Viewing image larger than on camera back

[CarolC]

I have a Nikon D7100 and would like to see the images taken larger than on the camera back. The WU-1A is too slow. The result has to be immediate so I can alter camera settings, etc. I have tried the 3 in 1 Micro USB Connection Kit for OTG mobile phone and tablet connected to my Samsung 3 tablet and trying to read via Rawdroid. This doesn't seem to work.

The laptop is too large to carry with kit and tripod.

I would prefer to read through the Samsung 3 Tablet as I have this already, preferably wireless.

Any ideas please.

[Manfred M]

CamRanger is what I use. There are less expensive solutions as well, but this is generally viewed as best solution out there (i.e. this is the ones the "pro" use and it is also the most mature solution from a wireless standpoint). You see jpegs on the tablet and raw can be written to the camera storage. It is really a remote control for your camera, but you get screen sized images too.

http://camranger.com/

[Mike Buckley]

There is a new product on the market at Cam-Fi.com at less than half the price of the CamRanger. I have been using it about three months (though I have never used CamRanger). I struggled with it for the first two months until the very responsive customer service in China concluded that my unit was probably defective. Now that I have received the replacement unit, I am exceptionally happy with it.

See my review of the product, but take note in the first post that the most important problem I mentioned is resolved now that I have received the replacement unit. Unfortunately, it's not possible for me to edit the first post at this late date (and I have no idea why).

It would be helpful if you would update your profile to display your approximate location on the left side of your posts. As an example, if you live in the U.S. and if you buy the product, I strongly recommend that you buy through Amazon from CTS Warehouse. I spoke with them about questions I had before purchasing the product and they are now making arrangements for me to return the defective unit. Note that the manufacturer provided me the replacement unit without requiring that I return the first unit until I could do comparative testing that confirmed their suspicion that the first unit was defective.

[CarolC]

I have had a quick look through a few reviews and it appears that this is very much an Apple supported product and could do better with Cannon. I apologise if there are more updates, but the following are some of the comments:
doesn't support Nikon Raw - you have to take JPegs and Raw. Does support Canon Raw.
doesn't do well with the D7100 - keeps disconnecting.
Good for Apple. Windows' download is beta and lacks capabilities of Appl iOs platform. Windows' version is underdeveloped and may never have some of the features of iOs.
Connection to tablet takes too many times to establish. If you take too many photographs in quick succession the app locks up. Too inconsistent and buggy.
Tablet slips back to networks with internet access.
Software is buggy and crashes with great regularity both on android tablet and windows laptop.
I have a Nikon taking RAW, a tablet and a Windows 7 on laptop. Is this going to work for me?

[Mike Buckley]

Carol,

Which product does your previous post refer to? I can assure you that the first item is not true if it is a review of CamFi. Also, there is no indication that CamFi's Windows platform is a beta version. Based on my understanding of the iOS platform explained in the User Guide, I noticed no differences between it and the Windows platform except the one item mentioned in my review that I suspect is a capability that was accidentally omitted from the Guide.

[CarolC]

Thank you for the posts gentlemen. This is the exact product I am looking for so I really appreciate all that you are writing. This remark was directed at the CamRanger and I honestly know nothing about these two products but am just reading about them online. I have just read that the CamFi cannot be used with the Samsung 3 which I have - I would need a 4?

[Mike Buckley]

I have just read that the CamFi cannot be used with the Samsung 3 which I have - I would need a 4?

The website explains the operating systems that are required. It doesn't mention anything about hardware requirements other than the cameras and the cables shipped with the cameras.

[Manfred M]

Carol - I have used the CamRanger with a WIndows 8.1 laptop, an Android (original Google Nexus) tablet, a Samsung Galaxy II Android phone as well as an iPad Air 2 and all have worked flawlessly. I can't see any reason why it won't work on a Samsung 3, as the operating system, rather than the tablet brand / model are what counts..

