Unbelievable Nikon custom rig for capturing insects in flight

Here is a list of used equipment and settings:

• Camera Nikon D300.


• ISO 100.


• Manual bulb mode limited at 60 sec to avoid noise.


• Camera set at 14 bit resolution, RAW mode.


• Macro lens, AF105/2.8D set at F16 or F22 manual on the lens (camera can’t drive this due to the external shutter).


• Burst mode set at 2.5 pictures/sec if detection stay active and I hold the start button down.


• SB-29-S flash manual at 1/32 power, both sides active.


• SB-80-DX flashes at 1/64 power, but level can change over 6 steps (1/3 EV steps) via knob on the frame.


• Balance set neutral or +3B-3 to -2B+2 in 6 steps.


• Max IR detection delay 120 usec (0.12 msec).


• Detection lens: AF60/2.8D macro.


• Photodiode BPW41N with integrated band filter.


• Detection controller: AVR Attiny45.


• 2 IR lasers pulsed 980nm 20 mW at 30 us ON,30us OFF.


• Central controller: MAX II CPLD board Terasic, current 150 mA.


• 2 Visible 10mW green lasers to align the D300 camera, pointed to the same virtual focus point.


• External shutter pulse duration: 3.0 msec.


• External shutter voltage start at 70V, end at 56 V (due to the capacity tank).


• AVR Attiny26 controller to control this 70V shutter voltage and monitor the battery voltage.


• External shutter lag 3.3 msec.


• Flash delay set at 3.5 msec (200 usec later, to be sure the shutter is always full open).


• When external shutter is open all lasers are disabled (not to be visible on the picture).

The results are stunning: