[DONE] Camera trap trigger

[Dunc101]

Hi,

I am looking to develop an extension to Magic lantern to be able to trigger the camera to record movie for a short amount of time and then turn off after a set time?
The trigger is through the Lanc port of a 550D.
We are trying to look into ways of filming elusive big cats and creating camera traps to capture footage.

Dose anyone have any advice/ help or willing to make this as soon as possible? (If you do build it for me - I will pay for your services)

Thanks
All the best
Duncan

[nanomad]

Are you asking for an "auto stop video after x seconds" feature?

[Malcolm Debono]

550D (or any DSLR for that matter) doesn't have a LANC port (maybe you meant the 3.5mm microphone port?).

[Dunc101]

Sorry I dont mean a Lanc port, I mean the wireless trigger 2.5mm jack.
ML already allows you to trigger video via this in the wireless

I want to be able to use a trail master (wireless IR beam trigger) to trigger a 550D to record video. I can use the current ML with the IR beam to turn on the camera and trigger it to record a video, but i need this somehow to be a predetermined time and stop - then auto power off turns off the camera. This would allow minimal battery use.

Would this be something that is possible to make?

As I said, the wireless trigger turns on the camera and another trip of the trigger starts the video,
but Ideally I need the camera to turn on, start the video and then stop after a predetermined time.
Then I can just let the auto power off turn off the camera.


I hope that makes sense.

Thanks
Duncan

[Dunc101]

Here is the IR beam trigger. which just sends one trigger to the camera (like a wireless remote would), somehow, I need that one trigger to turn on the camera start the video and stop it after a predetermined time?

http://www.trailmaster.com/tm1550.php

[Dunc101]

Are you asking for an "auto stop video after x seconds" feature?

I guess I am, but also to allow one trigger from the wireless trigger to turn on the camera and start the video.

Thanks
D

[nanomad]

Alright then, the auto-stop after X minutes is done and working nicely. Now, to fix the other issue...how about an "auto start recording at power on" option?

[Dunc101]

Is the auto stop after x mins in the current version of ML?

An auto start recording at power on would be brilliant! - but I would need for it to work with the rec key half shutter option (already in ML) to allow the wireless trigger to turn on the camera and start a movie recording.

I need to make it quite easy to use, as I wont be the only one using it.
How difficult would it be to make a menu:
with say: Camera trap trigger
. auto stop recording after x mins
. Movie rec key (half shutter/ default) auto start recording power on - allowing one trigger from the wireless remote to turn on the camera and start recording.

The auto power off (already in ML) should kick in after the x mins has been recorded?

I hope this all makes sense
If this is possible, how long would it take to add to ML?

Thanks for your help
Duncan

[Dunc101]

Also if possible to save batteries even more it would be great if this feature (above) could work with the setting (already in ML) to turn off the display after x sec or totally when recording video?

Dont worry if this is not possible?

[nanomad]

It's not in the current version of ML or in the repository, I'll upload once it's done

- Auto stop recording after x mins menu option -> Done (it's called clip length, it goes from "do not override" up to 30 minutes)
- It's working nicely with power options
- Auto start recording when resuming from ML automatic powersave (if not already recording )

Btw the last option is pure awesomeness if you're doing reportage and such

[Dunc101]

It's not in the current version of ML or in the repository, I'll upload once it's done

- Auto stop recording after x mins menu option -> Done (it's called clip length, it goes from "do not override" up to 30 minutes)
- It's working nicely with power options
- Auto start recording when resuming from ML automatic powersave (if not already recording )

Btw the last option is pure awesomeness if you're doing reportage and such

Hi,

Thank you very much.
That would be fantastic.


All the best
Duncan

[nanomad]

Source code updated, the features have been implemented 

Code Select Expand


changeset:   4885:073d5b5731eb
branch:      unified
tag:         tip
user:        nanomad
date:        Wed Oct 03 21:55:03 2012 +0200
summary:     Allow user to start recording by simply waking up the camera via halfshutter press

changeset:   4884:8d8406825c5b
branch:      unified
user:        nanomad
date:        Wed Oct 03 20:59:22 2012 +0200
summary:     Allow user to auto-stop recording after a set amount of minutes


[Dunc101]

You have done it already? how can I download it?

[Dunc101]

Source code updated, the features have been implemented 

Code Select Expand


changeset:   4885:073d5b5731eb
branch:      unified
tag:         tip
user:        nanomad
date:        Wed Oct 03 21:55:03 2012 +0200
summary:     Allow user to start recording by simply waking up the camera via halfshutter press

changeset:   4884:8d8406825c5b
branch:      unified
user:        nanomad
date:        Wed Oct 03 20:59:22 2012 +0200
summary:     Allow user to auto-stop recording after a set amount of minutes


Thank you very much.
I cant believe you did it so fast.

How can I get it into a ML download so I can use it?

Duncan

[nanomad]

You need to compile magiclantern yourself. 

[Dunc101]

Hi,

Please see: "Camera trap trigger" in General discussions.

I think this may have already been worked out but anyone interested in adding ideas to it?

I am trying to make SLR camera traps to filming big cats in the wild remotely.
They are triggered through the wire remote port on a 550D and maybe other cameras?

Would it work for 5D mark II?

Thanks
Dunc

[Dunc101]

eek, That sounds complicated!!

Would it be possible to get you or someone else to do this?

Thanks
Duncan

[nanomad]

Yes it will work on almost every ML camera

edit: a small donation to the team may help you 

[Dunc101]

That is brilliant!

would it be possible to make a donation to ML developers and get this feature added, so I could use it in a few weeks!!?

Thanks

Duncan

[nanomad]

I'm quite sure that if you donate you'll get a special edition just for you. Keep in mind that it is UNSTABLE code so it may crash your camera ....

[Dunc101]

No problem,

I will make a donation and try it all out and then let you how I get on?

Thanks for all your help

All the best
Duncan

[Dunc101]

I'm quite sure that if you donate you'll get a special edition just for you. Keep in mind that it is UNSTABLE code so it may crash your camera ....

Just out of interest.
When you say UNSTABLE code what could be the consequences of trying in out? ML v2.3 works for me just fine with no issues.

I am happy to risk it to try it out.

Thanks

Duncan

[nanomad]

Anything could happen, ML 2.3 is several months old and the upcoming version of ML (the one that has the feature you requested) is under active development and not considered stable

[Dunc101]

Ok, I see.

How long will it be until the new version of ML do you think?
I only ask because I have to build housing for the camera traps and test it all works before the middle of November.

Thanks

Duncan

[nanomad]

It should be out by the end of the year I think. No guarantees