I decided to publish the schematics and PCB layout for the Photo Booth Controller as public domain. All documents necessary for building a controller are available for download.
Photo Booth Controller circuitry for free!
Category: Photography
Modified battery compartment lid for the OM-D E-M1 II
Finally, the lid for the battery compartment is available as spare part. Time to modify one so the battery adapter cable may pass easily through the closed lid.
The modification is quite simple. Drill a 5 mm hole and cut the lid to get an oblong hole that protrudes towards the edge. It takes just a few minutes for a skilled worker.
Note: The camera isn’t splash-proof anymore when you use the modified lid!
Buzzer now with Bluetooth LE!
I re-designed my booth buzzer. It now features a Bluetooth LE module that is powered by a LiPo battery. Charging is done through USB.
The buzzer is user-configurable to send a mouse click or keyboard click to any device with Bluetooth LE connectivity.
For more information see my Buzzer page.
LED ring now Breeze and DSLRBooth compatible!
After receiving several requests, I reworked my LED ring project. I simplified the circuitry and rewrote the software from scratch. The result is a LED ring that may be controlled by Breeze or DSLRBooth via USB.
The project is currently in prototype status.
In addition, I wrote a Windows application that can be integrated in most photo booth software packages. You may also control the LED ring straight through the virtual COM connection via USB.
The application reacts on command line parameters (like status screen file names) and sends the command configured for the calling parameter. The controller is able to display a set of predefined effects. Parameters can be used to tailor the effects in direction, speed or color.
Among the effects are a runnign rainbow, countdown status displays, blinking, solid color or swiping a couple of LEDs round the ring.
Battery-Compartment Lid for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 II available!
Finally, the lid for the battery compartment is available for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 II. You may order it as spare part at via davinci, item number VP924500. Currently, delivery time is said to be 4 to 6 weeks.
With this part, if properly modified, you may use the BLH-1 battery adapter with the battery compartment closed. I ordered one and will write a modification guideline.
Updated Model Gallery
I re-structured my Model Gallery to allow proper presentation of the increasing number of pictures. I created a dedicated page per photographer under the main “Modelling” page.
New: Pictures by Ortwin Khan.
Back from Iceland and Greenland
I spent two weeks travelling Iceland and Greenland. Pictures from this trip may be viewed in my gallery at Iceland 2017 and Greenland 2017.
A further gallery showing pictures taken with Ortwin Khan will be presented as soon as I got the processed images.
Diving in a vault …
Sometimes you have to go deep for a shallow dive. I was shooting pictures with Harald Hois in a medieval vault. The vault is partly flooded, but lat weekend, the water level was far below usual. It was therefore difficult to move without stirring up the sensitive silt layer at the bottom. Nevertheless we were able to take a few nice shots.
Find a few more pitures at my Modelling page.
VA-1 adapter for the OM-D E-M5 II available!
I got the first production grade adapter to mount teh VA-1 angle finder on the OM-D E-M5 II. It fits well and the visibility of the view finder is good. I have no experience yet, how the material will stand over time and usage. I used (first time) selective laser sintering (SLS) as production method for this kind of adapter.
With this adapter, the VA-1 may be mounted to yet another type of camera body.
You may order the adapter directly through my Shapeways web shop.
m.ZUIKO 7–14mm with polarizing filter
Oh, yes. It can be done. I mounted a haida PRO II NC slim polarizer on my Olympus m.ZUIKO 7–14mm f2.8 lens. The filter has a diameter of 105 mm. Slight vignetting is still visible. The effect ist a bit strange when taking pictures of teh blue sky. It is quite promising when aiming at reflections. More tests will follow.