Example code for ArduCAM not working

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello, I am working on a project where I am attempting to take and save pictures between short intervals and for about 3 minutes. The materials I am using are the OV2640 arduCAM, an arduino uno, a hitlego datalogging shield with a SD adapter slot, and a SunDisk 32 GB microSDHC card w/ adapter. Everything fits well and, since I was able to get the Card Info example code to give me a proper result in the serial monitor and use the camera in a different example code, I assume that the individual parts themselves are functional.

With that said, the ArduCAM_Mini_2MP_Plus_Multi_Capture2SD example which would allow me to complete my project does not work. I have edited the SD_CS to 10 to match the datalogger's product description and set the CS pin to 7. I also set the memorysaver file to define the right camera type. The card initializes, however, after confirming for multiple lines that the code is working, the serial monitor produces strange symbols after it attempts to start capture.

On top of that, I seem to not be able to access the port on file explorer to even see if any pictures were taken at all.

I've checked the baud rate and other versions of code to solve these problems, but this worked to no avail. As someone who is very new to coding, I do not know how to solve either problem on my own or where to start looking.

Some help would be highly appreciated :slight_smile:

2

First You ran example code and the parts worked properly. Well done.
Then You edit the code and changes pin numbers. Did You move the actual connections to match the pin numbers in the code?

3

Are you taking the SD card out of your logging shield and putting it in an SD reader on your PC?

4

I was following the manual for the camera, so I did plug in the CS pin to 7 but I haven't plugged in anything to pin 10. Am I supposed to?

5

I didn't even know such a thing existed lol

The guide I was following just opened the port through their computer but there's was a mac, so I assumed I had to do the same thing but on windows.

6

So I got the SD card reader and surprisingly even though the serial monitor still shows those strange symbols, the SD card does have pictures stored in it and it seems that the camera runs for the whole duration of my tests. However, there is a problem now with the image quality.

As I went through the images, I noticed that they kept darkening then brightening to the desired lighting then darkening again considerably and so on. This is a big problem for me because the project involves having the camera stationed in an ill-lit space and although it doesn't need stellar quality I do need to be able see the images when I retrieve the camera. Is there a solution to this?

7

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.