Really Cool Tech Toy

onOne Software came up with the DSLR Remote iPhone application some time ago. It wasn't until this past weekend that I took the time to purchase the app and download the onOne DSLR Server software for the host computer.

After getting it all up and running, I went into geek mode. I was having the same techno-rush that I do when I am shooting (I just got that as a pilot I shoot approaches, as a photographer I shoot people) a GPS approach in an airplane realizing that I am navigating in three dimensional space based on any number of satellites that are in constant motion in space itself. Wow, technology is really cool!

But now it is Tuesday and I am on the road. That didn't stop me as I found out DSLR Remote supports the canon XTi that I now carry with me on the road. I had my iPod Touch with me so it was just a matter of downloading the server software to my laptop. Here is what I ended up with. 

The process was really straight forward with only one hick-up that had nothing to do with the onOne software. Here was the process in brief.

• Purchase the app on the iPhone or Touch ($20 for pro version - so worth it!)
• Download the server software form the onOne site (a little clunky in that you get an e-mail with the link)
• Connect your camera to the computer (yes turn it on too!)
• Start the DSLR Remote Server on the computer (the camera name should come up in the software.
• Choose a destination folder or accept the /Pictures/DSLR Remote Camera folder
• Fire up the app on the iPhone or Touch
• Select the listed server (usually the name of your computer)
• Start having a good time with the controls

It really was that simple except for one reason. When I connect my camera to the computer the EOS software from Canon fires up blocking the server from the my Touch. Obviously I have turned that function off in the preferences. Once I restarted the app the camera was connected to the Touch.

Depending on what mode you have selected on the camera (Av. Tv, or M) certain fields will be grayed out indicating you can not adjust them. In the example below (taken from the onOne tutorial) you can see they have selected MANUAL focus and manual “M” mode so the aperture and shutter-speed are both adjustable while compensation is gray and not adjustable. The interface is very Mac. You tap a field and a list is provided to select from. Under the white balance, you will not find tungsten though. I guess incandescent is the politically correct version of tungsten today.

The FIRE button is… Well, the fire button. It is your shutter release button. The star button in the lower right portion of the screen opens up a number of other camera options such as intervalometer (time laps), bracketing (up to five stops), and live view if your camera supports it. You can use one iPhone/Touch for different cameras (not at the same time) as I first hooked this up over the weekend on a 5D Mk II and last night on the Rebel XTi. Between the two cameras I did noticed that some on cameras buttons will operate while connected and some will not, and they differ between cameras. The 5D Mk II shutter release would not operate while connected and the XTi would.

So here is the 64,000 dollar question. When am I going to use this cool tool. It is definitely designed for studio tethered shooting. This twenty dollar application replaces a $169 PocketWizard remote trigger. That is way cool. On my iMac at home I set up Lightroom for for auto-import just setting the watch folder as the import folder from the DSLR Remote Server. It worked as advertised and it was really way way cool. Ok... Geekazoide moment is over now.

Take care... Doug