3DR Solo with Canon S110

[Jonty]

I am thinking of using a Canon S110 for aerial surveys using a 3DR Solo.
How do I best connect or configure the canon S110 camera to a Solo for aerial survey work?

Although I currently use a GoPro camera with Mission Planner and Tower software,
I am eager to test the Canon S110, but do not have any idea how to activate the camera shots.
I have S110 camera mounts for the Solo, and I have canon trigger - shutter cables.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[shooter]

I know it is not the best information you're looking for but take a look here:
3DR Solo gimbal adapter for pocket camera by AlpoHassinen

Here are other threads related to a different camera for Solo:
Another camera for Solo...
controller for another gimbal

 

[Jonty]

Thanks.
Despite the nice gimbal modification, a time lase with CHDK is used.
Looks like time lase method is best method at present.

 

[MillsapsPE]

I use mount from IMP Concepts for my S100. I actually set it up to carry 2 S100s. There is a post here somewhere about trying into Pixhawk, but I just set my S100 to run intervolometer script.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[IMP Concepts]

Here it is, there is also a Gimbal Friendly version:

Canon S100, S110, S120, SX260, ELPH 110IS, 130IS, 180, 320HS & 330HS Fixed Mapping 3DP Mount & Adapter for 3DR Iris, Solo & X8, (Please Select Platform From Options PullDown)

 

[Jonty]

Yes, me too. I also use a mount from IMP (generated by 3D printing?),
and run a kap & uav CHDK script on my Canon s110. This works well.
However, I was hoping for a automated trigger switch as used by the GoPro.
As for volumetric surveying (volume calculation of stockpiles using Agisoft), I think my GoPro does a better a job.
But the Canon s110 (at same altitude & light) has much better image quality (pixel & colour)
than the Hero 4 Silver GoPro, for which I use the Canon s110 for aerial photography.

 

[wsalopek]

Yes, me too. I also use a mount from IMP (generated by 3D printing?),
and run a kap & uav CHDK script on my Canon s110. This works well.
However, I was hoping for a automated trigger switch as used by the GoPro.
As for volumetric surveying (volume calculation of stockpiles using Agisoft), I think my GoPro does a better a job.
But the Canon s110 (at same altitude & light) has much better image quality (pixel & colour)
than the Hero 4 Silver GoPro, for which I use the Canon s110 for aerial photography.

Jonty,

I'd love to see comparison photos. Could you post a couple? I often think of flying some other camera besides a GoPro.

Thanks...

--

Bill

 

[rmills72]

Look at the tutorial on the MAPIR site for triggering the survey2 camera. I would guess (and yes, I did say guess) that the trigger mechanism is the same. Both use a USB trigger signal. MAPIR has tapped into the pixhawk flight controller on the solo itself to trigger. I've done aerial topography with both the GoPro4 Silver (SOLO) and the Canon s110 (CHDK) on the x8 platform. So far, the canon S110 has beat the GoPro without an issue. Vertical accuracies of 2-5cm at 70m flight over a 30 acre site with GCPs.

 

[Budy]

Jonty , did you find solution to trig your s110 ? I try like mapir solution but it doesnt work usb cable red on pin19 and black on gnd3 , i check i have 0.6v at 1000pwm and 0.9v at 2000pwm Rch7 shutter and i try whith 20000pwm i have 3.3v .ok i think i need spakfun converter to put 5v because pixhawk of solo on pin 19 is 3.3v ? Sorry for my english i am french and i dont understand why it doesnt work and why i need 20000pwm to have 3.3v ? May be have you some advises thanks

 

[Jonty]

As for camera trigger on the Canon s110.....
My adopted method which I really like, is the using a CHDK script using a intervalometer (time interval between shots).
See page KAP UAV Exposure Control Script

 

[Jonty]

I have conducted a direct aerial orthomosaic comparison between the GoPro Hero 4 Silver and the Canon s110 Powershot. Both cameras develop 12 Megapixel photos. The Canon s110 has a standard lens while the GoPro has a fisheye (wide view) lens.

Aim:
Determine which camera is best for aerial orthomosaic generation.

Method:
Compare orthomosaic imagery from two separate cameras having undergone identical process methodology.

Process methodology included
a) Flying two separate aerial surveys at identical height (80 m) and light conditions (overcast +- Noon), each using different camera for photo generation. Despite each having different focal length, each survey allowed for 70% image overlap.
b) Generation of separate orthomosaics using identical processing parameters by Agisoft Professional software.

Comparison Results:
Canon s110:
Advantage: Imagery is of higher resolution and displays colours more vividly (colour contrast is more apparent).
Disadvantage: Orthomosaic distortion and image alignment becomes exponentially more distorted as distance increases away from vertical position of the survey. All orthomosaic area directly outside survey boundary should be ignored (deleted).

GoPro Hero 4 Silver:
Advantage: Orthomosaic distortion and image alignment far outside the survey area retains moderate accuracy.
Area of accurate orthomosaic is significantly larger (+- double area). Better option when conducting 3D volumetric analysis.

Disadvantage: Imagery is of lower resolution and displays colours less vividly (colour contrast is less apparent).

Results:
My suggestions for developing orthomosaics:
Use the Canon s110 only if your drone can cover the entire survey area with greater 70% photo overlap. All area beyond the vertical survey box should be ignored (not trusted).
Use the GoPro Hero4 only if your drone will have problems covering the full survey area. Area beyond the vertical survey box can be trusted with moderate accuracy.