60, D70, D100, D3000, D3400, L840, P610, P900
->IR remote: D600, D610, D7000, D7100, D90, D80, D3000, D3200, D5000, D5100, D5200, D60, D50, D40X, D40, D70, D70S, P7000, P7100, P7700, V1, V2, J1, J2, Coolpix A, U2, U, F75, CP8400, CP8800, 100WQD, 150ED, 140ED, 130ED, 110S, 70Ws, F65, F75
Sony:
->S1: A100, A200, A300, A33, A35, A350, A37, A400, A450, A500, A55, A550, A550V, A560, A57, A580, A65, A65V, A700, A77, A77 II, A77V, A850, A900, A99, A99 II
->S2: A3000, A3500, A5000, A5000L, A5100, A6000, A6300, A6500, A7, A7 II, A7S, A7S II, A7R, A7R II, A9, HX300, HX400, HX50V, HX60, HX80, HX90, HX90V, NEX 3N, A58, A68, RX10, RX10 II, RX10 III, RX100 II, RX100 III, RX100 IV, RX100 V, RX100 Platinum, NEX-3NL
->Not supported: A230, A290, A330, A330TT, A380, A390, A3000, NEX-3, NEX-3C, NEX-5, NEX-5T, NEX-5R, NEX-5N, NEX-5C, NEX-6, NEX-7, NEX-C3, NEX-F3, QX 10, QX 100, RX1, RX1R
->IR remote: A900, A700, A580, A560, A550, A500, A450, A390, A290, A330, A230, A55, A33, SLT-A99, SLT-A77, SLT-A65, SLT-A57, A7R, A7, ILCE 3000, NEX-7, NEX-6, NEX-5T, NEX-5R, NEX-5N, NEX-5C, NEX VG20, NEX V30, NEXVG900, CX550E, CX560E, HDR-XR550E, HXR-MC58C, HDR-6R11
Canon:
->N3: 1D, 1D C, 1D MK II, 1D MK II N, 1D MK III, 1D MK IV, 1D X, 1D X MK II, 1Ds, 1Ds ASTRO, 1Ds MK II, 1Ds MK III, 1V, 10D, 20D, 20Da, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, 5D MK II, 5D MK III, 5D MK IV, 5Ds, 5Ds R, 6D, 6D MK II, 7D, 7D MK II, EOS 3, D30, D60, D200
->Not supported: EOS M, EOS M3, G7, G9, Powershot N, S90, S95, S100, S110, S120, SX510 HS, XC10
->IR remote: 5DMK III, 5D MK II, 6D, 7D, 70D, 60D, 60Da, 700D, 650D, 600D, 550D, 500D, 450D, 400D, 350D, 300D, 100D, EOS M, EOS 30, 33, 30V, EOS 50, 50E, 55, EOS 100, EOS 10, EOS 300V, 300VQD, 3000V, EOS IX, G7, G6, G5, G3, G2, G1, S70, S60, Pro 1, Pro90IS, Prima Super 180, Prima Super 155, Prima Super 120, IXUS Z70, IXUS II, IXUS L-1, IXUS
these are the most selling brands, but Pluto work also to other brands, like:
Contax, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Kodak, Leica, Lytro, Minolta, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Sigma
You can see all the compatiblity list HERE.
INTERFACE
1-> Aux port
2-> USB charging port
3->Camera/flash port
4->Status LED
5->Sound sensor
6->Charging LED
7->Shutter button
8->Light/laser sensor
9->Infrared sensor
10->Infrared remote
WHAT ABOUT BATTERY POWER?
Your camera battery may not be able to withstand a long term Time-Lapse without being powered by an AC adapter. You can minimize camera power draw by enabling the automatic meter-off timeout in your camera settings. The camera will then go to sleep between Time-Lapse shots.
As it's needed, the trigger will wake it up and continue its work. With a properly chosen camera meter time-out, you may be able to run hundreds of frames through your camera before its battery is depleted.
You can turn off the Bluetooth module after a long Time-Lapse sequence has been started. Just press and hold the shutter release button on the trigger for 5 seconds. The downside is that you will not be able to check the progress of the Time-Lapse sequence.
