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DSLR Controller?
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DSLR Controller (Paid app, 7.99, sorry). Allows for full control of your Canon DSLR through a USB OTG cable. Helps me out because I use it to make a cheap viewfinder out of my original Kindle Fire.
The only thing I've ever used mine for is so connect it to my Canon 5DMkII and use the DSLR Controller App to control/monitor the camera. Worked especially well when the camera was on the end of a jib crane and I could use my tablet to frame and focus the shots.
If you have a Canon DSLR, you can use the otg with the DSLR Controller app for tethered shooting and photo transfers without removing the SD card. I've used this for a few years now. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
If you have a camera and an OTG USB cable, you can get DSLR Controller and use it to remotely control your camera. It can also act as an external display, so if you like to do video but your screen doesn't swivel, you can mount your phone in the hot shoe mount and you have much more flexibility there.
Canon 650D + Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 set up on a small tripod and I used an app on my phone called DSLR Controller to change the camera settings without touching it (to avoid moving it since I took multiple exposures.)
I use the dslr controller app and a cheap usb otg dongle.
If you don't want to buy a bulb, you may be able to use your phone. I have a Canon 60D and with a USB cable, I can control the camera with this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller&hl=en
It works really well. You can test compatibility before buying the app with this:
http://market.android.com/details?id=eu.chainfire.remoterelease
I'm not convinced tethered is possible with Apple's products—it wasn't not so long ago. Very, very easy with just about any Android device (as long as it supports USB-OTG Hosting). You get a USB-OTG adapter like this and an app (I've used DSLR Controller in the past, but I'm not sure if it's only for Canon cameras) and that's it.
> that is ridiculous for a $3,000 flagship body
Tell me about it :/ Just completely inexcusable.
> software is hugely behind right now
Yeah, very much so. Even android apps for tethered shooting (such as this one I like) have a better interface than the camera itself...
I've had good luck with Chainfire's DSLR Controller if you shoot Canon. They also have a free app that allows you to test compatibility before purchasing the DSLR Controller app. It basically allows you to use your phone/tablet as a Live View viewer as well as change settings from your device rather than the camera. In addition, if you have a WiFi network set up you can wirelessly link two devices together: I've hooked my phone into the camera which then communicates to my tablet wirelessly through my WiFi network which eliminates any cable length issues.
For non-Canon cameras, I'm not familiar with apps that can do these things, but maybe someone else knows.
I use the dslr controller app and a cheap usb otg dongle.
This lets you control everything, including focus, from your phone or tablet. For focusing, I zoom 10x on a star and then slowly adjust focus one tap at a time. The app sends a command to the focusing motor to move by the smallest amount possible, so it's literally the best you can do.
It will only work if the tablet or phone's USB port is "on-the-go" (OTG) capable, but many devices have this. Connect the camera to the tablet/phone with an OTG USB cable, install and run the DSLR Controller app by Chainfire ($10.99 CAD), and you're off to the races. Here's a photo of my setup. I've made some obvious modifications to my chassis, and built the tablet holder from scratch, but there are commercial versions available.
Our Canon DSLR has a basic USB remote ability to hook up to a tablet using a special cable and Android app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller). Might be worth researching.
But full WiFi control rocks, that's what my Lumix has. My phone is in my hand as a viewfinder in the portrait shots, next to me in landscape shots.
Yes there is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
Make sure you read all the info and use the remote shutter app by the same developer to make sure it's compatible.
DSLR Controller on Android will tell you the shutter count. Connect via WIFI (NFC?)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller&hl=en
The shutter count is not stored in the EXIF data (Picture metadata) for Canon, you'll need to tether the camera to something...
This app hasn't been updated in a while but has worked with a bunch of Canon models I've tried (even ones old enough to not support live view you can still use it as a remote and control aperture/exposure).
Works in a pinch, don't know if I'd rely on it full-time.
I've used DSLR Controller by Chainfire in the past. I hooked it up to my Nexus 10 via a USB OTG adapter and it worked perfectly with my 60D. Their site says that the 700D is compatible, but it'll depend on your Android device too. They have a remote release app for free that they recommend testing compatibility with before buying.
I've used DSLR Controller with a USB cable and my Canon T2i. Worked great for me. I don't have a wifi capable camera, so I can't comment on that. Only limitation I've found is that it turns the camera into live view mode, which I get, and the camera doesn't perform it's best in this mode to begin with.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller&hl=en_US&gl=US
Have you tried this app? I don't believe it'll go via HDMI but the results are the same, it goes via a data cable, not video cable.
