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View Full Version here: : More 3d print. TL machine MK2


Bassnut
26-10-2013, 06:53 PM
Hi Guys

Progress on Fred and Phils Awesome Steampunk Holy Grail Timelapse Machine MK2 :D. Im thinking of a more epic name for it, thattl do for now :P.

The camera (5D mk2) mount for the dialmoving/button pushing servo motor prototype was 3d printed in just 2 parts. Its still a bit rough, it will be much better on the final version.

This video (https://vimeo.com/77844118) shows the "reset" function, where the camera is set from an unknown state to 1600 ISO and 1.4f AP before an imaging run.

It uses LDRs to measure ambient light to allow full automatic 50 ISO 22f to 1600 ISO 1.4f and exposure times from milliseconds to 15 seconds (all in bulb mode). As far as I know, its still the only device in the (known) universe to allow automatic light metered imaging over this exposure range :), full daylight to full dark unattended flicker free imaging. Its NOT a cheap and nasty time based "ramper" as many other TL solutions are, it has an external light meter and adjusts only entirely to light conditions.

Some features in Mk2 are syncing with a mount controller such as dynamic perception dollys, and Wireless remote (100m) with OLED display.

It also has a built in camera power supply and settable dew heater, the only connection required is 12 power and mount sync, no more wiring nightmare :D. Control is via wireless remote.

Several filter functions are included to allow flicker free operation. It is also programable if required (or totally manual), but now has a fully auto mode. Switch on and forget, for days of day/night transitions if needed with automatic real time clock based filter changes, no setting up whatsoever.

MK1 worked well for a while, but was destroyed by too many upgrades (eg..Phil.. I want it FASTER :shrug:) and just became too hard to maintain. The servo motor control was also unreliable. Mk2 has a proper Maestro Servo Controller.

The system is controlled by several PICAXE micro processor chips.

rcheshire
26-10-2013, 07:55 PM
That is really impressive. The 3D printing has my attention for DSLR cooling mods. The possibilities are endless.

bert
26-10-2013, 09:09 PM
Whoa...... Do want.

Very, very impressive.

h0ughy
26-10-2013, 09:56 PM
its a wonderful dohicky - impressive

Bassnut
09-11-2013, 06:58 PM
Thanks guys.

Progress. Motorised full auto lens twist (for locked down diaphram- no flicker) on and off, is now added.

acropolite
09-11-2013, 09:32 PM
Fred, how about follow focus, fully automated of course....

Bassnut
09-11-2013, 09:46 PM
yes, ive thought of that. not "follow", but motorised programable focus.

strongmanmike
10-11-2013, 10:58 PM
Impressive innovation guys, what do you mean by "no flicker"..?

Mike

Phil Hart
10-11-2013, 11:24 PM
Crazy stuff Fred. Looking forward to my turn to play :D



There are several sources of brightness flicker when you playback timelapse. One of them is aperture flicker, as the aperture blades in the lens reset with each exposure, except not to *exactly* the same position each time. The 'lens twist' method locks the aperture blades down, but you can't change the aperture setting while the lens is twisted off the contacts as the camera can't communicate with it. Here's more explanation:

http://blog.planet5d.com/2011/11/getting-rid-of-flicker-in-timelapse-the-lens-twist-method/

Phil

colinmlegg
11-11-2013, 10:47 AM
Lol... motorized lens twist! Impressive :). But you gotta wonder why we can't have a simple firmware command for this? It's there in live view movie mode.

Bassnut
11-11-2013, 05:30 PM
Live view isn't suitable. There is a firmware hack to allow locked down curtain apparently , but I suspect you have to manually select that with button pushes. Anyway, even if it can be done with USB control that's back to friggen my problem with USB, and would not involve a motor, which is exceedingly boring.

colinmlegg
12-11-2013, 09:32 AM
Yeah, my comment was more directed at Canon. If it's possible in live view movie, why not give us the option elsewhere? I think the answer is they don't give a stuff about timelapse.

I haven't found the option in Magic Lantern either. :(

Bassnut
13-11-2013, 07:01 PM
Not that TL is a big market, but I think some basic things like AP lock down would be so easy to code in firmware they (Canon or Nikon etc) will one day include it. The 1st one to spend 10mins coding that sort of thing in will cream the TL market overnight. Ittle happen soon IMO.

ZeroID
25-11-2013, 03:18 PM
Hi Fred,
Thought you might like to see the current status of my (our) wee project. Bought the ZWO ASI120MC camera and figured out how it worked so it is now mounted on the Lunt with the splitter in between. Was trying to get some solar images but the sun & clouds were not very co-operative. Now it's just clouds with rain for the next few days so don't think there will be any sky time till the weekend at the earliest.