If you're planning to run a Time-Lapse sequence for more than a day, you should power your Pluto Trigger from its USB charger. Unlike a camera, Pluto Trigger can't afford to sleep between Time-Lapse sequences and needs an external power source for long Time-Lapse sessions.
SOFTWARE DONWLOAD
The app is divided into four different sections. Intervalometer, Pluto Sensors, Smart Sensors and Tools. Under the Intervalometer section is listed things such as Shutter Release, Time Lapse, HDR, Star Trail, Video and Timer. Along with the button on the trigger, it can be used as a wired shutter release through the app, and also as a wireless shutter release (more about this later regarding Pentax). In the past, I have just used the in-camera intervalometer for things like Time Lapse and used Bulb mode for Star Trails. Within the app, the time lapse feature goes a little deeper by offering several presets determined by what is being shot, such as a sunrise. The Star Trail mode is also a little more intensive than just setting the camera in bulb mode and using a timer for the shots. The user can determine the number of shots, the length of the exposure and delay between shots.
The Pluto Sensors section is where the magic happens with the trigger. There are 8 different areas to control what part of the sensor the user is going to utilize. Several of the sections, such as the light, lightning and sound are setup very similar to each other. There is a meter that will measure the input, such as light, and will register it. Next to that is a sensitivity meter that allows the user to adjust the sensitivity of the trigger. For example, if the user wants the trigger to trip with sound, the user can then adjust the sensitivity so ambient background noise is blocked. I will cover several other sections later in the article.
FEATURES
The Pluto Trigger supports over 300 cameras from most manufacturers, including DSLR, mirrorless and some point-and-shoot models. Most cameras can be controlled with a cable, and some via infrared as well. However, some functionality isn’t available when using infrared control, such as those that use the camera’s bulb mode. The infrared control has a range of three to seven metres. You’ll also need to download the Pluto phone (or tablet) application, which works on most Android and iOS devices. The Pluto Trigger application is nicely designed and has proven to be very reliable since I’ve been using it. Considering the complex actions that the Pluto Trigger is capable of, the application designers have kept it quite intuitive and easy to use. Bluetooth is used to connect the phone to the Pluto Trigger, with a range of 10 to 20 metres.
PLUTO MODES
The Pluto Trigger offers a staggering 24 shooting modes. While some modes won’t be particularly useful for photographers in the field, some that I believe to be frequently beneficial include standard shutter release, time-lapse (with bulb-ramp support), HDR, star trail, sound, light, lightening, fusion and motion. Some of these modes use your phone’s sensors, and some of them use the Pluto Trigger sensors. It’s recommended to put your camera into manual focus when using the trigger, but auto focus will often work as well. I’ve found it useful using the Pluto Trigger as a simple shutter release, as you’ll then be ready for any photographic opportunity.
1 - INTERVALOMETER
1.1 -> Shutter Release
Release your camera shutter wirelessly from your phone. Seven release modes are available: Single, Focus, Hold, Lock, Bulb, Burst and Timed.
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1.2 -> Time Lapse
Use the Time-Lapse mode to take a number of pictures separated by a preset time interval. Set the duration, number of shots, interval, and optional start delay before starting the sequence. Press the start button and hundreds of images will be taken automatically. Use computer software to create a fast motion video with the resulting images.
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1.3 -> HDR
Most cameras can do High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography quite well, but Pluto Trigger makes the majority of cameras more capable than what their own built-in tools can provide.
A standard DSLR does somewhere in the range of 3 to 5 images for the lower end models, and in the 5 to 9 images for higher end cameras.
Pluto Trigger will capture up to 19 images with auto-exposure bracketing. These images are later merged into a single, perfect HDR image. (Note: The fastest shutter speed is limited to 1/20).
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1.4 -> StarTrail
Set the number of shots, exposure time, interval and start delay. Take multiple long-exposure images to create a beautiful star trail image.
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1.5 -> Video
Video mode on the Pluto Trigger enables your camera to record video without a 30 minute limit. The video recording will be restarted when the 30 minute limit is reached.
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1.6 -> Timer
Use the Timer mode to set the start time and end time to take photos or record video each day. This mode is useful for taking time-lapse images of building and construction projects, or the growth of plants. Both the camera and Pluto Trigger will need a source of power for extended periods usually required for time-lapse and use of the timer.
