Four SDKS to be released

rawr · 05-16-2018, 05:19 PM

I hope someone will now be able to do something that allows the camera HDMI output to be displayed 'clean' - ie free of all the menus and other overlays. Maybe even re-enable sensor-based video stabilisation too.

stevebrot · 05-16-2018, 08:35 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by rawr

I hope someone will now be able to do something that allows the camera HDMI output to be displayed 'clean' - ie free of all the menus and other overlays. Maybe even re-enable sensor-based video stabilisation too.

I haven't delved too deep into the APIs, but it does not look like the HDMI interface or low-level stabilization control is exposed. That is the problem with APIs and SDKs, support is limited to data and functions the manufacturer wants to expose and nothing more. USB is the only output supported and SR does not appear to be among the supported camera settings, much less anything hack-able.

https://api.ricoh/docs/camera-usb-sdk-cpp-reference/classRicoh_1_1CameraCont...reSetting.html

Steve

**monochrome** · 05-16-2018, 08:59 PM

Exciting! This portends to be like the old days on K10D when the conversations around use of GB and manual lenses were robust and positive. I remember refreshing the screen to update Replies as 100 people were active on a thread. Have fun guys!

.:

**monochrome** · 05-16-2018, 09:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JPT

This is great news. I just hope theee are some people with the skills and inclination to do something with it.

Ricoh started this kind of initiative with Theta and it seems they felt it was successful enough to apply to Pentax. Regardless of what you think about Theta as a product, it seems like this is something that benefits Pentax users too.

Despite only modest camera updates recently, Ricoh has come up with two genuinely progressive moves this year - the upgrade service and this SDK.

^^ They’re pretty creative. It feels like they’ve got some energy building and ideas bubbling up. EVF’s are so 2015 - RIcoh is having FUN!

.:

Class A · 05-16-2018, 10:20 PM - **2 Likes**

Fantastic news!

I wish I had more time on my hands right now to delve into it, but hopefully I'll find ways to contribute to coding efforts in the future.

We should set up a forum/thread dedicated to the development of open source applications using the Ricoh APIs.

It looks like focus adjustments are supported which could mean that potentially lens calibration could be automated (depending on the precision of supported adjustments).

siva.ss.kumar · 05-16-2018, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by Class A

It looks like focus adjustments are supported which could mean that potentially lens calibration could be automated (depending on the precision of supported adjustments).

This would be fantastic if it can be done.

Class A · 05-16-2018, 10:41 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

That is the problem with APIs and SDKs, support is limited to data and functions the manufacturer wants to expose and nothing more.

Sure, but have you seen the pkg.Ricoh.CameraController class diagram?

I'm excited about the apparent support for focus adjustments. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the method.

It would be fantastic if you could write a camera emulator. It would be invaluable for development and testing.

BTW, I'm wondering whether USB tethering support could extend to older models as well. Perhaps the limited number of models mentioned in the announcement is due to Wi-Fi support but older models would still work with wired connections?

stevebrot · 05-16-2018, 10:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Class A

BTW, I'm wondering whether USB tethering support could extend to older models as well. Perhaps the limited number of models mentioned in the announcement is due to Wi-Fi support but older models would still work with wired connections?

I was wondering the same thing.

Steve

rawr · 05-16-2018, 10:52 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Class A

support for focus adjustments

Meaning there is potential for some focus stacking options too.

Kunzite · 05-16-2018, 11:30 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Class A

Sure, but have you seen the pkg.Ricoh.CameraController class diagram?

I'm excited about the apparent support for focus adjustments. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the method.

Why are you looking at diagrams and not documentation?
E.g.
Live View

Class A · 05-17-2018, 12:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Why are you looking at diagrams and not documentation?

I just found the diagram first.

But thanks for the pointer! Now we definitely know that relative focus adjustments are supported! (<- you may have to scroll up a bit to see the "Adjust Focus" section).

The question remains how small those adjustments (for parameter values "1" and "-1") can be, but if it is a usably small adjustment then the door is open to focus stacking and automated lens calibration.

