FAQ

The Esper LightCage is a geodesic frame, with integrated power distribution that can hold 156 MultiFlash lights. The MultiFlash lights can be programmed to create the perfect lighting conditions for capturing images suitable for processing into high resolution 3D meshes and textures.

The LightCage can be used for any application where a subject needs accurately lighting from multiple directions. LightCages have been used to capture image data that can be used for photometric measurements, 3D mesh and texture generation and cultural heritage preservation techniques such as reflectance transformation imaging.

The LightCage comprises of a 2.5m geodesic structure with integrated power distribution, 160 ESPER MultiFlash lights, Esper ControllerBox, LightCageController software a multi region power supply unit and all connection cabling. We can also supply additional hardware for image capture systems. Please contact us to talk through the options.

The LightCage is supplied with a ControllerBox which can send or receive trigger signals from stills and machine vision cameras. It also accepts frame sync / genlock signals from video cameras.

We can tailor the exact diameter of the LightCage to suit the space available we'd recommend 2.3m ø diameter if you can fit it in as it doesn't feel too claustrophobic and fits in most rooms. at 2.3m ø you'd be looking at the subject being an average of 1.15m from the camera. So on a full frame camera with a 100mm lens, the head will fill the frame nicely.

The 2.5m LightCage is capable of mounting up to 150 DSLR type cameras. Camera mounting hardware is available on request.

The MultiFlashes fitted on the LightCage have three LED's one with a vertically aligned polariser, one with a horizontally aligned polariser and one unpolarised. Once you align the filters on the lens of the camera you then program the MultiFlashes to switch between the different LED's and you capture the subject under the different polarisation states.

The LightCageController software comes bundled with the LightCage - allowing the programming and control of each lighting unit and the accurate synchronisation with the image capture system.

Custom builds are something we specialise in. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Yes, we install worldwide. Contact us for more details.

  The MultiFlash is a programmable LED flash unit where the light output and flash duration are independently controllable, this allows for the accurate control of exposure length in any camera setup. Up to 512 MultiFlash units can be configured and accurately synchronised with stills and video cameras via an Esper ControllerBox to create multi directional lighting systems.

The MultiFlash has been designed to create configurable and controllable lighting systems. The user has absolute control over the flash duration, light intensity and synchronisation making it ideal for accurately controling exposure lengths when used with multi-camera setups. Precise multi-directional lighting is possible as up to 512 MultiFlashes can be programmed from a single ControllerBox to create highly controllable lighting conditions. MultiFlash units have been used for a variety of applications from imaging research, 3D scanning, cultural heritage preservation and to create artistic multi lighting effects. Please contact us to discuss your application.

The flash duration of the MultiFlash is completely programmable from 60µS to 30mS  (0.00006 to 0.030 seconds) which roughly equates to shutter speeds of 1/16000 to 1/30.

The dimming range of the MultiFlash is equivalent to flash energy/power range 11-fstops.

The MultiFlash is capable of extremely fine adjustments in the outputted light intensity this is approximately the equivalent to traditional flash energy/power increments  1/400 of an f-stop.

As the MultiFlash uses LED luminaries whose recycle times are in the order of nano seconds - the triggering system for the MultiFlashes allows for synchronisation with frame rates at up to 300fps.

The colour temperature of the standard MultiFlash is fixed at 5000K at all flash duration and light intensity settings - other colour temperatures are available please contact us with your requirements.

The colour rendering index of the MultiFlash is typically 92 at all flash duration and light intensity settings.

Yes the MultiFlash has a modelling light setting the lighting output of the modelling light that is dimmable, the max output 210 lux.

The MultiFlash is intended to be used in multiples, as a result to ensure reliable programming and accurate triggering of the flash and cameras it is only available as a wired system.

Yes by assigning a flash duration that is the same length as the cameras sync speed.

The MultiFlash is intended for use with multi-camera systems. Commonly with multi-camera systems the cameras exposure  needs to be manually set. This makes the output of the cameras exposure meter irrelevant to the light settings required.

