dropController is an advanced, beginner friendly, water drop photography system that is designed by water drop enthusiasts for water drop enthusiasts. It is straight forward to get started and has many advanced functions and features that make experimentation easy and fun.
The dropController system has been designed by water drop enthusiasts for water drop enthusiasts. It is straight forward to get started with yet with many advanced functions and features that make experimentation easy and fun.
The dropController systems allow you to start as simple as you wish and become as advanced as you want. dropController allows you to start in a very simple way but does not limit you as you progress to advanced drops.
When I started drop photography many years ago electronic controllers didn’t really exist and getting drops to collide was random and frustrating. I wanted better control and so I started to develop a device that could control solenoid valves, a camera, and flash. The dropController was born.
Most drop devices use a drop, delay, drop approach. I found this technique very limiting and difficult to get precise timings. The dropController has a different approach. The dropController has drop priority where each drop is independent and not related to, or restricted by, other drops. Changing a drop size, or a start time does not effect the timings of any other drop.
The dropController has been developed with ease of use in mind, and over time has been refined and updated to meet the needs of all droppers; whether beginner, intermediate, or advanced user.
The dropController gives you full control over all aspects of the drops and allows far more flexibility and advanced experimentation compared to other systems.
dropControllerV4 has a feature rich control app built-in. No downloads. No cloud.
A key feature of the dropController system is Loop Mode. In Loop Mode you can automatically increase or decrease times while looping. Makes set up and more importantly, getting collisions very easy.
The below (very out dated) video introduces the dropController and and explains Loop Mode and delta values. The video features an older DIY dropControllerV3 but the priciples and controls are the same for the dropControllerV4. The dropController is controlled from the old Android app. The new apps have the same functions.
The video shows a very simple dining room table setup using a retort stand, a single valve and milk as the liquid. Using a lab/retort stand is an easy and fairly cheap way to get started with drop photography.
Please note that the apps have had major updates since the video was made.
If you are interested in DIY/building a dropController see the DIY section.
dropControllerV4
The most advanced drop photography system available. USD 249.00. Free shipping to many locations. Please see the Price List to order.
dropControllerV4 is an advanced water drop photography system that is powerful, extremely accurate, and easy to use. Control is performed using a clear and responsive webapp.
- 12v or 24v
- 8 Valve ports
- Up to 48 drops (soft limit. Can be extended)
- Camera, Flash, and auxiliary trigger ports
- Status LCD screen
- Powerful, fast, dual-core processor
- Extremely precise timings
- Clear and easy to use control app
- Compatible with 2.4ghz wifi networks
Compatible with any networked device that has a modern web browser, phone, tablet, laptop, desktop PC.
The dropController systems are compatible with cameras that can use a wired shutter release cable.
See dropControllerV4 for more information
The dropControllerV4 is controlled from a clear, easy to use webapp.
In The Box
- 1 x 8 valve port dropControllerV4
- 1 x 24v 5amp or 12v 5amp power supply
- 1 x Shutter release lead. Many different ones available.
- 1 x Flash trigger lead
- 2 x 1.5m trigger lead extension
Style of parts may change without notice.
dropControllerV3 DIY
dropControllerV3 DIY is based around the Arduino system and all the design files and software are available for free download. Build a controller using parts you already have or buy a kit.
- 6 Valve ports
- Compatible with 12v solenoid valves
- Up to 12 drops (Windows app). Android app currently has up to 9 drops.
- Camera, Flash, and auxiliary trigger ports
- Extremely precise timings
- Clear and easy to use control app
- Compatible with Windows PCs via USB and Android devices via Bluetooth.
See dropControllerV3 Kit for more details
Power supply and case not included in the kit