BackyardEOS ~ A new software for Canon DSLR

guyroch · #1 02-10-2010, 05:16 AM

The mission of BackyardEOS is quite simple – to develop an easy to use, purpose-built toolkit for the amateur backyard astrophotographer.

I started building this tool for my own personal use last year and the more I added to it the more it became apparent that others may find it useful.

If you’re reading this page, chances are you are looking for an alternative to the current software you are using for image acquisition. Don’t be afraid, I’m one of you guys and I know how much we spend on software versus OTA, mounts, and cameras. By selling software I’m positioning myself on the wrong side of the economic scale (or budget if you prefer) but my main objective is to provide a simple yet effective toolkit for a price that I would expect to pay myself and not a penny more.

I do not have a price set for now. I will be seeking advice from the team of testers and asked their honest opinion as to what it should be. What I can tell you is that it will be very affordable for the average Joe.

THE MAIN FEATURES ARE:
-------------------------------
- Image capture plan with multiple exposure settings
- Auto-dithering support with PHD auto-guider software
- Frame & Focus using live view
- Star HD to enhance live view experience
- FWHM calculated live for accurate focus
- Drift alignment star trail recorder

SUPPORTED CAMERAS:
---------------------------
The initial support is for Canon EOS cameras that support long exposures using only a USB cable. I currently do not support COM port or DSUSB modes. The rational is simple, all I have (and currently using) is a Canon 40D with USB cable.

If the demand is there for COM port or DSUSB and if someone is willing to lend my a cable/shoestring I may give it a try; provided my wife grants me access to my man cave for another 6 months

Supported models begin from the EOS 1D Mark III in 2007. The following models are supported by the Canon SDK version 2.8 as of March 2010.

EOS-1D Mark III
EOS-1Ds Mark III
EOS-1D Mark IV
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS 7D
EOS 40D
EOS 50D
EOS 450D / REBEL Xsi
EOS 500D / REBEL T1i
EOS 550D / REBEL T2i
EOS 1000D / REBEL XS

PREREQUISITES:
-------------------------
Windows XP or Vista or W7 (32 or 64 bits should be fine for any Windows version)
Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 must be installed
Canon EOS Utility should be installed to ensure all the appropriate Canon drivers are present
Infected with the astronomy disease

Join my Yahoo group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BackyardEOS/

Thank you for your interest

Guylain Rochon

guyroch · #2 02-10-2010, 05:19 AM

I'm currently locking for testers for this first release, any takers?

This is the list of testers I have on file as of this post.

Camera: 1Ds Mk III -> NO TESTERS YET, looking for 2 testers
Camera: 1D Mk III -> NO TESTERS YET, looking for 2 testers
Camera: 1D Mk IV -> NO TESTERS YET, looking for 2 testers
Camera: 5D Mk II -> Doubleglaze, looking for 1 other tester
Camera: 7D -> LEEGE, looking for 1 other tester
Camera: 40D -> nofxrx & Jeremy
Camera: 50D -> nofxrx & RogerRZ
Camera: 60D -> NO TESTERS YET, looking for 2 testers
Camera: 450D -> Mary, MDearingJaxFL (Reserve pool: Idesign1, Poochpa)
Camera: 500D -> Kenny2004, vmsguy (Reserve pool: Eriknlarsen)
Camera: 550D -> j.w.whiteNO, looking for 1 other tester
Camera: 1000D -> ccs_hello, looking for 1 other tester

Please submit your name if you're interested, even if I have no more available spots. I'll put your name in the reserve pool for your camera type and I will draw from the reserve pool if some testers changes their mind.

Thank you for your interest.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #3 02-10-2010, 04:12 PM

Damn...this looks good indeed!

Psssst want a beta tester for the Rebel Xsi?...no not the 450D..the Xsi

...Hands up here!

Could try it tonight

.

guyroch · #4 03-10-2010, 03:43 AM

Thanks wasyoungonce. I'll put your name down in the reserve pool of testers for the 450D.

Sorry, no ready for testing tonight. I have started a testing round with the T1i and I want to resolve a few issues first.

Thank you for your interest.

Guylain Rochon

Bender (Martin) · #5 03-10-2010, 10:16 AM

Would this work for a 400D?

guyroch · #6 03-10-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

Would this work for a 400D?

