How do you set the camera to take multiple shots?

[batema (Mark)]

Hi,

While I was at the Astrofest this year we were speaking to this person who had his canon set up so he could take 10 x 5 minute shots without manually stopping and starting the exposures. I remotely start and stop each light and no that my guiding seems to be going fine I could feel confident in leaving the scope/camera do its thing for multiple shots. Could someone shed some light on this please. I have a canon 400d with EQ6 pro mount.

Thanks

Mark

[leon]

Mark he was probably using, like I do a Canon TC-80N3 Remote, this unit lets you set the number of exposures, the amount of time for each exposure and any gap in between exposures, then press the start button and walk away it will do the lot for you perfectly.

No need for manual control or a lappy to do it for you.

They are worth there weight in gold.

leon

[Dennis]

Taking a series of exposures at set intervals generally requires the use of a specialised interval timer, such as the Canon TC-80N3, or a Notebook computer running a software utility that comes with the camera.

In my case, for our Canon 40D, the Canon TC-80N3 can be used to program say, 20 exposures of 30 seconds duration at intervals of say, 70 seconds. The interval of 70 seconds between each 30 sec exposure allows for the 30 sec light exposure + the 30 sec dark exposure + 10 secs of download time.

However, our Canon 40D has the “special” Canon N3 style connector whereas I think the 3X0/4X0 series has the “standard” 2.5mm stereo plug connector, so the TC-80N3 will not fit?

I understand that you can get some generic interval timers on e-bay; some IIS users have these and posted good reports.

My Canon 40D also came with a software utility on CD called “EOS Utility” and by connecting the 40D to my computer using a USB cable, I can operate the camera from the computer and set a series of interval shots.

Cheers

Dennis

[batema (Mark)]

Thank you Leon and Dennis. I also have EOS Utility so i will look at the as well.

Mark

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Mark with your 400D you would probably be best getting a serial release cable (check the Shoestring Astronomy website or make one yourself (I have the plans somewhere)) and run it off the laptop.

[g__day (Matthew)]

I use DSLR Shutter from stark labs -> Shoestring USB / Camera bulb plug. DSLR can run a script as complex as you like (at the same ISO) - specifying exposure duration, pause before shots, number of shots, whether to lock the mirror or not etc

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

ImagesPlus is what I ue to take multiple sub-30 second and bulb (in excess of 30 sec) frames automatically. Set your parameters (ISO, exposure time, etc) and create a scripted list. You can even vary exposure times and ISO settings within that list so that the camera shoots frames that aren't even all the same. Very nice. You do need the serial remote cable to your PC to use it if you wish to use the cameras bulb function though. I made mine for about $6.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

As an other option, AstroPlanner has a wonderful script (DSLR Shoot) which allows multiple exposures and GOTO control. This allows you to set up the DSLR and nominated objects, press goto and it does the rest; can slew to the object, take multiple exposures ( any duration!) the quickly move on to the next selected object and repeat. Great for mosaics and comet/ Supernovae search.

[leon]

You do need the serial remote cable to your PC to use it if you wish to use the cameras bulb function though. I made mine for about $6.

Well Chris I was not aware the above statement, Is this why I could never get Image Plus to work with the 5D, I tried so many time I actually gave up, and now use the Canon TC-80N3 remote instead, which I might add works a treat, but I was always interested in doing it through the Lappy.

leon