You have the option to set the interval to take photos, when recording video, you can set the retrigger time to 30 mins and 3 secs to overcome the 30 mins recording limit.
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2 - PLUTO SENSORS
2.1 -> Laser
When in laser mode, Pluto Trigger uses its light sensor to detect the laser beam. Whenever the light beam is broken, Pluto fires the camera. The response time is about tens of micro-seconds.
Set your camera to go off when something breaks the laser beam aimed at the Pluto Trigger. (This doesn't work in daylight).
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2.2 -> Sound
Using the microphone on your smartphone, Pluto Trigger allows your camera to do high-speed photography triggered by sound. The sound mode is used for high-speed photography where your regular DSLR camera is too slow to take pictures of popping balloons, breaking glasses, exploding items, etc.
The idea behind using a sound trigger is that instead of triggering your camera, you trigger the flash unit. Your camera will be in bulb mode in a completely dark room. Whenever the flash is triggered, you will capture a single frame. Instead of taking a lot of images with a high-speed camera, you'll capture a single frame with your regular DSLR camera. In this setup, the speed of the flash unit is very important. The faster the flash unit, the sharper the image will be.
The Sound mode has two parameters which are Sensitivity and Delay. Sensitivity can be set to a value between 1 and 100 using the dial. Setting the sensitivity to a high value will let you to capture more sound events. If you want to capture only high level sound events, you need to set the sensitivity to a lower value. You can test to see which sensitivity level best fits your needs.
If the sound event is captured too early, you'll need to add some delay. Specify a delay so the flash unit is triggered to capture the picture at the exact moment required.
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2.3 -> Light
Take photos only when it is bright or dark!
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2.4 -> Lightning
As lightning strikes happen in such a short period of time, humans generally aren't fast enough to capture great lightning photos manually. You'll often end up with a lot of wasted photos to capture one lightning strike.
With the Pluto Trigger, it can be set to detect lightning strikes and will trigger your shutter instantly, every time.
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2.5 -> Infrared
When set to Infrared mode, Pluto Trigger will detect a human or animals' body heat and take photos. This is great for night-time wildlife photography, and ideal for security footage and photography purposes.
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2.6 -> Water Droplet Collision
Water droplet collision photos need to be taken in a darkened room. To capture water droplet collision photos with the Pluto Trigger, you'll need some additional photography accessories. As well as the Droplet Valve and your camera, you'll also need a speedlite flash, a tripod and a magic arm to hold up the Droplet Valve.
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2.7 -> Aux
This mode is great for the DIY-ers who like to make your own sensors to trigger the camera in creative ways such as smoke detectors and sensors, ultra-sonic or temperature sensors. You will need a 2.5 audio cable to connect to your DIY sensor to connect to you AUX port. This limited only by your own imagination!
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2.8 -> Fusion
Combine multiple sensors for specific scenarios (e.g. triggering your camera by sound when it is bright enough). Cross-beam laser sensors can be made using this mode.
3 - SMART SENSORS
3.1 -> Sound
Using the microphone on your smartphone, Pluto Trigger allows your camera to do high-speed photography triggered by sound. The sound mode is used for high-speed photography where your regular DSLR camera is too slow to take pictures of popping balloons, breaking glasses, exploding items, etc.
The idea behind using a sound trigger is that instead of triggering your camera, you trigger the flash unit. Your camera will be in bulb mode in a completely dark room. Whenever the flash is triggered, you will capture a single frame. Instead of taking a lot of images with a high-speed camera, you'll capture a single frame with your regular DSLR camera. In this setup, the speed of the flash unit is very important. The faster the flash unit, the sharper the image will be.
The Sound mode has two parameters which are Sensitivity and Delay. Sensitivity can be set to a value between 1 and 100 using the dial. Setting the sensitivity to a high value will let you to capture more sound events. If you want to capture only high level sound events, you need to set the sensitivity to a lower value. You can test to see which sensitivity level best fits your needs.
If the sound event is captured too early, you'll need to add some delay. Specify a delay so the flash unit is triggered to capture the picture at the exact moment required.
