Best way to control a DSLR in 100m+ range

[BernardLanguillier]

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

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

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:

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

[BernardLanguillier]

Thanks Bart,

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

Thank U.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

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

[BernardLanguillier]

Indeed, thanks.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Paul2660]

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

[kers]

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

[Joe Towner]

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

[BernardLanguillier]

Thank you all for your kind feedbacks.

The application is Kite Aerial Photography.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Joe Towner]

Ah Bernard  ,

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

[scyth]

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 ...

[kers]

Camranger works well within 30 meters- than the signal is too weak.

[BernardLanguillier]

Ah Bernard  ,

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

[Bill Koenig]

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

[scyth]

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 ?

[BernardLanguillier]

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

[Joe Towner]

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

[BernardLanguillier]

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

[alan_b]

The application is Kite Aerial Photography.

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


Wikipedia: Parasailing

[BernardLanguillier]

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


Wikipedia: Parasailing

Indeed!

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

Cheers,
Bernard