Canon bulb-mode HDR controller - powered by ArduinoOne project I'm working on is a bulb-mode HDR controller for Canon DSLRs (also known as bulb mode bracketing).
Based on a bulb mode bracketing project by Joergen over at newyorkpanorama.com, I'm using a 16x2 LCD module from NuElectronics for user interaction, sitting on top of a Freeduino Arduino clone.
The hardware is complete (apart from the shutter release switching transistor and connector). The buttons on the front panel are wired in parallel with the buttons on the LCD board, which in turn plugs directly on top of the Freeduino main board. As with Joergen's design, I'll be using a small transistor to provide the shutter release switching.
So far, the sketch (Arduino software) handles user interaction with the buttons and the LCD screen, allowing the user to select the EV range, number of exposures and the time for the shortest exposure. I have yet to start work on the code that calculates and fires each of the exposures.
Once I have the sketch completed, I'll post the code.
Comments
3 comments postedRemote
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/06/2010 - 5:21am.Hey Jason,
I'm hacking together basically an identical controller, (I used DF robots lcd shield which I think is a little nicer since it breaks out the extra pins. I've been getting everything together and ran into a snag where it seems the fastest reliable shutter speed I can trigger with the unit is about 1/60 or 1/30. It appears to be based on shutter lag which I heard rated at 73ms, but I still can't get a reliable 1/500th exposure.
I'm working with a 5d mkii, and I'd love to know if you are encountering any similar problems. I'd be happy to show you my trigger code if you have the same issue
Cheers,
Duncan
Timing method?
Submitted by jason (not verified) on Tue, 08/06/2010 - 11:15am.Duncan,
I've just recently upgraded to the 5D MKII body and haven't put the new connector on yet (so many projects, so little time).
What method are you using for the timing? I ask because there are two methods for inserting a delay and one is far more accurate than the other.
- Jason.
arduino timing
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/06/2010 - 5:46am.The timing I used in the bracketmeister was very consistent, maybe one in 20-30 exposures of i.e. 20s turned out to be 21s). in terms of shorter exposures, it might be helpful to use the second pin, and "tickle" the camera for 100ms, before firing the main pin.
the main problem I found with my arduino was that the timing was dependent on the supply voltage. 6V would constantly deliver longer exposures than i.e. 9V... this might have had been solved with newer/different arduino builds.