Comments on: iPhone app to remotely control your Canon dSLR

OnOne software releases an iPhone/iPod Touch app that can remotely control most Canon dSLRs tethered to a host system.

[leonardjenkis]

Replacing 1 cable with another. This app is completely useless unless you have someplace to put your laptop while you've got your camera mounted on the backboard. This requires you to keep your camera plugged into your laptop which basically just replaces one cable with another, fancier cable. Buyer beware, they gloss over the fact you need to have this tethered to a computer the whole time, by pointing out how cheap netbooks are in the demo. Don't buy this.

[LelandHendrix]

Lori, I caught this when it first was announced, as well.

I was already leaning to the Canon EOS Rebel XSi (with 18-55mm lens) for $569 in your current front-page feature, and being reminded of this iphone app seals it.

[DocG411]

This would be so cool without the need for tethering it to a laptop.

[make_or_break]

Meh...I wouldn't want a bunch of CANON guys writing a Nikon app anyways :P

Someone the thought of using my Touch to control the camera seems unnecessary (after all, if the camera's tethered, why not just use the computer?). There MIGHT be situations where wireless could be useful--like when the photographer/picture taker needs to be part of the photo or near the subject for setup--but these are set environments...a cable long enough to move the laptop around can do the same thing, plus provide a much better (i.e., larger) LCD screen for previewing. Me thinks that the usefulness of this app goes down in location shooting, but then again you can't ever discount some people's fanatic love of their iPhone's (or Touch's) app capacity.

[emarido]

I think you're missing the point of this, you could walk anywhere in the studio to look at your subject from different angles, or adjsut things without being tethered by wire to your computer / camera. This is a wireless remote that shows you the image just taken on a large screen from anywhere that the wifi can connect.

[Splinter4]

Good point. However, I think the fact that the camera has to remain tethered to a laptop reduces this seemingly incredible and useful App down to a simple luxury item that would just be sort of nice to have.

If this iPhone App gave me the ability to tap into the wifi capabilities of a 5D Mark II without the need for a laptop, then they could probably charge close to $100 for it. I could simply attach the camera to our 12-foot crane, pair it with the iPhone App, and be ready to shoot our establishing shot as the sun was setting. What a dream come true that would be.

[lawgone]

I think you're missing the point that the practicality/usefulness of this product is very low. Let's say you're a commercial photographer and you're photographing a car. You want to know how everything will look in the photo. There is no need to go to the side of the car that won't even be in the picture and remotely trigger the shutter from there. You need to be behind the camera. The only time a remote shutter trigger is needed is if you are taking a portrait and want to be in it yourself or if you are going to have a very long exposure of something. Either way, you wouldn't want your laptop tethered to the camera the whole time. I can't believe the one guy posting on here is letting this influence his decision over what brand of camera to get...not based on lenses and ergonomics but useless software and gadgets.

[molotov]

So the day has come where the Touch is replacing the photographer. I think the next big thing; "Perform brain surgery through your Touch! [if qualified]" The multi-tough technology that ONLY Apple has out on mainstream will be perfect for that. Try this on a Pre... or wait - there is no such thing!

[bobkrause]

This sounds pretty cool, but my Sony a700 came with a wireless remote that fires the camera from a distance without my having to touch it or have it connected to a laptop. And, if you do have your camera hooked up to a TV or laptop the remote lets you run a slideshow without any physical contact (if you find something like that useful...I don't really see it myself). Even if they came out with a version for Sony Alpha dSLRs, I doubt if I'd buy it.

Bob