Can't use Bulb

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Guys

I have problem, I can connect to my camera (Canon 20Da) and take images via the serial/USB connector and everything works OK. When I try to use bulb the software goes through the cycle of take the image, I can't hear the camera click and I just get the downloading hanging up. Please help.

 

Rick

[astroman133]

Rick,

 

According to the BYE web site's Camera Support Grid, the 20Da is a DIGIC II camera that requires a serial cable, in addition to the USB cable, to do bulb exposures.  Also, Canon does not support tethering that camera to a PC running a 64-bit operating system.

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Rick

Thank you for your quick response, I have the serial cable to USB, my computer is 32 bit. Everything work via the computer except the bulb.

Rick

[astroman133]

Rick,

 

When you say that you have the "serial cable to USB".  I am not sure what you mean.

 

You need 2 cables that run in parallel from your camera to the PC.  One is a USB cable which plugs into the camera's USB port and the other is a special serial cable that plugs into the remote shutter port. It is that special serial cable that allows Bulb capture for the older models.

 

See the BYE web site's Camera Support Grid page.  The bottom of that page shows recommended suppliers for that serial cable.

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Rick

I have both one is the PC control cable (USB), the shutter cable that controls the bulb as the three pin plug at one end that fits the camera this as a jack plus at the other end that connects to the serial connector this is then connected to a serial to USB adaptor which connects to my computer (see photo attached). This work fine with all other setting with the software but not the bulb setting. 

 

Rick  

[astroman133]

Rick,

 

Thanks for the picture.  Now I understand that you are using the 2 required cables.

 

What option are you choosing for Cable Support in the Capture Plan Center on the Imaging screen.  The default value is "Camera USB", but you need to change that to DSUSB or one of the other values that tells BYE which serial port to use for Bulb control.

 

 

[admin]

See these instructions on how to select the correct COM port for your cable.

 

The instructions are 100% the same for both BackyardEOS and BackyardNIKON

 

http://forum.otelescope.com/post/dsusb-cable-alternative-mcdc2usb-user-instructions-6881220

 

Regards,

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Rick

I first had it set to the comm port which connected the camera, I have tried it on the other with no joy it doesn't even try to take the photo.

Rick

[astroman133]

Rick,

 

So, have you tried replacing the USB cable? Are you able to take and download exposures using Tv values shorter than 30 seconds?

 

If so, and they do not have the same error, then Guylain may want to review your log file.

[admin]

Rick

I first had it set to the comm port which connected the camera, I have tried it on the other with no joy it doesn't even try to take the photo.

Rick

 

Did you follow the instructions in my previous post?

 

Regards,

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Guys

The only thing I've not tried is changing the serial/USB connector. Everything works apart form the bulb setting, it go through the cycle for taking a photo but there is no click from the camera and it then starts to down load but there is nothing to down load and it just hangs.

Rick

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Guys

By the way I also know that the serial port connect to my computer on comms 10.

Rick

[admin]

Guys

By the way I also know that the serial port connect to my computer on comms 10.

Rick

 

So Windows -has- assigned COM PORT 10 to you cable?  Is that you you meant?

 

If yes can you post a print screen so we can confirm we are talking about the same thing.

 

Thanks,

 

 

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

 Yes computer as assisted comms 10 for the serial port.    

[admin]

Thanks for the image.  Perhaps I should have been clearer

 

Post an image of Windows Device Manager showing that Windows -did- indeed assign COM 10 to you cable.

 

Regards,

[rick@rmbengineering.co.uk]

Guys

Thank you for your advice, I have tried several serial to USB connectors and none work. I have contact Andy Ellis at Astronomiser and he told me this need to be of a certain type which he supplies. I am waiting the delivery and will keep you informed.

Rick 

[admin]

Guys

Thank you for your advice, I have tried several serial to USB connectors and none work. I have contact Andy Ellis at Astronomiser and he told me this need to be of a certain type which he supplies. I am waiting the delivery and will keep you informed.

Rick 

 

Keep us posted.

 

Regards,