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Nikon Library...

e14 Contributor

Hi, Planning ahead for my next project. A Time lapse dolly.

I was searching around on the interwebs lastnight looking for ideas on how I want the dolly to function.

 

I've pretty much settled on a stepper motor to move the dolly along the rig. And it will be controlled by an Arduino Uno or Atmega2560 (still not sure about that yet).

The control will have 3 rotary encoders (maybe 4) to set:

 

1.Time between stops

2, exposure time/shutter speed on the camera

3. aperature

4. focus

 

Basically everything you can do with an intervalometer + control the dolly motor.

 

But in my Journey through the interwebs I came across a sample of code the started with include "nikon.h"

So I started searching for a nikon library and all I can come up with is a library for nikon specific to the IR reciever on the camera. There was also a few that I found as "multicamera IR control"

I plan on buying a cheap $15 intervalometer off ebay to cut the wire connector off it. I want it to be hard wired to the camera.

 

Will I still need a nikon library to build the sketch? or should I be ok as long as I can figure out the pin configuration of the connector?

 

Thanks

  • Guy

    I would keep the invalometer cable that matches your camera, and interface your arduino to it.

    The other option is a cord remote, since most include the double wires for triggering the camera.

     

    The invalometer function may be of no use, as you need to set the distance and then allow for a settle time, meaning it could get out of whack.

     

     

    One of your setting might need to include the number of images and distance between shots.

    You should include a settling time for the whole thing to stop moving after its reached its point before triggering the shot.

     

    Depending on what model you have, there are several ways to trigger it.

    Some include the ability to set aperature but you really want that to stay the same, along with exposure.

    If you're planning long time exposure periods, then using the cameras built in aperature or shutter priority (or automatic) may be the better method.

     

    I have some bookmarks for a few I found, including the method of construction of the dolly.

    They are on another computer so will need to wait.

     

    mark

  • Guy

     

     

    I am thinking of making a controller for my Canon EOS and have tested out a few things with the camera.  If the Nikon is the same (and I have no doubt that it would not be) then on the side of the camera is a connector for attaching a cable release.  The Canon uses a (standard) small headphone jack for this purpose, one pin being a control voltage the other two are focus and shutter. Just connect one control line to the voltage and either the focus will pull in or the shutter will fire.  I am going to use an optical coupler to fire the focus and shutter so that there is no chance that I over voltage the camera when connecting it to my design.

     

    I have bought a cheap cable release which came with a number of plugs for different cameras.  This kit also has an extension lead to extend the 3 foot cable by another 6 feet.

     

    You would need to look at the number of IO lines that each stepper motor will use and multiply that by the number of stepper motors you are going to use.  Then add the two outputs for the shutter and focus control.

     

    Regarding the nikon.h library, I think that would be used if you were going to control the focus and shutter release with an IR device.  However Canon do have a Windows program that will allow more control of the camera through a USB port.  I have tried it once or twice but now run Linux so have not loaded it onto my PC.  This would give you more control of your camera and would think that it will need a library of some sort.  (Sounds like you might be on the way to writing your first library)

     

    I hope this helps.

     

    Regards

     

    Mark

  • in reply to mcb1

    Mark Beckett wrote:

     

    Guy

    I would keep the invalometer cable that matches your camera, and interface your arduino to it.

    The other option is a cord remote, since most include the double wires for triggering the camera.

     

    Using that cable from the intervalometer is the plan. I have a Nikon D90 and was able to figure out the pinout on the connector.

     

    The invalometer function may be of no use, as you need to set the distance and then allow for a settle time, meaning it could get out of whack.

     

    I want to be able to set it with the arduino and let it go... for just that reason

     

    One of your setting might need to include the number of images and distance between shots.

    You should include a settling time for the whole thing to stop moving after its reached its point before triggering the shot.

     

    I'll have a cut-off switch at the end of the rig to shut it off when it reaches the end.

     

    Depending on what model you have, there are several ways to trigger it.

    Some include the ability to set aperature but you really want that to stay the same, along with exposure.

    If you're planning long time exposure periods, then using the cameras built in aperature or shutter priority (or automatic) may be the better method.

     

    I was thinking of writing the sketch with the option of letting the camera to have priority settings or the arduino to have the priority settings in the program.

     

    I have some bookmarks for a few I found, including the method of construction of the dolly.

    They are on another computer so will need to wait.

     

    As for construction, I have a pretty good idea how its going to be built. The only expensive part will be the open length belt and timing pulley required.

    I'm looking forward to seeing what bookmarks you have though.

     

    Guy

     

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Guy

    Apologies for the delay but i got hold of someone I sent the links to ( I could not find them)

    I also replied but the server crashed and I thought I had lost it.

     

    Nick uses a 3 leg rail, with simple stepper control on the outside of the wheel.

    http://www.nickgraalman.com/

     

    This one has a unique way of allowing the rails to fold up

    http://www.diyphotography.net/build-an-amazing-super-versatile-diy-time-lapse-dolly

     

    This was an instructable for cameras without cord trigger.

    However I think using a cable with the moving pieces at the other end would introduce less vibration and allow for easier control.

    http://www.instructables.com/id/Timelapse-Photos-With-Your-Camera-The-Easy/

     

    This shield may help

    http://danthompsonsblog.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/arduino-timelapse-shield.html

     

    and you may have seen these two using a RaspberryPi

    http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3962

     

    I so want to build one of these

    http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3861

     

    There is one other that I can't seem to open

    http://digicamcontrol.com/news

     

     

     

    reply earlier that I thought I lost ..............................

     

    I seem to have marked this one, which includes the nikon.h library you mentioned, and has a built-in example.

    http://www.vonroth.com/Arduino/NikonIrControl/

     

    I did have this one, which is a very useful accessory and has a timeplapse mode.

    http://www.doc-diy.net/photo/smatrig21/

    He has some really useful info on the site for pinouts, etc.

     

    The OpenMoCo site has a few designs already, with the MiniE looking like a very complete device.

    http://openmoco.org/

     

    This also has some extra features

    http://www.photosbykev.com/wordpress/2010/05/20/arduino-intervalometer-for-digital-cameras/

     

     

    For the dolly

     

    This one uses a line instead of the belt.

    http://canon-hf100.blogspot.co.nz/2009/07/diy-camera-motion-control_09.html

     

    This was a very clever macro version

    http://www.diyphotography.net/create-an-automated-macro-rails-for-image-stacking

     

     

     

    Cheers

    Mark

  • I've only learned about Arduino a few days ago so I am completely clueless about it After finding out about it I started to run ideas through my head and a TL dolly was a natural first thought for me, hence how I got here.

     

    One thought that occured to me was if it's possible to incorporate an Android app into a design, I thought it would be way cool to be able to set all the paremeters (perferably wirelessly) using an Android device.

     

    You must check out DSLR Dashboard https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dslr.dashboard&hl=en if you haven't already. The programmer seems to be approachable and must have some advanced knoweledge of the Nikon Library. It might be worth your time seeing if he can point you in the right direction, never know he might even be willing to collaborate on a project while adding motion control options to his app. On the Google Play page (at the link above) watch the video and look at the screen captures. He has it interfaced with an Arduino board firing multiple cameras simutaneously. The app has built in timelapse functions and even has provisions to control focus and uses it to automate focus stacking captures. I wouldn't doubt it if he has already considered adding motion control provisions since he has obviously given a lot of thought to this already. Oh yeah, he has also added WiFi support recently using the Nikon WU-1a, unfortunately it's only compatible with the newer camera's though which counts me out at the moment also.