This page collects different ways to use Raspberry Pi computer boards (and related boards) to make small, cheap, lightweight cameras for different purposes, including #aerial-mapping, #balloon-mapping, #kite-mapping, #timelapse and #spectrometry. ## Raspberry Pi Simple Camera Kit We've [been working on some software](https://github.com/publiclab/image-builder-rpi/) for this widely used mini camera-and-computer in a tiny box (especially the lightweight "Zero W" model) to make it available with a **pre-flashed SD card** that turns this into a **ready-to-use WiFi enabled camera**. This gets over many of the barriers of using the regular Raspberry Pi kit and having to do a lot of programming/installing to get it running. We've managed to get a **plug and play** version running! Just plug it in using a Micro USB cable (or battery pack) and it'll create a WiFi network called "00PiCamera" -- password "publiclab" -- which you can log into from your phone or laptop. You'll quickly see streaming video, be able to take photos, timelapses, or videos, do motion triggered capture, and more: * [Pi Camera Kit](https://store.publiclab.org/products/raspberry-pi-camera) * [Infragram Pi Camera Kit](https://store.publiclab.org/products/infragram-pi-camera) * our [Microscope Pi kits](https://store.publiclab.org/collections/microscopes) use this as well * [Pre-flashed SD cards for Raspberry Pi cameras](https://store.publiclab.org/products/pi-builder-cards) * combine with (maybe?) [CR123a lithium battery](https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cr123a) (and tell us how that goes!) For more on the open source Pi Builder software that made this possible, [see this blog post](/notes/icarito/10-21-2018/introducing-pi-builder) and [troubleshoot on this wiki page](/pi-builder) [notes:grid:activity:pi-camera-setup] **** ## Questions Questions can be either frequently asked questions, or "next step" challenges we're looking to solve. [questions:pi-camera] ## Activities Activities show how to use this project, step by step. [activities:pi-camera] **** ### Resources * Camera module http://m.e-cantonfair.com/#/product/552106 * Focus tricks https://raspi.tv/2013/adapt-your-raspberry-pi-camera-for-close-up-use * Very detailed documentation https://elinux.org/Rpi_Camera_Module * Datasheets and very detailed documentation on v1 camera: https://github.com/techyian/MMALSharp/wiki/OmniVision-OV5647-Camera-Module * Datasheets and very detailed documentation on v2 camera: https://github.com/techyian/MMALSharp/wiki/Sony-IMX219-Camera-Module...
Author | Comment | Last activity | Moderation | ||
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warren | "Glad to hear it. I've noted that not all WiFi networks work, and sometimes trying on a different one (like the one I broadcast from my phone) works..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
Aleksi12358 | "I managed to connect with usb. Now I will try to get camera to work and calibrate my spectrometer. I followed this: https://learn.adafruit.com/turn..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
Aleksi12358 | "I have problem with this. I cannot get my raspberry pi to connect to my wifi router. I have tried different thing in wpa_supplicant file that I fou..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
warren | "Also could be interesting to @maggpi -- check it out! " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
sjmanosalvas | "@carolccarvalho please your help, I trying to do a similar project for school, but I'm new with MATLAB program, Could you send your codes to implem..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi @partsandcrafts @bmela @wmacfarl @kgradow1 - I broke out the "install on an SD card" steps into a separate activity: https://publiclab.org/note..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
tech4gt | "@warren please suggest if anything needs to be added? " | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
warren | "We found that for WiFi networks with no password, you can get it to log into any open network with: network={ key_mgmt=NONE priority=-999 ..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
stevie | "Just built it - So awesome! This kit is really fun. Love it. I might suggest a piece of double sided sticky tape to stick the Rasberry Pi to the b..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
stevie | "Hi! I noticed on your last photo you also have a rubber band across the bottom of the scope. What does that one do? Oh nice add-on with the magnet..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Just copying the files in here as a backup! hackteria_modified_for_cut.pdf hacktera_modified_exported.svg Hackteria_Microscope_Modified_for_p..." | Read more » | almost 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Broke out the idea of a USB-only connection in this question! https://publiclab.org/questions/warren/12-15-2017/how-can-we-set-up-a-raspberry-pi-ca..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Awesome -- i used the image and it worked perfectly! " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi, @partsandcrafts @wmacfarl @kgradow1 @bmela - i'd be happy to do some formatting work on this post if you want to add my username as a coauthor ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Oh! The docs say "Clicking on the image will toggle between normal and full screen mode." Awesome! " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
stevie | "@stevie awards a barnstar to partsandcrafts for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "What are you hoping to measure with it? " | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Here are a couple leads! https://publiclab.org/notes/cristoforetti/06-22-2016/webvalley-2016-improved-compact-spectrometer https://publiclab.org/..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "other areas (not foliage) showed values between 0.2 and 0.9 and I don't know why, since there is no photosynthesis occuring there. Getting high ND..." | Read more » | almost 9 years ago | |||
khufkens | "I'm busy with work for the moment and have little time for my side projects. I'll probably pick it up again somewhere in autumn. I contacted some p..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
admaltais | "Hi khufkens Any news about your tetraPi? I will keep an eye on your project. Cheers Alex " | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
JoseBarreiros | "Hi, did you get the ov5647 spectral response?. I'm really interested in your project because I'm doing something similar but with an Aptina AR0130..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
gpenzo | "Hallo khufkens. Off the shelve approch is a very good way, if it does the job why not. I will keep an eye on your project. The main reason for the..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
khufkens | "Wow, that's an impressive project. I don't have the electronic engineering skills to finish such a polished product I fear. I use a more 'off the s..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago |