Beta version 0.9.409

http://www.digicamcontrol.com/beta-version-0-9-409/

Beta version 0.9.380

http://www.digicamcontrol.com/beta-version-0-9-380/

Beta release 0.9.335

Pls. visit for more information on:
http://www.digicamcontrol.com/?p=21 

New website and wiki

I set up the new home page and a wiki
Home page : http://www.digicamcontrol.com
Wiki : http://www.digicamcontrol.com/wiki

Still is in "development" but not plan any major changes just i need to populate the wiki with information, so any help will be appreciated :)

..::Comments::..

Test version - 0.8.326

This release is a test version so don't use in production system just for test.

Download : http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/digiCamControlsetup_0.8.326.exe

Changelog :

• application name changed to digiCamControl
• option to specify external viewer 
• live view redesigned 
• motion detection in live view, not finished need more testing and fine tuning, you can do more comments and on observation in this thread http://www.digicamcontrol.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2, thx to FrancisD
• new application theme, need more fine tuning in some window interface and control placements
• fixed support for D600, thx to Martin Kessel
• move live view focus point using keyboard
• more additional camera property like burst number, auto iso, NR   

You can do any comments using this thread : http://www.digicamcontrol.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6

I try to conquer the social network to so i made pages for :

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DigiCamControl

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111230894564144001577/posts

Twitter : https://twitter.com/digiCamControl 

New support forum

I set up a new support forum because the google group is almost unusable and to few customization option.
The new forum can be found in this address : http://www.digicamcontrol.com/forum

If is any observation or bug report about it please post as message in this post or using this forum post: http://www.digicamcontrol.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5

For a period both forums will be active if everything will go right i will disable google group.

Beta release – 0.8.295

Download: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.8.295.exe

Change log:

• Fixed a "show stopper" bug, this bug prevent the captured file to be downloaded to PC, this is the reason for this release.
• Option for full screen background color
• fixed no live view option for D7000
• localization

If somebody want to help translate the application interface, the english file can be downloaded from http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/CameraControl.Application/Languages/en-US/strings.xml same file can be found in installation folder /Languages/en-US folder.

Searching for a new name

I want to change the name of this application, but i don't find any suitable name for it, so i'm open to any name suggestion.
The reason for name changes is the similarity with nikon Camera Control pro, just matter  of time when Nikon will try to block the NCC name.
I search for a simple name, but not something like CameraRemote or DSLR remote or something similar.

Beta release – 0.8.280

In this version are a lot of changes, not all feature are very well tested so may appear some now bugs.
I wan thanks for  testing and for suggestions to  : Billy Baheux, Jyi Offerd, Martin Lopatka, Papp Istvan, Martin Joergensen and all NCC users and testers.

Download : http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.8.280.exe

Change log:

• fixed memory usage: this is a breaking change. To work with raw files on system should be installed a raw codec like Microsoft Camera Codec Pack  or NEF Codec (after install one of this codec don't forget to restart your computer)
• command line support, is a separated executable in installation folder CameraControlCmd.exe, and the command line parameters are:

/help                     - this screen
/capture                  - capture photo
/capturenoaf              - capture photo without autofocus
/captureall               - capture photo with all connected devices
/captureallnoaf           - capture photo without autofocus with all                   connected devices
/session session_name     - use session [session_name]
/preset preset_name       - use preset [session_name]
/folder path              - set the photo save folder
/filename filename        - set the photo save file name template
/counter number           - set the photo initial counter
/wait                     - after done wait for a key press

• refactored time lapse

Normal time lapse (the time lapse it self not that good, but for example enough)

Same time lapse using this settings :

I redesigned the time lapse interface too, for more simple control  and the precision of the capturing fixed now all pictures are captured in same period.

