Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help? - page 4 - General Discussion and Assistance

waterwingz

12083

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #30 on: 22 / November / 2012, 22:54:14 »

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Quote from: lapser on 22 / November / 2012, 22:31:59

Quote from: alkasber on 22 / November / 2012, 22:20:48
lapser,
This modification of yours, where I have to insert in the folowing waterwiz code?
I think that's the old code. His new script is here:
http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=8984.msg93643#msg93643

Updated with lapsers "check the file space too" fix :

Code: [Select]

--[[
@title UAV Shooter 4.2
@param a Delay Start (Min)
@default a 0
@param b Delay Start (Sec)
@default b 20
@param c Number of Shots
@default c 50
@param d Interval (Sec)
@default d 2
@param e Interval (1/10 Sec)
@default e 5
@param g Endless? No=0 Yes=1
@default g 0
@param l LCD off? Yes=0 No=1
@default l 0
--]]

function restore()
    release("shoot_half")
    set_aflock(0)
    set_record(0)
    set_backlight(0)
end

interval=d*1000+e*100
wait=a*60000+b*1000
shotcount=0
set_console_layout(1,1,40,13)

print("startup delay - LCD off")
sleep(1000)
set_backlight(l)
sleep(wait)

print("running")
if( get_mode() ==false ) then
   set_record(1)
   while ( get_mode() == false ) do
      sleep(100)
   end
end
press("shoot_half")
repeat sleep(100) until get_shooting() == true 
set_aflock(1)

print("focus locked")
nextshot=get_tick_count()
starttime=nextshot
repeat
    shotcount=shotcount+1
    print ( "shot", shotcount, "at", ((get_tick_count()-starttime)/1000),"sec. Err=", (nextshot-get_tick_count()), "mSec" )
    nextshot=nextshot+interval
    ecnt=get_exp_count()
    fspace=get_free_disk_space()
    press("shoot_full_only")
    repeat
       sleep(20)
    until(get_exp_count()~=ecnt)
    release("shoot_full_only")
    repeat
      sleep(10)
    until(fspace > get_free_disk_space())
    while ( nextshot > get_tick_count()) do
      set_backlight(l)
      sleep(50)
    end
until ( (g==0) and (shotcount >= c))
restore()

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

waterwingz

12083

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #31 on: 22 / November / 2012, 23:02:20 »

Quote from: lapser on 22 / November / 2012, 21:47:12

Here's the focusing routine that seems to work on the sx260 and G1X. You set the parameter, "d", to 1 for hyperfocal distance, or -1 for infinity. Anything >1 is distance in mm

I think for this application, setting to infinity should be safest.

Quote

By the way, I gave up on this after many focus motor crashes. Philmoz suggested focusing in manual mode. I had to remove his set_aflock(1) in manual mode, though, because it crashes the sx260 frequently. Manual mode should hold focus lock anyway.

Pretty much what I was seeing in the forum threads. To be clear, have you been able to use the set_focus() function (with any value) and get it to work in any camera mode reliably ?

Quote

I use the trick of clicking the "left" key during half shoot to enter manual mode. This works on the sx260 and g1x cameras with manual mode. On the Elph 300, I think it sets "infinity" or "mountain" mode. If you have a camera without manual focus, I'd like to know what happens. I'll need to add a test for this, and not click "left" if there's no manual mode.

My A1200 does not have any manual focussing capability. However, the "half press" + "left click" sets the autofocus lock (AFL) and indicates so in Canon's OSD. Camera needs to be in "P" mode for this to work (not AUTO).

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

lapser

1093

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #32 on: 23 / November / 2012, 01:33:47 »

Yes, infinity is correct for aerial mapping. Infinity is still a little blurred when focused at the hyperfocal distance.

I never got my 2 cameras to respond to set_focus(d) except this way, in manual focus mode. Well, they responded by crashing the camera with a "focus motor" error in the romlog.
====
I tested my file space check a little more, and I think it isn't needed, and slows up the maximum shot rate. It seemed to get the camera to work in continuous mode, but I discovered it was still taking 2 pictures per press sometimes. The only way it works in continuous mode is to keep the shutter pressed. The HalfTest.lua script posted here does this if it detects continuous mode. So for now, you should take out the file space check, and maybe add a continuous mode check.

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EOS-M3_120f / SX50_100b / SX260_101a / G1X_100g / D20_100b
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrLapser/videos

alkasber

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #33 on: 23 / November / 2012, 19:56:19 »

Ok, I did reset CHDK to defaults and now everything is working with Waterwiz script, I'm not using the file space check and tested with more than 200 pictures. And I got a PRETTY fast rate too, 1 pic every 1.2 seconds that is the ideal for me.

My only question:
What mode should I use? Shutter Priority (TV) or Manual? If I choose TV will the shutter I set and focus to infinity override the UAV script shutter and focus?

