3 replies to this topic

[Greg Mueller]

Planning for '27.

I have tried to use numerous programs to control the 5D Mk IV and all of them (I have tried) result in just freezing up the 5D. Even Canon's Utilities 3.

All of them freeze the camera and I have to turn it off and unplug it from the tablet to get it unfrozen.

 

Now I have begun trying to use a small HDMI monitor (only) and doing the settings in the camera body itself. (Still experimenting)

It involves

Exposure Bracketing.

Multiple Exposures.

Custom shooting mode(s). C1-C2-C3

 

My 5D does have the latest firmware.

 

Would like to converse with anyone has used the 5D and/or plans to use it for the next eclipse, or just knows some about the 5D.

 

G

[banjo1000]

I use older Macs with Solar Eclipse Maestro. I have even used SEM to drive two cameras. Be aware or the buffer size. You will want to shoot fast at C2 in a way that will fill the buffer. During the eclipse, you can swap between longer a short exposure to keep the buffer from filling. The program can use burst exposures, but Canon cameras are a little unpredictable about how they respond. Check websites to find the fastest memory cards. For the 5DMkiv, compact flash wins. Lately, I’ve been buying used cards from KEH.

 

On the PC side, I hear Solar Eclipse Orchestrator functions like SEM, but I have no direct experience.

 

Joe

[agavephoto]

I think the 5D4 should work well for eclipses. I used the 5D4 for the 2017 eclipse with SEM and things went very well for automated camera control. I had a script to control it and two other Canon cameras for 2024, but clouds prevented any photos for me, though my testing went well for the 5D4. I was using a beta version of SEM for a newer camera this year, and there were times when the 5D4 would be locked until a power cycle, but only after the imaging sequence was complete. I have no experience with windows, but I can help with SEM. Have you tried a different USB cable on the chance that's causing a communications problem?

[Greg Mueller]

To answer your USB question, I used the cable supplied by Canon. It worked for one picture then everything froze.

 

I have been experimenting with Exposure Bracketing and Multiple Exposures and yesterday I had a breakthrough.

My plan was to use Custom 1 (C-1) for partial using a 3 shot bracket and C2 for totality and then back to C1 post totality.

 

With some fiddling I was able to do a 7 shot burst (1 second) with exposure times of 1/6400 sec through 1/100 sec.

Now I need figure how to save that to C2.

These are all exposures using F6.3 (my Sigma lens) and converting Fred Espenak's recommendations for exposures.

 

Next I will be trying to come up with a 3 shot burst for first contact (etc).

It should be easier since I have mostly figured out how to combine BE and ME (I think) and I have that that pretty much down (I hope).

 

It will be easier to check the C1 settings by just hauling the camera setup out to the yard and practice on the un-eclipsed sun.

 

I'm using Baader 3.8 filter material and  F6.3  100 ISO. Shooting in RAW and JPG. Post processing RAW should give me a bit of extra fudge factor.

 

Good thing I have a few years to figure this out.

 

G