Tether Shooting via PTP on the SX50HS

backpacker2004

« on: 23 / April / 2016, 19:02:28 »

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I've known about CHDK for years but haven't had the opportunity to use its power. I've recently gotten into bird photography and tried out some tethered shooting on my D5500 w/ a 150-600mm tamron, on top of a remote operated bescor panning tripod head via qdslr dashboard on a mac.

It worked great, however curiosity got the best of me - I wanted to know if I could find a point and shoot with zoom control in tether mode (as its difficult on the 150-600 tamron, however I've seen novel strategies...). From my research it appears that the best canon I can purchase for this application that currently works w/ CHDK would be an SX50. (Although a SX60 would be newer, and a Nikon P900 would be fantastic, but those don't seem supported CHDK or otherwise?). My question is before I purchase a SX50 - can someone validate if its possible to tether via the PTP+CHDK+SX50? I want to make sure its possible to zoom in tether mode as thats the primary objective...

Too bad the SX60 or any of the newer SX-XXX models with 50x optical aren't CHDK yet. Thanks!

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waterwingz

12128

Re: Tether Shooting via PTP on the SX50HS

« Reply #1 on: 23 / April / 2016, 19:06:27 »

Quote from: backpacker2004 on 23 / April / 2016, 19:02:28

My question is before I purchase a SX50 - can someone validate if its possible to tether via the PTP+CHDK+SX50?
I want to make sure its possible to zoom in tether mode as thats the primary objective...

Works just fine with both my SX50's.

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Too bad the SX60 or any of the newer SX-XXX models with 50x optical aren't CHDK yet. Thanks!

These newer models have different hardware (DIGIC6) so it's taking a while to figure them out. There is an early "alpha" port for the SX60 in progress ( link ). Might be a while before it's complete enough to do what you want. On the other hand, many people consider the IQ of the SX60 to be inferior to the SX50 and some have even returned their SX60's and gone back to the SX50 (as reported on the DPR Canon forum). YMMV.

Edit : CHDK for the Nikon P900 is never going to happen.

« Last Edit: 23 / April / 2016, 19:12:47 by waterwingz »

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

backpacker2004

Re: Tether Shooting via PTP on the SX50HS

« Reply #2 on: 23 / April / 2016, 20:34:34 »

Thanks waterwingz for the info! Time to track down a SX50! :-D It seems Canon sold all the sx50 refurbs judging by the missing cadence over at slickdeals.net. I'm off to craigslist...or eBay where the sold, used listings on eBay seem to start around $110.

Based on the sx50 bird photos I've seen on the web I don't think I'll miss the quality of my d5500/tamron 150-600mm for the trade up to the CHDK sx50 for the increased zoom capability. Of course the nikon will still be used for in-flight photography/hand held efforts.

Maybe in the future there could be a motion tracking system that talks between the bescor motorized tripod and the CHDK that will find the bird, determine proper zoom and shutter speed based on available light and amount of motion, then optimally zoom to fill the frame. The technology is there, we just need a software/hardware geek with some time on their hands and a passion for it...

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waterwingz

12128

Re: Tether Shooting via PTP on the SX50HS

« Reply #3 on: 23 / April / 2016, 20:59:58 »

Quote from: backpacker2004 on 23 / April / 2016, 20:34:34

Thanks waterwingz for the info! Time to track down a SX50! :-D It seems Canon sold all the sx50 refurbs judging by the missing cadence over at slickdeals.net. I'm off to craigslist...or eBay where the sold, used listings on eBay seem to start around $110.

Wow - I've never seen their online refurb shop so empty : Canon Refurbished Powershot Digital Cameras

Strangely, there seem to be SX40's in stock ( link ) although they are pricey and don't show up on the main page.

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Maybe in the future there could be a motion tracking system that talks between the bescor motorized tripod and the CHDK that will find the bird, determine proper zoom and shutter speed based on available light and amount of motion, then optimally zoom to fill the frame. The technology is there, we just need a software/hardware geek with some time on their hands and a passion for it...

It's probably a bit more complex than that. Something like this is way out of the normal hacker range.

« Last Edit: 23 / April / 2016, 21:03:42 by waterwingz »

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

backpacker2004

Re: Tether Shooting via PTP on the SX50HS

« Reply #4 on: 24 / April / 2016, 00:53:13 »

Funny yes -military anti-missile weaponry is actually want gave me the idea, that and Michael Crichton's book Congo. I believe the missile technology was from the 80s. It would definitely take a talented engineer/hacker, but I've seen crazier things pulled off during my grad school stint (unfortunately my speciality isn't in this field of engineering...)

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