Blackmagic Camera Control

A Python GUI application for controlling Blackmagic cameras via REST API.

Features

• Real-time Camera Control: Adjust ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance
• Recording Control: Start/stop recording with visual feedback
• Live Status Monitoring: Battery level, storage remaining, and current settings
• Auto Refresh: Automatic status updates from camera
• Configurable Settings: Connection, UI, and logging settings
• Modern GUI: Clean, responsive interface using tkinter

Requirements

• Python 3.7 or higher
• tkinter (usually included with Python)
• Required packages (see requirements.txt)

Installation

1. Clone or download this repository
2. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

Running the Application

python main.py

Configuration

1. Camera Connection:

   • Go to File → Settings → Camera tab
   • Set your camera's IP address and port
   • HTTPS Settings:
     • Enable "Use HTTPS" for secure connection (mandatory)
     • Disable "Verify SSL" if using self-signed certificates
   • Authentication (Required):
     • Enter Username/Password (most common), OR
     • Enter API Key if your camera uses token-based auth
     • Try common defaults: admin/admin or blackmagic/blackmagic
   • Configure timeout and retry settings

2. Interface Settings:

   • Choose UI theme
   • Set window size preferences
   • Configure auto-refresh settings

3. Logging:

   • Set log level (DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, CRITICAL)
   • Configure log file rotation

Camera Control

1. Connect to Camera: Click "Connect" button
2. Adjust Settings: Use the control panel to change:
   • ISO (100-12800)
   • Shutter Speed (1/24 - 1/200)
   • Aperture (f/1.4 - f/16)
   • White Balance (2500K - 7500K)
3. Recording: Use the recording panel to start/stop recording
4. Status Monitoring: View real-time camera status and settings

API Integration

The application now supports HTTPS connections for secure communication with your Blackmagic camera. The application expects a REST API with the following endpoints:

Connection Settings

• Protocol: HTTPS (mandatory for Blackmagic cameras)
• Port: 443 (HTTPS default)
• SSL Verification: Disabled by default for self-signed certificates
• Authentication: Username/Password or API Key required
• Host: JuhaninMicro.local (configurable)

Common Authentication

• Username: admin / Password: admin
• Username: blackmagic / Password: blackmagic
• Check your camera manual for model-specific defaults

Status Endpoint

• GET /status - Get camera status and settings

Recording Endpoints

• POST /recording/start - Start recording
• POST /recording/stop - Stop recording

Settings Endpoints

• PUT /settings/iso - Set ISO value
• PUT /settings/shutter - Set shutter speed
• PUT /settings/aperture - Set aperture
• PUT /settings/whitebalance - Set white balance

Expected Response Format

{
  "success": true,
  "model": "Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K",
  "firmware": "7.9.1",
  "serial": "123456789",
  "settings": {
    "iso": 800,
    "shutter_speed": "1/50",
    "aperture": "f/2.8",
    "white_balance": 5600,
    "recording": false,
    "battery_level": 85,
    "storage_remaining": "01:23:45"
  }
}

Project Structure

BlackmagicMicroControl/
├── main.py                    # Application entry point
├── requirements.txt           # Python dependencies
├── config.json               # Configuration file (auto-generated)
├── src/
│   ├── api/
│   │   └── camera_client.py  # REST API client
│   ├── config/
│   │   └── settings.py       # Settings management
│   ├── gui/
│   │   ├── main_window.py    # Main application window
│   │   ├── control_panels.py # Camera control panels
│   │   └── settings_dialog.py # Settings dialog
│   └── utils/
│       └── logger.py         # Logging utilities
├── logs/                     # Log files directory
└── .github/
    └── copilot-instructions.md # Copilot instructions

Development

Adding New Camera Controls

1. Update CameraSettings class in camera_client.py
2. Add API methods to BlackmagicAPIClient
3. Create UI controls in control_panels.py
4. Update the main window event handlers

Customizing the Interface

• Modify themes and styles in main_window.py
• Add new panels by extending the control panels
• Update settings dialog for new configuration options

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

• Verify camera IP address and port in settings
• Check network connectivity
• Ensure camera API is running and accessible
• Review logs in the logs/ directory

Performance Issues

• Disable auto-refresh if experiencing slowdowns
• Increase refresh interval in settings
• Check log level (DEBUG creates more overhead)

GUI Issues

• Try different themes in Interface settings
• Adjust window size settings
• Restart application after making changes

License

This project is provided as-is for educational and development purposes.