Ever since the iPad was announced, we’ve had dozens of photographers ask us if:
- DSLR Camera Remote will run on the iPad; and
- Will this will finally let them directly control their camera using our app from the iPad without a computer in between the two
The answer is Yes for number 1 and No for number 2. Here’s why.
The iPad is running the iPhone operating system (OS) so our DSLR Camera Remote application runs just fine. As far as our app knows, it doesn’t care if it is an iPad, iPhone or an iPod Touch. Because our app was originally designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch, the user interface was designed for the 480 x 320 pixel resolution found on those devices {1}. As you well know, the iPad is substantially larger. 1024 x 768 pixels to be exact {2}.
When you sync your iPad with your computer, the DSLR Camera Remote will load just fine and assuming you’ve got our DSLR Camera Remote Server running and your supported DSLR tethered to that computer, you’ll be set. By default, the DSLR Camera Remote application will run in it’s smaller user interface. However, you do have the option to go into 2x mode where the interface is automatically scaled up to fill the screen. I’ll be honest, I thought it would look bad, but it actually looks okay.
The screen shots below give you an idea of how it looks. Both are full size screen shots taken on an iPad. Note in the lower right hand corner that there labels/buttons for 1x and 2x. Those are not labels for the image, but rather buttons to toggle between 1x and 2x modes. Therefore, on the screen shot of the smaller interface, you’ll see 2x which, when tapped, will enlarge the interface to what you see in the second screen shot.
If you click either of these images, you’ll see the full 1024 x 768 version to give you a life size idea of how it looks running on the iPad {3}
So, that answers question number 1 and you can see that the DSLR Camera Remote as it is today, works just fine on an iPad. Now on to question number 2 – will the iPad allow me to eliminate the computer from the equation and connect the iPad directly to the camera.
The short answer is no, you still need to tether the camera to the computer. The longer answer is that while there is the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit, it only solves one portion of the connection problem. This adapter neatly solves connecting the iPad to USB to mini USB connection issue, but it doesn’t get around how our product was initially designed using the supported software developer kits (or SDKs) that are provided by Canon and Nikon.
Those SDKs, provided by Canon and Nikon, are only available in a format that runs on a Macintosh or Windows based computer. They are not provided in a programming language that is easily portable to the iPhone OS, the Android OS, etc, etc.. What we did was to embed those SDKs into our DSLR Camera Remote Server and then made sure that we put the code in place to have those SDKs (which are completely different between Canon and Nikon and even between camera models from the same manufacturer) talk seamlessly to the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and your tethered camera.
In order to eliminate the computer in the middle from the setup, we either have to wait for Canon or Nikon to make a version of their SDK available that runs on the iPhone OS {4} or we have to recreate it ourselves. This is something we’ve thought about doing, but obviously isn’t something we’ve started doing yet. I’m not ruling it out, but it’s no small undertaking so we aren’t taking the effort lightly.
So at the end of the day, for the foreseeable future, you will need to continue to have a laptop or desktop computer running the DSLR Camera Remote Server along with our DSLR Camera Remote app running on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. We know that you want us to get the app to the point where the computer isn’t needed and we want the same thing. I just don’t know when it will happen. In the meantime, it continues to work as it always has.
- iPhone specs from Apple and iPod Touch specs from Apple [↩]
- iPad specs from Apple [↩]
- In case you’re wondering, the person in the photo is Chris Pethick, our VP of Engineering, who shot the photo remotely from the iPad. [↩]
- The Canon SDK specifically says that they have no intention of porting their SDK to any programming language other than what they currently provide. [↩]










Just stating the obvious — but, wow, iPad +(Canon) Camera would make a powerful combination. I would pay a lot for that app. I’m looking for the perfect camera/iPad bag now, but I like never have my laptop with me. Go for it!!! Thanks very much.
Rocky Mountain Joe
April 27, 2010 at 9:35 am
I would pay $50 for an ipad tethering option without even blinking
Rian Flynn
April 27, 2010 at 12:57 pm
The first question that popped up in my head was if we would be able to use the iPad as a Live View monitor. Zooming in on the camera to 1×1 mag for LiveView focus is helpful, but being able to do that on an iPad would be so much better.
I too would be willing to pay a premium for iPhone/iPad software that could interact directly with the camera for use as a LiveView monitor and maybe even an intervalometer.
