Frustrated with trail camera! See pic.

[skidoomaster]

I purchased the following trail camera……….

Moultrie 4.1 Outfitter Cam Digital Scouting Camera
· 4.1-megapixel resolution
· Records time, date and location on every photo
· 30-ft. flash
· Laser aiming feature allows for precise camera mounting
· 16MB internal memory is expandable to 1GB with use of an SD card
· Built-in solar panel connectors

Notice the flash ranch claims 30ft! False!

The follwing picture is a bear at 21’-23’ from my camera. (I out-lined it so you could see it better)

I thought I might have a beer on my property, and sure enough, I finally get a picture and the stupid flash doesn’t reach! (and yes the flash was working)

What has been your experience with game-camera flashes? How far do you set them from your target area?

Thanks!


http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/518/Imageb.jpg

[Backwoods-Savage]

I'd return the cam. No doubt there is a flaw in the camera itself.

You might also post this in the trail cam forum (under Whitetail).

[dtg]

That animal has some CRAAAAZY crooked, glowing eyes and it has a wierd glow around it!!!! Do you live near a Nuke plant???:lol:

Return the camera

[DTrain]

I'd return the cam. No doubt there is a flaw in the camera itself.

:yeahthat:

[hoyt8]

I think that is a cougar and all trail cameras have trouble getting pictures of them.:lol:

[Swizel Chest]

Check to see if your camera has settings for "ISO". That used to be film speed. You will want to adjust it to a higher setting. If it is set at iso 100 the flash won't reach nearly as far as if it is set at iso 400 or 800 etc.. I have no experience with trail cams so I am not sure if they have those settings, but I am a photographer with photo lab experience. I would check over the manual before I sent it back. Digital sensors are as sensitive to exposure as slide film. Meaning your exposures have to be at lot closer to correct than negative film. I hope it is a simple setting for you, but it is a shame you missed this photo!

Good luck

[benster]

I thought I might have a beer on my property, and sure enough, I finally get a picture and the stupid flash doesn’t reach! (and yes the flash was working)

If you need someone to help get the "beer" off your property let me know?:D
On the camera thing, I also have a moultrie and it pretty much sucks. The flash is good for about 10 feet and it makes the eyes look like spotlights. I would take it back and get something better.

[eagle18]

I would send it back to moultrie and tell them to fix it. Moultrie is really good about that they just make you pay shipping to them. Two guys I know sent theirs back and they sent them brand new ones. I have 5 "cheap" moultries and other than trigger speed I love them. If you put them on a bait pile you really can't bet them for the money.

[lostmale]

I like to set up for 25to 30ft shots. Here in the first picture the fawn is 10ft away the doe is 35ft away the woods edge is 50ft away. In the next picture the bucks are around 30 ft away and you can just make out the trees at the edge of the woods 50 ft away. It would show up better if I had the cam up higher and the branch cut off that is giving me the flash back. In fact when there is snow on the ground I had to put electrical tape over half the flash because there was to much flash. I think you may have a bad cam.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa161/jkintn/z.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa161/jkintn/2.jpg

.

[Buckslayer06]

Looks like you flash went off but not when the cam took the pic. Either the timing is off or the flash malfunctioned and wasnt bright at all. I mean even the grass close up isnt very bright. Send it back.

[Swizel Chest]

Looks like you flash went off but not when the cam took the pic. Either the timing is off or the flash malfunctioned and wasnt bright at all. I mean even the grass close up isnt very bright. Send it back.


Usually if the flash is mistimed you get half a normally exposed photo and a large black bar through the upper/lower or left/right portion of the frame. This is just in my experience I am no expert...

:)

[skidoomaster]

I called Moultrie and spoke with a tech. Also, I emailed them some photos from my camera, at day-break and at night. They claimed one of two things is wrong....

Either my battery is not good enough to produce a strong flash, or the flash is not bright enough and would need to be checked out by their service dept. They asked me if I was using a Duracell battery. I am not; I just purchased some rechargeable Moultrie batteries. At first I did use a Duracell and got great pictures! The bear photo is the first time I used a rechargeable so they seem to think the battery is bad, or not holding a strong enough charge?

Does anyone use rechargeable batteries in their camera??

[QuakrTrakr]

Skidoo- I use rechargeables. I have the solar chargers hooked up to them. They're not foolproof, cold weather still wreaks havoc on them. I'm considering using a 6volt tractor battery. I heard other guys are doing that.