For some time I have been contemplating whether it would be possible to develop a camera that was able to utilise a shutter mechanism directly linked to light levels. The fruits of my pondering is the Mark VI Dark Activated Shutter (DAS) Time-Lapse Pinhole Camera. Using a light dependent resistor (LDR) instead of a clock, the shutter is triggered by a pre-determined light lux level. To achieve this I was fortunate enough to be introduced via the Flickr community to an amazing photographer/ inventor who drew up an electronic schematic and later built the circuit which controls the shutter.  During the early testing of the Mark VI DAS Time-Lapse Pinhole Camera, which is ongoing, I have opted to use a Harman Titan 5×4 pinhole camera as the camera element.

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Image shows main circuit board component, LDR sensor (top of nestbox) and nestbox housing. Copyright Anthony Carr

Image shows view looking through nestbox from behind (no pinhole camera). Shutter mechanism visible with shutter ‘open’. (black film canister covering LDR sensor) Copyright Anthony Carr

Image of Mark VI during testing. LDR sensor just visible on top of nestbox. Shutter is closed. Copyright Anthony Carr