• progress bar for downloading picture progress
• button in main window to capture without auto focus
• option to change in B&W in live view 
• multiple camera support improved
• option to disable loading of thumbnails
• possibility to change capture folder 
• support for layout in main window
• tag selector
• fixed live view for D3x
• secondary panel for camera advanced options 
• more layout to display captured photos 

The old/normal layout

With grid view on right

Just grid view no preview

Finally as a summary the main window:

Beta release – 0.7.232

Download :http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.232.exe

Changelog : 

• Some D90 related bug fixed
• Preset editor
• Preset bracketing (you can use any saved camera preset to capture a series of photos )
• Updated installer script, on install first remove the older version
• Disable capture to SDRam option for D40/D50/D60/D70/D80, if i will find a solution for this bug i will put back
• Option to set focus steps used in live view screen
• Save live view zoom ration after picture capture
• Use same file name for jpg and raw file if is possible
• A very simple image browser, i will improve it in next version

Cinemagraph and NCC

Yesterday i read about cinemagraph, so i decided to try it. Biggest problem was  i need to take a photo and record a small movie without moving the camera. This isn't  big challenge using tripod, but to be sure, i add record movie features to NCC :) So cinemagraph and NCC do not have much in common, just i want to share my findings.

More about Cinemagraph in wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinemagraph and examples http://cinemagraphs.com/

And a simple but useful  tutorial : http://thepenthouseproject.com/design/cinemagraph-tutorial/

And my first try :

Same thing but using some colors

Beta release – 0.7.209

Download : http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.209.exe

Changelog:

• Advanced camera multiple camera support
• Fixed Liveview for D300 and D700 
• Option to capture photos without downloading to PC
• Auto rotate capture photo
• Option to rotate image in a given direction
• More options for file naming
• Preset support 
• Record movie 

Multiple camera support can be started using View menu -> Multiple camera control

To improve multiple camera support you can edit camera name and default session using properties context menu;

The camera name can be used in session to create folder for each connected cameras. 

The movie recording isn't well tested, so if not working pls report it.

Another not solved problem : isn't possible to capture photos in live view mode for D700, i still investigating the problem with help of Philippe Desmedt.

The future of the NCC ...

How i see the beginning phase of this software ended, somehow it is begin used or at least downloaded by the a small group of people and isn't available to many free capture software. This leads me to the conclusion, maybe this software wort to be finished and made it more professional.  I included in this software a lot  features, but is't linked with a decent workflow. Another problem may be the software isn't well tested in other Nikon cameras that D5100, D800 and D80.

So i started this post to discuses about the future/features and the usage of this software, any comment/ideas are welcomed.

My draft plans:

• find a decent name for this software, current name is almost same like nikon software's name  
• create a logo for it
• buy a domain and a site hosting (this only in far future, i don't want to spend money for it)
• native support for other brand DSLR, there are some already supported via WIA
• add a simple photo organizer
• advanced multiple camera support 
• create  for programmers a C# library, to be used in other application to control cameras
• translation
• and of course a lot of bug fixing 

Beta release – 0.7.186

Download: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.186.exe

Changelog:

• Support for D70s
• Manual mode for exposure bracketing
• Capture images direct in PC (without using card)
• Bulb mode (only for D800 and D4)

The Manual mode for exposure bracketing and the Bulb mode work only if the camera is in [M] manual mode. The Bulb mode can be activated if the camera shutter speed is set to Bulb and hit the Capture button a new windows will be shown:

This function ins't well tested so any bug reports or suggestion are welcomed.

And finally a big thanks for Csaba Gődény help.

How To – Exposure Blending

Exposure Blending is a technique for blending multiple exposures of the same scene into a single image.  This technique involves taking several shots of the same scene or subject with different exposures and then fusing these shots into one perfectly or almost perfectly exposed photo.

This tutorial works with Nikon cameras with live view and NCC version 0.7.165 or higher. I don’t find any good example in my house so i used a souvenir. The goal is to make a well exposed image.

Beta release – 0.7.165

Download: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.165.exe

Changelog:

• Exposure Status indicator
• Better support for D80 and D300
• Some device handing code rewrote,  this should improve application stability.
• Fixed connection problems for some cameras
• Possibility to use same file name as camera gave to the file, is a option for it in session editor
• Support for Lightroom auto import, for this option to work, in the settings the option Auto preview, should be disabled.
• Minor changes in exposure bracketing window

How To – Report bug

Lately i get a lot of bug reports, so i decided to make a post about how i want to looks like this report.
So:

• avoid to generalize the error, post exact what not working like: live view, bracketing, take photo,  the camera not connecting
• specify the used operation system (and the service pack if is installed)
• specify the version of application, this information can be found in about window title.
• step by step description, how i can reproduce the error
• the most important attache to the post the log file
• optional, you can attache some screen shot too

This reports can be posted on  https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!categories/ncc-google-group/bug-report  or send me directly a email.

