R10 distance between tripod mount and lens axis? +other questions

[EvangelionAdams]

I can't find this number anywhere, e.g. with the camera mounted to a surface how high is the center of the sensor? I'm 3d printing a custom mount that holds the lens towards the front to keep the camera super steady for doing macro photography in a public space where the table might get bumped mid shoot. 

I'm worried I might have bent something too with my first design test, hopefully just the ef-rf adapter and not my R10 or EF100mm. What's the best way to test at home if my camera/lens are calibrated/aligned perfectly?

Also, does the fact my EF100mm have IS mean my effort to make my macro mount rigid is a lost cause because of a floating element? I'm taking a burst of photos as the light moves and don't want to use IS as it makes the subject move around slightly.

I shoot with electronic shutter to avoid shutter shock and because my process takes so many photos, I'd wear out the shutter too quickly but was hoping to use the hot shoe as a signal to my lights that the camera had captured an image instead of just relying on timing. They're not flashes, but programmable LEDs with an Arduino, but the R10 doesn't support using a flash in ES mode, so the center pin doesn't short to the shoe to trigger a flash. What about the other pins though, could I get some signal from them? The lights system knowing each time the camera takes a photo would cure a lot of my headaches, like allowing me to use Av mode but still get consistent animations from the process. Thanks. 

[p4pictures]

The distance from the base of the camera to the centre of sensor is not part of the normal specifications. You could try contacting Canon service to see if they have a measurement - they might not. Alternatively the sensor is mounted along the centreline of the RF mount. If you find the centre of the RF mount then you can measure the distance from the camera base to that centre. 

If you think something is bent - unusual - then probably some optical alignment test needs to be done. Canon service is you best part of call, or an independent repairer who has the optical alignment equipment. 

You can switch the IS off on the lens with the switch. The IS normally works to correct movement, but in a rigid / fixed position it can help to turn it off.

The camera doesn't trigger any flash even with other pins - Canon EX/EL series flashes don't use the centre pin for triggering and they don't work. The issue is that the camera lacks the internal "switch" when using electronic shutter mode since normally the flash is activated by the movement of the shutter curtains. If you are using some Arduino device for the lights, could it not trigger the camera shutter using the remote release connection, as that may get you what you need.

[EvangelionAdams]

I'm already triggering shutter with the 2.5mm remote release and a relay via the Arduino, but its in high speed continuous mode because triggering each shot in the sequence separately would take too long (~10fps vs ~2fps). 

That makes sense about the center hotshoe pin being mechanically linked to shutter. 

I've taken a bunch of measurements with calipers I was just hoping to get the exact number somewhere from an official source. 

I have IS turned off in cam and on the lens, I just didn't know if the image shake I see when I tap my rig is coming from the IS element in the lens. If so further strengthening my rig would be a waste, only more mass or a lens without IS would help. 

[p4pictures]

When the Image Stabiliser is switched off in the lens, it overrides any camera setting for IS, though you EOS R10 does not have an in-body IS unit. The menu for IS exists to control lenses that have IS but no IS on/off switch, such as the Canon RF-S 18-150mm.

When you switch off the lens IS the floating lens group that would be moved by the IS system is parked in a central position so should not shake. 

[Ron888]

" find the centre of the RF mount then.."
It amuses me that my sometimes-dumb brain might not have thought of this😅.Don't get me wrong- i'm particularly good at certain things,but i often miss the obvious