Dual Camera Kit Guide

This page will host instructions on assembling and using the infrared/visible dual camera kit as distributed through the Balloon Mapping Kit Kickstarter project.

Introduction

• How this works, why we do it -- theory and science
• What it's useful for
  • A proof of concept using the PLOTS modified A495 camera
  • Case study: Gowanus Canal plume identification and great TechPresident.com followup article
  • Case study: Sunol Agpark (write-up coming soon)
• How far we've gotten, and things to try and/or improve: how to contribute

Construction

• The dual camera rig: Assemble the camera bracket (this will be updated soon for the excellent new knurled bolts)
  • Putting the T rig inside a big soda bottle, or other techniques to protect the cameras. (we need to experiment and figure out the best way to do this)
  • Attaching the timer and batteries. (see this photo for an early attempt)
  • Use the camera strap as a safety landyard.
• Protective enclosure: Build a case from a 1 gallon Tropicana juice jug, a variation on the PET-bottle rig.
• Simple shutter release: Trigger both cameras separately with rubber bands; photos won't be matched but will likely overlap a lot (Example 1: IR & VIS)
• Advanced "synchronous shutter" triggering - more work but good for getting matched IR and visible photos
  • Hardware for synchronous shutter release: Assemble the electronics
    • Assembling the 555 timer circuit
    • Preparing USB cables
    • Preparing batteries and battery holders
  • Enhanced firmware to enable USB triggering and synchronous shutter release
    • Install and configure CHDK

Using your kit

• Someone should post a quick video runthrough of setting the cameras up "in the field", turning them on and closing the bottle enclosure. It could be simulated indoors on a hanging string?
• Using the Canon A495 cameras: Configuring the camera menus
• Do a test flight and post your results to share with others and help troubleshoot!

Processing the images

• Try the Photoshop/GIMP technique as demonstrated in the NRG tutorial video and the NDVI tutorial video
• Watch the video screencast at the top of MapKnitter.org for an intro to stitching your images together into a map.
  • Completed maps can be composited in Photoshop/GIMP or using experimental MapKnitter feature (link/video coming soon)
• Brainstorm better techniques

Interpretation

• Interpreting infrared images

Attached is the "introduction" document which shipped with each kit (also editable in Google Docs). For help, please contact the mailing list -- either register on Public Laboratory or email publiclaboratory@googlegroups.com.