Silent mode appears to work well with DSLRdashboard in Auto Holy Grail mode while using the D850's built in intervalometer. However, if external triggering (e.g. hacked external intervalometer or Syrp Genie Mini II) is used with SL1 engaged, silent mode works until DSLRdashboard sends a signal to the camera to change a setting at which point the camera reverts to mechanical shutter mode. I have tried connecting the app via both Wi Fi and USB and have also tried ControlMyCamera with no success.

Is it possible to achieve silent mode with external triggering?

I've never tried that. Most likely that's something only Zoltan can clarify. I'll try to put him in the loop.

Thanks Gunther.

Lincoln Harrison describes the process very nicely on his blog (https://www.lincolnharrison.com/blog-ind...-timelapse). Besides the Nikon internal intervalometer, he also talks about using the timer in qDslrDashboard. Both methods maintain silent mode. The issue comes up when trying to use an external intervalometer. It would be awesome if silent mode could be maintained with external triggering due to the obvious benefits of reduced wear and tear on the shutter system.

I'm not sure how the silent mode works on the D850, as far I know you must be in live view so it can work, is that the case? What does a 'hacked external intervalometer' mean? Can you eventually describe the whole process for this and when does it stops working (maybe a small video) ?

Yes, the camera is in live view mode for silent mode to work and essentially stops the mirror going up and down between each shot. This can be quite beneficial in reducing wear and tear on the shutter mechanism.

By hacked intervalometer, I meant the mod Gunther recommends to turn off the AF signal from the intervalometer while triggering (https://lrtimelapse.com/news/intervalometer-hack/).

Linclon Harrison has written a nice blog article (https://www.lincolnharrison.com/blog-ind...-timelapse) describing how auto holy grail TL can be done in conjunction with qDSLRdashboard. His technique works well with either using the Nikon internal intervalometer or using the qDSLRdashboard intervalometer.

However, I am interested in being able to use an external intervalometer as this would allow triggering on a slider/panning system while maintaining silent mode.

So far, what I have found is that once a shoot sequence is initiated (with an external trigger), silent mode is maintained as long as qDSLRdashboard does not send a change signal to the camera. Once a change signal (e.g. shutter speed) is sent (either WiFi or USB), the silent mode is broken and you can hear the mirror noise as the camera switches to the conventional mechanical shutter mode. This setup is identical to the one described in Lincoln's blog article with the exception that I am using an external trigger. He also has a second blog article (https://www.lincolnharrison.com/blog-ind...startrails) where silent mode TL is described while using an external trigger. However, in this situation, qDSLRdashboard is not being used as camera settings stay constant.

Hope this description suffices in explaining what I am trying to accomplish. Thanks so much Hubaiz for looking into it.

Thanks. Are you sure that the silent shutter stops working after the property is changed? I checked the code and only the property change command is sent to the camera, nothing else so can't see how this could cancel the silent shooting. The other time when commands are sent to the camera is when there is a new image available and it is downloaded. But for this also don't see how could affect the silent shooting. If you change the shutter speed, aperture or ISO does it also stops the silent mode?

Indeed Hubaiz, the camera definitely drops out of silent mode once there is a property change signal (shutter, ISO or aperture) sent out by the app (with both QdslrDashboard and ControlmyCamera). Image downloads to the app do not cause an issue.

In the meantime, I also found this wonderful article from Gunther (https://lrtimelapse.com/tutorial/true-ho...o-ramping/) that may be an alternate way to solve the problem. I will have to order a sync cable to see if it works. It will work with the NMX controller which has a slave mode but not sure if this approach will work with the Syrp Genie Mini II.

Unfortunately I don't own the D850 so can't test this, eventually contact me with the support email so that we can investigate this in more detail.

Regardless of solving this problem - I'd recommend to rather shoot in non liveview mode with mechanical shutter. There is no reason to fear the shutter wearing, it is made for hundred thousands of actuations. I've never broke a shutter, and I do a lot of timelapse work. Apart from saving battery when shooting without liveview, the electronic shutter has several disadvantages, you can find a very good description here: https://photographylife.com/mechanical-e...utter-efcs

the electronic shutter has several disadvantages, you can find a very good description here:

But if I understand correctly, then the main disadvantages occur mainly at short exposure times. With time-lapse you should rather choose longer exposure times to fulfill the 180 degree rule. Add longer exposure times there are more benefits with electronic shutter (shutter shock).