Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: BernardLanguillier on August 27, 2017, 11:57:03 pm

Title: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 27, 2017, 11:57:03 pm
Dear all,

Has someone first hand experience with remote controlling DSLRs (typically Nikon but that probably doesn't matter) in a range exceeding 100 meters (300 feet)?

What solution worked best (camranger,...)?

Thank you.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on August 28, 2017, 10:09:46 am
Dear all,

Has someone first hand experience with remote controlling DSLRs (typically Nikon but that probably doesn't matter) in a range exceeding 100 meters (300 feet)?

What solution worked best (camranger,...)?

Hi Bernard,

TT5/TT6 PocketWizards are rated for a Range Performance of:
Quote
Up to 10 to 365 meters (30 to 1200 feet) for basic triggering. Range is dependent on multiple factors including equipment, mode, environment, positioning, orientation, and interference.

You can get a camera release cable and use the PWs as a remote shutter release.

Haven't tried them for such long distances, but 100 meters should not be an issue if they are supposed to reach more than 3x that distance.

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 28, 2017, 11:41:00 am
Thanks Bart,

The PWs don't enable live view, do they?

Thank U.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on August 28, 2017, 11:51:32 am
Thanks Bart,

The PWs don't enable live view, do they?

Nope, only wireless (radio) remote release.

I think that for long distance wireless Remote LiveView, a WiFi connection may be too limited in range, unless powered amplifiers are used. I assume you are looking for a wireless solution.

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 28, 2017, 02:11:06 pm
Indeed, thanks.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Paul2660 on August 28, 2017, 02:54:26 pm
I would look at the CamRanger. Used it for a while on Nikon and it works well.

Only issue is the dongle. A bit large.

Paul Caldwell
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: kers on August 28, 2017, 04:17:00 pm
I have a camranger; yes it works well but more than 100m? i don't know
I can have a little check . But probably it also is depending on the phone used
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Joe Towner on August 28, 2017, 05:12:30 pm
If your camera is 100m away, what are you trying to control it from?  What does that 100m contain (walls, trees, water, open field, ?)

If you can run a wire, it'll be more reliable - http://www.icron.com/products/icron-brand/usb-extenders/ or https://www.blackbox.com/en-us/store/Detail.aspx/USB-2-0-Extender---CAT5-1-Port/IC280A-R2  so fiber can get you USB3 100m away, or USB2 up to 500m away (fiber) or 100m (CAT5e/6)

If you look at a wireless device like a CamRanger, you could do something with a directional antenna plus usb adapter with a laptop - or this all in one: https://www.amazon.com/USB-Yagi-directional-Antenna-802-11n-2200mW/dp/B003LLS5JI

You can also do a Surface or laptop plugged in locally to the camera, then use the directional antenna above to connect to it from another machine & screen share

-Joe
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 28, 2017, 06:14:39 pm
Thank you all for your kind feedbacks.

The application is Kite Aerial Photography. ;)

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Joe Towner on August 28, 2017, 10:11:22 pm
Ah Bernard  ;D,

Yea, so most of everything I've said gets tossed out the window.

The antenna may work, but really you're not going to have much control, so things like live view might not apply.  My only question is why you wouldn't just set the intervalometer and just let it go?  Weight will be your biggest issue, so anything that adds to it won't be your friend.

-Joe
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: scyth on August 28, 2017, 11:01:36 pm
Dear all,

Has someone first hand experience with remote controlling DSLRs (typically Nikon but that probably doesn't matter) in a range exceeding 100 meters (300 feet)?

What solution worked best (camranger,...)?

Thank you.

Cheers,
Bernard

WT-5A/WT-6A have >= 150m range sitting on camera side , so u need something decently amplified on your side ...
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: kers on August 29, 2017, 09:51:21 am
Camranger works well within 30 meters- than the signal is too weak.


Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 30, 2017, 04:02:16 am
Ah Bernard  ;D,

Yea, so most of everything I've said gets tossed out the window.

The antenna may work, but really you're not going to have much control, so things like live view might not apply.  My only question is why you wouldn't just set the intervalometer and just let it go?  Weight will be your biggest issue, so anything that adds to it won't be your friend.

Thanks for your answers Joe and all!  ;)

A friend is working exactly like that, but the control freak in me has been considering the usage of some rigs that enable to remote control the camera along 2 axis. Live view would help determine the right angular settings to get a reasonnably good framing. Hence my interest in remote control solutions over wifi.

It seems that Camranger and Camfi might work  up to 40m~ in completely open conditions such as the ones above sea (I would be using the kite from a sailing boat to make things more fun...), so it may be an option. The Nikon wireless solution seems more robust, but the cost is very high and they are not compatible with the cheap camera I am considering using due to the high risk of losing the equipment at sea.

