How it Works
The camera looks out the waterproof box through a large clear filter, when the motion sensor triggers it opens the shutter on the camera in turn firing the flash to capture the image.
Hard Wired System
Below is a simple wired camera trap, (L/R) Nikon SB28 flash mounted in a waterproof enclosure, connected to the camera with a normal flash cord, Nikon D5500 Camera with a kit lens sat inside the box, mounted on the lid is the Camtraptions motion sensor.
This system uses 10 Panasonic eneloop aa batteries (4 for the flash 6 for the sensor), that and the camera body battery gives me at least 7 nights of captures (although the motion sensor can last several months)
Advantages: Less Battery's, Faster trigger times, Longer use, reliable & cheaper.
Disadvantages: External cables could get damaged, tripped over gnawed etc, your slightly restricted on the placement of flashes.
Wireless System
Below (image incoming) is a simple wireless camera trap, (L/R) Nikon SB28 flash mounted on a receiver, transmitter connected to the camera with a normal flash cord, Nikon D5500 with a kit lens sat inside the enclosure, mounted on the lid is the Camtraptions motion sensor.
This system additionally uses aaa batteries over the wired system, 2 each in the transmitter and receiver which gives me approx 4 nights of captures.
Advantages: Easy placement of flashes, no wires to get damaged.
Disadvantages: More Battery's, shorter run times, slightly slower trigger time.
Note there is a modification you can do to the Transmitters and Receivers to give extended run times using 2 X AA or D Cells Battery packs and a extended cable that plugs onto the circuit board inside the receivers and transmitters (or you can permanently solder them in). The only downside that ive experienced is with temperature changes like 10Deg - 20Deg the battery's can sweat with condensation forming on the battery's surface, if your leaving them for more then a week consider placing some kitchen towel around them to absorb the moisture.
Basic Camera Setup
Its all about taking small steps until your used to all the settings, positioning, and your subjects used to your equipment in there space, to get you started here are two simple example settings for day time and night time trapping.
Your Camera & Flash
For night time programs on the Camtraptions set your camera to Manual, F8, ISO 250, make sure you shoot in RAW as it gives you more control. Next set your shutter speed to 1/200 or 1/250 depending on your flash sync speed, my Nikon D810 is 1/250 my D5500 is 1/200, Canon should be similar. First few times just try one flash, set your flash to Manual, making sure its in Stand-By mode, use low power 1/64, set the zoom to 24mm if your around a meter away.
When you get lucky check your images, in your RAW editing software play with the exposure settings first before you think the lighting isn't right. Back to the camera trap If theirs not enough light increase your iso, to much light? lower it, if your image has black banding you'll need to adjust the shutter speed up or down till the sync is correct. Try to avoid setting your flashes to high in power, play with your iso and exposure first and find your iso sweet spot to avoid grain.
Your Camtraptions Mk2 Motion Sensor (2018 or earlier)
On the front left of the sensor is there bank of small switches 1-6, if your using the 2.5mm cable to connect your camera to the sensor you'll never have to use switch No.6 so you can forget about it, set this to the off position (its used as a wireless link to your camera shutter trigger instead of the cable). Tip: Use a Biro to change the switch positions.
On the right of the sensor are three round dials, top dial is only ever used to set the Sensitivity, the middle is Time and bottom it Luminosity. Tip: when setting the position of the dials for each new program bottom out each dial by turning it fully clockwise till it stops, this way you'll know the exact position, they can be a bit tight but you should feel the stop point, don't overturn them.
Turn the dials Clockwise to Increase or Anticlockwise to Decrease
Sensitivity Faster triggers, smaller faster creatures and longer range turn it Clockwise, larger creatures less false triggers turn it anticlockwise.
(as the Time and Luminosity dial are program specific ill include them below)
The following two programs are an example of what i use the most and should help you get started.
Program 9 (night time) for 3 shots per detection set the switches to off/on/off/off/off.
Set the sensitivity (top) dial fully anticlockwise till it stops then back approx 1/4 of a turn.
Set your time dial (middle) so you get a delay of approx 2 secs between shots. Start with the dial fully anticlockwise then turn a 1/4 turn clockwise, just count the gaps between triggers till you get close.
Set the Luminosity dial (bottom one) to the middle (fully clockwise then back 1/2 turn). This setting at 1/2 turn will get you somewhere near gloomy or dark, if you turn it fully anticlockwise it will only work in total darkness, you can also use this dial to trigger your camera day and night, just turn the dial fully clockwise.
Program 3 (day time) 3 Shots per detection set the switches to off/off/off/on/off.
Set the sensitivity to your chosen scenario.
Set your time dial so you get a delay of approx 2 secs or alter to suit, faster triggers turn anticlockwise, clockwise will delay the next shot up to 8 seconds.
Set the Luminosity dial this is used to get the maximum amount of shots on your setup, or add a delay in between from 1 second (fully anticlockwise) to 60s (fully clockwise).