ASCOM.DSLR - ASCOM driver for dslr camers (Canon, Nikon)

[Vladimir Torkalo]

Hello

Let me introduce my opensource project of ASCOM.DSLR driver for Canon an Nikon

I started this project to integrate ASCOM platform with DSLR cameras.

Github repository of project: https://github.com/vtorkalo/ASCOM.DSLR

For installation start installer https://www.dropbox.com/s/gk1vp1d5tbqgtwn/DSLR.Camera%20Setup.exe?dl=1

To connect in astro software please use standart ASCOM camera selection dialog - select there "ASCOM Camera Driver for DSLR"

1. Set camera mode to B or M (depends on camera model)

2. Connect via USB cable


Settings description:

Connection method - way how to connect to camera

There are 3 possibilities

1. CanonSDK - direct connection using canon driver. 

2. Nikon - connection using library digicamcontrol. After nikon selection appears checkbox "Use external shutter" and com port selection - it's implemented for some Nikon cameras which doesn't support Bulb mode via USB. To solve this limitation you can connect shutter using this scheme: http://www.alienworld.org/ALiENWORLD/Nikon%20MaxDSLR.html

List on nikon models without Bulb support via USB: Nikon D3s, Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Nikon D300S, Nikon D3400, Nikon D3300, Nikon D3200, Nikon D3100, Nikon D3000, Nikon D40, Nikon D60, Nikon D80, Nikon D5100, Nikon D5000, Nikon D700, Nikon D7000, Nikon D80, Nikon D90
 

3. BackyardEOS  - driver can control camera by connection to backyardEOS software. It's implemented for simultaneous usage with BackyardEOS application. To activate in BEOS - go to settings - 3rd Party Integration - Enable TCP server and set Port Number equal to driver settings

 

 

Image mode - format in which image is returned

1. RGGB - raw data are transferred to ASCOM

2. Color16 - debayered 16 bit tiff - usefull for software which doesn't support debayerization 

3. ColorJPG - jpeg for quick preview (i used it for plate solving)

 

Enable binning - enables software binning up to 4*4

 

Save photos to - path where store files. Original RAW files will be stored there. Filename contains exposure, ISO, sensor temperature (for canon), time

 

ISO  - iso value. contains all possible values. When camera doesn't support selected - nearest will be choosen

 

This is alpha version  of software. I will appreciate your feedback - if this software will be usefull, testing, new ideas

Tested on Canon EOS80D, EOS550D, Nikon D3100

Tested with software:  MaximDL, APT, allskyplate solver,  CCD Ciel, Backyard EOS

 

Please let know about any issues: describe used software, camera, steps to reproduce and send log file
 

Logs are written there C:\Users\<USER_NAME>\Documents\ASCOM\Logs <DATE_TIME>

 

[RolandKol]

Hi Vladimir Torkalo,

Nice job! I am always curious to test/try out new software

I do use Canon and APT, but reading your description, I was not able to find any benefits using ASCOM instead of the usual/basic driver... BIN option maybe (for targeting and focusing...)?

[Vladimir Torkalo]

I created this software to use with AllSkyPlateSolver - there is button Click&PlateSolve - which makes possible mount synchronization in one click.
I think this driver can be usefull for people which are using some complicated automation (scripts etc.)

And now i am curious if it will be useful for someone

[DavidSAstro]

Hi there. 

IThink this would be a great contribution of you can get this up. Three are many pieces of software it there which would then become available to many people

[stash_old]

Are you thinking of Integrating Indi server connection - Indi has a massive black hole when it comes to "real working Linux" DSLR(canon) support.  I suspect Windi might work ,as a Ascom/Indi server on Windows , for your Windows Ascom driver but I was think more of a Linux Ascom/Indi driver?

[Vladimir Torkalo]

I have no experience in development for linux.

[skybadger]

Thanks for your efforts. I think it's a great idea. 

Can you register them withe ascom team betas available for download ?

On the one hand I do have maxim, but s overblown to run a DSLR. On the other, there is backyard eos, which is cheaper but not free. Now there is scripting + ascom.

Would you mind clarifying whether you specify the shutter start and end times to the millisecond? That would be really useful for satellite and meteor photography.

.

 

[Saj_37uk]

Does anyone have an updated download link for the installer? The link at the top of this thread is broken.

[michael8554]

On 12/07/2018 at 09:46, Vladimir Torkalo said:

Github repository of project: https://github.com/vtorkalo/ASCOM.DSLR

Then at the bottom of the page are what appears to be the instructions and links to the downloads - but I haven't tried to download them. 

Michael 

[adyj1]

32 minutes ago, michael8554 said:

Then at the bottom of the page are what appears to be the instructions and links to the downloads - but I haven't tried to download them. 

Michael 

As I see it, the github page gives you all the downloads and instructions to build the ascom installer executable, but this involves a number of hoops to jump through (downloading dev tools and visual studio, compiling, etc), whereas the second link in the original post was to a Dropbox copy of the compiled installer executable (DSLR.Camera setup.exe), with no other work required... 

A link to the compiled .exe file would be really handy 😉 

[skybadger]

Checkout cloudy nights for a similar thread, you should find a link there. Be aware that you still need byn to operate the camera, for a Nikon at least.

Mike

[Jkulin]

Will you be doing a driver for the Sony AR7 series?

[Saj_37uk]

On 31/05/2019 at 06:21, skybadger said:

Checkout cloudy nights for a similar thread, you should find a link there. Be aware that you still need byn to operate the camera, for a Nikon at least.

Mike

Do you have a link to this thread? My searching didn't bring up anything... 

[skybadger]

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/625568-ascomdslr-ascom-driver-for-dslr-camers-canon-nikon/?fromsearch=1

 

HTh