You may be like many people and photographers whose first experience with high-speed photography was the pioneering work of Harold Edgerton and his lifelong collaborator, photographer Gjon Mili. Their images were regularly featured in Life Magazine, National Geographic and other widely read publications. They were a wonder to behold, but duplicating their photos then, and even recently, required expensive, scientific-level equipment and an enormous learning curve to use it successfully.
With the introduction of the Ax3 Controller from Amber Pixel, a Portuguese company, high-speed photography is no longer reserved for the laboratory setting. The beauty of this unit is that it is small and lightweight, so you can take it wherever high-speed images are possible. The Ax3 Controller is just 5.8” x 3.5” x 1” (147mm x 88mm x 25mm), weighing only 6.3 oz. (180g). It requires very little space in a camera bag and can even be carried in a large pocket or MOLLE bag on an equipment belt.
Its size also reduces the equipment clutter in the studio environment where many high-speed images are typically captured. The Ax3 is also compatible with most manufacturers’ camera and flash units, including Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Pentax, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Leica, Olympus and others. Most importantly, at just a bit more than 360 Euros, the Amber Pixel Ax3 Controller is very affordable compared to the thousands of dollars for scientific-grade, high-speed photography equipment.
The portability and affordability of the Ax3 Controller also makes it incredibly versatile. You can choose from any of four synchronized programs: vibration, sound triggering and two infrared modes. The device’s interface is simply and intuitive with setting levels for each of the four modes from 1 to 9. You can also use the delay feature to add a select number of milliseconds to your sequence before the sensor trips your camera’s shutter.
Configure your gear to capture crystal clear drops of water and the patterns created by water splashing against a hard surface or colliding with water or other liquids. Take the Ax3 into the outdoors for amazing macro photography of hummingbirds, bumblebees and other small and quickly moving creatures. The Ax3 Controller is also the perfect complement for HDR photography at night, such as lightning strikes in a stormy sky at night. You can program the Ax3 for as many as 99 multiple exposures, then activate the mode and you’ll have a startling array of images to blend into spectacular HDR photos.
The Ax3 Controller also easily creates time-lapse movies. Select the number of images you want and the interval between each. The Controller will do all the work, except for the simple process of editing and sequencing the photos with the use of a video-editing program on your computer.
The Amber Pixel Ax3 Controller Kit includes:
(1) Ax3 Controller
(1) Sound sensor
(1) Vibration sensor
(1) Infra-red emitter
(1) Infrared receiver
(1) Adapter-type jack 2.5"male" to "3.5"socket"
(1) Manual
The unit requires a 9v 6LR61 battery and connecting cables to the camera and flash, which are additional items.
All of the kit items are also available as separate pieces.
Order the Ax3 Controller directly from Amber Pixel for approximately 360 Euros
Photo copyright Amber Pixel
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