Dynamic Precision MX3 User manual

DynamicPerceptionMX3MotionController

UserGuide
FirmwareVersion1.10
RevisionDate:July10th2014
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FCCCompliance
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Thisdevicecomplieswithpart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:

(1)Thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired             
operation.
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This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to                   
part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful               
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency             
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to                
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular              
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be               
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by                  
oneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:

● Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
● Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
● Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is                
connected.Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp
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Table of Contents
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1.Specifications
2.Overview
3.BasicOperation
3.1.PoweringtheMX3
3.1.1.DCInputJack
3.1.2.MoCoBusConnector
3.1.3.USBConnector
3.2.Buttons
3.2ControlScreens
3.4AccessingMenus
4.MainControlScreens
4.1.ProgramControl
4.2.CameraControl
4.3.MotorControl
5.MainSystemMenu
6.CameraControl
6.1.ConnectingtheCamera
6.2.IntroductiontotheMX3CameraCycle
6.3.ControllingExposureontheCamera
6.4.ControllingExposureontheMX3
6.5.ControllingFocus,WakingCameraupfromSleep
6.6.MultipleExposures
6.7.FocusLockwithShutter
6.8.LimitingTotalShots
6.9.StartTimer
6.10.FocalLength
7.MotionControl
7.1.ConfiguringMotorAxes
7.1.1.ConfigureAxisUsingPresets
7.1.2.ConfigureAxisManually
7.1.3.SettingDistanceperHour
7.2.ChoosingYourMotionMode
7.3.ContinuousMotion
7.4.ShootMoveShootMotion
7.5.LeadInandOut
7.6.LinearRamping
7.6.1.SymmetricRamping
7.6.2.AsymmetricRamping
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7.7.ManualMotorControl
7.8.SwappingDirections
8.WarningsandAlarms
8.1.InputVoltageAlarm
8.2.MotorCurrentAlarm
8.3.MotorTemperatureAlarm
9.AuxiliaryInputsandOutputs
9.1.AuxiliaryI/OTechnicalDetails
9.2.InputProgramActions
9.2.1.ChangingtheInputTriggerType
9.3.OutputProgramActions
9.3.1.OutputBeforeExposure
9.3.2.OutAfterExposure
9.3.3.ChangingtheOutputLevel
9.4.CommonUseCases
9.4.1.LimitSwitches
9.4.2.ExternalIntervalometer
9.4.3.“ChasingtheShutter”
10.ColdWeatherModification
11.SystemSettings
11.1.MetricDisplay
11.1.LCDBacklightAutoOff
11.2.ResettoFactoryDefaults
11.3.MotorTiming
11.4.Save/LoadMemory
12.EZTimelapseMode
13.UpdatingFirmware
AppendixA:MenuTree
AppendixB:ListofSupportedCameras
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1.Specifications
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OperatingParameters
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TemperatureRange(Standard)
0C80C(32F176F)
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TemperatureRange(ColdWeatherUpgrade)
20C80C(4F176F)
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MaximumRelativeHumidity
90%noncondensing
Ports
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Camera
3/32”(2.3mm)TRS
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I/OPorts
2x3/32”(2.3mm)TRS
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DCInput
2.1x5.5mmDCbarrel(+)
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MotorOutput
3x2.5x5.5mmDCbarrel
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USB
USBMicroB
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MoCoBusTM
RJ45Female
ElectricalCharacteristics
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InputVoltage(DCJack)
8VDC24VDC
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InputVoltage(USB)
5VDC
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InputVoltage(MoCoBusTM)
12VDC24VDC
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MaximumCurrent(DCJack)
5A
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MaximumCurrent(USB)
500mA
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MaximumCurrent(MoCoBusTM)
1A
MotorOutputs
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SupportedMotorType
DCBrushedMotor
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MaximumCurrentDraw
2A(ea.motor,nottoexceedpower
sourcemaximum)
License
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Firmware
GPLv3
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SchematicsandBoardDesign
CreativeCommonsAttribution
ShareAlike3.0
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2.Overview
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VideoOverview:http://vimeo.com/87678314
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The MX3 is an opensource 3axis timelapse motion controller with integrated camera control,            
multiple device connectivity, and MoCoBusTM support. Built to the highest specification with          
industrial grade components, the MX3 is designed to provide years of reliable operation in the              
field,whereveryourphotographytakesyou.
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The MX3 provides a simple, intuitive means for specifying continuous and shootmoveshoot           
motioncontrolled timelapse videos automatically, using inexpensive DC motors for up to three           
axesofcontrol. 

Auxiliary input and output ports allow you to integrate with limit switches and other devices for               
moreexpressiveautomationinthestudioorinthefield.

Cold weather VFD display option expands the operating temperature range for winter shooting            
inverycoldclimates.
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MoCoBusTM support allows for future expansion of the firmware to control MoCoBusTM enabled           
deviceswithoutacomputer.
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Cameracontrolintegrationautomatescontroloverhundredsofpopularcameramodels.
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Powerful, industrialclass motor drives combined with a wide input voltage range allow for            
controlofnearlyanycommonDCbrushedmotorandforlargepayloads.
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Automated alarms monitor battery voltage, internal temperature, and motor current draw to           
automaticallyalerton,andreducethepossibilityofequipmentdamage.
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3. Basic Operation
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TheMX3userinterfaceconsistsofa2x16LCDdisplayandfiveuserinputbuttons.Upon
startup,thefirmwareversionwillbereportedbeforegoingtothemaincontrolscreens.
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3.1. Powering the MX3
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TheMX3canacceptseveraldifferentpowersources.Theprimarysourcesforpowerarethe
DCinputjack,theUSBconnector,andtheMoCoBusport.Fortypicalusecases,youwilllikely
usetheDCinputjack. 
3.1.1. DC Input Jack

TheDCinputjackistheprimarypowersourceformostmotioncontroloperations.Thisisthe
onlypowersourcethatwillletyouruntheDCmotordrivers.Youcanconnectabattery,orAC
adapterusingastandard2.1mmDCbarrelconnector. 
TheDCinputjackacceptsawiderangeofvoltages,from8VDCto24VDC.Whatevervoltageis
providedviatheDCinputjackisthevoltagethemotorswillberunatthesystemautomatically
adjustsforinputvoltageandforexampleiftheinputvoltageishighertheMX3willallowhigher
speeds. 



Do not supply more voltage via the DC input jack than your motors can handle. This              
will result in permanent damage to your motors. Check the rating on your motors            
before connecting them and verify they can support the supply voltage you are           
providing.


Do not attach two motors with different voltage requirements at the same time. The            
MX3canprovideonlyasingleoutputvoltagetoallmotors.

3.1.2. MoCoBus Connector

TheMX3canbepoweredviaMoCoBuswhenrunningasaMoCoBuscontroller.Themotor
driverswillbedisabledwhentheonlypowersourceistheMoCoBusconnector,asMoCoBus
cannotprovideenoughpowertorunDCmotors.YoumayconnecttheDCinputjackandthe
MoCoBusconnectoratthesametimeaslongastheyarerunningatthesamevoltage.
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
Do not connect a power source to the DC input jack while the MoCoBus connector is              
inuseifthepowersourceisrunningatadifferentvoltagethantheMoCoBus.

3.1.3. USB Connector

TheUSBconnectorcanbeusedwhenconnectedtoacomputerorapoweredhub,forpowering
theMX3alone.ThiscanbeusefulforsettinguptheMX3,orusingitasanintervalometeralone.


Motors cannot be used with USB power, this 5V source is not enough power to drive              
motors.ThecontrollerwillresetifmotorsareturnedonunderUSBpower.
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3.2. Buttons

Eachbuttonmayhavespecialpurposedependingonuseractivity,however,thegeneral
functionalityofeachbuttonisspecifiedbelow:


1. [Up]
a. Increasevalue
b. Goupinmenu
c. Changecontrolscreen
2. [Down]
a. Decreasevalue
b. Godowninmenu
c. Changecontrolscreen
3. [Left]
a. Gobackonestep,closemenu
b. Selectpreviouscontrol
c. Abortinput
4. [Right]
a. Goforwardonestep,openmenu
b. Selectnextcontrol
c. SaveInput
5. [Enter]
a. Openmenu
b. Saveinput
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3.2 Control Screens

Therearefivemaincontrolscreens:

1. ProgramControl
2. CameraControl
3. Motor1Control
4. Motor2Control
5. Motor3Control

Youmayswitchscreensbypressingthe[Up]and[Down]buttons,aslongasthecursorisnot
activeonthescreen.Toselectacontrolonascreen,firstpress[Right]toaccessthefirst
availablecontrolonthatscreen.Afterwards,pressing[Right]or[Left]switchesbetween
availablecontrols.Onceacontrolisselected,use[Up]and[Down]tochangethevalueofthat
control.Tostopselectingacontrolpress[Left]or[Right]untilnocontrolishighlighted.
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MoredetailsontheavailablecontrolsareavailableintheMainControlScreenssectionbelow.

3.4 Accessing Menus

ToaccesstheMainSystemMenu,press[Enter]onanycontrolscreenwhennocontrolis
selected.Somecontrolshavespecializedmenusavailabletothem.Toaccessthesemenus,
press[Enter]whilethecontrolisselected.Ifthecontroldoesnothaveaspecializedmenu,the
[Enter]buttonwillbringupthemainsystemmenu.Controlswhichhavespecializedmenusare
documentedintheMainControlScreenssectionbelow.
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4. Main Control Screens

ThemajorityofyourinteractionwiththeMX3willbethroughthemaincontrolscreens,eachof
thesescreensgivesaccesstoanumberofparametersrelatedtothatscreen.Tochange
controlscreens,simplypress[Up]or[Down]whilenocontrolisselectedtocyclethroughthe
availablescreens.

4.1. Program Control
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
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TheProgramControlscreencontrolsthebasicoperationoftheprogram,whichexecutesyour
timelapsefilm.Onthisscreen,wehavecontroloverwhethertheprogramisrunning(Off,On),
thecamerainterval(intenthsofseconds),andthemotionmode(Continuousor
ShootMoveShoot(see7.2)).Theruntimeinhours,minutes,andsecondsisdisplayedonthis
screenandinthelowerrightcornerthereistheManualandEZmodetoggle(see12)

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FormoreinformationonContinuousandShootMoveShoot,seetheMotionControlsectionbelow.
FormoreinformationonManualandEZmodeseetheEZModesectionbelow.


You may start or stop the program at any time through the on/off control, and may              
change the interval while the program is running. However, you may only change the            
motionmodewhentheprogramisstopped.
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4.2. Camera Control



Thisscreendisplaysthecamerastatus(BusytakinganexposureorfocusorIdleinbetween
shots),andhowmanyexposureshavebeentriggeredintheshotcounter.Below,youcan
togglewhethertheexposureiscontrolledviatheCameraorviatheMX3usingBulbmodeand
theexposuretimewhichalsocontrolsthemotordelayinSMSmode.Currentfocallength(FL)
beingusedcanalsobeinputwhichinfluencesEZdistancemode.


Formoreinformationonthecameracontrolsavailable,andthepossiblevalues,seetheCamera
Controlsectionbelow.


Youcanchangeanycameraparameterswhiletheprogramisrunning,andtheywill
takeeffectonthenextshot.
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4.3. Motor Control

VideoonBasicMotorControl:http://vimeo.com/87678822

TheMotorControlscreenscontrolthebasicoperationofeachmotoraxis.Onthesescreens,
youmaycontrolwhetherthemotorisenabled,thedirectionoftravel,thespeedoftravel(in
Continuousmode)ordistancepershot(inSMSmode),theleadinandleadout(inshots),and
therampin/out(inshots).


Formoreinformationonthecontrolsavailable,seetheMotionControlsectionbelow.


