SoFiMagic -- Sony App and optional platform/camera independend python script to fully automated shoot a Eclipse or similar task
Mainly for SONY -- but wait, there is now also a generic platform independent (requires only python3+gphoto2) alternative gphoto based python command line tool / script what does make use of the exacte same XML shooting program as used for the Sony app! I needed this to get my old Nikon going -- via armbian radxa or raspberrypi or such.... See Sony unrelated gMagicPy folder. Almost excatly same: please remove the xmlns=... url part from the global tag so it does only start with the plain tag. See example xml fiel in this folder!
SoFiMagic (Automated Solar Eclipe Shooting) app for Sony Alpha cameras using the OpenMemories: Framework. Based in TimeLapse app, based on Focus app.
I have only a Sony Alpha7Rii (ILCE-7RM2) to test it, if you have another camera I would be happy to receive bug reports.
Install and use on own risk. Test everything before yourself.
Use Sony-PMCA-RE
See here for supported cameras, "App-Support" is required: https://openmemories.readthedocs.io/devices.html
The build app apk package is included here ready to install.
Thanks to ma1co for creating this amazing framework and obs1dium, I used FocusBracket as a code base. And final thanks to jonasjuffinger for creating TimeLapse I used as template to start SoFiMagic.
Load project into Android Studio...
Start App, configure. Review XML file on CF card in SOFIMAGI folder created by App itself at first start. Edit XML file... see below for example. Global options:
- Use Silent Shutter (SS) mode -- will automatically disabled for Burts/Cont Hi/Low shooting and enabled again!
- Manual Focus (MF) -- very recommened for most cases! Focus before. Also set Aperture if any! (F-Settings do not yet work correctly -- need help here!! Try various...)
- Display Off (DOFF) -- when running, can be turned back on/off while running (Fn, Play Buttons), see below.
- Start via Start button on display or Camera Play Button
Start App again. Finally click the start button and wait.
You can stop by clicking the MENU button on the camera.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT START THIS APP WITH CAMERA BEEN IN DRIVE MODE USING ANY TIMER SETTING (2/10s delay, or Bracket delayed...) -- THIS WILL FAIL PROGRAMMED SHOOTING! SET TO SINGLE DRIVE MODE, NO TIMER.
The settings screens. Start button at the bottom, scroll down.
Settings:
- "Play" button now also starts the job from settings menu.
- "Fn" Button takes a exact Camera time reading when pressed and that time is shown/updated with ms precision on top of the settings screen.
- Camera/Program-ID or Nick Name is displayed on top of settings screen. Can only be set via XML file.
Bracketing CameraFlags are experimental, may not work -- TDB. Stick with S (Single Shot) and program the series required for now!
While running:
- "Play" Button will turn on the display, and activates timeout to display off (5s)
- "Fn" Button turn on display for infinite time. To turn off auto again press "Play".
- "Menu"/"Trash" Button stop / interrupt the progam, back to settings plage. Can start over at any time!
IMPORTANT: Bracketing and Aperture settings are still experimental and may casue issues/not work. DO NOT USE WITHOUT EXTENSIVE TESTING. MAY FAIL IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
See at the bottom for all configuration screens.
Navigate with the navigation buttons/dial. Select field (green highlighted) to adjust using all three dials:
a) setup contact times CT1 .. CT4 to the second for your location. Make sure the Camera time is precisely set on the second! b) setup exposure lists and intervals c) do a test run!!!
use the front/back dials to adjust HH and SS, use the navigation combo dial toadjust H-1h and H+20min (custom mode). use the front dial to adjust indicent, numbers and other settings. The 2nd and 3rd dial is applying larger increments!
Setup CT1..CT4.
Select Eclipse phase via the slider (Fron dial) and configure shooting details.
For each Eclipse Phase "NAME" a exposure program is to be configured.
NAME: Name of Shooting Phase:
Partial1, Contact2, TotalityA, MaxTotaliy, TotalityB, Contact3, Partial2, END
There may be more or any names used than default -- experimental, can be created via XML file.
REF_CONTACT = 0 is MAX computed from (TC2+TC3)/2.
PHASE START, END times are in seconds relative to REF_CONTACT_START,_END index=1,2,0,3,4
Example 1st phase:
Partial1: CT1 - 30s to CT2 - 10s #Shots to be distributed (Interval shooting) 100
PHASE Start/End time is relative to C0, C1..C4 as defined by REF_CONTACT_START/END plus a offset START and END in seconds.
Number shots (= Number of Exposure series to be run to be precise in interval mode) > 1: Automated Interval Shooting for this PHASE.
Number Shots set to -1: Repeat Exposure List as often as it fits into the time window. No delays.
Number Shots set to 0 mean END of Lists!
For each interval the Exposure Lists are executed once.
CF: CAMERA_FLAG_LIST: Drive Modes are S: Single Photo, C: Continuous High, M: Continuous Medium, L: Continuous Low, B: Bracketing (experimental, may not work right)
BT: BURST_DURATION_LIST: Defines Burst Duration if in C,M or L Drive Mode. In Bracketing Mode (CF=B), see list of BT values below.
ISO: ISO_LIST: ISO to be set. Must be a valid ISO number. ISO=0 MUST terminate the list (internally)
F: F_LIST: Aperture setting, 0: ignored. MUST be a valid Aperture. [expeimental, may not work right yet]
t: SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST: Shutter Speed to be set. MUST be a valid shutter speed.
