There’s a new program coming to the App Store for iPod Touch and iPhone users. This program by Mike Wong enables complex remote control and triggering of Canon DSLR cameras (the developer is working on a Nikon version as well). The app runs on your mobile device, and communicates over wifi with a laptop connected to the camera by USB. I’m not just talking about triggering the shutter release, this app can do it all; shutter speed, aperture, white balance, intervalometer, review shots, and even stream Live View to the iPhone display. I understand that they will enable video record start/stop in a future update for cameras like the Canon 5D MKII. Read more below for the full scoop and links.
As I stated earlier, the DSLR Remote app runs on your iPhone or iPod Touch, and communicates over wifi to the DSLR Remote Server software, running on a Mac or PC (ad-hoc connection type, so you don’t need a wifi access point). Your laptop connects via USB (also Firewire or Canon Wireless File Transmitter) to the Canon DSLR, and passes along your remote instructions from the Server software. It allows you to review images at the flick of a finger, and zoom in quickly to check critical focus. Likewise, it can stream the Live View video feed from the camera to your iPhone/iTouch display (if your camera supports Live View). Unfortunately, you cannot currently control AF lens focus with the app, they are looking at enabling that in a future update.
The app is currently in the approval process with Apple, and they expect it in the App Store shortly. The Professional version will run for $19.99, after a short $9.99 introductory price run. A $1.99 Lite version will also be offered, that simply fires the shutter without all the other extensive camera controls. And of course the server software that runs on the computer will be offered at no charge via the product website. You can see a few video examples of the app in action at this link.
Currently supported cameras:
EOS-1D Mark II
EOS 20D
EOS-1Ds Mark II
EOS Kiss Digital N/350D/Rebel XT
EOS 5D
EOS-1D Mark II N
EOS 30D
EOS Kiss Digital X/400D/Rebel XTi
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS 40D
EOS-1Ds Mark III
EOS Digital Rebel Xsi/450D/Kiss X2
EOS Digital Rebel XS/1000D/KISS F
EOS 50D
EOS 5D Mark II