Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

JvdP

174

Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« on: 27 / August / 2013, 10:16:33 »

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I bought 3 Canon Ixus 240HS. I know there is no official release yet, but I have seen people in the dedicated thread with successful ports. I will use all three camera's to make a time lapse (inside) from several angles, for several weeks.

The challenges:

Powering the camera's> Will try make external power source
Getting the photos off the camera's while they are not easily accessible > Use Wifi? USB cable?
Stop time lapse at night time > Scripting? Motion detection?
No internet available at location, but could set up an access point/laptop.

What do you guys think about this? Anyone experience with long term time lapses? What about retrieving the photos remotely?

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waterwingz

12138

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #1 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:09:29 »

You will definitely need external power - either an A/C power pack or a large battery and DC-DC converter.

This script might be of interest : http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Ultimate_Intervalometer

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

JvdP

174

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #2 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:11:39 »

Thanks for the script tip! I will check it out.

What about image retrieval? This has been the most challenging, actually. Especially since some camera's will be difficult to reach.

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waterwingz

12138

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #3 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:15:07 »

Quote from: JvdP on 27 / August / 2013, 12:11:39

Thanks for the script tip! I will check it out.

What about image retrieval? This has been the most challenging, actually. Especially since some camera's will be difficult to reach.

If you can use a long USB cable that would be easiest.

Otherwise, search this forum for eye-fi cards. Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a definitive posting that guarantees success. YMMV.

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

JvdP

174

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #4 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:20:37 »

I've thought of a USB cable, but since I'm having multiple camera's I would also need multiple computers. That makes everything rather expensive.

The Eye-Fi cards I wasn't sure whether they would work together with CHDK. It would be nice if CHDK could use the WiFi interface of the various P&S camera's Canon has... Also, the Eye-Fi has a known bug with the 240HS where the camera shuts off the Eye-Fi during exposure, breaking the WiFi connection.

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waterwingz

12138

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #5 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:25:42 »

Quote from: JvdP on 27 / August / 2013, 12:20:37

I've thought of a USB cable, but since I'm having multiple camera's I would also need multiple computers. That makes everything rather expensive.

Are they close enough together to use a USB hub?

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

JvdP

174

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #6 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:27:08 »

I could use USB extension cables, but it is sub optimal. Can CHDK with PTP retrieve photos from several camera's at once?

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waterwingz

12138

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #7 on: 27 / August / 2013, 12:34:14 »

Quote from: JvdP on 27 / August / 2013, 12:27:08

I could use USB extension cables, but it is sub optimal. Can CHDK with PTP retrieve photos from several camera's at once?

Technically not "at once". But you can use chdkptp to connect sequentially.

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

JvdP

174

Re: Multi Camera Long Term Time Lapse

« Reply #8 on: 28 / August / 2013, 08:43:43 »

I'm thinking perhaps I could have a USB cable coming from each camera and then occasionally connect a PC to transfer pictures taken. This avoids having to have a dedicated PC and super long USB cables.

WiFi would still be the best option, but for that I opened a seperate topic since I think it is not just specific to me. Being able to use the WiFi functionality can be a very useful feature in CHDK in general! See here.

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