USB / Wifi Camera Control

[JohannB]

I have a Canon 6D and am working on an application in which I need to be able to remotely...
 - trigger the camera to take a picture
 - change ISO setting
 - preview new images
 - read the file name of new images

I can use some sort of embedded controller (Arduino with USB shield, etc) and/or an iPad

How much of this can be done over USB with ML? Wifi? Can I interface with the USB port from a lua script?

If the answer is a combination of USB and Wifi, can I use the two at the same time?

[JohannB]

Or, could I send data (image file name, etc) over the 3-pin remote port? How would I go about doing that?

[kore]

- trigger the camera to take a picture
 - change ISO setting
 - preview new images
 - read the file name of new images

It may sound stupid, but you can do exactly those things by conecting your 6D to your phone via Wifi with the app 'Canon Camera Connect'. The limitation here is that you can't do video. No ML is needed for that. If you have an Android device, you can also use DSLR Controller (paid app) which works via USB to the camera.

[a1ex]

@JohannB: there is also a proof of concept app you can start from: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=9570

Exposing USB communication to Lua would be a very nice feature, indeed. It can be done; would be nice if you (or anyone else) can sketch out a few specs, based on your possible use cases.

[JohannB]

The requirements for my project have changed some, so my original question is no longer necessarily relevant to me, but for any future users looking to control their Canon DSLR over USB from an Arduino, this website has some pretty cool info:

https://www.circuitsathome.com/canon-eos-cameras-principles-of-interfacing-and-library-description/

[howard090]

I am not quite sure about.

[rambutan2000]

I was going to start a new thread but this seems pretty similar.

Can't speak for others but my main use case for this type of control over USB/WiFi is to control large numbers of DSLRs for photogrammetry rigs:



In this setup you really need to be able to turn the camera on then control the rest from a computer.  To me its a remote controlled sensor and lens assembly, not a DSLR meant for human use

Using USB creates a lot of cable clutter and physical fail points.  To control 50+ cameras from a central location you need multiple layers of USB hubs, controller computers to funnel USB down ethernet to a central location etc.  If I could directly enable/control WiFi support (assuming camera has built in WiFi) when a cameras boots up would be faster, cheaper and easier with less fail points.

So my specific request would be to expose WiFi connection functionality to Lua so I could write a boot script to put the camera in WiFi mode ready for connection.  The rest can already be accomplished with existing tools.

[garry23]

I have this dongle and you can control up to six cameras with it: https://www.foolography.com/products/unleashed/

It is a kickstarter and the group may be contactable regarding extending the number of cameras.

Cheers

Garry

[Kharak]

Nice setup! Is it for taking objects in to 3D space? a la The Matrix method?

[rambutan2000]

@Kharak that's not my setup but am building something similar.  Yup this kind of thing is a photogrammetry rig, watch this if you want to see something cool:
Digitizing Photorealistic Humans Inside USC's Light Stage

@garry23 that looks pretty good I'll check it out.  Still annoying that you need a dongle to do something the camera can already physically do, just blocked through software.

[govindvkumar]

@JohannB: there is also a proof of concept app you can start from: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=9570

Exposing USB communication to Lua would be a very nice feature, indeed. It can be done; would be nice if you (or anyone else) can sketch out a few specs, based on your possible use cases.

Hi Kore,

Can you suggest some good DSLR controller from phone apps which works with USB

[garry23]

https://www.foolography.com/products/unleashed/

[govindvkumar]

https://www.foolography.com/products/unleashed/

Thanks Garry !! Will try this

[garry23]

@govindvkumar

Works for me and my 5D3: may not for you ;-)