Scheduler : a really simple scripting mechanism

axman

Re: Scheduler : a really simple scripting mechanism

« Reply #10 on: 17 / August / 2017, 15:19:49 »

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On SX530HS, If I zoom > %70 manually and invoke half-press to get focus sharp, image looks good in LCD. When script does "AF Lock" function, I lose focus.

If I zoom <= %70 manually, invoke half-press and get sharp focus, when script does "AF Lock", focus remains sharp.

Script is working fine otherwise.

Canon settings; Servo AF, Continuous AF, Safety-MF, AF-Point Zoom - all OFF

CHDK settings; Override Subject Distance - OFF

Script settings;
Max shots=4
Focus @ Infinity Mode=AFL
Zoom Position=Off
Enable RAW=On

Should the script's notion of zoom position match what I manually zoom out to?

If script says "Focus @ Infinity Mode=AFL", must I also set Subject Distance Override to Inf?

Sorry for not getting this, I'm obviously confused trying to relate AF, MF, and Subject Distance Override.

Further confused because the M10 has true MF, eg I turn the barrel on the lens and subject is focused or not. But M10 also has AF; half-press and it does it's thing.

In any case, I can manage as-is by simply not zooming > %70.

But, any words about putting these elements together would be most welcome.

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aparis1983

Re: Scheduler : a really simple scripting mechanism

« Reply #11 on: 17 / August / 2017, 18:23:26 »

Flawless. All that's left to do is play with the values in the exposure.csv file in order to optimize the settings for the eclipse. I also might have time to build a bahtinov mask so that I get perfect focus.

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waterwingz

11938

Re: Scheduler : a really simple scripting mechanism

« Reply #12 on: 17 / August / 2017, 19:42:55 »

Quote from: axman on 17 / August / 2017, 15:19:49

On SX530HS, If I zoom > %70 manually and invoke half-press to get focus sharp, image looks good in LCD. When script does "AF Lock" function, I lose focus. If I zoom <= %70 manually, invoke half-press and get sharp focus, when script does "AF Lock", focus remains sharp.

If you've read my various rants and efforts to get CHDK to focus at a set distance you'll know my frustration. On one camera, it will work well. On another camera (same model & firmware) it won't. In short, if Canon does not support MF natively on the camera, it's just plain dumb luck if the CHDK hacks work well or not.

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Should the script's notion of zoom position match what I manually zoom out to?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking here? If you use the "Zoom position" setting in the script parameters, it will try to set the zoom to a percentage of the full zoom range determined by the % value of the parameter you enter. But there is actually a finite number of discrete zoom steps on every camera, so the actual position will be approximately the percentage value you requested.

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If script says "Focus @ Infinity Mode=AFL", must I also set Subject Distance Override to Inf?

If you mean setting the Subject Distance Override to Inf in the CHDK menus then no - you don't need to do that. The script sets the focus distance on its own.

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Sorry for not getting this, I'm obviously confused trying to relate AF, MF, and Subject Distance Override.

Good question. AF means "auto focus". If you select AFL it means the camera will autofocus once and then leave the focus at the resulting setting. MF means "Manual Focus". When using MF you get to select the focus distance. The term "Subject Distance Override" is something CHDK uses to describe a distance that CHDK will set the focus at, regardless of what the Canon firmware wants the focus distance to use. Understanding which focus distance will be used takes a little thinking.

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Further confused because the M10 has true MF, eg I turn the barrel on the lens and subject is focused or not. But M10 also has AF; half-press and it does it's thing.

If you have true MF, I would not even think about using CHDK SDO/AFL/MF. Yes - if you use CHDK's ability to set that and it actually works for your individual camera, then you have one less thing to remember to do once you start shooting. But if you can remember to set the camera's native focus to infinity, you have one less thing to go wrong if the CHDK script does not work as expected.

