As I mentioned in the post introducing the new DSLR Remote iPhone app, here’s a brief video that shows you a little bit more about it. Still waiting to hear back from Apple if the app has been approved for the iTunes App Store.
And yes, the basketball did hit my camera in that opening sequence. It was one of those moments where everything went into slow motion and I saw the ball bounce towards and subsequently hit my camera. Fortunately, the Delkin Fat Gecko suction cup mount we were using held firm.
Keep in mind that even though at the end of the video I say to go download it today, it’s not quite available yet until Apple gives it their full blessing. I’ll be sure to notify everybody here when it’s available.
you should make the server software run on iphone OS 3.0!
scenario:
take your dslr -> connect it with an ipod touch/iphone via usb running the server
use another iphone/ipod touch to run the remote.
i don’t want a crappy acer netbook.
drix
May 20, 2009 at 1:10 am
We want DSLR’s with wifi, much easier!
Dezorian
May 20, 2009 at 6:03 am
@Dezorian – That would be nice indeed!
Mike Wong
May 20, 2009 at 6:14 am
@drix – Yes, that would be cool if you could run the server software from another iPhone or iPod Touch. When we started development that question came up, but we didn’t think there was a cable that had the iPhone pin connector on one end and a mini USB connector on the other – and as far as I know, there still isn’t, but I did just find a USB to mini USB adapater here. I’m going to order one and ask the engineers if they could get the server software to run on an iPhone or iPod Touch. Not sure when we could get that done as we’ve got a bunch of other projects we’re working on, but maybe…just maybe.
Mike Wong
May 20, 2009 at 6:18 am
Where’s the Blackberry love? You can bet that there is a large crossover between Blackberry and DSLR owners. Very similar demographic. Any timelines for this being released for Blackberry?
Quash
May 20, 2009 at 6:33 am
As for running the server software on the iPhone, you’ll definitely need the iPhone 3.0 software, as the current iPhone software doesn’t allow control of devices through the dock connector. Those programming APIs are new to iPhone 3.0.
I’d LOVE to see this sort of direct connection running on iPhone 3.0! So much potential. It’d be great for time lapse capture, where the remote app would operate as the timer.
Spoom
May 20, 2009 at 6:39 am
Thought you’d like to know that canonrumors.com and ephotozine.com are both suggesting that the app is currently available from iTunes. No luck when I tried, I’m afraid.
Also, I’m sure you know that Canon already supply such software with some of their EOS digital cameras. I managed to install their ‘EOS Utility’ on a ‘Hackintosh’ MSI U100 Wind, despite the installer’s objection to anything less than 1024×768 in screen real estate, and it worked OK.
Is your software designed for Netbook’s 1200×600 screens?
Pip Kato
May 20, 2009 at 6:53 am
Mike,
I meant to mention a package called ‘DSLR Remote Pro’ from Breezesys.com which just might cause you some trademark issues.
Pip Kato
May 20, 2009 at 7:22 am
For all Canon users that hope for AEB with greater than three images and greater than a +/- 2EV range, I can only hope that the app is ultimately designed in OS 3.0 to be run from a single iPhone connected directly to the camera, and that I can shoot any bracket range and number I want. Pleeeease? Pretty please, with sugar on top?
Keep moving forward on this one.
Kirk
Kirk Thibault
May 20, 2009 at 8:54 am
@Pip Kato – The server software that needs to run on a computer has a very small user interface that will easily run on a 1200 x 600 screen. The app is still in the approval process with Apple so that’s why you can’t find it yet. We have to get the server software download page live for them to test still.
Mike Wong
May 20, 2009 at 8:55 am
@Kirk Thibault – the app does run under the iPhone OS 3.0, but I’ll have to double check on the “to be run from a single iPhone connected directly to the camera” part.
Mike Wong
May 20, 2009 at 8:58 am
Thanks Mike.
Any idea how soon you’ll make the server software download page available to Apple, and how long after that it’s likely to be before it’s approved?
BTW if you pursue the iPhone direct linkage to the camera, you should consider its use as an alternative monitor to the camera’s LCD. I don’t know if the refresh rate would be up to it but it would be a great solution to the lack of an articulating LCD on the 5D Mark II. Great for the camera’s movie mode.
Pip Kato
May 20, 2009 at 9:23 am
Very nice!
