The Camera Axe is a popular device that synchronizes the camera and flashes for high-speed photography (think bullets and popping balloons). I use long extension wires to connect the lift-off sensor to the Camera Axe and a shorter shutter release cable to connect the Camera Axe to the camera. Actually, the Camera Axe has two camera ports, which I use to trigger two cameras, thereby capturing the same rocket lift-off from different angles!
Other high-speed camera controllers, such as Trigger Trap, HiViz, or StopShot should work as well.
I use “Advanced Sensor” mode with the following configuration:
| Setting | Device 1 value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger sensor | Sensor 1 | |
| Delay ms | 150 | Increase delay to capture rocket higher on launch rod |
| Bulb sec | 0.5 | Let camera take 3-4 shots |
| Prefocus | No | |
| Trigger type | Low | Trigger on voltage change from high to low |
| Trigger value | 500 | |
| Power | On | |
| Retrigger | 5 | Suppress false positives |