Quote from: aparis1983 on 17 / August / 2017, 18:23:26

I also might have time to build a bahtinov mask so that I get perfect focus.

https://petapixel.com/2017/06/23/improve-astrophotography-focus-bahtinov-mask/
http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles/make-bahtinov-mask.html

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

axman

Re: Scheduler : a really simple scripting mechanism

« Reply #13 on: 17 / August / 2017, 20:23:40 »

Quote from: waterwingz on 17 / August / 2017, 19:42:55

Quote from: axman on 17 / August / 2017, 15:19:49
On SX530HS, If I zoom > %70 manually and invoke half-press to get focus sharp, image looks good in LCD. When script does "AF Lock" function, I lose focus. If I zoom <= %70 manually, invoke half-press and get sharp focus, when script does "AF Lock", focus remains sharp.
If you've read my various rants and efforts to get CHDK to focus at a set distance you'll know my frustration. On one camera, it will work well. On another camera (same model & firmware) it won't. In short, if Canon does not support MF natively on the camera, it's just plain dumb luck if the CHDK hacks work well or not.

Ahh Haa! Thanks for that link. Interesting and educational for me, trying to follow your thinking when faced with camera behavior that should be reproducible, but isn't.

The SX530HS cams will be manually zoomed to <= ~ 70% and focus sharpened before starting the script, and it will be good. Several test passes show this behavior as repeatable.

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Should the script's notion of zoom position match what I manually zoom out to?
I'm not quite sure what you are asking here? If you use the "Zoom position" setting in the script parameters, it will try to set the zoom to a percentage of the full zoom range determined by the % value of the parameter you enter. But there is actually a finite number of discrete zoom steps on every camera, so the actual position will be approximately the percentage value you requested.

Your answer told me what I needed, thanks. I'm leaving the script's notion of how much to zoom at 0 or none. And manually zooming the lens out to ~ 70%. This worked properly, repeatedly.

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Sorry for not getting this, I'm obviously confused trying to relate AF, MF, and Subject Distance Override.
Good question. AF means "auto focus". If you select AFL it means the camera will autofocus once and then leave the focus at the resulting setting. MF means "Manual Focus". When using MF you get to select the focus distance. The term "Subject Distance Override" is something CHDK uses to describe a distance that CHDK will set the focus at, regardless of what the Canon firmware wants the focus distance to use. Understanding which focus distance will be used takes a little thinking.

Ok, now I get what the CHDK parameter SDO does, thanks. I think part of my confusion (apart from age and general blundering tendency) is the word "AFLock", and where it's set, and what it's called in different cameras.

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Further confused because the M10 has true MF, eg I turn the barrel on the lens and subject is focused or not. But M10 also has AF; half-press and it does it's thing.
If you have true MF, I would not even think about using CHDK SDO/AFL/MF. Yes - if you use CHDK's ability to set that and it actually works for your individual camera, then you have one less thing to remember to do once you start shooting. But if you can remember to set the camera's native focus to infinity, you have one less thing to go wrong if the CHDK script does not work as expected.

Brief tests of script on M10 with 55-200 lens all the way out against the stop, it works flawlessly. Half-press to get sharp focus, launch the script, and viola. Sticking with what works, and will learn how to properly use MF 'later.'

Packing the truck is underway. There will be pics and more thank-you's next week.

Supremely grateful for all the dev work, the script and the words. Thanks again.

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waterwingz

11938

Re: Scheduler : a really simple scripting mechanism

« Reply #14 on: 17 / August / 2017, 20:43:19 »

Quote from: axman on 17 / August / 2017, 20:23:40

Ahh Haa! Thanks for that link. Interesting and educational for me, trying to follow your thinking when faced with camera behavior that should be reproducible, but isn't.

This forum post pretty much sums it up :
https://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=10822.msg125566#msg125566

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Ok, now I get what the CHDK parameter SDO does, thanks. I think part of my confusion (apart from age and general blundering tendency) is the word "AFLock", and where it's set, and what it's called in different cameras.

AFLock = Auto Focus Lock. It's called that on pretty much every Powershot - although it may be labelled AFL on the back of the camera. Or it may not be labelled at all. For any individual camera, you need to read the manual to figure out how to enable it. Doing so typically causes the camera to either lock the current focus or to refocus and lock the result. This differs from camera model to model - but it's always a built-in Canon function, not something provide by CHDK. CHDK just adds the ability to activate AFL from within a script.

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Packing the truck is underway. There will be pics and more thank-you's next week.

Have a great trip. Fingers crossed for clear skys!

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16