I think this is a fitting way to start my new blog. I found source code to do LANC control with the Arduino board. It was written quite well – it worked the first time out. I made a few changes though, specifically changing it from being controlled by a serial port to being controlled by a potentiometer. I plan to build my own zoom controller with it, using an Arduino Mini.
Here’s the source code.
UPDATE:
It appears that Brady Marks’ FTP has gone down, so I’ve mirrored her Arduino LANC project ZIP file here. Make Blog has linked this post, so there may be a lot of traffic. It’s only fair that I share the load.
Here’s the link:
http://www.findlayproductions.ca/Arduino%20LANC.zip
Tags: Arduino, controller, lanc, zoom
i have a sony handicam and the zoom is too touchy. impossible to control the zoom rate.
i was thinking of doing a LANC controller as my first intro to arduinos. i like your idea of a potentiometer.
is there a limit to how fast you can turn the pot to control the zoom?
Thanks so much for the effort.
Still have to play around on my own canon Xh A1.
The DIY LANC Controller has been my personal excuse for harvesting around the arduino among all the people staring to a video guy amazed from electronics.
(I emailed instructables to ask for that!)
After previous searches I’ve found some code but couldn’t really do anything.
Your skecth a wonderful gift to me.
I’ll try to keep you informed maybe on the forum about my experiments
cheers
Davide
For bobble:
for the zoom you may ha to play around
“commandCode=speeds[map(analogRead(aPin),0,1023,0,17)]; //The analog input returns from 0 to 1023, but our array is from 0 to 17. This converts the values.”
Davide is correct, that is the command that maps the input to the pot to the commands. You can play around with the values to alter the way it responds, or increase the dead zone in the middle by adding 99s and changing the mapping accordingly.
so, the code divides the pot into 17 zones that have different zoom rates?
whenever i take out the video camera its to record friends on alpine raceboards. when they approach me its difficult for me to push the zoom switch to get the zoom rate just right. frequently they buzz by too quick so i fumble with the switch. a friend put a video on youtube… its link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ZX_Y3iNxE. alot of the footage is shaky. some was taken from the chairlift. btw, i appear at 7:04.
my ideal zoom controller would function life this: the camera would completely zoomed-in when the pot is at 100% full scale and zoomed-out at 0% full scale. if i knew the number of zoom steps in the camera, i could map it to the pot. i want to turn the pot and have total control of the zoom as these guys approach. by turning the pot, i control the rate of the zoom.
i don’t know much about LANC or much about my camera. i’m assuming alot here. i’m hoping i can control the rate of the zoom and the camera does the autofocus. i’m hoping that the LANC can keep up with rapidly changing data as i twist the pot.
thanks for putting up the info and your comments!
Hi Bobble
Which camera are you using?
Todays camera (mine, for istance, an XH A1 from Canon) has a constant / variable speed for zoom.
I watched the video and I advise you the use af a good tripod, an heavy one with a good head (any Manfrotto 500x should be fine, should be heavier => than your camera).
The Lanc controller has been created to be used in conjunction with production-level tripod during long performances, giving the cameraguy the possibility to drive the camera with one hand.
no purposes of using this without a tripod.
The touchy “shakiness” of your shot is to be solved with the tripod.
The Lanc to help you left hand get hotter in your scarf!
cheers D
hi Goose
I tested your code tonight.
Everything works great.
really good.
one thing TO DO:
a rec button?
Chere to look for the value numbers of the lanc protocols?
Keep us updated on future new codes.
all the best form italy
is somebody can help me to understand this program
i like to add a record buton
thank you
What potentiomer are you using ?
I don’t recall off hand what value of pot I used. It’s hooked up as a voltage divider though, so the value doesn’t matter to the Arduino, the only real consideration is power consumption. I would suggest a value around 10K.
As for the record button, it’s on my to-do list. I’ve been incredibly busy lately, but it’s coming.