One possible idea for version 2:
Automatically trigger the shutter with a delay of x milliseconds when motion is detected
Fred
May 20, 2009 at 11:58 am
@Pip – Not sure how long it will take. They’ve asked us for a preview of the page where you download the server software and we’ve provided them with that, so now we’re just waiting to hear back from them. So far, they have been very responsive and good about getting back to us quickly so I can’t imagine it taking too long, but since this is our first time doing this, it’s hard to say.
Mike Wong
May 20, 2009 at 1:36 pm
this looks very promising ! cant wait to try it !
id like to see Video recording implemented in future version…. to be able to start shooting video from remote would be awesome on a 5dmII for exemple…
Felix
May 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Mike – thanks for putting up the video, it gives a better idea of what to expect AND makes me salivate more during the waiting period.
Question – I saw the netbook during the setup, but was it still tethered to the camera during the shooting sequence?
A.J. Wood
May 20, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Awesome application! I can’t wait for that to be published. I’d like to repeat the request for possible features suggested by others, the possibility to run the server software on another iPod/iPhone, the possibility to hook it up directly to the camera and use as external screen and remote, and to allow the software to trigger video recording on the 5DMkII.
Another feature I’d like to see is changing the focus. I didn’t hear that mentioned in the video, but I have seen it done in other remote software for Canon so it should be possible.
Gloda
May 21, 2009 at 12:35 am
If you want a cam with WiFi, get a cam with WiFi.
You might need to trade in a car for it though.
Mamya makes one and I believe PhaseOne and Leaf do as well. It’ll trickle down to the lower end cams eventually too.
Till cam makers get smart, this app is the way to go.
Frank Jonen
May 21, 2009 at 3:52 am
This is an awesome idea and if it’s implemented for video on the 5d MII you’ll sell a ton. Have you experimented with video at all?
Jason
May 21, 2009 at 5:58 am
@A.J. Wood – Hi A.J. – Yes, the camera was tethered to the camera during the shooting sequence. We had a 15 foot USB cable connecting the camera to the netbook computer. Please note, the server software runs on a Mac or Windows operating system. We were just using the netbook as an example of a small form factor computer.
Mike Wong
May 21, 2009 at 6:15 am
Does the camera need to stay connected to the laptop during shooting?
Eddie
May 21, 2009 at 7:00 am
sorry, i should have read the posts above… (as i slowly back away)
Eddie
May 21, 2009 at 7:02 am
I can’t wait to use this!!!!!
Can you throw up an email list to sign up for to notify us when this is available?
One feature I would love to see is a guest view app so that if you have clients in studio they can use their iphone to review the shots after they have been taken without having access to the features like live view, camera controls, etc. So it would be something like free guest view app that only works with someone that has purchased the pro app to use in their work flow. Don’t know if there would be bandwidth issues or not with this.
christopher
May 21, 2009 at 7:43 am
Use the iPhone’s GPS to log data for Geocoding and you’ve got yourselves a must-buy app!
Bryan Crow
May 21, 2009 at 10:01 am
Is it only compatible for Cannon? This is such a great app.. please don’t leave the rest of us *cough*Nikon*cough* out!
Liz
May 21, 2009 at 1:14 pm
i vote for a version for the NIKON
larry
May 21, 2009 at 7:44 pm
@christopher:
If you can trust your clients not to hit the Fire button, you’ll get this feature in version 1.0 of the app. The companion server software that you’ll need to run will allow an unlimited number of iPhone client apps to connect to it. When I say “unlimited” it might be better to say that we don’t restrict the number of iPhone client apps that connect to it (we haven’t tested it with an unlimited number of course).
But let’s say you’ve got 4 or 5 clients in the studio with you and they each have an iPhone running the DSLR Remote software. They can connect to your server and as you shoot, the image will be streamed from your camera to the computer (via USB or Firewire) and then from the computer (via our server) to their iPhone via the WIFI network. If they turn the camera to landscape orientation, they won’t see any of the controls. Just the image. Pretty cool.
Mike Wong
May 21, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I have EOS 1Ds Mark3 and Canon WFT-E2 WLAN for it. It would be super cool if iPhone could control the camera wirelessly as it is possible with Mac and Canon software. One can see live view, focus, shoot etc with it.
So this would be cooler with out haveing to put USB cable in between. This should be possible..
Rami
May 22, 2009 at 1:20 am
How does it connect to the server? Do you have to be on wifi?
