After trying to use my Fujifilm X-T3 under Ekos/Indi control I finally “succeeded”. What follows is a list of things I learned so far:
The camera is set as follows:
1. Manual Focus
2. Electronic Shutter (ES) (not manual shutter) is required to allow external control of shutter speeds.
3. "B" setting on exposure dial – allows Ekos/Indi to set shutter speed. The list of permissible speeds is listed in the Kstars log file (Debug enabled) following the line:
[date & time DEBG][org.kde.kstars.indi] - Fuji DSLR Fujifilm X-T3: "[DEBUG] Finding exposure widget…
Using shutter speed settings NOT in this list (Ekos Camera module has many available) results in failure and having to “reset”. I found this out after doing this: It is possible to choose exposure times (7 seconds was where I first noticed it) that are not supported. This fails, leaving the camera in the flashing green mode and unresponsive. The Indi driver (I assume) has a list of shutter speeds that seem allowable – I found this list later...
4. "A" setting on ISO dial. Ekos/Indi sets the ISO
5. Camera's PC Connection Mode set to "USB tether shooting auto"
6. When using camera with a Fuji XL lens installed (rather than on the telescope) I have the lens in manual aperture mode and image stabilization set off.
7. Camera is also set to fire with no camera lens attached ("Shoot without lens" = ON) This is the mode for using the camera on a telescope.
In the Ekos/Indi setup screens:
My “control system” comprises a MacBook Pro laptop (2016) w/Kstars 3.5.0 & 3.5.1, Raspberry Pi 4B (4GB) running latest Astroberry, 500GB Samsung SSD, a 12V powered USB 3.0 hub. Connection Mac to Pi is via a 50 foot Ethernet cable (flat, STP) with VNC viewer. Wireless proved to be flaky given existing router locations.
The controlled equipment pieces are, the Fuji X-T3 as the main camera, an ASI120mm mono as the guider (on a 60mm scope), and a Skywatcher HEQ5+ mount (as Eqmod).
- In the Indi Control Panel – Options screen, “Force Bulb” must be OFF for any function to take place.
- In order to reduce time between exposures I have set the (laptop) Ekos Capture Module to “Save = Remotely” to keep the 53MB RAW files from downloading to the laptop (which takes 20 to 75 seconds depending on connection to the Raspberry Pi, Ethernet vs. Wifi) To make this work the Indi Control Panel – Options is set to “Upload = Local”.
- SD Card (Save/Delete) seems to always write the RAF file to the SD card. The image files saved to the Pi use filenames set in the Ekos Camera Module (File Setting) whereas the files on the SD card use the normal Fujifilm designations. (equates to two files of each exposure with different file names – not an issue as far as I’m concerned.)
Other observations:
- I am using a USB 3 cable with type C to A connectors for the Fuji main camera, plugged into the powered hub to prevent excess power draw (due to it’s “topping up” the battery operational characteristics – I was seeing a lot of under-voltage errors logged on the Pi, especially when I started using the SSD for boot/storage.) I bought the hub after fighting with this for a while...
- Guide camera is USB 2 and is connected directly to one of the Pi’s USB 2 ports. (It seems if I plug both cameras into the Pi, or both into the hub, the ASI120 is not recognized. (I don’t know why, but one in each makes it work.)
- The SSD (USB 3) and the mount (USB 2 w/FTDI adapter cord) are plugged into the hub. (connecting the mount directly to the Pi doesn’t seem to “upset” the guide camera.)
- When the system is functioning properly the LED on the Fuji X-T3 flashes alternately green and orange. If it just starts flashing orange only, or green only, then "something" has happened and it seems I have to reboot the Pi in order to get things sorted. Just power cycling the camera or unplugging/re-plugging the USB connections doesn't seem to "fix" it. (though somebody with more experience with the Pi universe might have a trick I don't know about.) A vigorous startup procedure is required.
- Camera LED is green when Pi is rebooted with camera connected (USB 3 port on hub). This seems to indicate a live USB connection is recognized by the camera
If camera is off when when attempting to connect with Ekos it reports Indi can't connect. Turning camera on and reconnecting in Ekos, results in connection (and at this time, the green LED turns off).
- Starting an exposure sequence causes LED to turn green momentarily then start flashing green/orange (same rate as green flash only)
After exposure is downloaded, the LED continues to flash orange. I take this as a sign that the next exposures in the sequence will work.
Yet to sort out:
- Is live-view supported? It would be nice to focus viewing computer screen rather than contorting around to see the (usually) poorly place LCD screen on the camera. This would also make using an electronic focuser realistic. (though I must say the clear Bahtinov from William Optics works a treat on a reasonably bright star – way better than I had assumed before actually using it)
Other things… (there has to be more, I just haven’t run across them yet in these early days of my foray into this fascinating world)
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