Options for Remote camera control

[bobfriedman]

(Admin comment: split off from this thread: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=9401.0 )


so my approach to this problem would be to use a stackshot rail to generate the stack.  I would estimate the DoF and base the total number on that range extent divided by the DoF amount + 1. just generally, I would assume you need more than 3-5 images in the stack.. I would be in the neighborhood of 10 time that amount at a minimum.. I personally always oversample..

so to fix the focus plane and let the rail create the image slices would be my recommendation.
.

[Jack Dahlgren]

If the lens is also an AF lens then Focus Stacking could be made as a function in the firmware?     …..like "bracketing" for distance?
Then there was nothing to disturb the setup. Then parameters like no. of images in stack, "delta" distance, etc. could be setup in such a function.
Maybe this is possible today if the camera/lens can be controlled from a laptop PC?

A form of this is found in recent Nikon cameras starting with the D850 I believe. The parameters you enter are not hard and fast, so it takes some experimenting to understand what a setting like "8" really means. Works really well and quickly with silent shutter if your lighting allows it.

[MEPER]

If you have a PC connected is it possible to focus manually via the PC so it is a remotely controlled manual focus?
You have the image on the laptop screen I assume so easy to see which part of the image that is in focus?

[Birna Rørslett]

There is absolutely no problem doing remote manual focusing when the lens/camera is on an automated rail like Stackshot. You have full access to Live View on your computer monitor using for example Nikon Camera Control Pro (which you have to pay for) or Digital Camera Control (which is free).

[MEPER]

Ok....so this could be a way to overcome the stiff manual focus on the NOCT95.....by controlling it remotely via a laptop PC. Maybe even from a smart phone if Nikon is that advanced :-)

[Birna Rørslett]

I assigned small Thinkpads (X-series)  to the task of remotely controlling my Stackshot cameras. Then it is easy to direct the NEFs to a network storage resource as they arrive from the camera thus no internal card is required in the camera. At any later convenient time one simply loads the session from the network and processing the files somewhere else with the necessary computing power.

Possibly one could use a tablet or 'smart' phone instead, but the work flow would likely be less smooth as they often don't allow being hooked into a wired LAN.

[ColinM]

You have full access to Live View on your computer monitor using for example
- Nikon Camera Control Pro (which you have to pay for) or
- Digital Camera Control (which is free).

Should we start a separate thread on remote control options?
I'm more interested in remote control of camera than Stackshot (please move this if appropriate Birna)?

• I had a look and couldn't find anything called Digital Camera Control
• Nikon Camera Control Pro is listed as out of stock by Nikon plus costs over €150!
• I've tried Snapbridge using my Android Galaxy & D500.
  Initially it was very impressive.  But I never got it to work again

It would be good to get a current list of
- Options for both iOS and Android
- whether they work natively with the camera
  or if you're best buying the Wireless modules
- any direct connection options for laptops

[Thomas Stellwag]

@ Colin:  it might be this one  http://digicamcontrol.com/

[Birna Rørslett]

If necessary interest we can split the thread, of course. Just did that.

I was a little imprecise (using folder name, not program name ....), thus what you should look for is Digicam Control. In short hereafter, DCC.

Basically any of these control software uses USB connection between camera and computer. I guess one could manage to twist Snapbridge into working order as well, although my hopes are not set high. Snapbridge does deliver, a little reluctantly, GPS data to my Z50 though.

DCC is said to be mainly for Nikon and canon models, however it functions with other models as well. The home page is http://digicamcontrol.com/ and should answer most questions.

I went to DCC as my Nikon Camera Control Pro didn't think the D3200 was worthy of its attention, which of course is nonsensical the D3200 being my main UV camera. DCC works perfectly with D3200, just to prove my point. Sometimes I simply don't understand how Nikon thinks.

[ColinM]

Thanks Birna & Thomas

If needed, I'll consider a laptop (Digicam control is a Windows prog)
But something that allows a tablet to talk wirelessly to the camera is what I'd find most useful.

I shot some video recently (D500 & Android tablet) & Snapbridge failed after the first attempt.
If it had worked, it would have been ideal

Similarly for macros in the field, a phone or tablet would be my tool of choice

[Birna Rørslett]

In the latter case you need something operating wirelessly, I suppose. Not my cup of tea I'm afraid.

Many windows-based programs can run just fine under Linux. Photo Ninja is one of them. I'll investigate whether DCC can do the same. A small lightweight laptop with Linux running is great for casual use also outdoors.

[mxbianco]

A form of this is found in recent Nikon cameras starting with the D850 I believe.

...and also Z6 and Z7.

Should work best with AFP lenses, which have a stepper motor similar to those present in hard-disc technology (and also floppy-disc, going way back in the past). With respect to AFS motors, AFP motors will advance focus a tiny step at a time, practically perfect for stacking. Maybe "8" means 8 AFP steps...
I think all Z-Nikkors are AFP (except the Noct95, which is MF)

Ciao from Massimo

[MEPER]

Ok....I can see Noct95 is a manuel focus lens only…...so for this you will need a focus stack rail if MF does not work perfect because it is stiff. Then focus steps are made by the rail and not the lens.

[ColinM]

So I'm still investigating options for remote operation (not interested in Stacking right now)

NG Recommendations
> Nikon Camera Control Pro (which you have to pay for)

Luckily you can download a trial of this, since it costs $170
Sadly things stopped at the point it failed to find my D500.
This was connected via USB and I could see all the files on the camera from Windows

It looks like this is legacy software since I found a ton of people reporting the same problems 4-5 years ago. Back then, they were changing the properties of the camera's USB port, but I couldn't see that option on the D500 menus...

> or Digital Camera Control (which is free).

This will be my next port of call.

Ideas to fix Snapbridge? or the connection issues above
Meanwhile I thought I'd try this again.
I just can't seem to get the D500 to connect to Snapbridge, either on a Android phone or Android tablet.

I have got this to work on each device before,
and used it to control the camera & download files

• Would it help to try wipe any Bluetooth info on the Android devices?
• Should I do some sort of reset on the D500?

I know Snapbridge has a poor reputation, but if you've been able to get it to work on a D500 can you let me know any tips I should try?

I expect things have moved on with the Z6 & 7 & they may have fixed things in hardware there that aren't resolved on the D500..

[Birna Rørslett]

The Z50 connects smoothly to Snapbridge. I'll dig out my D500 and check its behaviour, will report back.