Solid camera for use with CHDK?

nuggetz

« on: 16 / October / 2009, 12:38:45 »

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Can someone recommend a decent camera that works well with CHDK? I've been reading about this but don't own a Canon camera although I have a Sony point and shoot. All I really want to do is control the camera via USB and take pictures after it detects motion. Was initially thinking of interfacing a digital camera with my Arduino but it sounds like this can simply be done with CHDK and the right camera via usb.

One other thing, can the camera remain powered on for long periods of time? I mean can it function and get power via USB and still be controlled or will I be at the mercy of the battery?

Thanks!

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RaduP

Re: Solid camera for use with CHDK?

« Reply #1 on: 16 / October / 2009, 15:29:31 »

Most Canon cameras have an AC/DC adapter connector (which you have to buy separately). You can make your own, if you have the right connector, and use batteries instead, so that you don't have to plug it into the wall.
As for what camera to chose, I guess it depends on what you want to use it for. Do you need wide angle? Zoom? Image quality? Does it have to be cheap?

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nuggetz

Re: Solid camera for use with CHDK?

« Reply #2 on: 16 / October / 2009, 17:10:10 »

I want it to be plugged in. If I'm going to go thru the trouble of building something built with batteries as power, I'll just use the camera's battery.

I guess I'm looking for a cheap camera that will give me motion detection functionality. Image quality doesn't have to be stellar or anything. Good low light performance would be good. Main concern is having power to the camera via wall wart so the dumb thing doesn't turn off.

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reyalp

12869

Re: Solid camera for use with CHDK?

« Reply #3 on: 16 / October / 2009, 18:37:56 »

Quote from: nuggetz on 16 / October / 2009, 12:38:45

All I really want to do is control the camera via USB

What do you mean control by USB ? If you want a USB shutter release, CHDK can do that. If you mean programmed control from a computer over USB, CHDK currently cannot do this (although it may in the future).

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Don't forget what the H stands for.

nuggetz

Re: Solid camera for use with CHDK?

« Reply #4 on: 16 / October / 2009, 19:19:17 »

I meant shutter via usb. What did you mean by programmed control via computer?

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reyalp

12869

Re: Solid camera for use with CHDK?

« Reply #5 on: 16 / October / 2009, 19:29:25 »

Quote from: nuggetz on 16 / October / 2009, 19:19:17

I meant shutter via usb. What did you mean by programmed control via computer?

Using the computer to trigger the camera, control exposures, operate like a web cam, whatever.

It's a common for people to expect the CHDK USB remote to do some or all of these things, but it does not.

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Don't forget what the H stands for.

anwe79

Re: Solid camera for use with CHDK?

« Reply #6 on: 17 / October / 2009, 06:35:59 »

Actually, I think you may be better off with a webcam if image quality is not a concern. They can be powered by USB and adapted to work with IR-leds for "night vision" if that is needed. There are free programs (at least for linux) that detect motion on webcams and start recording. They actually record non-stop to a temporary buffer, and when change in the image is detected start saving to disk.

I don't recall the name of any program, but google should find you some.
/Andreas

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