Thanks very much Waterwiz! Thanks lapser!

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waterwingz

12083

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #34 on: 23 / November / 2012, 20:05:21 »

Quote from: alkasber on 23 / November / 2012, 19:56:19

Ok, I did reset CHDK to defaults and now everything is working with Waterwiz script, I'm not using the file space check and tested with more than 200 pictures. And I got a PRETTY fast rate too, 1 pic every 1.2 seconds that is the ideal for me.

To be clear, you are getting 1.2 seconds without setting your camera up in continuous mode ? ?

Quote

What mode should I use? Shutter Priority (TV) or Manual? If I choose TV will the shutter I set and focus to infinity override the UAV script shutter and focus?

The current script will focus once when the initial timeout is over. After reading lapser's responses to my questions, I'm going to suggest that we do not try to set the focus manually. The script uses whatever exposure settings you supply to the camera. If you specify Tv priority, then you pick the shutter speed but the camera will change the ISO setting to get the exposure right. If you are sure you can pick a good Tv and ISO value, it might be better to use M mode and specify both so that merging your mapping images looks better ( per Andrew Hazelton ).

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

alkasber

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #35 on: 23 / November / 2012, 20:15:56 »

No, in single mode. 1 pic every 1.2 seconds, in continuous Its much faster but serves no use to me since its a battery eater.

About the focus, hmm.. so does it have to focus always? Because I'm afraid it won't focus very well at 60km/h pointing to the ground. But I really don't have another idea besides the manual focus...

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waterwingz

12083

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #36 on: 23 / November / 2012, 20:20:41 »

Quote from: alkasber on 23 / November / 2012, 20:15:56

No, in single mode. 1 pic every 1.2 seconds, in continuous Its much faster but serves no use to me since its a battery eater.

Impressive !

Quote

About the focus, hmm.. so does it have to focus always? Because I'm afraid it won't focus very well at 60km/h pointing to the ground. But I really don't have another idea besides the manual focus...

It will only focus once and then lock that focus for the rest of the run. The code waits for the focus to "complete" but I'm not sure what happens if the camera has trouble getting a "lock".

We can try just hard coding in a set_focus(infinity) - you could fire up the script and point the camera at near & far things and see if it stays locked at infinity ?

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Ported : A1200 SD940 G10 Powershot N G16

lapser

1093

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #37 on: 23 / November / 2012, 22:41:27 »

The easiest way to focus on infinity is to start in manual focus mode. Play with the camera and read the instructions on manual focus and manual exposure. You can download them here:
http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/7/0300007147/01/pssx260hs-sx240hs-cug-c-en.pdf

You enter manual focus starting with the <left> button. Select Manual Focus and press set. Then crank the dial clockwise until the indicator goes all the way to the top, which is infinity. When you start the script, it will hold that focus on infinity.

To set the correct exposure, turn the mode dial to Av. Set the ISO to 100 first. Point the camera at something that's medium brightness, i.e. neutral gray. Press the shutter half way, and read the shutter speed. If that's not fast enough, change ISO to 200 and check again. It should be around 1/1000 if it's bright enough.

Then move the mode dial to "M" and set that shutter speed with the cursor key wheel. You can adjust the wheel a little to make things brighter or darker if you need to.

Check through all the menus and turn off everything automatic, including Safety Manual Focus, auto white balance (use daylight). Press the <up> key and make sure exposure compenstation is 0. Press <right> and set the flash to always off.

In the record menu, set everything to OFF, except the IS setting should probably be "Continuous" to reduce motion blur in the pictures. You may want the GPS on if you're not worried about battery time.

So if you start the script with manual focus on, set manually to infinity, and manual exposure set properly, the camera will hold those settings for all the pictures. Practice setting up the camera and taking pictures with manual settings.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics. Good luck!

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EOS-M3_120f / SX50_100b / SX260_101a / G1X_100g / D20_100b
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrLapser/videos

alkasber

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #38 on: 30 / November / 2012, 15:09:58 »

Hi!

Waterwiz, the script is working as it should and its very nice. I tested it these days and the speed right now is amazing and I learned that my only limitation with this camera is the battery. Sometimes I get the same GPS coordinates for 2 pictures in sequence, but then I manually edit the coordinate so the orthoretification software doesn't get confused.

The attachment is just a test.

Anyway, thanks again both of you, waterwiz and lapser, you really have helped me a lot here!

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lapser

1093

Re: Intervalometer Speed on SX260 - Can someone help?

« Reply #39 on: 30 / November / 2012, 17:33:53 »

Looks pretty good! Did the infinity focus work? It looks like it did.

« Last Edit: 02 / December / 2012, 10:16:38 by lapser »

Logged

EOS-M3_120f / SX50_100b / SX260_101a / G1X_100g / D20_100b
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrLapser/videos