Pressing[Enter]ontheRampcontrolallowsyoutospecifydifferentrampinandout
values,ifyouspecifydifferentvalues,‘*’willreplacetherampamountonthecontrol
screen,indicatingtwovaluesareinuse.


Youcanchangeanyparameterwhiletheprogramisrunning,unlesstheenable
statuscontrolreads‘RMP’indicatingthataspeedrampisinprogress.


Turningoffamotorwhileaprogramisrunningwillexecuteaspeedrampdown
immediatelyifadownrampvalueisspecified.
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5. Main System Menu

Themainsystemmenucanbeaccessedatanytimebypressing[Enter]onanycontrolscreen
withoutacontrolselected.Allaspectsofsystemoperationcanbeconfiguredfromthismenu.
Youcannavigatethismenuusingthefivebuttons,whennavigatingmenustheyhavethe
followingfunctions:

●[Left]
○ Gobackonelevel
○ Exitmenu(ifonmainsystemmenu)
●[Right]
○ Opensubmenu(iftargetisamenu)
○ Openeditvalue(iftargetisaparameter)
●[Up]
○ Scrolltonextitemabove
●[Down]
○ Scrolltonextitembelow
●[Enter]
○ Opensubmenu(iftargetisamenu)
○ Openeditvalue(iftargetisaparameter)


Onallmenuscreensandparametereditscreens,[Enter]and[Right]havethesame
function.


The‘>’symbolwillindicatewhichitemiscurrentlyselectedwhenonanymenu.
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Withinanymenutheremaybesubmenusandparameterstobeedited.Whenpressing[Enter]
onanyitem,itwilleitheropenthatsubmenu,ordisplayaparametereditscreen.Onthe
parametereditscreen,thenameoftheparameterandvalueisdisplayed.Whenediting
parameters,thebuttonshavethefollowingfunction:

●[Left]
○ Canceleditingtheparameter(Donotsavechanges)
●[Up]
○ Increasevalue
●[Down]
○ Decreasevalue
●[Right]
○ Savecurrentvaluetoparameter
●or[Enter]
○ Savecurrentvaluetoparameter

Someparameterswillbenumeric,andsomewillallowyoutoselectfromalistofoptions.
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Wheneditingaparameter,holdingthe[Up]or[Down]buttonforlongerincreasesthe
ratethevaluechanges.
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
AmenunavigationtreecanbefoundinAppendixA:MenuTree,individualmenu
optionsarecoveredindetailbyusecaseinthesectionsbelow.
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6. Camera Control

VideoonBasicCameraControl:http://vimeo.com/87682007
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TheMX3iscapableofcontrollingacamerathroughitsremoteshutterportviatheuseofa
specialized3/32”(2.3mm)TRScameracable.Ifyourcameradoesnothavearemoteshutter
port,itcannotbetriggeredwiththeMX3.Youwillneedaspecializedcameracable,available
fromDynamicPerception,foryourspecificcamera.
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Formostcameras,theremoteshutterportgivescontroloverthefocustriggerand
shuttertrigger,itisnotpossibletocontrolISO,aperture,orothersettingsoverthis
port.ThiswillrequireUSBcontrolviaPTP.
6.1. Connecting the Camera
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Toconnectthecamera,firstplugthecameracableintotheMX3’sportnamed‘CAM’.After
connectingthecabletotheMX3plugtheotherendintoyourcamera’sremoteshutterport.

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Forsomecamerasyoumayberequiredtosetaspecializedinputoptiontoenable
controlfromtheremoteshutterport,Checkyourcamera’susermanualtodetermine
ifthisisnecessary.
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Totestthecamera,powerontheMX3andthecamera.Now,setthecameratoManual
ExposureandManualFocus,thendialinanexposureof1/100thofasecond.OntheMX3,go
totheOn/OffcontrolontheProgramControlscreenanduse[Up]or[Down]toswitchthe
programon.YoushouldseetheCAMLEDontheMX3lightupeverysecondorsoindicating
thatthecameraisbeingtriggered.
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IfyourcameradoesnotfirewhentheCAMLEDlightsup,checkyoursettingsandthe
cableconnection.Ifeverythingappearscorrect,checkyourcamera’susermanual
forhowtoenabletheremoteshutterport.
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6.2. Introduction to the MX3 Camera Cycle
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TounderstandhowtheMX3controlsyourcamera,itisimportanttoknowtheactivitiesthat
occurduringanexposurecycle.Theseactivitiesoccuroneachexposurecycle,andcanbe
eitherautomaticallycontrolled,ormanuallycontrolled.

