Simple Stackshot Controller

ichbtm · Post by **ichbtm** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:55 am

Hello,
This Software is a result of this post of Charlie Krebs,
This post made me pondering a lot on the hardware to implement, and I decided to use my Stackshot to do the camera travelling.
In addition, during my experiment, I decided that I needed to create a controller to automate the calculation of the Stackshot steps (based on the actual DOF at each step). So I did this Software controller.
In my momentum, I also recreated all stackshot native modes. In this software controller, they can be used in the same way but are much more intuitive.
I think this tool can interest some people so I put it online.

This tool is called Simple StackShot Controller and you can find it here :
http://www.macro-toolbox.com/index.php?page=download
don't hesitate to wander on the website to find the documentation.

So far, it has been tested under windows xp and 7 (32 and 64 bits) and a linux virtual machine (ubuntu 32bit) and I have good hopes that it could also work under Mac (but it would be a lucky strike)

)
If volunteers want to test it and make me feedback, I'd be happy.

ichbtm

nielsgeode · Post by **nielsgeode** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:10 pm

I installed the necessary drivers (on Win7 64bit) and when I try to start the program I immediately get: "Can't command stackshot. Is it powered?" It is switched on and directly connected to my PC with a USB cable.

When I swtich the stackshot on while pressing the config button and I launch the reflash utlity this is what I see:

Do you have any idea's what can be wrong?

Niels

ichbtm · Post by **ichbtm** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:49 pm

hello nielsgeode,
can you contact me via email (support@macro-toolbox.com) ? I don't want to pollute this forum with my software support

Your drivers are good and your stackshot has been found.
When you have this message it means that the stackshot didn't responded to it's first request.
Can you open a cmd prompt and navigate to the directory where Simple Stackshot Controller is unzipped and type the following command :
java -jar StackshotCtrl.jar 1>output.txt 2>&1
Then send me the file output.txt.

ichbtm

ichbtm · Post by **ichbtm** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:12 pm

nielsgeode problem solved : his Stackshot firmware (StackShot 1-wire Vmon) was not the USB version

ichbtm · Post by **ichbtm** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:15 pm

I'm adding some stats calulation when you start an adaptive Bellows sequence.
These stats compares the use of the dynamic moving calculation against the use of a constant step size.
Here are some results with a 36x24 sensor, pupil ratio of 0.6, DOF OVERLAP of 1 and Max COC 2.5 (2.5 pixel size) :
Lens 21mm @f8 :

Adaptive Bellow Mode
There will be 72 steps processed.
Step Size at beginning will be of 0.409mm.
Step Size at end will be of 0.201mm.
If you use a constant Step Size of 0.201mm the sequence would have taken 104 steps.
Adaptive Bellows allows your camera to save 32 triggers.

Lens 21mm @f2.8 :

Adaptive Bellow Mode
There will be 97 steps processed.
Step Size at beginning will be of 0.338mm.
Step Size at end will be of 0.129mm.
If you use a constant Step Size of 0.129mm the sequence would have taken 162 steps.
Adaptive Bellows allows your camera to save 65 triggers.

Lens 28mm @f8 :

Adaptive Bellow Mode
There will be 107 steps processed.
Step Size at beginning will be of 0.286mm.
Step Size at end will be of 0.129mm.
If you use a constant Step Size of 0.129mm the sequence would have taken 163 steps.
Adaptive Bellows allows your camera to save 56 triggers.

Lens 28mm @f2.8 :

Adaptive Bellow Mode
There will be 305 steps processed.
Step Size at beginning will be of 0.101mm.
Step Size at end will be of 0.045mm.
If you use a constant Step Size of 0.045mm the sequence would have taken 468 steps.
Adaptive Bellows allows your camera to save 163 triggers.

As you can see there's a real gain of moves

The counterpart is that you need to transport a computer

The set up can be seen there.

The stats should be available is the next public version.

ichbtm · Post by **ichbtm** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:57 pm

Hello
The last version of this app is available.
http://www.macro-toolbox.com/index.php?page=download
Now you can use a virtual rail that allows you to use this program as a Sensor/Bellows/Lens result calculator.
You just have to give some simple parameters :
- Sensor size and nb pixels
- Focal Length, aperture and pupil ratio.

Then, by playing with the position on the virtual rail, you can simulate a Bellows extension and you can have usefull values at any extension :
- FOV and Magnification
- DOF (front and back)
- Find needed extension to reach specific FOV or Mag or Hyperfocal focus or Infinite focus
- Effective fNumber
- Diffraction limitation (Circle of Confusion).

I'm always looking for feedback on a Macintosh... so if somebody with a Mac can tries it and tells me if the StackShot commands work I'll thank him a lot

I think this will be the last version of this app (expect if I have to change something for Linux or Mac compatibility). I'm moving on an android version (as a tablet is easier to carry than a computer

)