Mark VI

For some time I had contemplated whether it would be possible to develop a camera that housed a shutter mechanism directly linked to the level of ambient light. Dubbed the Mark VI Dark Activated Shutter (DAS) Time-Lapse Pinhole Camera, a light dependent resistor (LDR) releases the shutter instead of relying on a clock mechanism. In other words the shutter is triggered by a pre-determined light lux level, to both open and close. To help build the first version of this more complicated mechanism 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 controlled the shutter. This first incarnation was developed in 2013 and since then the camera has gone through numerous changes/ refinements, culminating in the latest edition, the Mark VI.3c DAS Time-Lapse Pinhole Camera.

Image shows version MarkVI.1 (2014) looking through nestbox from behind (no pinhole camera). Shutter mechanism visible with shutter ‘open’. (black film canister covering LDR sensor) Copyright Anthony Carr

Image shows main circuit board component, LDR sensor (top of nestbox) and nestbox housing of MarkVI.1 (2014). Copyright Anthony Carr

Image of Mark VI.1 (2014) during testing. LDR sensor just visible on top of nestbox. Shutter is closed. Copyright Anthony Carr

Image shows version MarkVI.2 (2015) with improved shutter to reduce light-leak. Again housed in a nestbox. Copyright Anthony Carr

Image shows version MarkVI.3 (2016) which replaced the homemade LDR circuit with a twilight switch, solenoid and solar power. Again housed in a nestbox. Copyright Anthony Carr

Image of MarkVI.3 (2016) during testing with the twilight switch visible on the right-hand side. Copyright Anthony Carr

Photograph taken with MarkVI.3a (2017) which had an added pivot point to allow the shutter to open and close further. Copyright Anthony Carr

Image of MarkVI.3b (2018) housed in a nestbox, during testing. This verison was larger to accommodate a Harman Titan 5×4 pinhole camera. Copyright Anthony Carr

Image of MarkVI.3b (2018) during testing. A solar panel can be seen on the garage roof and cable hangs from underneath the camera. Both connect to a solar charging kit alongside the garage. Copyright Anthony Carr

Photograph taken with MarkVI.3b (2018). Copyright Anthony Carr

Image of MarkVI.3c (2018) under construction. This is a two-camera version, where both open and close simultaneously. The main part of the mechanism is housed in the homemade pinhole camera at the top of the image. Copyright Anthony Carr