Canon Camera, Hackers Manual

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C H A P T E R 7 The Stereo Data Maker (SDM)
f
When using the Ricoh CA1 or a compatible remote control, first half-
press the button of the remote control to focus. Then press the button
fully. The cameras will fire the preflash to determine the exposure. Wait
until the blue LED indicates “ready to shoot”. Then release the button to
fire.
f
When using a simple switch-and- battery remote control, press its but-
ton for less than half a second to focus. Then press the button again to
fire the preflash. Release the button after the blue LED indicates “ready
to shoot”, and the camera will fire.
Only the flash of the right camera is fired with full power. The power of the
left flash is reduced by four f-stops in order to avoid double shadows.
7.8 Digiscoping
Digiscoping is the technique used to connect a digital camera with a tele-
scope. It is particularly popular among bird and other wildlife watchers.
Compact cameras are well suited for that purpose and allow for an afford-
able digiscoping solution. The SDM supports digiscoping with various
features:
f
Even cameras that do not feature a manual focusing mode can be fo-
cused on the virtual image projected by the telescope.
f The camera is switched to FAST mode so that it immediately fires the
shutter when the switch of the remote control is pressed (you will work
with tripod and remote control when digiscoping).
f
The camera display is not darkened by the nonactivity timeout (impor-
tant for wildlife photography).
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Focus bracketing is supported. This can be very useful because the
Depth of Field ( DOF) is very small.
Before setting up the SDM for digiscoping, set the time-out value for the
display to more than one minute. This allows the SDM to stop the camera
from timing out at all. Cameras with manual focus mode must be switched
to this mode. Then invoke the submenu
ALT > MENU > Advance Menu > Digi-
scope . Fill in the specifics of your telescope:
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Objective dia . The diameter of the front telescope lens.
f
Scope focal length . The focal length of the telescope in mm.
f
Eyepiece focal length . This is the focal length of the telescope divided by
the magnification.
f
Camera zoom setting . The zoom step to be set up at the camera. Widest
angle is 0, next step is 1, etc. When starting to shoot, the camera will
automatically zoom to this preset value.
Figure 7-13
The Digiscope Data submenu