The way the CamRanger works is that you really do need to shoot raw + jpeg. The raw data stays on the camera (and as the file is large, this is what you want). I shoot with jpeg Basic, i.e. the smallest file size to speed transfer to the device (the larger file sizes work too, but the data transfer takes longer and nothing is gained from an image quality standpoint when displayed on a laptop or tablet. I delete these files from the tablet when I am done. I will work the raw files anyways and you definitely don't want the raw files transferred to the tablet as that will fill up the limited tablet memory so very quickly.

If the reports say that the D7000 connection fails, that is likely because the connector cable is not secured properly. I would look at getting a Tethertools JerkStopper for the camera to ensure that this is not a problem. I use it with my Nikon D800 and the USB 3.0 cable and connector that ship with that camera are a lot more robust than the connector on the D7000.

https://www.tethertools.com/product/...amera-support/

The CamRanger is aimed at commercial photographers so the system is rock solid and as many photographers use the Apple platform, it was originally developed for it, but the Windows / Android versions have been around for several years and are quite solid.

[Mike Buckley]

That jerkstopper product looks like a great idea, especially for handheld shooting. I use the CamFi only while shooting on a tripod, so it seems unnecessary for my use. That's because both the camera and the CamFi unit are perfectly stable the entire time I am shooting.

[Manfred M]

That jerkstopper product looks like a great idea, especially for handheld shooting. I use the CamFi only while shooting on a tripod, so it seems unnecessary for my use. That's because both the camera and the CamFi unit are perfectly stable the entire time I am shooting.

I use this setup primarily when shooting tethered as I am often in fairly low light situations and only have the flash modeling lights on. I have one on the camera and the other on the laptop, when I am shooting this way. I shoot both from the tripod and handheld, so this is more of an issue for me, even though the D800 connector that ships with it comes with an anchoring device that is reasonably robust. I really would prefer to keep the camera out of the shop because of my clumsiness.

I know that the USB 2.0 connection on the D90 is not robust and the same type of connector is used the D7000. so something is needed and frankly it would be all too easy to damage it on the camera. This is fairly inexpensive insurance. I think I ordered mine from B&H.

[Mike Buckley]

It just now occurred to me that the branding, jerkstopper, is certainly referring to the stoppage of a jerky motion in the cable. However, in my case, it would aptly refer to stopping the negative effects of a klutzy jerk.

[CarolC]

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/059...-for-your-dslr

Thank you Mike - this is the article that says you need a Samsung 4. Digitial Photo Review Jan 4th 2016

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Carol,

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/059...-for-your-dslr

Thank you Mike - this is the article that says you need a Samsung 4. Digitial Photo Review Jan 4th 2016

I might be going blind, but I cannot see where "the article that says you need a Samsung 4", it mentions "Android 4.0" meaning the operating system (must be at least 4.0) - and I believe the Samsung S3 runs Android 4.3, so should be OK.

UPDATE (to cover myself!)
Since Mike's review says their support is good, why not ask Cam-Fi directly in an e-mail?

Dave

[Rob Ekins]

Carol,
I don't use CamRanger as I shoot Canon (With a Samsung Tab) and have no need for the product, people I trust say it does have it's issues and it is not the be all and end all of products that the interwebs will have you believe.

In reality with so many WiFi enabled devices around it can't possibility be. But and this is a very big but.......apparently they have great customer service.

I have subscribed to Mikes CamFi thread and the service there sounds great as well.

Dave H makes a great point..... send them both an email with your specific requirements and see what pans out, let us know how you go

[Mike Buckley]

Dave H makes a great point..... send them both an email with your specific requirements and see what pans out, let us know how you go

Absolutely spot on! As an example, I initially wanted to use the CamFi with an old netbook that has a Windows operating system that met the published system requirements. However, I was not able to get the screen display to a usable state regardless of the resolution configured in the operating system. So, I contacted CamFi using their email address provided at their website. I immediately learned the minimum requirement regarding resolution for a Windows operating system and that my netbook's resolution was insufficient.