Bracketing Options:
BT value
3: Bracket 0.3EV, 3 Pictures
4: Bracket 0.3EV, 5 Pictures
5: Bracket 0.5EV, 3 Pictures
6: Bracket 0.5EV, 5 Pictures
7: Bracket 0.7EV, 3 Pictures
8: Bracket 0.7EV, 5 Pictures
9: Bracket 0.7EV, 9 Pictures ** no supported by all cameras
10: Bracket 1EV, 3 Pictures
11: Bracket 1EV, 5 Pictures
12: Bracket 1EV, 9 Picturesc ** no supported by all cameras
20: Bracket 2EV, 3 Pictures
21: Bracket 2EV, 5 Pictures
22: Bracket 2EV, 9 Picturse ** no supported by all cameras
30: Bracket 3EV, 3 Pictures
31: Bracket 3EV, 5 Pictures
32: Bracket 3EV, 9 Pictures ** no supported by all cameras
Note: if you wish you can edit the created XML file on SD card. The app stores (auto created if not existing or wrong) a XML file if the SOFIMAGI folder. And uses it if found.
The silent shutter option is functionless on cameras without silent shutter mode. WARNING: Burst/Continuous Shooting may not be available or work depending on Camera model. TEST IT! If in doubt, do not use. Now camera is set to shutter use for busting automatically.
This sets focus mode to manual. Be sure to have focused before starting the app!
EXPERIMENTAL/TETSING -- DO NOT SELECT. Turn the display off between each shot. This doesn't change the battery consumption but it can be healthy for the display when taking very long time lapses.
After checking and adjusting the settings, activate the Start button. The following screen will show a live view and shooting stats with time to next shot/phase and current time.
Pause/abort shooting via Menu button. WARNING: Try to avoid pushign the button whil shooting / saving images is in progress -- may cause issues. Known bug.
YES, you can restart it any time and it will catch up to the correct point in time to continue! Still be cautious here, not extensive tested at this time.
The XML example below is auto created on first app start on SD Card as SOFIMAGI/SOFIPRG.XML. A app log file is also created (and always appended to) in SOFIMAGI/LOG.TXT.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><sofimagic xmlns="com.github.pyzahl">
<VALID_SOFI_PROGRAM>
<STATUS>VALID</STATUS>
<VERBOSE_LEVEL>VERBOSE</VERBOSE_LEVEL>
<COMMENT>Eclipse Program: may edit this file or use App.
NAME: Name of Shooting Phase. There may be more or any names used than default.
PHASE Start/End time is relative to C0, C1..C4 as defined by REF_CONTACT_START/END plus a offset START and END in seconds.
Number shots > 0: Automated Interval Shooting for PHASE.
For each interval the Exposure Lists are executed once.
CAMERA_FLAG_LIST: Drive Modes are S: Single Photo, C: Continuous High, M: Continuous Medium, L: Continuous Low, B: Bracketing
BURST_DURATION_LIST: Defines Burst Duration if in C,M or L Drive Mode.
ISO_LIST: ISO to be set. Must be a valid ISO number. ISO=0 MUST terminate the list (internally)
F_LIST: Aperture setting, 0: ignored. MUST be a valid Aperture.
SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST: Shutter Speed to be set. MUST be a valid shutter speed.
</COMMENT>
</VALID_SOFI_PROGRAM>
<ECLIPSE_REF_CONTACT_TIMES>
<C1>11:00:00</C1>
<C2>12:10:00</C2>
<C3>12:14:00</C3>
<C4>13:24:00</C4>
<COMMENT1>C0 is MAX = (TC2+TC3)/2=12:12:00</COMMENT1>
<COMMENT2>REF_CONTACT = 0 is MAX computed from (TC2+TC3)/2. PHASE START, END times in sec relative to REF_CONTACT_START,_END index=1,2,0,3,4</COMMENT2>
</ECLIPSE_REF_CONTACT_TIMES>
<PHASE>
<NAME>Partial1</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>1</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>-30</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>2</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>-10</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>100</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>S,C,S,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>0,4,0,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>400,400,320,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>3.2,0.0,0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/3200,1/2000,1/4000,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
<PHASE>
<NAME>Contact2</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>2</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>-6</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>2</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>6</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>-1</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>C,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>12,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>100,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/4000,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
<PHASE>
<NAME>TotalityA</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>2</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>6</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>0</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>-30</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>-1</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>50,100,400,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/4000,1/2000,1/1000,1/1000,1/500,1/250,1/100,1/50,1/20,1/4,1/1,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
<PHASE>
<NAME>MaxTotality</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>0</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>-30</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>0</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>30</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>-1</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>100,400,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/1000,1/1000,1/1000,1/500,1/1000,1/500,1/1000,1/500,1/100,1/20,1/1,2/1,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
<PHASE>
<NAME>TotalityB</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>0</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>30</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>3</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>-6</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>-1</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,S,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>50,100,400,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,800,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/4000,1/2000,1/1000,1/1000,1/500,1/250,1/100,1/50,1/20,1/4,1/1,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
<PHASE>
<NAME>Contact3</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>3</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>-6</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>3</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>6</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>-1</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>C,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>12,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>100,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/4000,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
<PHASE>
<NAME>Partial2</NAME>
<REF_CONTACT_START>3</REF_CONTACT_START>
<START>10</START>
<REF_CONTACT_END>4</REF_CONTACT_END>
<END>30</END>
<NUMBER_SHOTS>100</NUMBER_SHOTS>
<CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>S,S,S,</CAMERA_FLAG_LIST>
<BURST_DURATION_LIST>0,0,0,</BURST_DURATION_LIST>
<ISO_LIST>400,400,320,</ISO_LIST>
<F_LIST>0.0,0.0,0.0,</F_LIST>
<SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>1/3200,1/2000,1/3200,</SHUTTER_SPEED_LIST>
</PHASE>
</sofimagic>
Installed Apppication View:
App in action:
All settings screenshots:
From the 2024 Eclipse: