Sony a7r triggering

[MK]

Hello!

I was planning to use Sony Camera Remote API beta SDK to sync my UAV flight plan with Sony a7r  camera trigger so the camera can take pictures when it reaches certain points of flight path. As it turns out, Sony provides only Wi-fi connection  and not USB (even worse - camera has to be a hotspot and it is impossible to connect it to another network).

Is it possible to connect it right through Pixhawk autopilot?
Can you suggest any other options?
How do you usually trigger camera in aerial photogrammetry missions?

[Marcel]

Not completely related to your question, but I do have a trigger cable for the Sony A7R that allows you to hook up a regular remote (ie. a simple switch you might be able to trigger in some other way). It's this cable:

http://gethypoxic.com/collections/camera-switches-and-adapters/products/sony-multi-terminal-to-2-5mm-shutter-release-adapter

I'm not using it anymore, so you can buy it from me for cheap. If you are interested send me a PM or email.

[Mdaemon]

Hello,

Sony alpha 7 should have an autotrigger. I use an Sony Alpha 6000 together with an app.
A friend is using also the 7r and uses a IR Trigger. I has also a input slot on the side, which looks like usb but is a better one (sony) with additional ports.

Which kind of drone do you use?

Martin

[MK]

I has also a input slot on the side, which looks like usb but is a better one (sony) with additional ports.

Can I use that port to connect camera to my Pixhawk and trigger that way?

Which kind of drone do you use?

It is a custom-built multi-copter  for industrial and photogrammetry tasks with Pixhawk autopilot and adittional Windows mini-computer on board.

[Marcel]

It has also a input slot on the side, which looks like usb but is a better one (sony) with additional ports.

'proprietary' is the word, not better.

I find it plain annoying. With my other cameras I can just cut the cord off a 5$ remote and solder on some switch or triggering device, but for the Sony you cannot do that because of it's special Multi port. So you are stuck with the default Sony remote release (which you cannot even hack because it's full of electronics as well) or buy the above converter cable for 89$.

Edit: you are in luck, it seems there are much cheaper options available now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231256005313?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[mobilexcopter]

Hello all,

you can use our Simple multi shutter device for Pixhawk and Sony compatible shutter cable to trigger Sony cameras like A5000, A5100, A6000, A7, A7r. 

You can use the cable with other relay type shutter devices.

Best regards,

Alex

[wheat12]

Check this cable and circuit board out. They have a nice video and documentation too. I have just ordered one by myself.
http://mobilexcopter.com/shop.htm#!/Simple-multi-shutter-Pixhawk-version/p/46827105/category=15393052

Cheers

[jrp]

There are enough cheap knocks offs of the cables on ebay that it's fairly easy to get a suitable cable.

As for what to connect it to, I decided to solder up an optoisolator based adaptor, as I was paranoid about damaging the camera. Pixhawk is a bit odd to interface with though, and I struggled to get it to drive a basic optoisolator properly as it seemed to struggle with the current draw. It did in the end work though.

There are likely better ways to do this as described above.

[MercurialMeteor]

Does the Seagul #MAP trigger work on the Sony A series cameras?

http://www.seagulluav.com/

[Arie]

http://www.seagulluav.com/product/sony-s2-cable-map/

 According to them, yes...

[dell]

Hello guys, i found your discussion over google. Did you know, that there is way to control SONY cameras at fly?
AIR Commander can directly control Exposure compensation, P-A-S-M modes, white balance, you will get access to whole MENU of camera.

http://lab.airpixel.cz

[Strob]

I have this trigger trap for sony for sale, It does many thing but I don't know if it can work for your application:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/122145610866?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[dell]

Guys, AIR Commander has just released their Long Range receiver. Now you can have control above your SONY camera for up to 750m.

Check
http://shop.airpixel.cz/product/air-commander-lr-reciver/

[Darko]

Hi MK...
Here is the simple wired solution for triggering Sony a7r any way you like it.

http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentwire/focus.htm?filter=sony%20a7r

BTW, you can always calculate the time difference between the photos based on the calculated overlap and speed of the UAV and use TIME LAPSE program that can be loaded from Sony. Works for me!

[mobilexcopter]

Hello all,

if you are using Pixhawk flight controller you can connect a hotshoe adapter for logging positions where camera actually triggered regardless how you trigger it. Works with other cameras with hotshoe as well.

Best regards,

Alex