My iPhone is now an extension of my Nikon

Posted on 21 September 2009, at 4:30 pm, by David Goodspeed

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OK, so it took me a little longer than most to adopt the new iPhone into my life. Truth be told I preferred the video and still image functions of the Nokia over the Apple product.

It wasn’t until recently that I seriously began questioning my choice of cellphones.

The final convincer was a mention of some new software and iPhone app by onOne Software, Inc. that allowed the user to control one of many of the newer DSLR cameras remotely from their iPhone (or iPod Touch) device. Sold.

I don’t do a lot of remote photography but this announcement intrigued me.

I no longer use my cameras to earn my living, so I did not spring for the full-blown version of this new DSLR Camera Remote software, instead vying for the $1.99 Lite app.

After a quick download on both my iPhone for the app and my laptop for a free desktop controller interface, I was off and running.

I briefly tested the system while sitting at my desk but curiosity quickly took over and I found myself out on the front porch stringing USB cables from my tripod-mounted Nikon D300 next to the hummingbird feeder to my MacBook laptop on the doormat.

Turn everything on and voila – picture time.

No sooner had I moved away from the remote setup than the pre-migration hummers began swarming back in for a drink.

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I used a fill flash on the camera and that had the little guys a bit perplexed but I was able to fire off some usable images, all from a touch on my iPhone screen.

The Lite version of the app does not allow for remote control over camera functions, nor does it provide a live view of the viewfinder, but it does keep the last frame taken in a viewer on the app screen – ideal for testing your camera’s operation before shooting for keeps.

This is not necessarily an app for everyone, but for those with a sense of photographic adventure and curiosity I would recommend it.

Below is the company’s official press release:

Portland, OR August 27, 2009
Next-generation remote release enables photographers to use the Apple® iPhone® or iPod® Touch to control their Canon EOS and now Nikon DSLR camera via a WiFi enabled computer

onOne Software, Inc., a leading developer of time-saving software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers, today announced a major update to it’s popular new application for remotely controlling Canon EOS DSLR cameras using an iPhone or iPod Touch. Based on feedback from the photography community, DSLR Camera Remote v1.1 adds major new functionality including Nikon DSLR camera support, Auto Bracketing for HDR photography, Burst Mode for sports photographers, an improved User Interface, AutoFocus during LiveView and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Auto-Import support. This provides both Nikon and Canon photographers even greater freedom to move from behind the camera to interact with subjects to shoot when seeing through the viewfinder is difficult, and now stop motion animation, time lapse photography and HDR bracketing.

Key capabilities of the DSLR Camera Remote v1.1 for iPhone:
- Support for Nikon DSLRs  - Support for the Canon T1i/500D  - Trigger Auto Focus during LiveView by simply tapping the live preview  - Auto Bracketing to create a series of bracketed exposures for HDR images  - Burst Mode to trigger a rapid-fire sequence of images, perfect for action shooting  - Improved User Interface now offers Big View to see larger previews  - A new option supporting Adobe Photoshop Lightroom’s Auto-Import feature
“We are thrilled that this application has been so well received by photographers and have worked quickly to respond to the requests of the community,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “DSLR Camera Remote allows photographers the opportunity to get out from behind the camera and interact with their subjects while still maintaining full control of the technical details.”

Availability and Pricing
DSLR Remote Camera Remote v1.1 is a free update to owners of v1.0. DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone comes in two versions the Professional edition, which is available for $19.99 and the Lite edition, available for $1.99. The Lite edition simply fires the camera shutter while the Professional edition adds all of the features mentioned above and more.
It may be purchased immediately from the App Store within Apple® iTunes® software. After purchasing either edition from the iTunes App Store, users will need to download a free application that runs on their supported Mac or Windows computer. This free application is required to communicate between the iPhone and the supported Canon EOS DSLR, connected via USB or Firewire to a WiFi enabled computer.

There are no trial or demo versions of the DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone application. For a full list of system requirements and supported cameras visit: www.onOnesoftware.com/iPhone.

Supported Cameras
For the most complete list of supported cameras, please visit the DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone product page.

About onOne Software
onOne Software, Inc. a leading developer of innovative software tools for photographers, develops time-saving software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers. onOne Software solutions have been created to help photographers spend more of their time behind the camera taking pictures instead of the computer workstation. Such solutions include a wide range of easy-to-use plug-in enhancements for Adobe® Photoshop®, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture and Apple iPhoto. Founded in 2005, onOne Software is a privately held company located in Portland, Oregon. For additional information, visit www.ononesoftware.com or call 1-888-968-1468.

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