Right now exist 2 auxiliary functions that allow relative control of camera zoom (Auxiliary function 167) and focus (Auxiliary function 168). This functions only allow inputs as High, Mid or Low which don’t allow for absolute control. It could be a nice feature to have 2 aditional Auxiliary functions that allow PWM input and absolute control of Zoom and Focus.
This is not the correct place for a feature request.
Please post this as an issue on GitHub - ArduPilot/ardupilot: ArduPlane, ArduCopter, ArduRover, ArduSub source
If your camera takes RC input as a zoom/focus control, you can easily just use the RCINx or RCINScaledx functions for zoom and focus. No need for added features.
Otherwise, if you’re using a capable autopilot, there are robust scripting bindings for camera control, and I think you can achieve your desired outcome fairly easily.
As for the feature request, I think two additional parameters for zoom type and focus type might be useful (absolute or rate).
The aux functions are intended for zoom in, hold, and zoom out, where a 3 position switch is used to zoom at a constant rate while the switch is in the “in” or “out” position, and hold that zoom level otherwise (similar for focus). But we have all the hooks for absolute control rather than rate control, which could give you potentiometer-like control as an option.
The camera uses MavlinkV2 commands. It is expecting MAV_CMD_SET_CAMERA_ZOOM command with the parameter CAMERA_ZOOM_TYPE of 2 that allows for absolute control.
I agree about zoom type and focus type parameters.
The script bindings should work if you don’t want to wait what will likely be a very long time for a feature request to be satisfied.