You could connect the camera to Android devices and use some app (something like this, say) to remote control them, go into LiveView on the mobile device, etc., but you need two things:
- An Android device that can act as a USB Host. Not all can, although every single one I've had over the years could.
- An USB OTG adapter. You just need the type that fits your device (micro B, type C, etc.). This costs something like a buck.
Then you just use the USB cable for your camera and hook them up, fire the app, and you're ready.
<em>DSLRController</em> has worked fine for me back when I used a "tethered" solution—it does list the 100D among the compatible cameras.
That being said, I migrated to using a <em>CamRanger</em> years ago since it works over WiFi and is therefore all sorts of more convenient.
I've tethered my 60D and 5D Mark II using an app called DSLR Controller, but it requires a USB OTG cable (which are pretty inexpensive). Seems to work well enough in my experiences, and they do have a free version to check compatibility before buying. Otherwise something like Capture One will tether with no problems, but that requires a computer.
Regarding flash with Live View, I believe it's something with the Silent Shooting setting. If I recall correctly, it needs to be disabled and then it'll work.
My 7D Mark II doesn't... but Canon's remote app is complete garbage anyway. DSLR Controller is way better but I prefer qDslrDashboard if you don't mind paying for it.
Try Chainfires DSLR Controller, it does everything the connect app does and much much more, it's basically magic lantern as an app.
>TL;DR It probably won't work and you're going to have better luck just buying a standard cable release for $25 on Amazon.
Well that's exceptionally shit, because to get the equivalent of this phone app I paid £6 for, I'm going to have to buy an expensive field monitor, or keep my old phone and not get the money for it. Either way my hope of cutting down on my kit is shattered. And that's not even to mention the fact that now I can't transfer my photos to my phone on the fly.
Fuck sake, people who invented USB-C.
Thank you for your response, though.
But is there any known way to use a phone or tablet as a field monitor? Canon cameras have the DSLR Controller app, but it only works for Canon cameras
Yeah, there should be a few apps available that can control it over USB.
https://dslrcontroller.com/devices.php first one I can remember off the top of my head because I tried it a couple years ago. You will need a compatible phone as well, though, and USB host cable. Play store link as well: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
There should be a fair few other options as well.
DSLR Controller is a much better app although it is not cheap. In terms of useability and feature I find it better than the EOS Utility on computer and Canon app combined. I had a lot of credit from my google surveys though so it didn't matter the cost, I'm not sure I would pay that much ordinarily for an app though.
If you have an Android phone, you can get an OTG cord for literally a dollar. Combine with the 8 dollar DSLR controller app. You can use the phone as a remote/intervalometer/live view monitor or as a passthrough to another monitor for wireless tethering. If you don't feel like waiting, Radio Shack carries the OTG cables (if you can find one), though they are more expensive (still sub 10 dollars)
In the past I've used DSLR Controller with my Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10. They also make a free app, Remote Release to test compatibility as well as just act as a wired remote.
If I understand what you are asking, the word you will be looking for is called "tethering". There might be some apps but I think it depends on your camera: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller&hl=en
If you're a Canon user, Chainfire's DSLR Controller is an amazing tool. I use a dedicated Nexus 7 as a monitor and remote control (especially useful for jib use), though any Android device should work. All you need is a micro-USB to female USB adapter and a standard mini-USB cable.
If you have a Canon DSLR, you can use the otg with the DSLR Controller app for tethered shooting and photo transfers without removing the SD card. I've used this for a few years now. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
I use a Canon 5d MKII controlled by the >DSLR Controller< app on a Nexus 7
I keep all settings as manual to avoid any chance of flicker, and all captures are raw, full size, and dumped to Lightroom.
Once in Lightroom I see if I need to compensate for any lighting changes over time (sun setting, etc), and then I set up different adjustments for each 'phase' . For example: I keep exposure normal for when the sun is overhead, but then as it progresses I see that it gets to dark. I export the full batch as large, full size jpgs into a /dir/, and then go back and change the exposure to where I like for the end, and export those.
I load up the image sequences in After Effects and animate the opacity for one layer to fade into another, and then export.
Try https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller or the free http://market.android.com/details?id=eu.chainfire.remoterelease
All you need is a micro usb to mini usb cable, about 5$
T2i/550D, the aforementioned DSLR Controller and an OTG (On The Go) USB connector.
If you want to check it would be compatible before buying, there's a remote release app that's free, and if that works, the DSLR controller should work too.
