if you want to bracketing and if you want to use the xml logfile as papywizard import file than you can contact T&C and refer to me (Georg Kafer) I got a customized OS with following extension:

setup: using the T&C handcontroller connected to the merlin and the shutter plug from the merlin is connected to the extension port of the promote control and the usb+shutter plug of promote control are connected to your camera...

configuration: T&C setting of brackets has to be set to one and the number of brackets you want to shoot is to be set at the promote.
result: t&C starts sequence the promote starts the bracket set and in result the xml file contains one image per set not the real shot image number set in the promote control device.

my customized version now solves this and I can set the bracket number at the T&C to x and the bracket number at the promote also to x and in result the sequence is started by the T&C only once the promote does the x shots per set and the xml file contains X images!

my cusomized Firmware can also be used in default setup:
T&C connected to merlin and T&C shutter connected to the accessory port of promote and shutter+usb from promote to cam:
here the xml file contains only one image (TC is set to one bracket image and xml file contains one image... setting this to 2 would cause starting the sequence at the promote 2 times...)

I got information that if someone is interested it can be requested at T&C...

Georg

PS: if this is useful for you depends on your workflow...

if you take the bracketed images and enfuses them with external tools (photomatix etc...) than its less interesting...
if you wan to use the new stacking inside APG than its interesting...
if you tend to do smaller panos with fisheye lens than the xml file as import source is in most cased not needed...
if you tend to do gigapixel panos than the xml file as import source is interesting (better default placement of images in sky area etc.)

Last edited by gkaefer (2011-06-29 11:18:09)

irpano wrote:

Thanks to Klaus and George for their answers. The promote is compatable with the Canon 30D and I have ordered the  extra shutter release cable form Promote.  Thanks for the insight as to the 3.5 to 2.5 adapter from the TC to the Promote. All a bit clearer now.
George, I take it that if I want to use the xml file from T&C for panos with large areas of featureless sky etc  that the update to the T&c firmware is required so that ALL bracketed shots are recorder -NOT JUST ONE.  One of the things we have in Australia is bright blue sky and it often causes problems with the stitch. I will contact Josef and ask for this upgrade. He has been very helpfull in the past.
Thanks again for the help on this subject and I cant wait to be able to get more than a bracket stack. I have tried DSLR remote in the past and whilst very good it requires that you be tethered to a pc.  I like the special hardware that is compact and works every time.
Thanks again

Hi!

I don´t think you need any special adaption by Josef. Set the bracketing sequenz in Promote: let´s say 12 shots. Measure the time it takes Promote/Camera to fire the sequence, as example 20sec. Set in the TC: numbers of shots=1, wait-time=20 sec.


When you process the bracketed series before stitching you get one image per position - corresponding to the number of shots you told the TC. So in the xml you have the correct number of shots.

best, Klaus

P.S.: sorry - Georg mentioned that already . . i didn´t read it all, was in a hurry.

Last edited by klausesser (2011-06-30 13:12:31)

George and Klaus,
It would appear that with my workflow, being that I pre process each bracketed set in Photomatix before stitching in APG, I will not need the upgrade to the T&C controller.
Having read Klaus' post about misleading information - "What does it mean'  I can only say that I agree in many respects with him and I am not denigrating APG, I think its a great stitcher. BUT having an extended conversation in another post "Bracketing - How does it work" I conclude that the feature in APG that deals with bracketed images is beyond my capacity to understand fully what it does. Maybe its the "Convict" mentality of us down here in Australia, OR, its the interpretation each of us put on the words that makes it difficult to understand.  Certainly some word meanings get lost in translation, English From French English, From English to Germain English etc etc.
To conclude, I think I will stay with my workflow for small mosaic panoramas (Up to 1 GB) and enjoy the use of the Merlin,T&c and Promote controllers.
Thanks again for your replies
John

irpano wrote:

Then starting the T&C controller it will advancethe head to position 1, send a signal to the promote to fire off 5 exposures and then advance to position 2 etc.
is this correct?

Hi John!

That´s correct!

best, Klaus

P.S.: stero-plug!

P.S.2: You also can trigger the Promote via Merlin - for example when you use a long cable from TC to Merlin. In that case connect Merlin´s 2,5mm out with the Promote 2,5mm accessory input. Use USB or camera jack to fire the camera.

Last edited by klausesser (2011-07-14 13:17:00)

irpano wrote:

Klaus or George,
I have been off the air for a week or two with my laptop and have just got it back and am setting up the promote with the T&C.
The problem is that whilst Everything works with the T&c  and the promote as standalone, as soon as I plug in a cable from the T&C to the Promote the camera does not fire. I have tried connecting the T&C to the Promote with a 3.5 to 2.5 stereo cable - Does not work. Merlin to promote with a 2.5 to 2.5 stereo cable - Does not work.
In fact if I plug  a cable from either of the two source options into the promote It gets and error message. If I unplug the cable from the promote everything works. SO it must be the connections of the pins in the stereo cabkle. I have spoken to Josef at T&C and he informs me that the 3.5 outlet on the t&c uses both the 1 & 2 pins for signal to the promote as one.  So should the pins at the promote be joined as well . (eg T&C pins 1 + 2 to Promote pins 1&2)  . What cabling do either of you use and how do you get the setup to work.
I only need to record 1 position in the XML from T&C because I will be using Photomatix to tone map each bracket before running through APG.
any help appreciated.
John

Hi John!

Use the 3,5mm jack on TC with an adapter to 2,5mm and connect a 2,5mm cable to the aux jack of the promote. Use the Promote USB connection to connect it to the camera´s USB jack. That´s all! The TC triggers the Promote and the Promote triggers the camera. Don´t use mirror-lock on the camera and don´t use bracketing settings on the camera - that´s done by the Promote via USB! I don´t know the 30D - on my 5D2 it works this way. You might find descriptions on the Promote-site for the 30D.
Additionally try the camera-release cable from the 3,5mm jack on the Promote to trigger the camera via the Canon-jack. I use a short male/male 3,5mm cable and an adapter from 3,5mm to Canon-jack.
All cables are stereo - no modification needed.

best, Klaus

Last edited by klausesser (2011-07-29 12:51:18)