When you contact CamFi, mention just for fun that I recommended that you get in touch. If Mark responds to you (he has always responded to me from the outset), he definitely will recognize my name. By the way, he is the inventor of CamFi, so you'll be in good hands.

Having said all that, I wouldn't hold it against any company if they don't know the details of every single cell phone, tablet, and computer. I'm confident that if your device meets the listed requirement of the operating system, it will work unless you run into the rather extreme oddity of a very old netbook such as mine.

[CarolC]

Dave - I assumed that Samsung 3 was the same as Android 3 so that shows you I am not very well versed in computers and the like! Thank you very much for letting me know.

[Mike Buckley]

I am not very well versed in computers and the like!

I can certainly relate to that! As an example, even though I set up the CamFi WiFi network, I had never previously set up a WiFi network because my wife had always done that and maintains it. If I had known what to expect about how the CamFi WiFi should behave, I would have known on the very first day of use that my first CamFi unit was defective. It was only when I used the replacement unit that I realized how the WiFi network itself was supposed to have been behaving all along.

Considering your understandable lack of familiarity with the technical aspects of computing, it might be helpful for you to review all of the company-supplied videos and User Guides of both CamFi and CamRanger before making a buying decision. The product that seems the most intuitive and user-friendly might be one of the most important factors for you to consider.

[Manfred M]

Let me add one more word of advice.

1. These are fairly complex technical systems that require some level of technical understanding to make them work; for instance with the CamRanger, you have to make a network connection to it, which means that need to have a decent level of technical comfort to get it to work.

2. These devices have mechanical / electrical connections to your camera. If this connection is not solid, the solutions will have problems. This is why I highly recommend some type of device the ensures that you have a good connection between the devices that doesn't come out when you are moving around.

3. These devices all use software to manipulate and display the data and all software has some level of "bugs". These bugs do get ironed out over time (i.e. as the product matures). CamRanger, for instance is at generation 8 on firmware (not just bug fixes but also enhanced functionality), so a more mature product is likely going to operate more smoothly.

4. Using a tablet outdoors during daylight hours is not going to be that useful. The brightness versus daylight conditions may mean that this solution is not going to be as good as you would like. The screens are still relatively small, so while it may be better than what your camera ships with, I find that I prefer working with a laptop or better, a full-size screen to evaluate the shots. These solutions are not practical for some types of shooting, although I do use mine during golden hour and blue hour, but primarily as a remote control, rather than a way of seeing the images I have just taken.

[Dave Humphries]

Dave - I assumed that Samsung 3 was the same as Android 3 so that shows you I am not very well versed in computers and the like! Thank you very much for letting me know.

Nah, despite the apparent logic of your deduction, it doesn't work like that.

Saying "Android" is like saying "Windows" - there are many different versions, the good thing is Android generally progresses numerically. For example, my phone started with 4.3, upgraded to 4.4 and now 4.5.

As you now know; the Android OS (Operating System) number has nothing to do with the phone/tablet (manufacturer's) model numbers.

It was all new to me a couple of years ago and I've yet to try something like one of these systems, but all this talk is whetting my appetite!

[Mike Buckley]

you have to make a network connection to it, which means that need to have a decent level of technical comfort to get it to work.

Everything is relative, but from my point of view I have absolutely no technical comfort. Yet I had no problem getting the CamFi WiFi to work once I received a unit that was not defective. The plug-and-play characteristic was as effective as anything I have ever used.

CamRanger, for instance is at generation 8 on firmware (not just bug fixes but also enhanced functionality), so a more mature product is likely going to operate more smoothly.

That's not my lifetime computing experience. The more functionality that is added to a product the more bugs that are added to the product almost as if it's inevitable that the fixed bugs are replaced by new bugs. As an example, consider the number of bug fixes that are released nearly monthly with Adobe's highly mature products.

4. Using a tablet outdoors during daylight hours is not going to be that useful.

Ahhhhhhhhhh. Finally an advantage of using my makeshift studio despite its extreme limitations!