Remote-control photography

[rabidbadger]

Hi everyone


For anyone who is already shooting with remote-control, I would love to hear from you.

badger

[666taz]

Depends what you mean by remote control, do you mean wireless or wired i have a zigview s2 and have just got a extension so i can set the camera up and retire to a distance but see whats in the viewfinder then take pics without disturbing the birds as much if thats what you mean.

[pshute]

Another approach is motion detection. I've experimented with my Canon S3 IS running a CHDK script to take photos when motion is detected. It works, but it's often difficult to avoid false triggering because of vegetation blowing in the wind, or its shadows. Focus is a little haphazard too, but the subjects are generally recognisable.

I'm also nervous about leaving a camera unattended for too long. I'd hate to lose it, and losing the tripod would probably be worse.

[tsdillon]

Another approach is motion detection. I am using a A590IS.
I've experimented with my Canon S3 IS running a CHDK script to take photos when motion is detected. It works, but it's often difficult to avoid false triggering because of vegetation blowing in the wind, or its shadows. Focus is a little haphazard too, but the subjects are generally recognisable.

I'm also nervous about leaving a camera unattended for too long. I'd hate to lose it, and losing the tripod would probably be worse.
I am using an A590IS
Re motion detection................if you are having trouble with vegetation movement triggering the camera - 2 ways.
1/ Decrease the threshold value.
2/ Use a MD script which will allow masking off areas not to be triggered by movement (e.g. vegitation) Script MD 080716.....the masking option in this script allows masking off top and bottom rows and left and right columns.
Focussing - presume the camera is in Manual mode.
Attached - LCD screen with and w/out masking.
See CHDk forum - have posted a couple of images of MD (Litt Terns)

[tsdillon]

Hi everyone


For anyone who is already shooting with remote-control, I would love to hear from you.

badger

If you want remote control what about using Motion Detection scripts. Presumably you would have line of sight to the camera setup.
With MD ....no manual triggering required therefore you would not miss any shots which you could easily happen with manual operation. The only draw back is that no movement means no picture. I personally think that movement shots have the best graphic impact.
Have posted a couple of images on the CHDK forum using MD. Doubt if I could have got these pics with manual triggering!

[pshute]

I am using an A590IS
Re motion detection................if you are having trouble with vegetation movement triggering the camera - 2 ways.
1/ Decrease the threshold value.
I haven't really experimented with that. Unfortunately where I wanted to use it there where reeds moving wildly, and I assumed it wouldn't help. I tried using the red channel, can't remember if it worked.
2/ Use a MD script which will allow masking off areas not to be triggered by movement (e.g. vegitation) Script MD 080716.....the masking option in this script allows masking off top and bottom rows and left and right columns.
I tried restricting it to a small area in the middle, with some success, but then of course you miss a lot of photos where the bird only comes near the edge.
Focussing - presume the camera is in Manual mode.
When I said it's a problem, I meant precise focusing is a problem. I tried presetting, where naturally you get some shots where the birds are a bit too close or far away, but they're still usable. It's a pest to set up MF on the S3, I wish it would remember the setting when you turn it back on.

I also experimented with trying to move the AF frame to the grid that detected the movement, but it was very slow and cumbersome. The read/write commands for checking/setting the AF frame never worked, so it had to be reset to the middle each time, and moved step by step to the right place.
See CHDk forum - have posted a couple of images of MD (Litt Terns)
You mean *the* CHDK forum, or is there one here as well? I think CHDK should be good for birds in flight, if there's enough light to get a fast shutter speed. Not so many background movement problems.