manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I have a work need for the ability to control all aspects of the camera. I'm trying to use a camera on a copy stand that has remote controls for the height of the camera and a remotely controlled X-Y table for the subject to be photographed on. The camera I plan to use is a DSLR with a prime, with macro ability such as the 60 mm Nikkor micro lens. It could be another lens, but I have a copy stand and a Nikon D90 with this lens and it works to get very good close ups or I can raise the camera and get a larger field of view both of which I need for this task.

Here is what I am needing it for and other limitations. I work with irradiated material in a hot cell with 3 foot thick walls. I can't use wireless not because they wouldn't control, but because that can interfere with other operations. I need to run wires that are generally 30 ft in length to get from the outside where the controller is to the camera. So the controls have to control all the settings, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focus though some of that will be controlled by the height of the copy stand,shutter release, etc. I also need to see the image on a monitor so that I know what I am shooting. I will be able to see the camera, but not through the camera. There are windows and a periscope, but they don't allow me to see much of what the camera will see. Even if I could see all those things, manipulators (mechanical hands) are not the best for controlling a camera.

Radiation damage is expected and the camera is replaceable occasionally, but generally, if I can get decent pictures and remove the camera when not being used, the rad life of the camera will be relatively long.

Looking forward to some interesting responses.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Look into tethered solutions for your brand of camera. I shoot Olympus and their Capture software allows me to see before and after images. It also provides wired remote control of iso, aperture, exposure compensation, shutter speed, focus both manual and auto. Distance between camera and computer is limited only by usb cable. I use an amplified cable for longer distances. I know Canon has similar software. I am not familiar with Nikon although I suspect the have similar software. Good luck with your search. Tethering is a powerful tool!

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Thanks. I've checked with Canon and at first I was only considering a point and shoot and have done remote control with a Canon, but when I asked them about it now, they said that there wasn't a Powershot that could meet my needs from Canon. Now that I am planning on DSLR, I need to contact them again.

eric

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I can design a Robot that can withstand radiation and operate the controls of your camera.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

I have used the Canon tethering software but it was on a dslr. If the camera will become a consumable because of radiation, you can probably pick up some older models on the used market for reasonable cost.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I have Nikon cameras and I can control them via a cable to my laptop with software for them. 30 feet may be the biggest issue.

kpsk_sony

Are you sure the camera won't mutate ... into a smart phone or something?

BebuLamar

I think you should be able to do it except manual focusing the lens. What you need depending on which camera you have.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Really, hmmmm.....

Most of the time, the levels are pretty low, but while the specimens are in the cell, the levels are of course pretty high, but the camera won't die so fast if they keep it out of the cell when they don't need it. The cells are in constant use for moving, sorting or short term storing of specimens which means that if the camera were left in there, it would definitely die before very long.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

The camera would be a consumable just because once in the cell, never will it come to a non-rad area. I just hope we can get some years out of it. It would pay for itself if it would take good pictures with variable fields of view meaning I can take close ups or larger areas without problems with distortion. I've used a microscope in the past that could only shoot a small section of a specimen. I had to shoot 5 images of each specimen then stitch them together and make accurate measurements of the specimens, had about 30 specimens that had to be shot and measured before testing (5 images) and after testing (5 images). This took a while. I've had many other reasons that this would be a better system, but just got to work the details out before the purchase so I'm not wondering why it won't work when I get what I ordered.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Auto focus through the software I think would be easy too. Just like control of the shutter. Even if it were backbutton focused, I'm confident software can control it. It is more a matter of what camera and what software.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

It will mutate. It will become a boat anchor after a while. Seen many items of far greater value become boat anchors.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

USB cables aren't generally a problem because we use powered USBs. Though your software may be different than what is suggested now, what do you use and what camera does it control?

RowdyRay Loc: MN

I was going to suggest, Arsenal. But, you say wireless isn't possible. Tethered is the only solution. May have to find a long USB cord, or extensions, but doable. There are numerous programs available that will allow you to control all the camera functions from your PC or laptop. And view what the camera is seeing. Just buy a camera that will work with the program you choose. Don't know what your budget is but, here's a few suggestions.

https://www.tethertools.com/plugging-in/software/

PixelStan77, hit on my next suggestion. Robotics. Trying to build one that can do everything, will be labor intensive and costly. Instead, focus on one that can properly support and move the camera, via wire. Let the other program control the camera.

No offense to Stan, but there a lot of high schools and tech schools with robotics courses that may be willing to help you out. Two heads are better than one. Put a bunch of brilliant people together, and it's amazing what can be accomplished.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I have used both of these for tether controlling my Nikons, but all models may not be covered.

a) ControlMyNikon

b) digiCamControl