Humayun Hasan
April 28, 2010 at 7:54 am
I actually think it’s less important to have the camera tethered to the iPad than it is to have a version that runs at the native resolution of the iPad. It’s neat that iPhone / iPod apps will run and can be doubled to almost fill the screen, but it’s such a shame to see the difference between a 2x iPhone app and a native iPad one. I hope you’re working on a version which makes use of the greater screen real estate on the iPad.
If it was possible to tether directly to the iPad, we’re still going to need our iPhone as the remote screen, right? To me, that doesn’t seem such a big advantage – you’re still toting two devices. I’d rather use the laptop / iPad for a big remote display than the iPad / iPhone just to be able to leave the laptop at home.
I only just found out about this software, and it seems to be a great app. My only dilemma is whether I need the features of the pro version. If I get the lite and love it, I’ll probably end up coming back for the full version anyway.
GadgetGav
April 28, 2010 at 1:38 pm
if dslr remote would run on the ipad without requiring a computer, with the camera tethered to the ipad using Apple’s connection kit, and have native resolution that would be worth some bucks. Even more if this could be done wirelessly using Canon’s wireless gizmo. Just think, you take shots, using the ipad for control of the camera or not, and then almost immediately view them in glorious ipad native resolution. no cable to interfere. also it should all work with the new Lightroom 3 native tethered functionality.
yes, that all would be worth $$$.
maybe the market is larger than you realize considering the initial price of your app could cover the development costs rather quickly.
ken sullivan
April 30, 2010 at 4:21 am
I finally succumbed to the lure of DSLR Remote app using it on an iPad and am still disappointed. It is nice but would be a quantum leap better running as a native iPad app.
Please take this as a big vote to develop a native iPad version. Keep up the good work the app is very nice and I look forward to trying it in the field.
Stephen Cook
May 2, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Show me an Ipad app that will allow a tethered, remote camera to operate at a sports event and then have the Ipad attach metadata and forward the image to a remote server, and I’ll show you a bag-full of money from every sports shooter on the planet.
Dale Young
May 3, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Wishlist: Android app plus EOS Utility style pairing via WFT series adapters.
lance
May 3, 2010 at 8:30 pm
I think the extra effort of getting it working would be worth it. You would either need the source code for the camera control SDKs, or reverse engineer the communications…which probably isn’t all that hard if you have the right USB tools.
It would also be very nice to offload the images/raws/videos onto the ipad then use it to back them up or sync them wherever you specify (your home computer, google storage, etc.).
Josh Wardell
May 5, 2010 at 10:45 am
As a traveling photographer desperately trying to get rid of a laptop in my kit, an application that (a) removed the need for an intermediate laptop, and (2) an app that will take full advantage of the resolution of the iPad would easily be worth $100 USD (or more) to me.
Throw in compatibility with the wireless adapters for Canon and you’re talking serious money.
Walt Hubis
May 7, 2010 at 8:05 am
Native app NEEDS to happen!
William Babcock
May 10, 2010 at 7:42 am
This is great news. When will DSLR Remote be able to control video functions? Now, that would be really good news.
steven
May 11, 2010 at 1:05 pm
when are you going to make the T2i / 550D avalaible ??
wiB
May 15, 2010 at 7:11 am
Hi
Almost every iPhone app runs on an iPad, and as you indicate yours does too. However, it looks terrible and blocky – as almost all iPhone apps do. When will you be releasing a real iPad version, and when you do, will we have to pay again, or will you make it a universal app that runs on both?
Thanks
J
Jon
May 24, 2010 at 2:17 am
Wondering if you are working on a iPad native version that takes advantage of additional real estate.
Jaime Macias
May 24, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I didn’t buy this app for my iPhone b/c the screen was too small, and because I didn’t like having the computer in the middle (defeats the point). If you could fix these two issues (native iPad resolution, and direct camera connection w/o computer), I would gladly pay $20 for the software, or even $50! I know developing this would be a major pain, but a LOT of people want this and would pay for it.
Andrew Strauss
May 25, 2010 at 12:13 am
i would pay $100 for full live view and focus control direct to the ipad. if you make it work, you’ll be my hero forever
Alex
May 27, 2010 at 12:55 am
What about the possibility of the iPad as the laptop and the iPhone as the remote?
Would that be easier todo?
