Controlling camera with autopilot

[rokster]

Hi Friends,
Am new to this forum and also to autopilots. I am looking for some pointers on how to integrate a camera with autopilot. I searched this forum threads and made sure am not duplicating. I couldnt find the answers I need. I appreciate if some one can help me.
1. How do I control my camera shutter (remote shutter) from my tyranus with my autopilot. I have 2 autopilots (MFD & Pixhawk). I would like to take still images every 2 secs or 4 secs whatever the interval I set.
2. This is independent of the first one. How do I control zoom of my video camera from my tyranus and autopilot? What configurations needs to be done.

Thanks in advance!

[Coyote]

You don't control either of them with an autopilot. That's why you can't find any duplicate threads.

The camera could be controlled ( to some degree ) from the receiver output depending on the brand of camera. Some accept IR commands so you could plug in an interface from the likes of Flytron.

[Gundummy]

You might want to read up on the CHDK wiki...

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

[Lola]

This it not simple but I will try to explain how I did it. There are 3 ways to operate the shutter using an apm / pix. You need a camera, I use a canon SX 230 and 280, you need to convert the cameras USB cable with a servo lead on the other end which will enable you to plug it into the pix and you will need a turnigy on/off switch to remotely open and close the shutter using your TX.

1. You can use the advanced parameters in mission planner to tell the camera to take a pic for every 20 meters the plane has travelled. This is a right pita but it does work. The higher you are, the more distance you want to set.

2. In mission planner when you set your flight plan you can tell the apm to insert a camera trigger which does everything for you automatically. The problem is, for every trigger it uses a waypoint. The apm is restricted to 120 waypoints. Not sure what the pix can handle so you'll have to look that one up.

3. My solution which is obviously the best lol, is to use the CHDK script developed for canon cameras, this enables me to set the cam to take a shot every 3 seconds or how I want it. The on/off switch opens the lens on the camera. When the mission is finished I flick the switch on the TX which then closes the camera preventing any damage on landing.

That's basically it, a lot of credit to ThunderstruK for all his help getting it set up.

Good luck 

and welcome to the hub btw.

[Coyote]

Should have known APM did support it ...... 

I stand corrected :)

[Lola]

Should have known APM did support it ...... 

I stand corrected :)

Lol, your mind it just slipped master Yoda!

[Coyote]

Quite literally lol Its now a get out of jail card now for weddings, birthdays luckily :)