The log file can be found by opening setting windows, there is the button for "Locate log file" after pressing this button a explorer windows will be open and the log file will be selected.

Beta release – 0.7.153

Download: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.153.exe
Changelog:

• the code behind of camera handing rewrote 
• basic multiple camera support
• some minor bug fixes
• better error handing and logging 
• check on startup if wia activex is installed

I start to support multiple connected cameras, in File menu you can selected the default camera and in view menu is a window for capture pictures with all connected cameras in same time.

I plan to make a separated standalone library with camera control part code, this library can be used in other applications, but i will see if is demand for it.

Lately i get a lot of error reports, but to fix this i need more infos, like program version (pls. use latest version), os version and describe how to reproduce the error and the most important attache the log file.
 

How To – Focus Stacking

“Focus stacking  is a digital image processing technique which combines multiple images taken at different focus distances to give a resulting image with a greater depth of field(DOF) than any of the individual source images. Focus stacking can be used in any situation where individual images have a very shallow depth of field macro photography and optical microscopy are two typical examples”
NCC can help you to make series of photos with different focus, this technique works only  with static, not moving subjects and constant light condition.
This tutorial works with Nikon cameras with live view and NCC version 0.7.136 or higher. I don’t find any good example in my house so i used a starfish The goal is to make a well focused full image, like this (not big deal just for example):

Beta release – 0.7.136

Download from: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.136.exe

Change log:

• Partial support for Nikon D3200 *
• Fixed not working bracketing 
• Minor bug fixes

* THX to Maurice Gilden for testing and for information about D3200. Not all function working on D3200 like manual focusing.  

Beta release – 0.7.130

Download from: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.130.exe

Change log:

• Play sound after photo taken
• Histogram in live view
• Redesigned live view to improve focus staking 
• Access keys for camera properties

Beta release – 0.7.120

Download from: http://nikon-camera-control.googlecode.com/files/NCCsetup_0.7.120.exe
Changelog:

• update enfuse.exe to support more image operation
• support for CombineZP
• counter for focus pulse for help focus staking
• minor improvement in stability

CombineZP can be downloaded from: http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZP/News.htm
More about CombineZP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CombineZ

Beta release – 0.7.115

Download

Changelog:

• Configure camera "Compression Settings"
• Configure camera "Metering Mode"
• Configure camera "Focus Mode"
• Removed reference to Hugin, now all files are included in installation
• Automatic Full screen preview
• Enfuse images 
• Convert raw image to jpg
• Convert raw image to multiple exposed jpgs

Beta release – 0.7.104

Download

Changelog:

• Generate “Focus stacked” image using Hugin application **
• Option to trigger photo taking using keyboard
• Focus stacking *
• Web server (it is possible to control the application using a smart phone) ***
• Fixed Issue 10 : Live view does not work for D300

* Focus staking work only with cameras with live view

** Hugin – Panorama photo stitcher you can download from http://hugin.sourceforge.net/

*** In first start the webserver need to be configured in settings window, after that the application is need to be restarted and you can use any phone or tablet to control the application

Beta release – 0.6.90

Download

Changelog:

• Zoom preview image using mouse
• Live view zoom
• Improved application stability (again)
• Check for new version on startup
• Exposure bracketing
• Check for Xvid video codec when creating TL video
• Fixed error on startup

Another site ....

If you asked why i started a new site again ?
The short answer is the last one was suspended.
The long answer:  I searched for while a free site provider  to make a support site/blog/forum for NCC. Free because this project is free and opensource and no business attached to it.
First i choice a site hosted by host-ed.net but after i set up a WordPress site and a PhpBB forum, the provider suddenly suspended my account, so i will start again to build a new one, hope i can manage this using google free services.

Another problem it is the name of the application, i try not to use the Nikon Camera Control (it is same name with a nikon application, but without PRO), as long as if find a new name i will use the NCC.