Multi-camera setup project.

mphx

210

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #100 on: 25 / July / 2014, 18:48:11 »

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@reyalp

ok , i am really confused about imglist() and delete_images_list()

imglist , produces a list that to be honest isn't practically helpful.So maybe i am missing its true purpose.
It suppose to be combined with some other command?

Give me an example of delete_images_list() because i am missing the point here...

Nice additions you made btw , although i don't think i will have any use of them...

As i see it (although practical application will tell better) , last image (last ONE) and ALL images would be the most used and needed to be handled.
As i said noone knows what will be needed in the process of the project..so as i said..nice additions

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reyalp

14114

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #101 on: 25 / July / 2014, 19:34:09 »

Quote from: mphx on 25 / July / 2014, 18:48:11

@reyalp

ok , i am really confused about imglist() and delete_images_list()

imglist , produces a list that to be honest isn't practically helpful.So maybe i am missing its true purpose.
It suppose to be combined with some other command?

imglist() returns a list of files. You can pass that list to delete_images_list.
e.g

Code: [Select]

!mc:delete_images_list(mc:imglist(),{pretend=true,verbose=true})

or equivalently

Code: [Select]

!mylist=mc:imglist()
!mc:delete_images_list(mylist,{pretend=true,verbose=true})

(remove pretend to actually delete)

Quote

As i see it (although practical application will tell better) , last image (last ONE) and ALL images would be the most used and needed to be handled.

If you do lastimg=1, it gets you the last image, and it does it consistently with getting all.

I'm not writing this for you, I'm trying to make something that is generally useful for people working with multiple cameras.

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mphx

210

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #102 on: 25 / July / 2014, 19:49:06 »

@reyalp

HA , i knew it that imglist and delete_images_list were to combine

I know that you are not writing this for me..just i am picturing what will be handy from all these commands and additions.
Of course you made stuff thinking the general picture..

Going to play a bit with delete_images_list now

« Last Edit: 25 / July / 2014, 19:53:05 by mphx »

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mphx

210

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #103 on: 29 / July / 2014, 17:35:02 »

Small update on the project

Cameras ordered and shipped and waiting for them.Same with dummy batteries.Poles bought.Mini-balls for attaching cameras to the poles bought.Studio will be done in one-two days.Cables and hubs and power outlets will be bought this week.

I hope everything will be up and running next week and of course when things will be delivered.

As far as chdkptp is concerned i believe i have set it up to my liking ...made the buttons in the gui and tested them.I am trying to see what else will be needed...

Photos will be posted as soon as studio and things are ready and set up

« Last Edit: 29 / July / 2014, 17:37:53 by mphx »

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ecwarrior13

2

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #104 on: 30 / July / 2014, 12:20:24 »

First I want to say this has been a great post to follow. Thanks for sharing all your learnings.

I've been working to configure something very similar as mphx - I have a few questions and hopefully, since this is my first time, I'm asking the right way.

First here is my set up -
8 Cameras - all set to the same focal point/focus range, same ISO, Same shutter speed (there may be others I'm not aware since I don't do the photo details)
I have them in the Remote Parameters set up - enable remote, one push, Normal control, synch enabled, synch delay

My ideal wish list to perform:
I want to take three photo shoots - verify that each camera took and recorded a picture and move to next photo shoot (2)...photo shoot(3) - if a camera didn't record a picture - erase all pictures on the other cameras and redo that shoot. At the end of photo shoot (3) - disable the remote parameters.

Is that possible?

If not then take X number of photo shoots and then disable the remote parameters.

One last thing - is there something where I can make sure all my cameras are set up with the same configuration - iso,shutter speed...etc...and just get an "All cameras setup the same" type message?

Thanks everyone!

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reyalp

14114

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #105 on: 30 / July / 2014, 17:32:16 »

Quote from: ecwarrior13 on 30 / July / 2014, 12:20:24

I have them in the Remote Parameters set up - enable remote, one push, Normal control, synch enabled, synch delay

Note this is for the DIY electronic remote (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/USB_Shutter_Remote). mphx is attempting to use only software PTP control (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/PTP_Extension) so your setup is quite different.

It is possible to combine the two so you can use PTP for settings and file transfer but trigger using the electronic, but this currently requires a modified version of CHDK or using the battery temp signal for sync. Waterwinz page http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Waterwingz/Multicam_Rigs should have the links to the threads where this is discussed.