D
May 22, 2009 at 8:02 am
@Rami:
So far, we’ve only tested this with the WFT-E4A and a 5D Mark II and it works great. It’s my understanding that the WFT-E2 has the same PTP protocal as the WFT-E4A which means that it should work. I hate saying “it should work” as anyone in the office here will tell you, but right now, that’s the best I can do for you. If you can get the WFT-E2 on the same WIFI network as the computer that is running our free Companion Server Software then you should be able to control your 1Ds Mark3. Version 1.0 doesn’t have the focusing controls built in though but we’re looking at that for a future update.
Mike Wong
May 22, 2009 at 8:36 am
@D:
The DSLR Remote app running on your iPhone or iPod Touch connects to the server over a WIFI network. That WIFI network can be via a router you have running in your studio, or if you’re on location and don’t have a WIFI connection, you can create an ad-hoc network between the computer running the Server Software and the iPhone.
Mike Wong
May 22, 2009 at 8:38 am
hi in the video you cant tell is the camera connected to the laptop via a usb cable the whole time or only at initial setup and afterwards sends images wirelessly
thanks and great app by the way
simon
May 22, 2009 at 9:58 am
@simon: It’s connected the whole time.
Mike Wong
May 22, 2009 at 10:19 am
On behalf of all the Nikon users out there who also have an iPhone, will there be a Nikon version in the near future or are we SOL?
Seshu
May 23, 2009 at 6:11 am
It’s funny, just the other day on Twitter I was wishing out loud for an iPhone remote app for my 5D Mark II with Live View. Just a couple of days later you announce this product. Things don’t happen like that very often. Great work guys, this is going to be a very handy tool.
KBeat
May 23, 2009 at 6:48 am
@Seshu:
Initially only for Canon. But read the Answers to your DSLR Remote Questions for info on a Nikon version. Thanks.
Mike Wong
May 23, 2009 at 9:27 am
Very cool and great idea for a BBall application, but how practical is it to always have a laptop connected to the camera (taped to the backboard!?)? Aren’t there wireless media cards that will download images to computers automatically? Could one of these be configured to run the cam server software? That is the next step, I hope you can conquer – then I am definitely game! I want to see an app that will configure a high-end DSLR cam (w/ or w/o an ipod) to self-run remotely (setit and forget it) and upload images to a web server or back to your network remotely, basically a killer timelapse webcam with intervelometer capabilities beyond 1000 imgs, or one that will upload images and/or rewrite on the media card. Let me know if you want to work on developing such an app.
RB
June 3, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Please please please please!!! port this out for Blackberry and don’t make me buy a stupid apple iphone!
avisioncame
July 22, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Not sure I understand the point. If the camera needs to be tethered to a laptop anyway, then I can control the camera remotely right there on the laptop. Develop a remote app that will allow you to connect an iPhone to the camera via USB and I’ll be stoked!
Cozza
September 29, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I got 20 bucks waiting on the D300s update, let get the ball moving
Brett
October 9, 2009 at 12:56 pm
@Brett: The D300s is now supported in version 1.2 of the Server.
Mike Wong
October 12, 2009 at 9:58 am
I have just bought a Toshiba netbook – NB200-12N and had hoped to load it with the Canon EOS Digital Solution Disk v17.1 (came with my 40D). The intention was that whilst away from home I could download raw files and convert to JPEG, just to check that the pics were not compromised in any way, and to link camera and netbook to allow remote access and liveview. I hit a problem (see number 7 above) where the software requires a screen resolution of 1024×768 minimum, and will not load because of the netbook res. of 1200×600.
I can overcome the problem of converting the Raw files, by setting the camera to raw+JPEG, but am stuck on the Liveview issue. Does your app require any software to be loaded on the computer, or does it just use the computer as the link to the camera?
Also, does anyone know of a way of getting Liveview onto a netbook?
Tony Ellis
November 20, 2009 at 4:37 am
I tried the lite version & it works fine with my Nikon D5000. I’d love to see AF control, video start/stop and server on iPhone before I buy the full version. For future development, I suggest to make it truly wireless by enabling server on an Eye-Fi SD card. I love DSLR remote & I love Eye-Fi Pro, but both together would just be perfect!
POLO!
December 18, 2009 at 6:37 am
I’ve made it to the end. Thanks for putting it together. Lots of things I didn’t know. BOOKMARKED!
Usdating
January 10, 2010 at 2:06 pm