Simple, embedded USB host for digital camera control

On 14 Aug 2006 11:01:27 -0700, "Ric" <ricspam@mpc.com.br> wrote:

>Hello, World!
>
>I want to remotely control a digital camera (Canon Powershot S60, and
>maybe others) for use in aerial photography (with kites, blimps, etc.)
>
I did something like that with a cheap pencam usb camera. But the USB
stuff is overkill. I simply opened the camera and made an external
connection to the camera buttons. 
My setup simply used a micro to "press the buttons" every 30 or 60
seconds. After bringing the kite down I transfer the images to a
laptop over USB.

There are older type digital cameras that also have a serial interface
(option), but these tend to be on the heavy side to get them airborne
when there is not a lot of wind.

Joop

Hi Joop!

Joop wrote:
> I did something like that with a cheap pencam usb camera. But the USB
> stuff is overkill. I simply opened the camera and made an external
> connection to the camera buttons.

At first, I was also planning to do the same, but I want good quality
images and resolution, using a good compact camera (or even a SLR). And
I really don't want to void warranty nor deface a good looking,
expensive camera. ;-)

[]s!

On 18 Aug 2006 05:21:23 -0700, "Ric" <ricspam@mpc.com.br> wrote:

>Hi Joop!
>
>Joop wrote:
>> I did something like that with a cheap pencam usb camera. But the USB
>> stuff is overkill. I simply opened the camera and made an external
>> connection to the camera buttons.
>
>At first, I was also planning to do the same, but I want good quality
>images and resolution, using a good compact camera (or even a SLR). And
>I really don't want to void warranty nor deface a good looking,
>expensive camera. ;-)
>
>[]s!
The other thing you can do is use the Canon remote control. A quick
search shows it can be had for $30. You could rig the buttons on this
remote. Then your camera is still in one piece.

Joop wrote:
> On 18 Aug 2006 05:21:23 -0700, "Ric" <ricspam@mpc.com.br> wrote:

> The other thing you can do is use the Canon remote control. A quick
> search shows it can be had for $30. You could rig the buttons on this
> remote. Then your camera is still in one piece.

It was my first idea, but the remote control is very limited. As I
stated previously, I don't want just a triggering system. With Canon's
remote control you can't change shooting parameters as I want to (on
some camera/remote models you can't even control the zoom)...

[]s!