What is Canon Mcp

canon-mcp is a command-line interface (CLI) tool written in TypeScript that allows users to interact with Canon cameras using the Canon Camera Control API (CCAPI). It serves as a translation of an original Python script.

Use cases

Use cases for canon-mcp include remotely checking camera status, downloading images during a shoot, managing storage contents, and automating image transfer for photographers and videographers.

How to use

To use canon-mcp, clone the repository, install dependencies using npm, and configure environment variables if necessary. You can run the script using ts-node for direct execution or build it first to run the JavaScript version.

Key features

Key features include checking camera connection status, making requests to CCAPI endpoints, listing storage and directory contents, downloading specific files, retrieving battery information, and continuously syncing new images.

Where to use

canon-mcp can be used in photography, videography, and any application that requires remote control of Canon cameras, particularly in studio settings or during events.

Canon MCP

This MCP server helps you to control Canon cameras that support CCAPI through natural language commands processed by Large Language Models (LLMs). Interact with your Canon camera using conversational language instead of traditional interfaces.

⚠️ This project is currently under active development. Features and documentation may be incomplete or subject to change.

Features

Connecting to camera

connect to camera http://10.0.0.241:8080

Livestream

start livestream

Take photos at intervals

take 10 photos 10 seconds apart

Adjust shooting settings

set iso 320

set tv 1/4000

Available tools

• connect-camera
  Connect to a Canon camera via CCAPI.

• take-photo
  Take a photo with the camera using the current shooting settings.

• get-shooting-settings
  Get all of the present values and ability values of the shooting parameters that can be acquired and supported by the Canon camera.

• change-shooting-mode
  Change shooting mode of the camera (e.g. “m” for Manual, “av” for Aperture Priority, “tv” for Shutter Priority, “p” for Program AE, “fv” for Flexible Priority, “a+” for Scene Intelligent Auto, “c3/c2/c1” for Custom Modes, “bulb” for Bulb).

• set-aperture-setting
  Set the aperture (AV) setting.

• set-shutter-speed-setting
  Set the shutter speed (TV) setting.

• set-iso-setting
  Set the ISO setting.

• get-autofocus-setting
  Get the present value of the AF operation setting.

• set-autofocus-setting
  Set the AF operation setting.

• get-battery-status
  Get battery status information.

• get-storage-status
  Get storage status.

• get-temperature-status
  Get temperature status.

• get-datetime-setting
  Get date and time setting.

• get-lens-information
  Get lens information.

• restore-dial-mode
  Restore dial mode.

• get-last-photo
  Get the last photo from the camera. The photo is saved to the output directory.

• get-live-view-image
  Get live view image of the camera. This does not take a photo.

• start-interval-photos
  Start taking photos at regular intervals.

• get-interval-photos-status
  Get status of interval photos.

• stop-interval-photos
  Stop taking photos at regular intervals.

• get-owner-name
  Get the owner name set in the camera.

• set-owner-name
  Set the owner name in the camera.

• get-shutter-mode
  Get the shutter mode release of the camera.

• set-shutter-mode
  Set the shutter mode release of the camera.

• get-color-temperature
  Get the color temperature of the camera.

• set-color-temperature
  Set the color temperature of the camera.

• set-white-balance
  Set the white balance of the camera.

• execute-autofocus
  Execute autofocus. This API only issues a focusing instruction and does not return the focusing results. For the focusing results, check the focus frame information in the Live View incidental information.

• start-camera-livestream
  Start livestream in a browser.

• stop-camera-livestream
  Stop livestream in a browser.

Requirements

You MUST activate CCAPI on your camera using a firmware developed by Canon.

Here are some resources to learn how to do it:

• https://developercommunity.usa.canon.com/s/article/How-to-Capture-an-Image-with-CCAPI
• https://developercommunity.usa.canon.com/s/article/Introduction-to-Camera-Control-API-CCAPI

Installation

Clone the repo

$ git clone [email protected]:ediardo/canon-mcp-server.git
# or
$ git clone https://github.com/ediardo/canon-mcp-server.git

Build the project

$ npm install

$ npm run build

$ npm run build-container

Add the MCP server to your config file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "canon": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/REPO/build/mcp.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace /ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/REPO with the path where you cloned the project.