|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-16-2011, 07:46 PM
|
| |
Hi all,
Thanks for all your input.
First, I've read the site and e-mailed PK tether. I seems that multiple exposure/interval shooting does not work very well with that.
Second, my analogy to a "web app" may have been off the mark a bit, but the owner of "Monnglow Tech" (who developed the software) called what he needed: an "SDK". I didn't make that up. But whatever you would call it, it would be enough information from Pentax to allow third parties to develop software to remotely control recent Pentax models. My opinion is similar, it's a cost/benefit issue for Pentax. How many people want it vs. how much it would cost Pentax to provide it.
-John
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-13-2011, 09:42 PM
|
| |
Hi forum users,
I am a long time Pentax user, astrophotographer, and member of this forum. I currently own a K-x. I want to start a campaign to get Pentax -Japan to do something for we Pentax users, and I think this forum could help. First, there is a really nice software package out there called Eclipse Orchestrator (Moonglow Technologies, LLC , and BTW I am not conncted to to Moonglow in any way). Here's how it works: for any Lunar or Solar Eclipse, or any other timed sequence one would like to shoot, one can pre-program and then run a timed sequence of various exposures of the event. This the allows the user to pretty much sit back and enjoy the event. In the case of a total Solar Eclipse this is a big deal because unless one travels half way aroud the world, one doesn't see them very often; and the total phase lasts only seconds to about 7 min. (rarely) long. A photographer tends to spend most of his time managing the camera and not watching, and enjoying the eclipse. Also, when taking multiple exposure sequences of an eclipse, the images turn out correctly spaced on the image. The company that makes this package sells about ten of these per week. Here's the problem; It works for Nikon, and Canon, only. The owner of the company been told that Nikon and Canon freely offer what's known as a "software development kit" or SDK (this is what, for instance, Apple offers for its ap developers). Pentax does not. Without the SDK, it's almost impossible to create the software. So, if I want to do this now, I'll have to go buy a Nikon! Why hasn't this happened at Pentax-Japan? After all, they have to have an internal version to develop their cameras. It could be that they just haven't taken the time to put together a clean user package, and the technology is moving too fast, and/or maybe they don't see enough user need. So, I guess they won't do it without some prodding from the outside.
I'm thinking that if the Pentax Forum was to launch a campaign, we may be able to light a fire under Pentax-Japan to get them to move on this.
I have talked to Joe Virgil at Pentax USA (joe.virgil@pentax.com), who coincidentally is also into astronomy. He wants me to email him my
request, but I am certain that if we were to stuff his inbox with emails from many users, it would have a better effect than just me alone.
E-mail Joe, we need Pentax to produce a SDK. Tell your Pentax owning friends.
Thanks,
-John
|
