High-Resolution Weather Cam

[41South]

I have used an old Canon A200 as my web cam (2.1 MP) for the last 3 years. The software is free to download from Canon to control the shutter and works with just about every Canon camera from the last 2-3 years. I've had zero problems with the cam running 24/7, it runs off a 3v power pack. The camera is looking out my office windows so I use a couple of ftp batch programs to copy it to the server. Connection to the PC is simply USB.

http://www.41south.net.nz/weather/webcam.jpg

I limit the picture size in the Canon utilities to 640x480, but could easily take it up to 1024x768. I just keep it small so the web page and image load faster.
The camera cost me NZD$60.00 on a local auction site - way cheaper that a web cam at the time, and far better quality.

[darrell110]

I can get the VM95 software to control the camera and take pictures, images show on the storage card, but VM95 always comes up saying "No Image" when it's done so I don't see anything.

Gosh. I am not sure. I am not an expert with the software. I have only been using it for about a week now, and got lucky. I only had to play with it for a little while and was able to get it working.

I just signed up for the VM95 forum on the manufactures site. You may wish to do the same and see if you can find some help there.

Sorry.

[darrell110]

As for turning off the webcam at night. I forget that everyone is not like me. No street lights around were I am at

16 second exposure, ISO 200 on a moon-lite night should get you a nice image. 

[Fox_Of_The_Wind]

16 second exposure, ISO 200 on a moon-lite night should get you a nice image. 

Oh come on you are not helping LOL.....Well one more camrea can't hurt.   

[anchorageweather]

Here are a few more sites running the VM95 software and Olympus cameras:

Salt water fish tank cam:
http://wrongcrowd.com/cam/

Mc Leans Ridges, NSW Australia weather cam:
http://www.bsch.au.com/webcams/index.html

Altadena, CA weather cam:
http://www.westphalfamily.com/wxdata2.html

Conejos River, CO weather cam:
http://www.gartholson.net/horca/weather/php/index.php

Conifer, CO weather cam:
http://www.thepipers.org/ranch/index.htm

Montecello, ME weather cam:
http://www.monticelloweather.com/

Hollis Point, Maryland weather and bird watching cams:
http://www.sigma-financial.com/

Madison, WI pumpkin cam:
http://www.video-monitoring.com/pumpkincam/ss1.htm

Salisbury Plains, NSW, Australia weather cam:
http://www.lochiel.iscentral.net/weather/Lochiel.htm

I really like the fact that I reduced the compression of the movies on my site (itsyourweather.com). It means larger file sizes, but much higher quality. I am no longer that worried about file size because so many visitors have broadband now.

There are some great info pages at these sites - they give lots of good advise regarding setup, cost, parts sources, etc.  I'm thinking this is going to be fun.  Can't wait until my accessories show up so I can get started.

[darrell110]

Just learned something negative:

This is from the company that makes the VM95 software:

We've seen through experience that the cameras are only last for 80,000 snaps give or take 25,000 depending on operating conditions. Since, in your case, the camera is indoors it would probably last longer than most. We typically recommend intervals of every 5 minutes. Also you could consider limited night shots.

Night shots are now fun!  I hate to limit those. I also love the smooth time lapse movies by taking a snapshot every minute.  Bummer.  I think I'll have to change my snap intervals and live with the less-than-ideal time lapse movies. I cannot afford to replace the camera every couple months.

Darrell

Then again, new cameras covered under warranty? 

[41South]

My quick calculation at 1 picture every 8 minutes for the past 3 years says that my Canon A200 has now taken 65000 pictures or there abouts 

Glad I have a spare 

[dija]

just spent the morning here looking on our top auction site trademe for one of those cameras suitable for VM and no luck, not even a canon A200 

ah well, i,ll keep checking, i so wanna do ths 

[41South]

Hi Pete,

TM is where I got mine, they do appear every now and then. I'd keep an eye out in the 2.1 MP range and see what crops up.

[niko]

Just learned something negative:

This is from the company that makes the VM95 software:

We've seen through experience that the cameras are only last for 80,000 snaps give or take 25,000 depending on operating conditions. Since, in your case, the camera is indoors it would probably last longer than most. We typically recommend intervals of every 5 minutes. Also you could consider limited night shots.

Can you provide the source for this information? What is supposed to wear out, and how? Why does being indoors affect the lifetime?

[darrell110]

Can you provide the source for this information? What is supposed to wear out, and how? Why does being indoors affect the lifetime?

The source was from video-monitoring.com. They have a bunch of these cameras in the field, so they are basing this on their experience.

Apparently, the shutters are mechanical, and therefore, wearout. I am a professional photographer, and I know that many SLR cameras are rated for a certain number of shots before shutters need to be replaced.

Darrell

[niko]

Yes, I have seen that number for dslr shutters, I had assumed than non-slr digitals didn't have usually have a mechanical shutter, but I guess that's wrong.

[anchorageweather]

The VM95 software that I am using can be found here: http://video-monitoring.com/hobbyist.htm

This same page lists compatable cameras.  Olympus cameras include: D575, D595, C4000, C4040, C5050, C5060, C700, C730, C750, C765, C7070, C8080, SP350 and SP500.

Does anyone know which of these models can use A/C power through an adapter?  Thanks for any help.

[daveq]

I'm using experimenting with my C-5050z using the A/C adapter from a D-360.  Both use the same power supply of 6.5 VDC.

--Dave

[doo567]

So it looks like people have had success with this camera:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLYMPUS-C-4000-C4000-4MP-DIGITAL-CAMERA_W0QQitemZ260079129145QQihZ016QQcategoryZ107897QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I would really like to try this project.  Anyone think this is a good price?  I know I would have to add ac adapter.  Another question I had does anyone know if the software would run on win98?  I have an old PC that I would totally dedicate to managing this process.

Thanks,
Ryan