Soldato
I was asked if I could provide the guts (camera + pc) for a photobooth for a party, someone else was asked to build the booth and another offered to create the software for it. Unfortunately after 2 months of talks and plans between all parties they both pulled out (software dev just went silent and produced nothing, builder moved house and didn't have time to continue) but for the party they still wanted one... how hard can it be? As it's not going to be used much I'd like to keep it on a budget yet still awesome and expandable if I want to play with it in the future.
This is a bit of a build log, but at the same time I would welcome any advice or experience.
Hardware
Currently have the choice between a 60D or a 7D. Might get a grip so I can run it off 2 batteries instead of needing it to be plugged in. This will be connected to a docked Dell tablet as it offers touch control, preview capabilities and external monitors. I don't need to print on site as they will be batch printed as "thankyou" cards later, but the option is there in the future. Lens choice is either a Canon 24-70L or a Sigma 10-20, only problem is I might need the 10-20 for another project. Alternatively a 5D2 could be used but I'd rather not at this stage.
Software
This is where I'm a bit stuck. If I was manning it I'd be happy to use EOS Utility and photoshop to batch process the shots but unfortunately I'm wanted there as a guest too so automation is required.
I've had a demo of DSLRbooth which for $50 works pretty well... but for $150 I can have extra features and due to the automation side the live view feature would be useful. As I'm not printing I'll need to find a way to create a slideshow of images as they are saved but most of the software I've tried doesn't update as more photos are added.
This weekend I'm going to test Sparkbooth, it comes in more at $200 but it supposedly has an option to run a 2nd PC as the print/preview/social media kiosk which would solve the shortcomings of DSLRbooth... but I've gone from a $50 option up to $200 just for a few features.
The "Booth"
I'm on about the 12th design so far... fortunately only an "open" style is required so I don't need the whole passport photo experience. The plan currently is to have a large frame we already have (1.5x1m) in portrait for the guests to stand behind in a fixed position to ensure everyone is in focus and for guests to be assured they are in the photo rather than leaning in which you typically get. This means liveview isn't required but it would be useful. This will be a fixed distance (currently 2m using a 24mm lens on crop) which might be too far away. A picture will probably show this better (picture shows 1.5m) of what I'm planning.
Alternatively another option I had was to use a "garden arch" instead of the frame but trying to find one cheap and stable enough was causing a few issues.
Too Long Didn't Read
In the interest of OCUK advertising rules: there is no plan to hire this out as most of the hardware in this project is used elsewhere which I don't wish to duplicate. It's purely for fun.
This is a bit of a build log, but at the same time I would welcome any advice or experience.
Hardware
Currently have the choice between a 60D or a 7D. Might get a grip so I can run it off 2 batteries instead of needing it to be plugged in. This will be connected to a docked Dell tablet as it offers touch control, preview capabilities and external monitors. I don't need to print on site as they will be batch printed as "thankyou" cards later, but the option is there in the future. Lens choice is either a Canon 24-70L or a Sigma 10-20, only problem is I might need the 10-20 for another project. Alternatively a 5D2 could be used but I'd rather not at this stage.
Software
This is where I'm a bit stuck. If I was manning it I'd be happy to use EOS Utility and photoshop to batch process the shots but unfortunately I'm wanted there as a guest too so automation is required.
I've had a demo of DSLRbooth which for $50 works pretty well... but for $150 I can have extra features and due to the automation side the live view feature would be useful. As I'm not printing I'll need to find a way to create a slideshow of images as they are saved but most of the software I've tried doesn't update as more photos are added.
This weekend I'm going to test Sparkbooth, it comes in more at $200 but it supposedly has an option to run a 2nd PC as the print/preview/social media kiosk which would solve the shortcomings of DSLRbooth... but I've gone from a $50 option up to $200 just for a few features.
The "Booth"
I'm on about the 12th design so far... fortunately only an "open" style is required so I don't need the whole passport photo experience. The plan currently is to have a large frame we already have (1.5x1m) in portrait for the guests to stand behind in a fixed position to ensure everyone is in focus and for guests to be assured they are in the photo rather than leaning in which you typically get. This means liveview isn't required but it would be useful. This will be a fixed distance (currently 2m using a 24mm lens on crop) which might be too far away. A picture will probably show this better (picture shows 1.5m) of what I'm planning.
Alternatively another option I had was to use a "garden arch" instead of the frame but trying to find one cheap and stable enough was causing a few issues.
Too Long Didn't Read
- Need to build a photo booth, was just supplying hardware... they pulled out and I have to do the lot.
- Do I try and stay at 24mm or is wide acceptable for this type of shot?
- Anyone with any software experience, so far it's between DSLRbooth and Sparkbooth. As we're not printing I need to be able to preview a few past shots either through slideshows or a native gallery.
- Is there software that will play a slideshow, but still plays new files when new ones are added to the folder?
- Any comments/crit welcome, hoping to start a buildlog when I have enough feedback.
In the interest of OCUK advertising rules: there is no plan to hire this out as most of the hardware in this project is used elsewhere which I don't wish to duplicate. It's purely for fun.