Thanks again for the many inputs!

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Bill Koenig on August 30, 2017, 04:13:41 pm
Bernard,

There is a inexpensive alternative to Camranger. In fact, it might be the the same thing.
I've purchased one of these for my D7000 using a Nesus 7 tablet. It works great, it cost me about $50. It uses a app for my tablet called DSLDASHBOARD
Follow this link.
https://petapixel.com/2016/07/14/wirelessly-control-dslr-less-40/

The router is no longer available from B&H.  But I found the router on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-MR3040-Wireless-Router-802-11n/dp/B00842KJOS
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: scyth on August 30, 2017, 04:18:17 pm
Thanks for your answers Joe and all!  ;)

A friend is working exactly like that, but the control freak in me has been considering the usage of some rigs that enable to remote control the camera along 2 axis. Live view would help determine the right angular settings to get a reasonnably good framing. Hence my interest in remote control solutions over wifi.

It seems that Camranger and Camfi might work  up to 40m~ in completely open conditions such as the ones above sea (I would be using the kite from a sailing boat to make things more fun...), so it may be an option. The Nikon wireless solution seems more robust, but the cost is very high and they are not compatible with the cheap camera I am considering using due to the high risk of losing the equipment at sea.

Thanks again for the many inputs!

Cheers,
Bernard

why not a drone w/ OEM camera instead of kite with cheap dSLR/dSLM camera ?
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 31, 2017, 02:37:45 am
why not a drone w/ OEM camera instead of kite with cheap dSLR/dSLM camera ?

Because:
1. the level of image quality of these drones is not that great,
2. flying a drone over the ocean is risky and landing one back on a sailing boat that moves is difficult and can be dangerous

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Joe Towner on August 31, 2017, 02:25:17 pm
From a sailboat?  You're extremely brave, especially when dealing with rigging and proximity.  We're going to tack to port, keep an eye on the kite!

Might I suggest http://www.swellpro.com - waterproof floating drone

I'd almost say you could fly a camera phone a bit easier than a full dslr, but you wouldn't get the lens selection.  You could also go the GoPro route, but again, lens selection.  The Yi M1 may be cheap enough that it's a 'let's see what we get'.  You could also go with a Canon D30 or similar rugged Panasonic camera.

The one thing I'd consider is what will the image look like if you're in the image with the kite flying.  If it was for a job shooting the sailboat, hiring a helicopter would get you more natural sailing activities by the people in the image.

Just don't fly too low: http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/video-shows-helicopter-dangerously-close-to-sailboats-in-port-townsend/359810034

-Joe
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on August 31, 2017, 10:26:16 pm
Thanks Joe,

This is a private vacation so renting a heli may not be possible logistically (even if it were affordable which it may be).

Thanks for the Swellpro link, very interesting option indeed.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: alan_b on August 31, 2017, 10:35:47 pm
The application is Kite Aerial Photography. ;)

You just need to change your thinking to Kite Aerial Photographer, then you can operate the camera directly!

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Parasailing_In_Boracay.jpg/220px-Parasailing_In_Boracay.jpg)
Wikipedia: Parasailing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasailing)
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 01, 2017, 12:25:59 am
You just need to change your thinking to Kite Aerial Photographer, then you can operate the camera directly!

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Parasailing_In_Boracay.jpg/220px-Parasailing_In_Boracay.jpg)
Wikipedia: Parasailing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasailing)

Indeed! ;)

But I am already worried about having my camera hanging in the air... I may get worried about myself...

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on September 01, 2017, 09:19:08 am
The one thing I'd consider is what will the image look like if you're in the image with the kite flying.

Correct, that's what I was thinking, how to keep the line out of the image (retouch in postprocessing)?

A photographer friend of mine uses helicopters to shoot from (with skilled pilots, who can follow directions WRT distance and angle and speed, and fly safely at the same time!), and a door removed while being strapped in.

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: Joe Towner on September 02, 2017, 03:09:26 pm
I love shooting from a heli - some of my best work was done without just a seat belt keeping me safe!  The right pilot makes a huge difference, I know the gent who was flying in the video link - he's great, just kept taking instructions from the cameraman to get closer...

-Joe
Title: Re: Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range
Post by: BernardLanguillier on September 02, 2017, 07:59:56 pm
I love shooting from a heli - some of my best work was done without just a seat belt keeping me safe!  The right pilot makes a huge difference, I know the gent who was flying in the video link - he's great, just kept taking instructions from the cameraman to get closer...

Did that over Hawaii volcanoe Nat park 6-7 years ago, that was a blast!

Cheers,
Bernard