Manual focus in a mapping mission.

David G

I want to have manual focus in a mapping mission, but I have not worked out how to achieve it.

By running this mission in preview I see that the camera is set to autofocus.

By default, the focus is set to auto in a command that seems to be a fixed part of the mapping tool.
The autofocus command is the sixth command in the series pointed to by my green arrow.

The seven embedded commands are as follows:

Camera stop capture
Camera mode photo
Camera photo type – Interval
Camera photo interval 2 seconds
Camera auto-lock Gimbal – Disabled
Camera Focus Mode – Auto
Camera Focus 50% | 50%

My question is, What is the best way to override that focus command?
I do not want to lose the mapping functionality,
I simply wish to specify my own focus and exposure parameters.

I did try using immediate and achieved components to insert my commands, but my manual focus command appeared at the beginning of the camera commands before the embedded commands.
I assume the later embedded autofocus command would override my manual focus camera command.

0

Comments

6 comments

  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Not possible right now, moving to feature requests.

    0
  • Comment author
    David G

    This request is possibly not so much a feature request.
    I think this is more the choice to include or not a feature in any particular mission.

    A simple switch to stop focus and any exposure commands being imposed on the mapping script would resolve this issue.
    I imagine that this could be done very quickly with minimal thought.
    The essential automated mapping functions would remain.

    I would be very interested in hearing any comments from experienced mappers because I believe that mapping benefits from not having random changes in focus between image captures. I have also gathered that results benefit from good manual control of exposure and lighting settings.

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    We've already done something similar in facade:

    You are correct, it isn't complicated (most of the feature requests are not). We just have a list a mile long so it always comes down to priority.

     

    0
  • Comment author
    David G

    Thanks Jim for taking the time to reply.

    I might say that if you could tilt the Façade 90 degrees, it might do what I have asked for.
    Come to think of it; my next request was going to be for mission on an inclined plane.

    Unfortunately, neither of those options would be accessible to me on my hobbyist plan.
    I will wait patiently.
    Having looked at the Trello board, I see you do have a list a mile long.

    0
  • Comment author
    FlyinLo

    Jim, is this now possible?  I want to layout the mission for the P4 RTK (or P4P), take off to map altitude.  Then manually set focus and exposure, then continue the mission.

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Maps no longer auto focus by default.

    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.