Canon A640 ?'s

[GJestico]

Heres a wacky idea, what about dissasemble the camera and hard wire right to the shutter switch using an E-switch ?
Let the Hacking begin ! Im gonna do it on my A620. Mebbe I post pics if you all are nice.

Greb

[AZ ChopperCam]

Heres a wacky idea, what about dissasemble the camera and hard wire right to the shutter switch using an E-switch ?

yikes! I did that to my Nikon L1 and I vowed to not attempt this feat on the A640. A delicate job that tested my skills on the Nikon. The Canon looks harder to do. I'll leave that task to someone with more balls than me.

But it sure would be the best solution!!!

[oscillator]

So has anyone tried the G7? It does cost more and weigh more, but it has image stabilization (which might or might not be useful) and perhaps the USB trigger works better since it is supposed to be more of a "professional" camera.

My preference is for the A640, but I keep holding off due to the shutter trigger problem.

[advoloastra]

My preference is for the A640, but I keep holding off due to the shutter trigger problem.


I did not know there was an issue with this camera?

[AZ ChopperCam]

there isn't one to speak of... just that the Blip trigger is not the optimal method and servos are kind of clunky, but either method will get the job done without fail.

[askman]

so, shutter servo option is still the best for a640? hmm. that is too bad about the usb switch needing playback mode. :( too bad it does not have a hotshoe. I saw a very clean servo mount using it.

[oscillator]

too bad it does not have a hotshoe. I saw a very clean servo mount using it.

The G7 does. Now if I can just find a cheap one and put it on a diet.

[GJestico]

Heres a wacky idea, what about dissasemble the camera and hard wire right to the shutter switch using an E-switch ?

yikes! I did that to my Nikon L1 and I vowed to not attempt this feat on the A640. A delicate job that tested my skills on the Nikon. The Canon looks harder to do. I'll leave that task to someone with more balls than me.

But it sure would be the best solution!!!


:glasses2: I did it. This is an A620 but the new A640 looks indentically constructed.

[AZ ChopperCam]

do tell..... how did you remove the top cover? I see no screws and I don't wish to force it.

edit - I just looked under the batteries and see a few screws in there that appear to be for the top cover.

[GJestico]

Heres the how-to:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622537

[AZ ChopperCam]

I just did the mod. I wish I woulda seen that thread over at RCG sooner!

intricate work and was a bit tough to route the switch wires so that they would not interfere with the zoom mechanism, but it all went back together and works. Thanks for the How-To! :)

I routed my wire out the side next to the video connector.

Now... what the hell am I gonna do with this brand new Blip I just got?!! ARGGGHH!!!!

[dreslism]

So Greg,

How long did ti take?

Scale of difficulty on 1-10?

Thanks

[AZ ChopperCam]

took me about 45 minutes start to finish. it was about a 6 or 7 for me. The key (like any project) is having the proper tools. Small jeweler screw driver that is long enough to reach down into the battery compartment, fine tip 15 watt iron, micro servo wire. A weighted alligator clip stand is a huge help.

Also drink a cocktail first so your hands are more steady.... I used Gin and Ginger Ale. :lol:

[dreslism]

I may have to do that. I don't use mine as much as I fly the DSLR more, but if the logo has to go up instead of the raptor, the A620 is going up again, and I love the "real continuous" of the camera instead of what the blip does. And video out with video overlay for shot/exposure compensation.

Thanks for sharing Greg.

DJ, any video from the canon HD this weekend?

[GJestico]

I just did the hack this morning, DJ. Posted the thread on RC groups just before here.

Took me about 2 hours. I took the camera dam near all apart to make sure I didnt break anything taking the top off. Now that I know what to do I could do it again in less than an hour. Its quite easy actually, with that top panel that comes off and the seperate circuit board. It is intricate work. Id say its about a 7 on the diff scale. Like DJ says wires have got to be carefully routed to avoid the zoom switch.
So do the innards on the 640 look similar, DJ ?
Allright thats 2 Canon A6x0's hacked today !! anyone else ?

[GJestico]

Hmm someone just posted a blip switch for sale on RCgroups :smokin: :lolol

[AZ ChopperCam]

innards looked exactly the same. I didn't realize you just did that today. wow! cool!

Scott, not much video from the HD this weekend. was pretty windy yesterday and today and I'm not too sure the camera is going to work out for me. May have to do the HC3 instead.

[GGoodrum]

Hmm....

[bat1]

Gary
What is the total weight of your camera with adapter and wide angle lens?
I am interested in a logo 10 size heli, but don't want to run a camera system that makes it a heavy flyer. If starting from scratch would it be better to get an slr or is there some benefits to the pro compact type of cameras like the Ax0's over SLR?

finally what kind of flight times can you get on your Logo AP ship using A123 batts?
Tommy

[heliflight]

The shutter trigger mod for the A640 is very interesting. My main concern would be carrying the modified camera with the wires hanging out through a TSA checkpoint when going on a flight. Even in checked baggage it could be a problem if it were picked up by an Xray or physical inspection. If it were noticed, it would assure you an opportunity of getting to meet the head of security at the airport and perhaps even a guest appearance on the 6 o'clock news! :D

For those who have done the mod, would it be practical to use the power connector or USB plug for the connection on the side of the camera to connect the shutter trip instead of external wires?

Keith

[GGoodrum]

Gary
What is the total weight of your camera with adapter and wide angle lens?
I am interested in a logo 10 size heli, but don't want to run a camera system that makes it a heavy flyer. If starting from scratch would it be better to get an slr or is there some benefits to the pro compact type of cameras like the Ax0's over SLR?

finally what kind of flight times can you get on your Logo AP ship using A123 batts?
Tommy

My A640, with the wide-angle lens, weighs 1 lb 6.4 oz. With 500 blades my AUW was about 9-1/2 pounds. That's with the Askman PanCam mount and a single a123 10-cell pack. I've been getting about 8 minute flights with a h/s around 2000. Although the Z30A-800 has more than enough power, to the point you can't hardly tell there is a camera and mount underneath, it does make it a handful to auto. For that reason, I've decided to stretch mine to run 550s. I've got it apart right now, in fact.

Mikado doesn't make a CF L10 extended boom so I'm using the Logo 14 version, along with the L14 belt and tail control rod. I'll probably swap pinions and go down a tooth, or two, and run the headspeed a bit lower, around 1800. That should keep the durations up where they are now.

-- Gary

[bat1]

Thanks Gary,
I still am a little puzzled by the fact that the canon xti is 1.2 lbs the A620 with adapter is close to 1lb wouldn't it be better to use the slr?

[MLaBoyteaux]

The Rebel BODY weighs 18 oz, that doesn't include a lens.
Reference http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=465460&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Add a 17~85 EF-S lens at 16.2 ounces and now your pushing 2.25 lbs once you also add the battery. There are some lighter lenses, but most are only going to save you around 4 ounces or so. For instance, the 10~22mm Canon lens weighs 13 ounces. My Zenitar 15mm Fisheye weighs 11 ounces.

[bat1]

Thanks now I see the light :)

[GGoodrum]

Besides that, the A640 takes some pretty incredible pics. :)