DSLR Timer

A DSLR camera interval timer built for astrophotography
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DSLR Timer Ranking & Summary

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  • Rating:
  • License:
  • Freeware
  • Publisher Name:
  • Thomas Bach
  • Operating Systems:
  • Windows All
  • File Size:
  • 90 KB

DSLR Timer Tags


DSLR Timer Description

DSLR Timer is an easy to use snapshot interval timer that can can control series of long exposures of digital cameras as it is needed for astrophotography. For astrophotos it is usual to have series of exposures with 2 to 5 minutes exposure time. The programs delivered by the manufacturer of digital cameras usually support only exposure times up to 30 seconds (exposure control M). However, this is too short for usage in astronomy. Using this application you can create single or multiple shots with your camera and you can also set a timer to delay the capture. DSLR-Timer can be used for single shots as well as interval timer. It connects to the camera via the serial or parallel port of your computer. On the camera side it connects to the jack of the cable remote control. NOTE: USB connection can be used in addition to download the images, but DSLR-Timer does not use USB. For the connection of camera and computer you need a special cable with a simple electronic circuit. The idea of the cable is, to simulate a cable remote control by connecting two cables using a transistor or optocoupler. Main features: Single shot (Start - Stop). Mainly for testing the correct setup before starting an interval series. Interval timer. Exposure time from 1 second to 1 hour per image. DSLR Timer can consider the time for mirror lock-up, noise reduction and the time which is needed to save the images. Pause-Function to interrupt and continue a series of shots. Using pause, the current image will be finished and saved. It stops before the next exposure starts. In this status you can change the settings or exchange the batteries of your camera. Then you can continue the series. Display of the total remaining time for the complete series, including the time for exposure, mirror lock-up, noise reduction and save. Display of the time of day, when the series will be finished. So you can easily go for a coffee and come back in time. Camera control via parallel port. You can use LPT1 to LPT3 or any port address. This is very important for the usage of PCMCIA cardbus cards.. You can specify, which PIN of the parallel port is used to control the camera. Only the one bit which corresponds to this PIN will be changed. The other PINs can be used by other programs. So you can control a webcam with long exposure via the same parallel port. Camera control via serial port: Rts or lx200. When you use the LX200 protocol, you can control the camera through your mount. This saves a cable, but you need special cable electronics.


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