Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

The Android logo. Courtesy of Google Inc. Click to visit the Android market! DSLR Controller arrives for Android
By
(Friday, August 5, 2011 - 14:23 EDT)

A new app released by developer Chainfire offers some Canon shooters the ability to remotely control their DSLRs from Android phones or tablets.

Available from the Android Market in beta form, Chainfire's DSLR Controller is said to have been tested with the Canon EOS550D (aka Rebel T2i), EOS 50D, EOS 7D, EOS 5D Mark II, and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLRs, using either the Samsung Galaxy S II phone, or one of three tablet models -- the Acer Iconia A500, Motorola Xoom, and Toshiba Thrive. Other Canon SLRs and Google Android tablets running Honeycomb (Android 3.0+) may also be compatible, but haven't been specifically tested. Devices running Gingerbread or earlier versions of Android aren't supported, as they lack USB host-mode drivers. This rules out support on all phones other than the Samsung Galaxy S II, but may allow tablets such as the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and future Honeycomb tablets from the likes of Lenovo to use the app.

Chainfire DSLR Controller allows a live view feed from compatible DSLRs, including tap-to-focus functionality, manual focus adjustment, live view zoom control, burst capture, bulb capture, and control over a wide range of exposure variables such as shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation / bracketing, flash exposure compensation, ISO sensitivity, AF mode, white balance mode / color temperature, metering mode, auto lighting optimizer, drive mode, and picture style.

The app doesn't require root support, and can control cameras directly attached to the phone or tablet via USB, with no need for a separate computer to handle camera communications. While it has been released in beta form, there is a charge of US$8.56 in the Android Market, which nowadays allows users only 15 minutes to try an application before disallowing refunds. Chainfire notes that once the program reaches a v1.0 stable release, the price will likely be increased further, but existing users should receive this upgrade without charge.

For non-Canon shooters, Chainfire has noted that support for Nikon SLRs is planned once the Canon functionality is stable. It has also been suggested that Pentax support may eventually be added.

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item