i never got to post this *here*, but there it is now:
in the last few months, every now and then i found some time to play with my JG-RC2 and i’m really content.
the final firmware isn’t available yet, but i’m fine with the preliminary one, so far. (that’s how i got it in the first place – the final product version is not available, so i ordered the beta-version. but only the firmware will be different in the final version – and it’s upgradeable.)
in my correspondance with mr. jörn-hinnrich, we talked about some functions/settings that would be nice and/or should be included in the final version. for example, the camera has to run all the time in time-lapse-mode, even if it’s set to start shooting in 5 hours from now… mr. jörn-hinnrich assured me he’s working on it.
anyway – most of the time, the radio remote control works fine. although on some very rare (and apparently incidental) occasions it just doesn’t fire, while the receiver signalizes firing with it’s little red status led.
but unplugging the receiver, rebooting the camera and starting over always fixed the problem.
sporadically, there are reception blackouts in the field, too. i haven’t tried it extensively enough to be able to tell why that is.
apart from these minor problems the remote control is very cool!
operating the 6-button-receiver unit (which is a wired remote control itself and features the time-lapse-function) and the 3-button-sender unit may seem a little technical at first (2 service-levels, different combinations, …), but i adapted to it very quickly. besides, the whole thing can be reprogrammed (you can assign different functions to the buttons, setting the time-lapse is much easier via pc, …) through the computer’s com-port.
package contents
- wired unit
- wireless sender unit
- dummy-plug for the camera’s video-socket – prevents the camera from automatically shutting down
- com-adapter for programming the wired part
- com-cable, length 1m
- instruction manual
- the configuration-program (and the future firmware-upgrade) is available on the website.
additionally, there is an optional battery adapter available which will enable you to switch the camera on by radio control. 9V-battery not included.
wired unit
buttons 1+3 can be reassigned by pc-configuration: shutter release | focus (lock for 1s, 3s or 5s so you can release the shutter without focussing again) | lock focus | tele-zoom, wideangle-zoom | save and load zoom-position | load max-tele or max-wideangle position | set interval, start interval exposure | switch off camera | burst-10 (sends 10 release-signals to the camera. at larger resolutions, some of the signals are ignored because the camera needs more time for saving);
the other buttons are fixed – shutter release | focus | end function on level 1, and start interval exposure | set interval | switch off camera on level 2.
sender unit
the sender unit is small&handy and can easily be hidden from the camera when the photographer is on the picture.
button 3 changes the keymap to level 2, so there are basically 2 buttons. the wireless unit differentiates between long and short push; pressing both buttons the same time also is an option, which adds up to 5 combinations.
possible button assignments for the sender unit are: shutter release | focus (1,3,5 seconds) | lock focus | zoom in&out | go to max tele-/wa-position | burst-10 | switch off camera
time-lapse function
the camera takes single photos which can then be merged into a video – mr. jörn-hinnrich refers to a freeware program called JPGVideo. i used this program to create my videos. you can set the interval, number of photos and starting time (e.g. “start 5 hours from now”).
configuration by pc allows intervalls from 1 s to over 1 year.
[well, i doubt anybody would have his camera run for a year to take two pictures alltogether…]
miscelanneous notes
- the number of photos you can take (and the video filesize) depends, of course, on your chosen resolution and memory stick size.
- setting the camera to manual focus ensures that it won’t focus on something else in the middle of the process…
- don’t use the camera’s battery – always use the power plug.
- there is a security function that prevents the camera from unwantedly taking too many pictures (to prevent abrasion). it can be disabled by pc.
you’ll find sample photos and videos in the time-lapse category of my blog.
there are screenshots of the configuration program on the official website, package contents are shown here:
