I purchased a Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera that is set up to be installed in a drone.
It has a breakout cable that enables it to connect to PMW & SBus. I am using four channels of PMW through the Futuba J connectors for various functions for camera control but I would love to be able to use the S.Bus cable that would allow me to control up to 18 functions. Because I mainly use the camera on a pole at the moment, I am asking anyone who could point me in the right direction as to how I could get some sort of circuit where I could make my own box with various switches controlling the various channels without resorting to buying an actual, Say, Futuba Transceiver for remote control vehicles.
I was able to make my own control box (attached image)for the analogue PMW and it works great however I really need to have more channels. Any advice would be much appreciated. I have attached an image of the PDF page showing the control information of the camera.
There is so much that does not seem to apply to my situation. I even particularly searched regarding camera control with no success. This camera control feature is brand new to the market and there is not very much info out there yet. that's why I am here I guess.
What I am thinking is that if I could choose the smallest most appropriate Arduino board and small display and mount in a small aluminum enclosure that has various knobs and switches for various controls. This would then have a 15 pin plug(much like what I have now - PMW -see photo) that would become a wired interface for the Micro camera through its VGA socket. I am not interested in wireless at this point.
I shoot local media for small businesses to showcase their products and services. I film on site or wherever, edit, transcode and generally upload to my clients websites,YouTube and/or Vimeo.
I have two Blackmagic Cinema Cameras. The one I am trying to build the S. Bus interface for is the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera. It shoots Raw up to 60FPS in DNG files, DNXHD and ProRes formats. Very nice little camera that fits into the palm of my hand.
I have a 3 axis gimbal(Beholder) that I have mounted on a handle bar rig. When the camera is being stabilized you cannot touch it to adjust focus etc obviously due to interruption the stabilization process.
Therefore I have to have a remote focusing system. This camera has as one of it's design features the ability to be mounted in a drone, so they have included a 15pin Dsub socket for remote operation of up to 18settings including Focus, Apature, Iris, ISO, White Balance, Shutter angle to name a few.
They offer 3 ways to control the camera, Analogue, PMW and S.Bus. I have used the PMW as it gives me up to 4 channels for control. I typically use it for Start/stop record, Focus, Aperture and ISO.
This controller I have designed and made myself works wonderfully. I am now looking at developing version 2 to expand the diversity of control to include a display screen and the ability to control all 18 functions easily.
Besides using the controller on my handlebar 3 axis rig I also use it as a pole cam situation and the controller enables me to control the camera from further away.
Hi Anthony,
Now THAT's a camera! I resisted video cameras when they were crappy video. Then I resisted them when my good DSLR shot good video. But now with Decent Drones and Pole options I may have to get one of these..
I've only done still stuff like F1 Boat Racing in China in the past. I wish I had decent video capability for events like that.. I mean crowd / human interest stuff. There are guys with big, big lenses and video at events like F1 racing.
If you want an amazing all round camera that can take amazing pictures and video I suggest the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II or the new Panasonic GH5. One of these is on my list.
terryking228:
Hi Anthony,
Now THAT's a camera! I resisted video cameras when they were crappy video. Then I resisted them when my good DSLR shot good video. But now with Decent Drones and Pole options I may have to get one of these..
I've only done still stuff like F1 Boat Racing in China in the past. I wish I had decent video capability for events like that.. I mean crowd / human interest stuff. There are guys with big, big lenses and video at events like F1 racing.
Hmmm...
The camera I just described will capture better quality than those guys at the F1 racing, yes really.
Very interesting proposition you made with the little box to control the camera. I'm curious for your version 2, is it done yet ?
I'm preparing a setup with this same camera on a gimbal, looking for a radio system to have much control - mostly focus and aperture in sequence shots. I see (even without electronic knowing) this product could help, in theory, to control all the functions. What do you think ?