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3.2 -> Light
Take photos only when it is bright or dark!
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3.3 -> Vibrate
Vibration or shaking your phone can trigger your camera wirelessly!
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3.4 -> Motion Photography
Motion photography can be used to create special effects photography. Any moving object captured by your phone camera will trigger your DSLR camera.
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3.5 -> Voice
You can voice activate the trigger simply by saying the word “Pluto” to fire off your camera.
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3.6 -> Distance
Trigger your camera based on the distance you have travelled by using the GPS on your phone.
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4 - TOOLS
4.1 -> DoF
Depth of Field (DOF) is the range of distance in a photo that appears to be in sharp focus. Depth of field is a creative decision and one of your most important choices when composing photographs in nature. This feature allows you to take sharper landscape photos.
Based on the focal length, aperture and camera type you have entered, DOF calculator calculates the hyper focal distance. This is the focus distance where everything from half the hyper focal distance to infinity is within the depth of field. This is useful when deciding where to focus such that you maximize the sharpness within your scene,
Use the actual focal length of the lens for depth of field calculations. The calculator will automatically adjust for any "crop factor" for the selected camera.
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4.2 -> Solar Calculator - Sun Position
Sunrise and sunset times are calculated based on your local coordinates and time. You'll never miss the golden hour for photography!
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4.3 -> Nd Filter Calculator
Simple calculator for DSLR photographers taking long exposure shots using Neutral Density ND filters.
Select the shutter speed applicable without the filter, then select the filter you intend on using and the shutter speed you will then need to use will be displayed.
Select the shutter speed applicable without the filter, then select the filter you intend on using and the shutter speed you will then need to use will be displayed.
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4.4 -> Rule 500 - Starscape Rule
If you want crisp clear photo of night stars, you need the right exposure settings, and the slowest shutter speed possible to avoid star trails (star movements). If the shutter is open for too long, the camera detects the movement of the stars and the images will come out blurry.
The Rule 500 mode on Pluto Trigger calculates the slowest shutter speed possible to avoid star movements. The stars near the equator move much faster than at galactic central poles.
Sharper photos will be taken at galactic central poles. To easily locate galactic central, download the free App called 'Planets'.
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Pluto Trigger - User Manual
The User Manual is available as a PDF download in 5 languages: English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. The Pluto Trigger App has an English Manual included. Click here to download the PDF User Manual.
PRICE VS PERFORMANCE
At 115€ with one cable at Pluto Web site. Pluto is compact, easy to set up gadget provide users with the opportunity to accomplish a wide variety of new photography projects. If you are in the market for a device of this type but you are not willing to spend a fortune, the Pluto Trigger is one good choice in this respect as it offers a lot of useful features at a relatively low price.
In the Pluto site the items are shipped worldwide from Hong Kong. Shipping costs vary from between 6€ - 10€ depending on the type of shipping you select. Pluto Trigger is shipped worldwide from Hong Kong. Orders are processed and scheduled for shipment in 1 to 3 business days, (excluding holidays) after being received. All orders are shipped using DHL Express or Standard Post. DHL Express takes 4 to 7 days to arrive and Standard Post takes between 8 to16 days to arrive.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although I had some technical difficulty in the beginning, for what I was able to do I was happy with the trigger. It would be nice that the infrared issue was a non issue, as that takes away from the performance aspect. The trigger does work great as a wired remote. I would have also loved to been able to test it on actual lightning, but I will have to wait for a couple more months. Although I did not really dive into some of the other aspects of the trigger that allows the user to dial in such things time lapse and star trail shots, some of the guess work might be eliminated. The one thing I do not like is the proprietary battery system. Although the trigger can be charged via USB, and battery life can be seen on the app, having the ability to change batteries out would be a necessity for some photographers.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked the various shooter modes and sensors, the trigger sensitivity can be adjusted in the app.
-The app is well designed and easy to use.
- I was happy with everything I did get to test.
WHAT I FEEL COULD BE IMPROVED
The Pluto Trigger has a poor battery, could have more time for use in one battery cycle
• Some people might find that the gadget’s Bluetooth functionality has a smaller than average range.
• Some people might find that the gadget’s Bluetooth functionality has a smaller than average range.
