Camera Labs

Hi folks,

While agonising about converting my 40D pre-order into a firm order I continue to search the Net for new information and I have discovered a feature which is most appropriately shared on this forum.

As you may know, the 40D has a Live View mode and a facility to use this mode while connected to a notebook computer via a USB cable so that the Live View image can be seen in virtually real time on a big screen.

Here are some of the features provided by the program you run on the notebook:

• Live View as described above
• Facilities for moving the spot metering point around the screen
• Use of coarse, medium and fine control buttons for adjusting the lens focus manually
• Set Bulb times greater than 30 seconds
• An "intervalometer" to allow exposures to be taken every so often

Some of these features have obvious application to astrophotography. However, with imagination and suitable power supplies it is definitely not the case that "the sky's the limit".

Bob.

Disclaimer: I haven't tested these claims personally and until Canon gets its act together and publishes the appropriate manuals online I can't check them out either.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I do like the idea of using PC software as an intervalometer, becuase they don't half charge a lot for those top-end cable releases!

I wonder if the laptop feed would make it any easier to manually focus on stars...?

There is some question about whether the Live View picture is sensitive enough to focus even with the brightest stars or planets in real time. If that isn't generally possible then I guess there is nothing to stop you taking a picture, tweaking the focus etc. until you get it right but controlling the whole process from the notebook while seated comfortably.

Although it doesn't seem polite to link to forums (foraminifera?) on other sites this is a scientific thread so in the best tradition of the free exchange of information you can monitor the source thread here.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Bob, I don't find links to other forums, but do bear in mind the one in question does actually block links to us...

Thanks for the OK in this instance. Pretty mean-spirited of them to block reciprocal links. The Wiki definition of foraminifera starts with "a large group of amoeboid protists with reticulating pseudopods". Looks like my reference to the forums on the site in question as foraminifera was more appropriate than I knew. I shan't extend them that courtesy again.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.