Nikon D40 IR Remote Intervalometer using a PIC16F648A...YitIRp
YitIRp
(pronounced Wyatt Earp)
By N6VMO
This has been a project on my list for some time. I have wanted to create a time-lapse movie of the entire weekend event. This requires the camera, a Nikon D40 DSLR, to snap photos every 6 minutes or so, over the course of 5+ days. It also means the camera needs to be hidden on a remote hilltop to encompass a large area.
I have envisioned using my laptop and DIYPhotoBits, http://www.diyphotobits.com, but this requires the laptop to be connected to the camera and enough power to run both for 5+ days. Not to mention leaving my expensive Nikon and laptop unattended in the middle of the desert.
Recently, I stumbled across an IR project that used an Arduino microcontroller to pulse an infrared LED to trigger a Nikon DSLR. This project simulates the Nikon ML-L3 Wireless remote control, but without human intervention.
http://blog.tinyenormous.com/2009/09/30/17-arduino-nikon-ir-intervalometer-code
Not being familiar with the Arduino, but knowledgeable using PIC microcontrollers, I decided to adapt it to a PIC16F648A, with an enhancement.
The Arduino project uses a potentiometer to set the time interval between shots. My PIC version uses 5 SPST (single pole/single throw) switches to set the time interval using a binary coded decimal scheme.
Switches 1 through 4 allow the photographer to select any number between 1 and 15, while switch 5 selects either seconds or minutes. The minimal interval is 1 second and the maximum interval is 15 minutes.
As an example, turning on switches 1 and 3 sets the interval to 5 seconds. The same switch settings and turning on switch 5, sets the interval to 5 minutes. This modification to the Arduino project simplifies and provides a faster, more accurate means of setting the interval.
The entire project can be downloaded from:
http://www.n6vmo.com/YitIRp/YitIRp.zip
The .zip file includes the PIC software files, schematic, PCB, and list of materials.
N6VMO