Thefollowingeventsoccurduringeachbasicexposurecycle,andhappenatthetriggeringofthe
intervalometer:

FocusControl>ExposureTime>ExposureDelay>MotorMovement>Repeat

FocusControlactivatesthefocuslineofthecamera,andholdsitactivatedfortheperiodof
timespecified.Ifnofocuscontrolisconfigured,thistakesnotime.

ExposureTimeactivatestheshutterlineofthecamera,andholdsitactivatedfortheperiodof
timespecified.InCameraControlExposure,thistimeissettoafixedtimeof¼second,andin
BulbControlExposure,itissetbytheuser.

ExposureDelayhasnooutputsactive,andnootheractivitywilloccurontheMX3duringthis
period(unlessincontinuousmotionmodethemotorswillbemoving).Thispreventsactions
fromhappeningduringtheexposure.InCameraControlExposure,thistimeissetbytheuser,
andinBulbControlExposure,itissettoafixedtimeof¼second.

MotorMovementiftheMX3isinShootMoveShootmodethemotormovementhappensafter
theexposuredelay.Thesumofallfourparametersabovebecomestheminimumintervaltime.If
thereisanyexcesstimeleftintheintervalcycleitwillcycleafterthemotormovement. 
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Thesetimesareadditiveandifyousetthemlongerthanyourintervaltime,your
intervaltimewillautomaticallybeincreasedtocompensateforthedifference.
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6.3. Controlling Exposure on the Camera
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Formosttimelapsevideos,itisbesttoletthecameracontroltheexposuretime.Inthiscase,
wesimplyneedtolettheMX3knowhowlongtheexposureissetfor.TheMX3willsignalthe
cameratotriggerashuttercycle,andthecamerawilltimetheexposure.
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Toletthecameracontrolexposure,setthecameratoManualexposuremode,andsetthe
correctexposuretime.Then,ontheMX3gototheCameraControlscreenandusethe[Right]
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buttonuntiltheExposureModecontrolishighlighted,andthenusethe[Up]or[Down]buttons
untilthe‘C’symbolisdisplayedindicatingthattheexposurewillbecontrolledbytheCamera.
Now,pressthe[Right]buttontoselecttheMotorDelaycontrol.Usethe[Up]and[Down]buttons
toselectavaluewhichisequaltoorlongerthantheexposuretimecurrentlysetonyourcamera.
ThisinformstheMX3whatthecurrentexposuretimeisonyourcameraandsetstheappropriate
motordelaytimesothatthemotorsdonotmovewhilethecameraisexposing.
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CameraControlEnabled
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Itisusuallybesttoerronthesafeside,andchooseanexposuretimeontheMX3
whichisalittlelongerthantheexposuretimeonthecamera,especiallyfor
ShootMoveShootmotioncontrol.ThisensuresthattheMX3doesnottrytoperform
anyactionswhilethecameraisexposing.
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6.4. Controlling Exposure with the MX3
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YoumaywanttocontroltheexposuredirectlyfromtheMX3.Thisusuallybestforlongnight
shotsorsituationswhereexposuresgreaterthan30secondsarerequired.Inthiscase,the
MX3controlsthelengthoftheexposurebytriggeringtheshutterfortheentiretimetheexposure
mustbeperformed.
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TolettheMX3controlexposure,setthecameratoBulbmode.OntheMX3,gototheCamera
Controlscreenandusethe[Right]buttonuntiltheExposureModecontrolishighlighted,and
thenusethe[Up]or[Down]buttonsuntilthe‘B’symbolisdisplayedindicatingthatexposureis
controlledinBulbmode.Now,pressthe[Right]buttontoselecttheExposureTimecontrol.Use
the[Up]and[Down]buttonstoselectthecorrectexposuretime.
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BulbControlEnabled