Not sure, the 400D is equivalent to the XTi and according to Canon SDK documentation they are both Type 2 protocol camera; full support over the USB cable. However, the SDK Documentation is contradicting itself for the 400D and the 30D, so I'm not sure. I have put both the 400D and the 30D on standby for further testing and I will test them in the second round. Are you a volunteer tester for the 400D when I get there?

Thank you for your interest.

hotspur (Chris) · #7 03-10-2010, 04:01 PM

Sounds very interesting.I have a Canon 450D and 50D.

I see the OP is all the way from Canada too,Welcome to this Forum.

Those Canadians sure know how to build fine airplanes!here is a pic of one passing the moon I took with 450Dhttp://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65931

Regards Chris

guyroch · #8 03-10-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotspur

Those Canadians sure know how to build fine airplanes!here is a pic of one passing the moon I took with 450Dhttp://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65931

WOW! What a nice shot of the moon. What's the big mosquito like artifact in front of the moon though? Looks like Superman. LOL.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #9 03-10-2010, 04:43 PM

I have to say. I'm really interested in the auto dither and FWHM focusing.

Just on auto dither. Is there a delay in re-starting exposures after performing a dither move?

I just ask this as when I perform a small dither move with PHD and re-engage tracking it takes a few seconds for tracking to settle.

guyroch · #10 04-10-2010, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

I have to say. I'm really interested in the auto dither and FWHM focusing.

Just on auto dither. Is there a delay in re-starting exposures after performing a dither move?

I just ask this as when I perform a small dither move with PHD and re-engage tracking it takes a few seconds for tracking to settle.

Yes, there is a settling down period, right now it is set to 3 seconds, but I can easily make it configurable to advance users, this way you could tweak it as you wish.

Thanks for your interest.

bartman (Bart) · #11 04-10-2010, 04:51 AM

Any plans on making a Nikon Version????????
Bartman

guyroch · #12 04-10-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartman

Any plans on making a Nikon Version????????
Bartman

Not immediately... all I have to test is a Canon 40D

But I'm not ruling it out either. I MUST make sure the app work well with supported EOS camera first. The camera API is completely abstracted from the User Interface, so the core application is ready to accommodate cameras of other brands, time is my enemy

Thank you for your interest

asimov (John) · #13 04-10-2010, 07:23 AM

I'm looking forward to the 400D being officially supported. I do very little DSO work at present, so not really holding my hand up as a tester.

Looks great though!

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #14 04-10-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyroch

Yes, there is a settling down period, right now it is set to 3 seconds, but I can easily make it configurable to advance users, this way you could tweak it as you wish.

Thanks for your interest.

Thanks Guylain.

Keep us updated of progress as there would be many interested people.

guyroch · #15 04-10-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

Thanks Guylain.

Keep us updated of progress as there would be many interested people.

I will wasyoungonce, you're probably looking at late October / early November for a first release, provided that my wife grants my access to my man cave still. LOL

Thank you for you interest.

Bassnut (Fred) · #16 04-10-2010, 07:16 PM

I must say, that looks very interesting. A simple user interface with the features you need. The live view focus looks comprehensive, the 1st DSLR app ive seen with proper live FWHM focus feedback, and lends itself to perhaps an autofocus interface in the future, which would be a killer in itself.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #17 04-10-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

... lends itself to perhaps an autofocus interface in the future, which would be a killer in itself.

Absolutely agree. This would be, as Borat would say, "very nice"!

Bassnut (Fred) · #18 04-10-2010, 09:01 PM

Taking the possibility of autofocus just one tiny step further, I have just noticed the EOS ultility app allows manual remote focus (via USB) from a PC. Now, you just have to work out the driver for that, and you have yourself a seriously cool, app ;-).

guyroch · #19 04-10-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

I must say, that looks very interesting. A simple user interface with the features you need. The live view focus looks comprehensive, the 1st DSLR app ive seen with proper live FWHM focus feedback, and lends itself to perhaps an autofocus interface in the future, which would be a killer in itself.

Thank you. I've developed BackyardEOS primarily to address my personal pain points, and focus was one

Thanks

guyroch · #20 04-10-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Taking the possibility of autofocus just one tiny step further, I have just noticed the EOS ultility app allows manual remote focus (via USB) from a PC. Now, you just have to work out the driver for that, and you have yourself a seriously cool, app ;-).

Interesting, I never thought of controlling the lens itself. My main personal setup was always with an OTA, never piggy back with a lens. I guess this one goes into the future feature list. Thanks this is a good one.

Thank you for your interest