Walter
May 27, 2010 at 5:28 am
Unless Apple’s opening up access to the dock connector, I’d bet that a native iPad/iPhone app that communicates directly to the camera over USB would require a jailbroken device and the USB-Dock adapter provided in the iPad camera kit.
And if such an app were to exist, I’d buy it.
Zach Fine
May 27, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Add me to the list of users wanting a native iPad application. I understand it’s a ground up re-write but I’m sure folks would buy it. Hell I’d even be willing to help beta test it for you guys.
Ideal solution would be to have a fully tethered version but I understand you’re limited in what you can do with the Apple / Canon / Nikon SDKs.
Zack Jones
May 28, 2010 at 5:16 am
Really… why not just make an entirely new app that works. and reap the benefits of how popular its gona be.
i get a stiffy when i think about my 7D and iPad hookin up.
BOb
May 28, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Any progress on support for T2i. Seems like T2i is so close to 7D, there shouldn’t be a huge amount of work to get T2i going. Is this a high priority or down the list. Purchase the software two months ago when I go T2i thinking both 7D and T2i would be very close in release cycle.
Is there a forecasted release date?
Thanks
Jack, Atlanta
Jack
June 1, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Ditto for a native-resolution iPad app. Question: If I buy the pro version now, would I have to pay again for the upgrade to the native iPad app? It’s the only reason I haven’t bought the app. I haven’t even powered up my iPod Touch since I got my iPad two months ago. Paying twice for an app I’d only use on my iPad would be wasteful.
Also, due to the unusually high percentage of pro photographers getting an iPad, I think the effort involved in making an app that interfaces directly with the Canon camera would pay off quickly! I’m not a pro, but even I would pay the $79 for the direct iPad interface ($50 upgrade from the nonexistent native-res app). If you code it, they will come! I’d bet it will become your best-selling application within a year!
John B. Kalla
June 1, 2010 at 11:25 pm
The inability for a direct connection is unfortunate. For me, it prevents DSLR Camera Remote from graduating to everyday use from being a novelty tool.
Right now, it’s neat, but with the laptop in the middle it’s a little too cumbersome to recommend to my friends.
phoomp
June 6, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Hello everybody – we’re looking at updating the user interface for the DSLR Camera Remote to better support the iPad’s increased real estate size along with adding support for the T2i/550d and some other feature enhancements.
I don’t have a time frame to share with you at this time, especially since the final public release date is subject to Apple’s bandwidth to test and approve apps through the iTunes App Store.
Our current thought is that the iPad interface along with the T2i support would come as a version 1.4 update and would be free if you have version 1.x of the DSLR Camera Remote app.
Regarding the question about the 7D and the T2i having a similar SDK, I can’t comment directly b/c I haven’t looked at the SDK documentation (I leave that up to our engineers), but in general, in the software world, “similar” for all intents and purposes means “not the same” and therefore one can’t assume that one would work if the other does.
Mike Wong
June 6, 2010 at 9:27 pm
+1 for Android app — I’m sure this is as much work as making the iPad native app, but you’ve got a growing base of ready buyers just hoping you’ll pull the trigger on Android right away.
Ian
June 16, 2010 at 8:03 pm
It works on IPad, but I for me, it was hard to install with my wft-e4 II and make a conect. Please, make a easy step by step tuturial for all the photographers in the world, to install and conect with camera. From Cologne, Dirk
db fotografie
July 4, 2010 at 11:11 am
As a hobby photographer the tethered connection to my iPhone/ iPod and now my IPad has long been a distant hope. Please for the love of humanity develop this, bringing a laptop is not always practicable an app like this will make you a very rich man as no photographer on the planet will want to be without it!
Graeme B
August 19, 2010 at 11:41 am
Amazing the Mike was talking three months ago saying work on T2i update coming. Looks like OnOne is pulling out of the iphone/ipad game. At least two other companies are entering the game and they regularly update their application.
Sorry OnOne, count the days till people start loosing focus on their excellent early efforts.
Jack
August 29, 2010 at 6:48 am
@Jack: As I mentioned in a recent entry here, we did start the T2i support along with some other aggressive new features. Those other features were taking longer than initially thought and so we were finally breaking the development process into two branches so we can get the T2i support out earlier.
Test builds were done last week and we should have an update later this week if the testing goes well.
Mike Wong
August 29, 2010 at 11:30 pm