Quote

My ideal wish list to perform:
I want to take three photo shoots - verify that each camera took and recorded a picture and move to next photo shoot (2)...photo shoot(3) - if a camera didn't record a picture - erase all pictures on the other cameras and redo that shoot. At the end of photo shoot (3) - disable the remote parameters.

There is certainly no existing system which will do this for you. It should be possible to build with enough effort.

"verify that each camera took and recorded a picture" probably requires PTP, unless you want to walk around to each camera and look at the screen. Same for erasing.

Quote

If not then take X number of photo shoots and then disable the remote parameters.

If you are using the USB remote, then some electronic control will have to be responsible for doing the X number of shots.

Quote

One last thing - is there something where I can make sure all my cameras are set up with the same configuration - iso,shutter speed...etc...and just get an "All cameras setup the same" type message?

It would probably be simplest to just set the parameters before each shot. You are going to need scripting anyway.

You should be aware that this is a fairly complicated project which will require programming and electronics DIY.

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mphx

210

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #106 on: 30 / July / 2014, 19:32:29 »

@ecwarrior13

You have only 8 cameras , just do it only using software PTP control like me.

Multicam supplies all the commands to do what you need to do .. connect to all cams , sync them , shoot , download photos (last or all) and delete them.

How to check if all cameras took the shot? Two ways i can think of.

1.download command of multicam creates numbered folders to put the images.Optical checking of any missing number will tell you if some camera didn't shoot. Or it creates an empty folder if no image is found?Don't know ! reyalp?

2.Use the custom let's say multicam script of waterwingz , which displays ID and number of SHOT taken on the lcd of the camera.So if after first shooting you see that all cameras are in SHOOT NO 1 and one of them in SHOOT NO ZERO , then this camera didn't shoot.

As far as setting the same parameters on all cameras , i think its rather easy with chdkptp and some lua scripting. iso can be set directly in chdk menu in the cameras...at least that.

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ecwarrior13

2

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #107 on: 30 / July / 2014, 23:31:47 »

Thanks reyalp and mphx - I will use the chdkptp - after reviewing this topic again that will provide what I need.

My biggest issue - If I'm taking a few shots in a row a random camera will miss a shot. So I will have a series of photos with a ransom camera missing 1 and another missing 1....just trying to figure out how to handle that.

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reyalp

14114

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #108 on: 31 / July / 2014, 00:35:47 »

Quote from: ecwarrior13 on 30 / July / 2014, 23:31:47

Thanks reyalp and mphx - I will use the chdkptp - after reviewing this topic again that will provide what I need.

Note that chdkptp will not give you the same level of sync available with USB remote. If you want to capture moving objects, then it probably won't be good enough.

Quote

My biggest issue - If I'm taking a few shots in a row a random camera will miss a shot.

The best solution to this would be to figure out why they are missing shots and fix it. With some additional information like
1) what cameras you are using
2) what commands you are using to shoot
3) what canon settings you are using on the camera
we may be able to help.

A couple items off the top of my head.
1) If the camera is in auto mode (probably also some scene modes) it may simply refuse to shoot if it can't find focus. Manual or P modes generally shoot even if they can't focus.
2) There are some issues related to the flash which can make chdk get_shooting() not work right. I expect using the camera flashes would be problematic multicam anyway so turning them off in the canon firmware might be a good idea.

If you are using multicam, it will probably time out somewhere, which will be returned in the status if you use cmdwait. If you look at the mc:testshots function in multicam.lua, it returns the exposure count before and after the shot. You could do something similar to check if a shot has been taken.

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Don't forget what the H stands for.

mphx

210

Re: Multi-camera setup project.

« Reply #109 on: 04 / August / 2014, 13:03:35 »

Small update on the project

New arrivals today.. 18 cameras arrived and i expect another 18 tomorrow.So with the tomorrrow's arrival we are done. 8 initial cameras i had... 2x 18-cameras packages + 20 cameras at my "partner's" house ... a total of 64 cameras. So if everything go well we are starting setting up the "rig" this week.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/63jxynjoot67cof/20140804_195622.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nsstw6zb4n60tai/20140804_200509.jpg

« Last Edit: 04 / August / 2014, 13:07:32 by mphx »

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