I installed SGPro 2.5.2.5 (trial licence). My mount is a 10Micron GM1000HPS. The camera I use is a Canon EOS 500D DSLR.
I wanted to do automated model making with the python app’s of John Wainwright and Michael Würtenberger. No chance.
Both app’s failed to control the DSLR because the SGPro API for DSLR isn’t yet implemented or has some other problems. This I could read in the 10Micron forum.
My question is: Will a reliable API for DSLR’s coming soon, let’s say within the next half year, or is there no hope for.
Up to now I know about 3 app’s which can perform automated model making for 10Micron mounts:
ModelMaker by Per Frejvall (RIP),which needs MaxIm DL for controlling astro-cams and DSLR’s and PinPoint for plate-solve.
John Wainwright’s mm.py (http://www.lyric.com/astro/mm.py.zip) and Michael Würtenberger’s mount tool (https://github.com/mworion/mount.git) need SGPro for cam-control and PinPoint or one of the built-in solvers for plate-solving.
Per Frejvall’s ModelMaker is running flawless with astro-cams and DSLR’s.
John Wainwright’s mm.py and Michael Würtenberger’s mount tool are running only with astro-cams. If you use a DSLR the tools only move the mount to the desired syncpoints. No camera control, no shutter release, no plate solve, no syncing of the mount.
Michael Würtenberger wrote in his readme "Actually the SGPro API has some problems with DSLR Cam’s. It doesn’t work out properly. "
Some months ago I tried Per Frejvall’s ModelMaker with a MaxIm DL and PinPoint trial licence and a Canon EOS 500D and all was running well, but I would prefer SGPro if the issue with DSLR-control can be solved.
I’m not a programmer, so I can’t decide whether the required SGPro API for external applications is missing or is not working properly or if the issues are caused by the external applications.
It would be nice to get some more informations from your side about this.
Every camera we support has its own notion of what it means to capture an image. When you ask the connected camera to take an image, it should do it. I am not aware of DSLR specific issues when using the API (I could be wrong, but have received no specific reports). Using the API to take an image should be fine… if not it’s a bug and it will be repaired.
With respect to mount sync, I would guess you don’t want SGPro doing that at all… seems like a duty the modeling software should perform. If you need SGPro to plate solve via API, it can do that.
Tested SGPro 2.5.2.8 Beta with my Canon 500D (T1i).
To be shure the camera is connected well, I first took a picture out of the SGPro’s Frame and Focus Module.
Then I started mount wizzard, connected to the mount and SGPro, generated a 3-point base model and started the model building run.
When the mount has moved in position and the first picture should be taken there happened only an error message from SGPro:
[Camera Thread] Canon: Error in CameraCommand_ShutterButton (1) Error: EDS_ERR_TAKE_PICTURE_CARD_NG
[Camera Thread] Error while attempting to capture frame…
So I guess the API for DSLR’s isn’t yet working properly.
No. I’m saving to the local HDD of my laptop (ThinkPad T500, Windows 7, 64 bit).
As solver I selected PlateSolve2.
The pictures I shot out of the Frame and Focus Module have been saved on this drive. I also run a short test-sequence from the Sequencer windows. Those shots have also been properly saved on the local drive.
Regards
Helmar
edit:
Just tested SGPro 2.6.0.0
With mirror settle time enabled both in camera and SGPro I get following log: