KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

I was just playing around with DigiCamControl program and a wired shutter release cable. Needed a small object to shoot. The object is a small model steam engine I designed and machined for my Nephew. I think he was 8 or 10 at the time.

This program is an inexpensive way to remotely (wired) control and trigger many cameras. Even the D3300! It can store shots on camera, or on the PC. fun way to play around in the shop with a macro lens!

Further thoughts are to control my Nikon on a Bowens Illumitran film copier. AND, I'm also considering machining a focus rail for my camera. Actually I need two, one for the Bowens, and one that will be motorized to do photo stacking. Well, designing and building it anyway. I have enough surplus mechanical/electrical/computer hardware around here to build something. If I don't get sidetracked!

Helicon looks like it can control the Stackshot, which would be a nice system, but pricy! If the handshake is simple, maybe I can imitate the interface, and control my motorized focus rails like a Stackshot. The alternative (and probably the first test) would be to control it with a channel of my CNC driver box, and then I can write a G-Code program to run my rails to move the camera and take the shots. OK, thinking out loud.

Is there information out there about the H-S interface?

Anyone do stacking? With Helicon and/or Stackshot?
Or built a DIY focus rail?

Thoughts?

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

I've used Helicon, and my husband has used Helicon Remote, and the interface for both is pretty straightforward, KM. With Helicon Remote, you focus on both the nearest and farthest focal points, and Helicon calculates the number of shots between the two points. Like you said, Helicon is pricey, but I would choose it (Helicon Remote in particular) for its ease of use if I was going to be stacking a lot of images. You're probably aware that you'll have ghosting when you use a stacking program, but Helicon provides the tools to remove ghosting and any other artifacts.

KM6VV Loc: Central Coast, CA

Thanks for the reply.
I won't be shooting that many stacks. It would be nice to try Helicon, perhaps I can figure out the serial commands to the Trimamac stepper motor! I can try Helicon for $30 a year.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

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