Many cameras like Nikon and Cannon medium and high end cameras have multiple ports, to include USB for interfacing with camera functions and data remotely; the shutter, focus, aperture and other functions.
DigiCamController is a free "open source" software with a forum of developers that does very well at interfacing with these camera functions, and has device drivers for a large number of the cameras with remote control features.
Forum
http://digicamcontrol.com/phpbb/
What seems to be missing is an Arduino sequencer to automatically coordinate complex real world events with camera functions:
- DigiCamController usb trigger to Arduino to implement a controlled event before, during, and/or after camera function
- At the end, or during, Arduino controlled event, control camera functions and monitor data
- Arduino protocol to remotely control DigiCamController functions from Arduino
- Interfacing with RoboRealm (graphic recognition) or other PC software
- ... other relationships I am sure I am missing
Having a DigiCamController interface with Arduino would revolutionize certain photographic art techniques available to the novice photographer, supplement capacity for the film and news industry, and provide easy access for capturing certain types of scientific data for teachers and researchers.
One of hundreds of techniques Arduino with cameras could produce:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92Oq-rD7i-0
The times and positions during various types of physics experiments for instance. Or the type of photography where the camera pans around a subject while captured in motion. Reporters capturing consistent frames of a subject while bouncing around in a moving vehicle. Or, detecting your cat jumping up on the kitchen counter and taking a picture or video of kitty in flight just after making a loud noise to get kitty off the counter.
The sister topic in the DigiCamControl "open source" developer forum
http://digicamcontrol.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1018&p=3298#p3298
So what is this topic about?
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Is there already an Arduino project that already does this? I may not be using good search keywords.
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How do I set up a group development space for this proposed group Arduino Project?
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How do I link sub-projects people develop to the main project? Once an interface is set up, I would think Arduino programs and setups would be abundant related to special effects and how to set up related educational apparatus.
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What is the project management sequence used to approach this kind of project?
This proposed project is intended to become a utility toolbox for working with DSLR cameras. However, almost any camera could be controlled with a servo or switched contact, so the usefulness would not be limited to DSLR cameras. Even cheap $5 keychain cameras could be controlled to provide inexpensive special effects (holographic imaging or CNC digitizing as examples).