Canon G6 and Canon's Remote Capture Software

[Neil]

Just by connecting a USB cable to some Canon cameras ( I've only tested the G6 and A640 ) and opening Image Browser, you are able to control the camera from a PC using the Remote Capture feature.
The advantage for me is a way to improve the focusing on long distance small subjects, such as small waders at 50 metres plus. The screens on the Canon's are it's weak point, particularly the A640, but the results can be outstanding.
I had tested it in my lounge-room before venturing out in the field and this morning I headed over to my favorite breakfast restaurant by the harbour to practice on the local night herons.
This is not a very fast way to digiscope as the computer writes the file to the hard drive not to the card in the camera, but it's ideal for waders standing around or birds moving in a horizontal plane where not much re-focusing is required. You can set the camera to Continuous AF to make small adjustments. Most camera features and functions can be adjusted in the computer and the hitting the Space Bar is the Shutter Release.
Obviously, only works well if you are in shade.
You can review the image in the software too for instant id and quality corrections.
Here are some images from this morning with the G6 and the Kowa eyepiece on the Swarovski scope. The second and third are cropped and adjusted and the first is straight from the camera.
Neil
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2107666260_3ebbb5b027_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2106889343_e27c1a5689_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2106889535_e4739bf36b_o.jpg

Canon G6 plus Kowa 27x LER eyepiece and Swarovski STS80HD scope

Hong Kong,
China.
December 2007

[erniehatt]

Great shots Neil as usual, as mentioned in a previous Pm, if you are serious about this concept, then have a look at the program PSRemote, it far outshines the canon one, it allows you to adjust the size of the viewing screen to suit your needs, full screen if you wish. It also allows you ( with the addition of another program) to trigger the camera by setting up motion points. the trial version I am trying allows you to set 3 trigger points but when you purchase it you can set up more, it works well. I will be getting the full version. I am glad to see someone else is trying this, I made inquiries on here when I was considering buying the A640, nobody knew what I was talking about, even those who had the camera at the time, though I must admit the handbook gave little mention of it, and most people considered it not such a good idea. Ernie

[Texun]

Niel, would the Canon G9 work with the Nikon 30X ds-w eyepiece without any vignetting? The diameter of the viewing end of the eyepiece is 28mm. I have not yet found the diameter of the G9 lens. Would it be the same as your G6?

[Neil]

The lens in the G6 ( and apparently G5) is a wide f2.0 - 3.0 , 35 - 140 mm with 13 steps.
as it's quite wide for the f2.0 end and travels a lot in and out it needs a lot of eye relief. I have a Nikon 25x eyepiece on order to try it out. The DS eyepieces ER may not be long enough. Neil.