Any stills or machine vision camera(s) that is equipped with a remote shutter release  / GPIO input is compatible. Any stills or machine vision camera(s) that is equipped with  a flash hot shoe / PC sync / GPIO output is compatible. Video cameras with a genlock / frame sync output are also compatible. The ControllerBox has 3.5mm jack sockets for stills and machine vision cameras and a BNC socket for genlock. Cameras are connected and synchronised via the Esper ControllerBox which has camera input and output connections and data connections for controlling the MultiFlashes. We can supply adaptor cables for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Machine Vision and video systems please contact us with your requirements.

Cameras are synchronised with the MultiFlash via the Esper ControllerBox. The ControllerBox can be used to send trigger signals to stills and machine vision cameras or it can respond to flash / PC sync / GPIO from stills cameras and machine vision cameras and / or genlock from video cameras. The ControllerBox has 3.5mm jack sockets for stills and machine vision cameras and a BNC socket for genlock. We can supply adaptor cables for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Machine Vision and video systems please contact us with your requirements.

MultiFlashes are connected (via an Esper ControllerBox) to a computer running the MultiFlashController software.  The ControllerBox handles the data connection to the MultiFlashes and the trigger / sync connection to any connected cameras.  The MultiFlashController software allows for the programming of each LED’s brightness (light intensity), its flash duration and any camera or flash offsets if required.

512 MultiFlashes can be controlled per ControllerBox.

The MultiFlash works worldwide and accepts voltages of 100-250V at frequencies between 50-60Hz. The max power consumption is 70W

The MultiFlash controller is a Java application so will run on any machine with Java installed. Install the latest version of Java here https://www.java.com/en/download/help/download_options.xml

We supply 6 cables with each PowerBox 2 x 1m 2 x 2m 2 x 3m

No - The PowerBox has been designed to reliably power multiple cameras simultaneously - plugging any other equipment into the output of a PowerBox may damage the PowerBox and the equipment.

The PowerBox works worldwide and accepts voltages of 100-250V at frequencies between 50-60Hz.

The PowerBox has an output stage designed to mimic Li-ion camera batteries the output voltage is regulated at 9VDC.

The PowerBox comes with a multi-region universal power supply and 1 m IEC C13 cable. We can supply DC couplers for most commonly used cameras please contact us for pricing and availability.

The PowerBox is a multi camera power supply unit that provides fully regulated and protected power for up to 6 cameras from a single wall outlet.

Any application that requires the reliable powering of multiple cameras simultaneously. 

The PowerBox is designed to power the camera models that are most commonly used in multi camera arrays. Typically these are cropped sensor Canon or Nikon DSLRs.  Please contact us if you want to check compatibility with specific models.

Yes, the PowerBox can be used with any combination of compatible cameras.

The power connection to the cameras is via DC Couplers (dummy batteries) these vary depending on the make and model. We can supply DC couplers for most commonly used cameras please contact us for pricing and availability.

We offer express delivery on all website orders shipped worldwide. We use DHL for mainland, Europe and worldwide deliveries. The reliability of delivery and protection of our parcels in transit is second to none with our approved courier. Local import and customs restrictions may apply in your territory. Please see our full delivery rates and polices information here or contact us if you have any shipping related questions.

All in stock items, ordered and paid for before 13:30 GTM during Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), will normally be dispatched the same day by DHL Express Delivery. If you require your in stock products to be shipped before the out of stock items, please contact us directly at sales@esperhq.com. Where stock is unavailable at the time of placing your order or we are unable to despatch within 7 working days, our team may contact to you discuss delivery. For larger quantity orders our team may contact to you discuss a delivery schedule.

The price of the Goods does not include delivery charges. We ship using DHL Express and charges will be advised before you confirm your order. DHL calculate your shipping charges based on weight, parcel dimensions and location. In some cases orders are shipped in multiple parcels. We do not add additional fees to your order if we ship in multiple parcels. You can estimate the shipping charges for your order by placing the items you intend to order in your shopping cart and entering your location and postal code. If you prefer to arrange your own transport please contact us directly at sales@esperhq.com. For more information about Delivery rates and time for delivery go here.

