Project - Digital Camera Image Acquisition

Purpose of Project

The current VAST probe has two Canon Elph cameras used for image acquisition. These cameras are film-based and use a rather odd 24mm format called Advantix/Advanced Photo System. The 40 exposure roles that the team prefers to use are becoming increasingly difficult to find; currently, the film is only available from B&H Photo online. In addition, film (especially APS) is not a particular easy medium to work since it requires chemical processing and digital scanning. Although such processing can be done at Moscow's Wal-Mart, it'd be ideal to switch to an alternative mechanism for imagery.

We propose to switch VAST from using film cameras for image acquisition to digital cameras. This switch would have several advantages for VAST:

  • Increased quality of images: Due to the very small image area on the 24mm film used and the scanning required for use online, the images produced by VAST have been so far somewhat lacking in quality. The digital cameras available in the $75-$150 price range can easily deliver a 5 megapixel image.
  • More images: With a 1 GB memory card, a digital camera can take 500-1000 pictures (depending on compression) as compared to the 40 exposures available with APS film. Given that many of the pictures currently retrieved are blurred due to probe vibration, more shots are more likely to produce "the perfect image."
  • Reduced processing costs: Currently, it costs $10-$15 to develop one role of film and convert it to digital images. A digital camera eliminates those costs.

VAST already has had limited experience with modifying cameras to be operated electronically rather than manually. We will use this background to obtain and modify a digital camera for electronic operation, allowing it to directly replace the current Elph cameras.

Project Deliverables

  • A digital camera modified for electronic control.
  • A guide for modifying the digital camera so that such a modification can be repeated if necessary or sent to other high altitude ballooning groups.
  • A sufficiently large memory card for the digital camera.

Resources Required

  • Several options exist for digital cameras. The options are described here.
  • A 1GB Secure Digital memory card is available for $12.59 here.
  • The assistance of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department technician Greg Klemesrud may be required for small-pitch soldering.

Background Information

How to modify some digital cameras.

Results

Modification of camera apparently successful.
White/Red = Power
Blue/Yellow = Take picture

Project Contact

Page tags: camera hardware pictures science