You can do a lot of photography stuff, change all (I think) of the settings, use it as a remote shutter release, intervalometer, focus - even rack focus, although that last one's a bit fiddly.
Edit: Replied to wrong comment :)
If you're using a compatible canon camera you can use DSLR controller.
If you already have an Android tablet or phone (and a Canon DSLR), then the TP-Link MR-3040 and flash it with the dslrcontroller firmware. Get the dslrcontroller app from the play store and you have a camranger for $35.
EDIT: Just had a thought, even if you don't have a tablet already, the Amazon fire tablet is only $50
My normal macro setup is (the configuration i use the most, mostly for bugshots (see my other postings here)):
- Canon EOS 7D
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L
- Canon Speedlite 270EX
For this shot i didn't use the speedlite. But still the 7D + 100mm.
All photos for this inage where shot at f/4, iso100 on AV.
I used an app (DSLR Controller) for creating the different photos with all slightly different focus.
The raws where processed with darktable.
All the single shots where combined to a single image with ZereneStacker.
After that i processed the output of ZereneStacker a bit more with darktable.
And finally i used firefox to upload it to reddit :)
I use my old Nexus 5 as external monitor/controller for my DSLR. Using DSLR Controller app.
I've been waiting for 4-5 years to see it on the 7D Mark II. I've learned you can't wait around for ML. If enough developers actually have a specific camera, they'll work on it. Asking for ETA will get you nowhere.
Some smartphone apps can do some of what ML can do tethered to your camera. I'm an Android user, so I can share some Android apps. I know there are some on iOS too but I'm not familiar with them.
Note that none of these apps can do anything like change the camera's bitrate, override the 30 min record time, alter audio levels, etc. They can do timelapse, overlay focus peaking and other overlays, function as a remote for your camera, add touch to focus (if you don't have a touch screen), and some other pretty cool stuff.
DSLR Controller - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
qDSLRDashboard - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.qdd
- This one is capable of connecting to multiple cameras simultaneously and controlling them either independently or simultaneously. For instance, you can record video from 2+ cameras at different angles with the exact same start and end times. Same with still photos or burst photos.
There was another called DSLRDashboard but I can't find it anymore. I think it might have been another version of qDSLRDashboard and I used both because one was more stable than the other. There are also more than a handful of other apps that seem to do the same thing in the Play Store from my search.
If you do play around with this, you may want to get an adapter to connect to your phone or tablet like an OTG adapter for Android (converts micro USB or USB-C to regular USB and a shoe mount for your phone/tablet. Or if you want to/can go wifi and don't mind the slight lag, you might just need a stand or something to prop your phone up somewhere.
And these apps also are nice to use as a remote monitor of what you're shooting. Like if you're vlogging, you can have the phone/tablet close to you vs on camera to keep an eye on focus and what's in frame. Plus start/stop the recording remotely.
This is my pet project, I wish you luck in finding an answer. As a filmmaker with only one phone, there are a lot of reasons a nice big laptop screen would be great for this.
As monkeyhandler said, Canon Camera Connect is a good idea for you because you have an 80D - I'd be curious to see if this works for you.
For me, with my 5d Mark II, I have tried almost everything to get this working. DSLR Controller works great on my phone (Nexus 5x: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller&hl=en_US
But with my chromebook dslr controller delivers a message, something like "The USB Host compatibility of this device is not supported" I haven't tried a verified OTG usb cable so that may be the issue, but I'm pretty certain it has to do with the USB host settings of android apps on chromeos. Even after enabling the #arc-usb-host flag.
So with DSLR controller not working, I've attempted to use entangle (https://entangle-photo.org/) on crouton. Entangle sees my camera, but tells me that it is mounted as a file system. Which it definitely is, in ChromeOS. Whereas in Linux I do not see the 5dII in the file manager.
As kind of a noob with command lines, I've tried almost everything I can to manually unmount the device both in the Crosh command line and the linux terminal. I think this is where the problem gets promising, however, I may just not know how to properly force an unmount. I've made a post about this issue here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Crouton/comments/8o5ofe/forcing_an_unmount_of_a_camera_connected_via_usb/
I wish you luck, report your findings if you have any!
The 5D Mk I is just too old. With the Mk II, or pretty much any recent Canon camera, you can do this:
- Get a USB On-The-Go adapter
- Get a USB male-to-male mini-B to A cable. (Your camera came with one.)
- Get an app like DSLR Controller
- Get a hot shoe phone mount.
Put it all together with your camera and you have a low latency LCD screen that can aim upward on cameras without an articulating screen.
On some cameras, if you don't mind the latency, you can use the built-in WiFi with Canon's EOS Remote app.
look here for idea what he means
If you have an Android device you can control Canon DSLRs via USB cable with this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
Forget HDMI - there are several apps that can connect over USB and act as a remote to the camera with live view and even functional touch screen. I used to use a couple over the years on the 7DII and it should work fine on the 7D I. Just need the right cable or an OTG (on the go) adapter.
I used the following 2 apps most of the time:
DSLR Controller, which stopped being supported by the dev a long time ago and is a little less fleshed out, but I found it more stable than the other - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
qDSLRDashboard, which has way more features and continued support, but I often had issues with it crashing with certain app updates. Was my favorite of the 2, but used the previous one as a fallback - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.qdd
With an Android phone you can totally get a cheap OTG USB adapter (that kind of thing) and connect it to the camera (with its USB cable). After that you'll need some app that can communicate (for example this one works well) and you're golden.
For a wireless solution I use a CamRanger and hand my clients an iPad so they can see the images pop up as I shoot. It's an additional gizmo in the equation of course, but you can MacGuyver something so it's not in your way while you shoot.
Cool. Depending on your camera (and phone), you might find this helpful. I have used it with a 60D and T2i.
Sorry! It's 'DSLR Controller'. DSLRcontroller
There are apps that can do it over USB just fine. And you can spend $30-$40 on a battery powered, portable router and flash firmware on it to make your own camranger too. A camranger is $200-$300). I use both every now and then on my Canon 7D Mark II, which has no WiFi.
There are 2 apps I swear by, one free and one that isn't. Both have their own firmware for the router if you go that way - meaning if you flash the firmware to the router for one app, the router won't work with the other app.
DSLR Controller - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
It's free, basic, works as a remote for your camera, and should let you view and even download your images. But I don't really view images much with this one, so I might be a little mistaken.
Here's their website, linked to the guides to flashing the firmware to various portable routers as I mentioned before - http://dslrcontroller.com/how-to.php
NOTE: The router is not required. You can use USB. Just giving the option in case you wanted to add wifi to the camera. Get a shoe mount for it too.
​
qDSLRDashboard - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.qdd
I like this one better, but it's not free. It seems like it can do a lot more and can browse your photos on the camera, but it can be a little slow to browse RAW photos. If you grow your camera collection, if you ever have a need, this app can operate multiple cameras simultaneously. This also has a Windows application as well as other operating systems.
Here's their site for adding the firmware to a router (again, this is optional) - https://dslrdashboard.info/dslrdashboardserver-ddserver/
Not sure whether you can do it with DSLR Controller
Oh and this is the one I use. I'm going to try yours too and see if it's better. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
I think you can do it with DSLR Controller
If you don't mind a slight lag, you can save some money and use an app if you're on Android. I use one of 2 apps that display the live view on my phone and has remote control features.
DSLR Controller is a more basic app that does this. but I prefer qDSLRDashboard as it offers many more features -- just not free and I can't recall the price.
I got a hotshoe mount for my phone like this one, but not this one and a USB OTG adapter like this and connect the phone to my DSLR via USB.
Benefits are the phone (or tablet) then displays my camera's live view, the touch screen becomes the camera's touch screen for things like touch to focus, the apps can control the camera and use their own overlays (I like qDSLRDashboard's focus peaking feature).
Bonus: Both support live view over WiFi and you can install custom firmware on a TP-Link TL-MR3040 portable router, then plug the router into your camera and have wireless control via either app to your camera.
There's a slight delay between the camera and what's displayed on phone, more so over wifi. So if you need precision, this isn't your answer. But if you want something kinda fun and cheaper than a monitor, give this a shot.
This app and the appropriate adapter to connect your camera to your smartphone.
DSLR controller + usb adapter
What brand of camera? If it's a Cannon this will likely work for ya; https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller
There's an app that you can use called DSLR Controller which allows you to do just that. It seems that the XSi has limited compatibility due to the fact that it runs VxWorks instead of DryOS, but their free Remote Release app allows you to test compatibility (their chart says "mostly").
If it does work, then there's a couple things you can do with it: physically tether via a USB OTG cable, or use two devices: the one which is tethered to the camera, and a second device with connects to the first wirelessly. On occasion I've used my Nexus 5 as the physically connected phone, then used my Nexus 10 as the "cord-cut" device for the larger screen. I've used it with my 60D many, many times, but unfortunately my 5D is not supported.