Controlling camera from PC

[ericmark]

I have two D-SLR cameras a Pentax K10D and a Nikon D7000 the Pentax has bundled software Pentax Remote Assistance 3 which came with it, the Nikon has third party software SM Tether.

The Pentax software has many more features to Nikon but both allow time lapse and use of bulb setting for long exposures.

I started with Pentax software and it at first would not work with Vista then I found has to be started as administrator same applies to Nikon one over this hurdle I still had problems where the Pentax would only work when set to Jpeg in RAW it always failed. Found if RAW set to DNG rather than PEF then 9 times out of 10 it worked but unreliable.

Set up an experiment taking time lapse of garden and worked well until light levels fell as it reached 1/6 second the program failed and I realised all problems were related to available light.

The Nikon program also seemed to fail as light levels dropped and the idea was to take a time exposure to show earth movement which it now seems will need manual timing with cable shutter release but would like to here what others have found when using the camera controlled by the PC?

There have been some plus points I have found how to set camera to auto set ISO 100 - 1600 rather than 100 - 400 and putting setting into the USER mode was something I have not considered before these experiments and also the setting of where the camera focused to was not understood by me until playing with the PC controls.

Minus point is because these setting are retained after disconnection with PC setting to Jpeg rather than RAW means the dynamic range is much reduced and I have got use to using the higher dynamic range offered when recording images in RAW.

As to if the Casio EX-Z600 can be controlled direct by the PC I don't know?

 

[Lucid]

Is there a question here or are you just telling us about what you've done?

 

[ericmark]

The problem is the programs seem to crash because of length of time with low light any way to stop this crashing?

 

[Sam Gangee]

I was going to say that the first post isn't very Lucid.
But even if I could understand it, I probably couldn't help, since I'm not familiar with the camera, the software or Linux.

 

[Lucid]

Let's think now.....

Asking a niche application photography question in a general AV forum with maybe less than half a dozen folk who do serious photography let alone do PC control of a high-end digital SLR > Chance of success > SLIM TO NONE


Same question in a specialist photography forum when the majority are using DSLRs and PC/MAC for HDR.....so possibly some doing PC control of camera > Chance of success > HIGH

 

[Sam Gangee]

True but, to be fair, one usually asks one's mates first.

However, in this instance, you might be "flogging a dead horse".

So brush up your punctuation then post your question in a photography forum.

 

[OwainDIYer]

I don't know what exactly you want to do but it sounds like a IP CCTV camera with a timelapse mode might be better.

http://www.nwsystemsgroup.com/what-we-do/remotemanager-division.php

 

[ericmark]

I would agree slim chance but on Photography forums they know all about rule of thirds, leading one in and diagonals. How to go HDR and other Photoshop tricks and tweets but most really good ones don't use PC's the MAC rules and often they have no real idea of how the PC works.

I was wondering if PC software or here so tried here first. Odd not considered my cheap K10D as high end camera hardly in the Hasselblad and similar range even the D7000 is not full frame never mind large format just had not considered them high end. However I suppose when compared to the compact maybe they are although 4/3 cameras will cost much more than my K10D with only a 100 - 1600 ISO (was called ASA) range.

I had hoped there was some place where the time a PC would wait could be altered this software worked well with XP or at least that's what I am told it was only when Vista arrived the problems started main one now have to open as administrator.

 

[Lucid]

True but, to be fair, one usually asks one's mates first.

However, in this instance, you might be "flogging a dead horse".

True. But the deadly silence for a good portion of the first day, and not much in the way of knowledgeable help following that kind of gives the game away. I just cut to the chase, that's all.

 

[Lucid]

I would agree slim chance but on Photography forums they know all about rule of thirds, leading one in and diagonals. How to go HDR and other Photoshop tricks and tweets but most really good ones don't use PC's the MAC rules and often they have no real idea of how the PC works.

Yeah, well it's down to you to keep things on topic. I'd echo Sam's suggestion about brushing up on punctuation and make sure that you avoid rambling. Keep your sentences short and to the point. Ask clear and precise questions. State up front the gear you are using, the PC spec, software versions and whether or not they're patched and up-to-date.

....but most really good ones don't use PC's the MAC rules and often they have no real idea of how the PC works.

Set your sights a little lower than the full blown Pro/Serious Amateur forum sites then. Seek out those where there are PC users too. The 'net is a huge place. There's bound to be a few places to try where the users are around your level. Google is your friend.

I was wondering if PC software or here so tried here first.

I can't say it any plainer than this..... It's really very very very niche. You will find folk who think they know the principles of operation. Most of the time that's simply because they RTFM'd. But proper troubleshooting beyond the "plug this in here, remember to do tweak that, press this button" takes knowledge and experience. Go seek out the fora where folk with this knowledge participate.

Odd not considered my cheap K10D as high end camera hardly in the Hasselblad and similar range even the D7000 is not full frame never mind large format just had not considered them high end. However I suppose when compared to the compact maybe they are although 4/3 cameras will cost much more than my K10D with only a 100 - 1600 ISO (was called ASA) range.

Most of that was the sort of incoherent ramble that makes it hard work to read your posts let alone understand.

Look, your K10D might not have cost you much. But when new in 2006 it was Pentax's top model. http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/PentaxK10D/ Let's face it, anything more than a mobile phone camera is considered "professional" now.

I had hoped there was some place where the time a PC would wait could be altered this software worked well with XP or at least that's what I am told it was only when Vista arrived the problems started main one now have to open as administrator.

You probably already know far more about the software, the problem and any potential fix than anyone here. There's going to be a photography forum somewhere where the camera enthusiasts are equally adept with computers. Your job is to find them. Start by using Google.

 

[ericmark]

After numerous attempts with some working A1 and others failing I have decided just simply not reliable, and just not worth time and effort only to return to find it has failed.

So giving up.