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Mostcamerascannothandleabulbexposureshorterthan1/30thofasecond.For
exposureslessthan1second,bulbexposureisnotrecommendedasdeviationscan
occurinthebulbtimingbetweenthecameraandtheMX3.
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6.5. Controlling Focus, Waking Camera up from Sleep
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Whenusing‘liveview’ortowakethecameraupbeforeexposingduringlongintervals,itmaybe
necessarytosendafocussignaltothecamerabeforetriggeringashot.
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Tocontrolthefocusline,gototheCameraSectionintheMainMenu,chooseFocusandadjust
thevalueinmS(note1000mS=1second).Usethe[Up]and[Down]buttonstomodifythefocus
timeinmilliseconds.
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Towakeacameraupfromasoftsleepduringlongintervalsorin‘liveview’,notmorethan½
second(500mS)offocustimeshouldberequired.Ontheotherhandifoperatingthecamera’s
autofocusisdesired,mostcameraswillrequireatleast13secondsoffocussignalinawelllit
scenetolockfocusdarkerscenescanbemorechallengingforcamerasandmayrequirethe
focustimetobesetover3secondstolock.Alwaysusethe‘AFS’orautofocussinglesetting.
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6.6. Multiple Exposures
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Formultipleexposures,suchasusingautobracketingwhenyourcamerarequiresyoutotrigger
theshutterforeachbracketedexposure(singleframedrivemode)orifyouwanttousethe
MirrorLockUpfunctiononyourcamera(MUP).Thisisespeciallyusefulwhenshootingverylong
exposuresinShootMoveShootmodeandyouwanttousethecamera’sMirrorLockupfunction
sothatnovibrationhappensduringanexposure.InthiscasesettheRepeatshotsto1;one
signaltomakethemirrorgoupandanothertotriggertheexposure.
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NOTE:HDRwithAutoAEB+multiframedrivemode
WhendoingbracketedexposureswithAutoAEB(andmultiframedrivemode)setonthe
camera,theRepeatShotsfunctionisnotused,insteadtheExposureTimeandExposureDelay
settingsareusedtocontrolthiscycle.AddupthetotaltimeittakestocyclethroughtheAEB
shotsequenceandsettheExposureTimetomatchontheMX3.TheExposureDelaytime
mustprovideenoughtimeforthecamera’sbuffertoclear(willvarydependingoncameramodel
andmemorycardspeed).WiththismethodtheAEBshotsequencewillbeexecutedasfastas
ispossibleparticularlywhenhighspeedmultiframedrivemodesareselectedonthecamera.
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Toenablerepeatedexposures,entertheMainSystemMenuandthenselecttheCamera
submenu.WithintheCamerasubmenu,findtheRepeatShotsparameterandsetthevalueto
anynumbergreaterthanzero.Thenumberyouspecifywillbehowmanytimesafterthefirst
shottheshotsequencewillberepeated.
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MenuNavigation:
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1. [Enter]toentertheMainSystemMenu
2. [Up]or[Down]untilCameraisselected
3. [Enter]toenterCameramenu
4. [Up]or[Down]untilRepeatShotsisselected
5. [Enter]toedittheparameter
6. [Up]or[Down]tomodifythevalue
7. [Enter]or[Right]tosavethenewvalue
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6.7. Focus Lock with Shutter
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Somecameras,mostnotablythosemadebyNikon,requirethefocuscontroltobeheldalong
withtheshuttercontroltotriggeranexposure.Thisfeatureisenabledbydefault,andshouldnot
presentaproblemwithotherbrands.Ifyouwouldliketodisablethissetting,itcanbeaccessed
fromtheCameramenu:
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