Based on the country of origin and the final destination, some orders may be subject to customs and/or import fees. Customs fees are calculated based on import, brokerage, duties, and taxes, and are not included in the delivery fee quoted at checkout. They will be assessed once the parcel enters the destination country and must be paid by the order recipient. Please contact your local customs office for more information.

Once you have placed an order you will receive an confirmation email shortly after completing your transaction. Tracking information will be emailed once the order’s has been processed. To track the order sign in to your Esper account then click on ‘Orders’ and ‘View’ button. Alternatively, you can access an order confirmation email which will include the tracking number and link.

We are confident you will be happy with your Esper product but in the unlikely event that you do experience problems we offer you the reassurance of our 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee.* * For further details see our full Product Guarantee here

You can return your item/s for free within 30 days of the date of receipt of your order and receive a full refund, please refer to full terms of our Returns Policy here.

The TriggerBoxController is Java application so will run on any machine with Java installed, install the latest version of Java here https://www.java.com/en/download/help/download_options.xml

The TriggerBox comes with a universal power supply and a 1m USB-A to USB-C cable. We can supply adaptor cables for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Machine Vision systems please contact us with your requirements.

Yes, a list of serial commands which the TriggerBox responds to can be found at our support site here

Yes, please download and install the latest version of the TriggerBoxController software from here

The TriggerBox can be used in combination with any wired or wireless remote release that has a 3.5mm jack connection. 

When the TriggerBox switch is green the delay between the input signal received and the outputs firing is 2µS (0.000002 seconds). Note that the shutter lag of most DSLR’s ranges from 0.04 to 0.150 seconds.

The TriggerBox has two modes of operation, When the mode switch is Green the TriggerBox functions as a straight trigger distribution unit. When the mode switch is Blue the TriggerBox can be programmed using the TriggerBoxController software. This allows individual outputs to be delayed, switched off and on and sequenced in up to 8 steps.

The TriggerBox comes bundled with our TriggerBoxController software. The TriggerBoxController allows access to the features of the TriggerBox only.  For control of camera settings, downloading images etc. you will need to use a third party software packages such as those provided by Breeze Systems, Kuvacode CaptureGRID and Xangle Camera Server.

The TriggerBoxController allows the TriggerBox to be programmed to  Fire the TriggerBox outputs over USB  Assign delays to outputs Toggle outputs off and on Sequence all output settings Save settings to the TriggerBox for stand alone operation Multi camera intervalometer with exposure ramping

The TriggerBox is a 6 output programmable multi camera shutter release controller. It allows multi-camera systems to be fired simultaneously or with programmed sequences and offsets.

Any application that requires the accurate control of multiple camera arrays such as : photogrammetry, bullet time / time slice VFX, photo booths, stop motion animation, animated photography, imaging research.

Trigger boxes are compatible with any camera that has a wired shutter release input.  We can supply adaptor cables for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Machine Vision systems.  

6 cameras can be connected to each TriggerBox. Multiple TriggerBoxes can be linked to create large multi cameras systems.

Yes the TriggerBox can be used with any combination of compatible cameras.

The TriggerBox connects to cameras via their remote shutter release input socket.  The TriggerBox has 3.5mm jack sockets we can supply adaptor cables to most cameras.

Any flash / strobe unit that can be connected directly to a camera is safe to plug into the TriggerBox.   !!! Please be aware that some flashes and strobes operate at significantly higher voltages than the TriggerBox is designed to operate with. !!! If you are unsure if your flash or strobe is compatible with the TriggerBox please contact us.

Yes! Use a 3.5mm stereo cable to connect the link socket of the first TriggerBox to the input socket of the next TriggerBox in the chain and continue down the line.

There is no limit to the number of TriggerBoxes that can be linked together.

The TriggerBox can be fired from either a remote release plugged into its input (both in ALL Trigger and Smart Trigger modes) or a computer via USB connection (Smart Trigger mode only.)