Using a "proper" camera as a webcam • Hacker News Board

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#51

Post by ericd » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:26 PM UTC

adoxyz wrote: post #6

flipflipper wrote: post #3

Another reason to not use a DSLR is that many (all?) have timeouts (<30min) in their video mode due to some import tax reason, even when hooked up to a computer. Atleast this is what I found when I tried a canon DSLR with canons webcam software.

That's only if you actually hit the record button and are actively recording to the memory card, but if you're using the DSLR as a passthrough, it works all day. I have done it w/ my Sony a6500 and it works really well.

I think Sonys tend to be recommended as working well as webcams, partly for this reason, not all do.

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#52

Post by ericd » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:27 PM UTC

michaelt wrote: post #35

adoxyz wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's only if you actually hit the record button and are actively recording to the memory card, but if you're using the DSLR as a passthrough, it works all day. I have done it w/ my Sony a6500 and it works really well.

Can you run autofocus continuously when you're not actively recording?

The Sony a series can, no idea about others.

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#53

Post by ldayley » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:28 PM UTC

moduspol wrote: post #47

ldayley wrote: post #42

One thing that I’ve been trying to educate my colleagues about (including the A/V folks!) is that one can bypass the need to fiddle with drivers by using a generic hardware HDMI -> USB video conversion stick utilizing the mirrorless/DSLR’s HDMI output. It’ll mount as a generic video input that Zoom/Teams/OBS can use. You can find these for $40-$100 and it allows one to switch out hardware brands at will without insta…

I just failed at this recently. Apparently the camera needs to support "clean HDMI out," which many don't. Mine (for example) has HDMI out, but it's for like a "preview" screen for a photographer--it doesn't just output a clean, high-res HDMI stream. There's a web page on Canon's site here: https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/se... You'll see one list of cameras on there, but at the bottom, you…

Yes, that is a gotcha, as some of the cheaper or older camera models have no HDMI out or the require proprietary conversion with a vendor driver. I haven’t run into this often myself yet since most people I know have been buying newer and more video focused cameras over the past couple years.

EDIT - For your case perhaps using camera settings to minimize the data (ISO/aperture/shutter etc) being shown on on the screen works well enough to use what you have?

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#54

Post by at_compile_time » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:28 PM UTC

>Mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter and have almost entirely replaced DSLRs.

I haven't paid attention to cameras in a while. Did I miss this happening?

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#55

Post by madduci » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:29 PM UTC

But isn't running a camera as a Webcam actually bad for the battery, especially if you plan to use that camera also for trips?

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#56

Post by mrdonbrown » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:31 PM UTC

I'm surprised no one has mentioned using a teleprompter yet. You can pick one up for around $100 and when combined with a little 7" monitor (another $100) attached to your computer, creates a nice setup for zoom calls where you can look directly at your partner. Also doubles as a great talking head setup for video production.

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#57

Post by wingmanjd » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:31 PM UTC

madduci wrote: post #55

But isn't running a camera as a Webcam actually bad for the battery, especially if you plan to use that camera also for trips?

I've seen some AC adapters that fit into the battery compartment to replace the battery. No idea if it's a good idea or not.

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#58

Post by hammock » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:31 PM UTC

cr3ative wrote: post #8

I'll put Reincubate Camo here as an option too - turns your iPhone in to a webcam. I was so impressed I bought a used iPhone to use solely as a webcam; the whole setup was cheaper than the Logitech C920 he mentions. The picture quality is great.

Can you use portrait mode?

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#59

Post by scarmig » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:32 PM UTC

madduci wrote: post #55

But isn't running a camera as a Webcam actually bad for the battery, especially if you plan to use that camera also for trips?

You can connect it to a power source that has the form factor if a battery.

Re: Using a "proper" camera as a webcam

#60

Post by moduspol » Tue, May 17, 2022, 4:32 PM UTC

HidyBush wrote: post #30

pmoriarty wrote: post #15

If you're willing to throw $1000 at a "proper camera" of the sort the author recommends, then sure, it would be very disappointing if it didn't outperform the webcam built in to most laptops or phones. But is there a "proper camera" for under $100 that can also offer an improvement over a webcam?

Canon's EOS Webcam Utility supports cameras down to the EOS 1100D, which, depending on your level of luck, you can find used under $100. Then all you need is a kit lens which can be found for very very cheap nowadays. Or, if you really think you won't be moving much, just get a super cheap vintage one.

Eh, I've had mixed results with Canon's EOS Webcam Utility and my Rebel T7.

I didn't see this documented anywhere, but apparently it's built only for Intel-based Macs. It'll still work on Apple Silicon, but only if the application using it is also built for Intel-based Macs. So you'd want to ensure you install the Intel-based version of Zoom, and then be careful to avoid it auto-updating to the version for Apple Silicon.

I bought a license for Cascable's Pro Webcam, and it mostly worked, but I'd often have issues getting it to initially connect to the camera and it'd sometimes cut out unexpectedly.