SharkyCA · 05-17-2018, 01:58 AM

Originally posted by OoKU

Four software development kits to be released, for the remote operation of PENTAX digital SLR cameras via smartphones or personal computers | Global | Ricoh

News Release
Four software development kits to be released, for the remote operation of PENTAX digital SLR cameras via smartphones or personal computers
TOKYO, May 16, 2018 - Ricoh today announced the release of four software development kits (SDK), designed for the remote operation of PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras using smartphones and personal computers. Based on these kits, users can develop software or applications that enable them to operate their cameras from a distance, and then output captured Live View images to external monitors. They also allow for the simultaneous control of multiple cameras, making it easier to develop systems using digital cameras for various industrial fields.
SDKs to be released:
RICOH Camera USB SDK for Microsoft® .NET Framework
RICOH Camera USB SDK for C++
RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for iOS
RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for Android™
Compatible camera models:
PENTAX 645Z *
PENTAX K-1 Mark II
PENTAX K-1
PENTAX KP
PENTAX K-70 **
Main features:
Choice of USB or Wireless connection, in combination with compatible PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras.
First SDKs designed for use with PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras.
How to download:
Access the dedicated Web site (https://api.ricoh/; available in English only) to download the SDKs.
SKDs can be downloaded free of charge; however, RICOH CO., LTD. will not provide any additional technical support.
*
This model is compatible with the RICOH Camera USB SDK for Microsoft® .NET Framework and RICOH Camera USB SDK for C++ only.
**
This model is compatible with the RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for iOS and RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for Android only.
Microsoft and .NET Framework are the trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
News release in PDF format
http://www.ricoh.com/release/2018/pdf/0516_1.pdf

Just an update for your post....Seems a semi-colon crept into your link! RICOH Developer Connection

superdave · 05-17-2018, 06:09 AM

Awesome news! Too bad my K-3II is not in the list or I would have played with the .NET SDK.

graavan · 05-17-2018, 09:18 AM - **1 Like**

Awesome! But no K-S2 support! shakes tiny fist

Peter

**TedH42** · 05-17-2018, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Class A

I just found the diagram first.

But thanks for the pointer! Now we definitely know that relative focus adjustments are supported! (<- you may have to scroll up a bit to see the "Adjust Focus" section).

The question remains how small those adjustments (for parameter values "1" and "-1") can be, but if it is a usably small adjustment then the door is open to focus stacking and automated lens calibration.

A "BackyardPentax" program for use with tracking mounts for astro imaging would absolutely require fine focusing adjustments. Great that it is available.

How fine is it? Seems that we already have several applications that require that it be quite fine. I hope that the SDK provides adequate fineness in focus adjustment, or its usefulness will be compromised.

05-16-2018, 08:35 PM - 2 Likes	#47
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by rawr I hope someone will now be able to do something that allows the camera HDMI output to be displayed 'clean' - ie free of all the menus and other overlays. Maybe even re-enable sensor-based video stabilisation too. I haven't delved too deep into the APIs, but it does not look like the HDMI interface or low-level stabilization control is exposed. That is the problem with APIs and SDKs, support is limited to data and functions the manufacturer wants to expose and nothing more. USB is the only output supported and SR does not appear to be among the supported camera settings, much less anything hack-able. https://api.ricoh/docs/camera-usb-sdk-cpp-reference/classRicoh_1_1CameraCont...reSetting.html Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 05-16-2018 at 08:48 PM.

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05-16-2018, 05:19 PM	#46
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I hope someone will now be able to do something that allows the camera HDMI output to be displayed 'clean' - ie free of all the menus and other overlays. Maybe even re-enable sensor-based video stabilisation too.

05-16-2018, 08:59 PM	#48
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Exciting! This portends to be like the old days on K10D when the conversations around use of GB and manual lenses were robust and positive. I remember refreshing the screen to update Replies as 100 people were active on a thread. Have fun guys! .:

05-16-2018, 09:02 PM - 1 Like	#49
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by JPT This is great news. I just hope theee are some people with the skills and inclination to do something with it. Ricoh started this kind of initiative with Theta and it seems they felt it was successful enough to apply to Pentax. Regardless of what you think about Theta as a product, it seems like this is something that benefits Pentax users too. Despite only modest camera updates recently, Ricoh has come up with two genuinely progressive moves this year - the upgrade service and this SDK. ^^ They’re pretty creative. It feels like they’ve got some energy building and ideas bubbling up. EVF’s are so 2015 - RIcoh is having FUN! .:

05-16-2018, 10:20 PM - 2 Likes	#50
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Fantastic news! I wish I had more time on my hands right now to delve into it, but hopefully I'll find ways to contribute to coding efforts in the future. We should set up a forum/thread dedicated to the development of open source applications using the Ricoh APIs. It looks like focus adjustments are supported which could mean that potentially lens calibration could be automated (depending on the precision of supported adjustments).

05-16-2018, 10:27 PM	#51
siva.ss.kumar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai, India Photos: Albums Posts: 534	Originally posted by Class A It looks like focus adjustments are supported which could mean that potentially lens calibration could be automated (depending on the precision of supported adjustments). This would be fantastic if it can be done.

05-16-2018, 10:41 PM - 1 Like	#52
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by stevebrot That is the problem with APIs and SDKs, support is limited to data and functions the manufacturer wants to expose and nothing more. Sure, but have you seen the pkg.Ricoh.CameraController class diagram? I'm excited about the apparent support for focus adjustments. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the method. It would be fantastic if you could write a camera emulator. It would be invaluable for development and testing. BTW, I'm wondering whether USB tethering support could extend to older models as well. Perhaps the limited number of models mentioned in the announcement is due to Wi-Fi support but older models would still work with wired connections?

05-16-2018, 10:51 PM - 1 Like	#53
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Class A BTW, I'm wondering whether USB tethering support could extend to older models as well. Perhaps the limited number of models mentioned in the announcement is due to Wi-Fi support but older models would still work with wired connections? I was wondering the same thing. Steve

05-16-2018, 10:52 PM - 2 Likes	#54
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Class A support for focus adjustments Meaning there is potential for some focus stacking options too.

05-16-2018, 11:30 PM - 1 Like	#55
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Class A Sure, but have you seen the pkg.Ricoh.CameraController class diagram? I'm excited about the apparent support for focus adjustments. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the method. Why are you looking at diagrams and not documentation? E.g. Live View

05-17-2018, 12:22 AM - 1 Like	#56
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Kunzite Why are you looking at diagrams and not documentation? I just found the diagram first. But thanks for the pointer! Now we definitely know that relative focus adjustments are supported! (<- you may have to scroll up a bit to see the "Adjust Focus" section). The question remains how small those adjustments (for parameter values "1" and "-1") can be, but if it is a usably small adjustment then the door is open to focus stacking and automated lens calibration.

05-17-2018, 01:58 AM	#57
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	Originally posted by OoKU Four software development kits to be released, for the remote operation of PENTAX digital SLR cameras via smartphones or personal computers \| Global \| Ricoh News Release Four software development kits to be released, for the remote operation of PENTAX digital SLR cameras via smartphones or personal computers TOKYO, May 16, 2018 - Ricoh today announced the release of four software development kits (SDK), designed for the remote operation of PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras using smartphones and personal computers. Based on these kits, users can develop software or applications that enable them to operate their cameras from a distance, and then output captured Live View images to external monitors. They also allow for the simultaneous control of multiple cameras, making it easier to develop systems using digital cameras for various industrial fields. SDKs to be released: RICOH Camera USB SDK for Microsoft® .NET Framework RICOH Camera USB SDK for C++ RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for iOS RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for Android™ Compatible camera models: PENTAX 645Z * PENTAX K-1 Mark II PENTAX K-1 PENTAX KP PENTAX K-70 ** Main features: Choice of USB or Wireless connection, in combination with compatible PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras. First SDKs designed for use with PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras. How to download: Access the dedicated Web site (https://api.ricoh/; available in English only) to download the SDKs. SKDs can be downloaded free of charge; however, RICOH CO., LTD. will not provide any additional technical support. * This model is compatible with the RICOH Camera USB SDK for Microsoft® .NET Framework and RICOH Camera USB SDK for C++ only. ** This model is compatible with the RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for iOS and RICOH Camera Wireless SDK for Android only. Microsoft and .NET Framework are the trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. News release in PDF format http://www.ricoh.com/release/2018/pdf/0516_1.pdf Just an update for your post....Seems a semi-colon crept into your link! RICOH Developer Connection

05-17-2018, 06:09 AM	#58
superdave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 228	Awesome news! Too bad my K-3II is not in the list or I would have played with the .NET SDK.

05-17-2018, 09:18 AM - 1 Like	#59
graavan New Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 21	Awesome! But no K-S2 support! shakes tiny fist Peter

05-17-2018, 11:00 AM	#60
TedH42 F/8 & Somewhere Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,412	Originally posted by Class A I just found the diagram first. But thanks for the pointer! Now we definitely know that relative focus adjustments are supported! (<- you may have to scroll up a bit to see the "Adjust Focus" section). The question remains how small those adjustments (for parameter values "1" and "-1") can be, but if it is a usably small adjustment then the door is open to focus stacking and automated lens calibration. A "BackyardPentax" program for use with tracking mounts for astro imaging would absolutely require fine focusing adjustments. Great that it is available. How fine is it? Seems that we already have several applications that require that it be quite fine. I hope that the SDK provides adequate fineness in focus adjustment, or its usefulness will be compromised.