Posted: 4/8/2015 4:14:19 PM EDT
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Recently I've been looking at new ways to tether. For the past couple years I've used my tablet on top of my light box and a long USB wire connected to my camera. The software I've used is DSLR Controller and even though it's been in a beta for years, it's worked rather well, especially for something that's around $8.
The advantages to this is that you can take shots remotely without worrying about messing with the camera, and you don't have to pay $80+- for what Canon used to charge for a remote release. The drawbacks were that it was wired, which can sometimes get in the way, especially if you're like me and like to move quickly. Now they have found a solution with the TP-Link MR3040 portable wireless router. Amazon Link Here. This creates a fake Wi-Fi signal that your tablet/phone can connect to and, using DSLR Controller, can control your camera in many different ways. I've been testing it for a month now and it works almost flawlessly. Pros: This thing has a helluva lot more range than they describe on the website. On a clear evening, I was able to get out to about 110yds without the signal failing on me! When I'm shooting buildings, it normally takes me a couple hours to produce a shot because I have to set up the lighting in just the right spot, go back to the camera to check to see if it's correct, make corrections, then make sure the intensity is right. As I said, this can last hours. I did a smaller shoot the other night, about 50yds long building, in about 15 minutes, and my friggin back was saved. I also set up my camera one day in the back yard and was surfing the internet indoors while taking the occasional shot via my tablet. Also, the price is outstanding, but I'll get to that in a sec. Cons: I haven't tested it in all environments just yet, but it DID have some problems when shooting around a metal building that was about 200yds wide. My theory is that its the siding that messed up the signal, but I'm still not sure. Also, make sure your camera-to-router cord is a fairly nice one, as that seems to be a factor. Other than that, I haven't found anything else. The intervelometer could use some work. Mine keeps crashing on me, and it's kind of hard to understand. Price: The DLSR Controller app, which is only available for Android devices, costs around $8 in the Google Play store. The router costs $30 + about $5 in shipping. If your camera already has Wi-Fi, no need to buy the router unless the range sucks. Still, that's a little over $40 total. For comparison, you can buy the CamRanger which uses the exact same router, for $300! I'm sure they have fancy software or something that gearheads love, but I doubt it. If you guys can find a use for this, I can say that I endorse it, whatever that's worth. For $40, (next to my bubble level) this is probably the cheapest and most useful camera gadget I have in my bag. |