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Has anyone used wireless LAN to remotely operate their cameras?

I have a job coming up that requires us to hang a D3x at least 10m out over Collins st from the top of a 7 storey building via a camera jig. We'll be shooting from dusk through to night so it is crucial that we have full control over ISO, shutter and Aperature functions as well as live view. With this in mind I'm thinking the wireless LAN operation using something like a WT-4A is the only way to go.

http://chsvimg.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/d3/en/features/expandability/

Any tips from people who have used this before?

Don't be a wimp, just buy a rope and hang there!




Seriously, good luck, it will be interesting to hear how this works out

 LOL, thanks for the advice. Perhaps I could pay you to hang there for me .

You might like to look at the Phottix Hero and/or Hector.

One is wired, the other is wireless. Both give you live view, and full control.

Thanks Gary,
I hadn't seen that option previously. Does the Hero allow the user to change camera settings remotely or is it just live view and shutter release?
I like the Nikon option since it is fully integrated into the laptops Nikon Capture Control software.
Cheers
Andrew

Andrew,

agriffiths wrote: Does the Hero allow the user to change camera settings remotely or is it just live view and shutter release?

I thought full control, but Leigh is telling me no.

We'll check later to be sure, to be sure.

from memory the Hero/Hector do not let you have control over shutter speed, aperture or ISO.

aim54x wrote:from memory the Hero/Hector do not let you have control over shutter speed, aperture or ISO.

The version I saw showed you the live view + had a shutter release only.

I've been reading a few threads on DP from users who had problems with the WT-4's wireless connectivity. Most of them are old reviews and the firmware has since been updated but I'd hate to have a similar experience and loose connection with the camera mid shoot or have to wait around while it attempts to connect to the wireless router. That would be very embarrassing... not to mention unprofessional .

Anyone have a WT-4 success story to share?

use the ethernet port!

use the ethernet port!

Do you mean the ethernet port with a wireless router? That is what I had planned originally but I've heard of various people still having problems with this configuration.

agriffiths wrote:

use the ethernet port!

Do you mean the ethernet port with a wireless router? That is what I had planned originally but I've heard of various people still having problems with this configuration.

A friend uses the WT-4 and has been using the ethernet port on the unit to connect to the ethernet port on a router. This would alleviate failure of connection I would imagine.

Great! Any other tips he can send my way?
What sort of camera is he using?

He is using the D300 and the D3...

I have just been talking to him and he has mentioned the following:

The WT-4 wireless suffers from the same problem as all other wireless systems. This is not suitable for mission critical operations. The Ethernet port however is a far better solution. Ethernet cable can run up to 100m before requiring a switch to transmit again.

However running an ethernet cable and exposed eletronics out in the enviroment is a bad idea, a lighting strike to the camera would transmit over the ethernet and fry the computer on the other end.

Since your control PC and the camera is far apart, consider using a Powerline communcation kit...they use the eletrical cables of a building to transmit signals

this has a range of 400m max of cable lenght, and allows you to draw power from the same point, reducing the cabling problem as you may be dealing with OHS problems.

Pre config with the software provide, do not try to config it on the camera...also ensure you update the firmware on both the WT-4 and D3, for max battery life. Most likely he will have to type an IP address for the server, so record that down, and please use static address on both the server and the camera

Wow, thanks for the detailed response.

I'm considering the use of an RC remote trigger and 2.4Ghz wireless video downlink. I'll just have to put the camera on bracket to ensure a variety of exposures. The idea of controlling the camera settings via PC is fantastic but I just don't like the idea of getting out there and having to sort through network issues. There's too much else to concenrate on... like not dropping the camera .

agriffiths wrote:Wow, thanks for the detailed response.

I'm considering the use of an RC remote trigger and 2.4Ghz wireless video downlink. I'll just have to put the camera on bracket to ensure a variety of exposures. The idea of controlling the camera settings via PC is fantastic but I just don't like the idea of getting out there and having to sort through network issues. There's too much else to concenrate on... like not dropping the camera .

Hi there, I am the guy who typed up that response for you. I am conducting research into wireless networking technology so I know a lot about how the WT-4 works with the network.

You are doing a whole day shoot, I really do not recommend wireless for that. If you can sit next to the camera, I have another trick you might like. Wireless will give you more problems throughout the day and may not transfer the files fast enough (I do not know how much data you are generating).

D-link sells a little box that takes a harddrive, with a built in FTP and DHCP server. As long as you tell the camera to put towards the hardrive (should be 192.168.1.1) it will always transfer the file. Camera addressing will not be a problem then, since the DHCP will handle it, all it needs is the ftp address and login details.

1 TB drive will outlast your camera when it comes to filling it up. I calculated at 20mb per file, it would hold 50,000 shots. More than enough for what you are doing.

Least amount of configuration you need, and you do not need to buy a router. Sit next to the camera and it will auto transfer to a hard drive till you grow old and have a beard.

Thanks for the tip Tiny Titan.

I should prbably clarify that I'm not really interested in the image storage and would actually prefer the images to be stored onto the camera CF card. What I'm really interested in is having full control of the cameras settings (shutter speed / ISO / Aperature) whilst it is dangling 10 m off the side of a building... preferably without me hanging onto it.

This would be perfect, if only there was a way to reverse the hardware configuration so the ipod was hooked directly to the camera and the user (me) could then adjust settings on the laptop.

http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38

agriffiths wrote:This would be perfect, if only there was a way to reverse the hardware configuration so the ipod was hooked directly to the camera and the user (me) could then adjust settings on the laptop.

http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38

I have been using this with a D3 and it works very well.... I think that ideally you would be better leaving the camera attached to a computer rather than the iPhone, simply because I would rely on the computer to have more power to keep things moving for a few hours at a time. The app works as advertised and you can adjust settings... verify exposure and even apply selective focussing. Probably worth the $25 if you are regularly shooting remote setups.

Thanks mate, it certainly looks the goods. I'm just not overly keen on hanging my heavy laptop out over the edge of a 5 story building. Rather it be a lightweight iphone.

There'd be so many more applications for this setup if they could only reverse the setup to have the iphone connected to the camera instead of the laptop. No doubt that's easier said than done.

agriffiths wrote:Thanks mate, it certainly looks the goods. I'm just not overly keen on hanging my heavy laptop out over the edge of a 5 story building. Rather it be a lightweight iphone.

What about an inexpensive netbook? Should be more powerful but way less expensive than an iPhone, lightweight, lots of storage on board ....

Netbooks are great but still too much weight.

What about using the USB connector.
I know performance tails off with distance, but you can get USB cables with built in repeaters. I regularly use a 5M one with a 2m standard cord plugged in, so 7m from camera to computer. I have no problems at that distance. Of course, you will want about 15m to allow for cable bends & such.

Yes I'm starting to think this may be possible. I've not used such a long USB cable before and not sure how well it would perform at that distance.

Looks like active USB extenders couldbe the best bet.

Cheers
Andrew

Cat No XC4120 from Jaycar may be of interest
I am sure DSE, JB and the like also have similar products

Jaycar wrote: Powered USB Extension Lead 10m

Extend your USB devices far and wide. The cable has a built-in extender that allows you to go further. 10 metre length. Up to two cables can be connected together to obtain a 20 metre length.

Long USB cables aren't usually a big drama if you have 1/2 decent branded cables.

As an example - I have a 5m USB cord in my office, then feeding an unpowered 4 port hub, on a 1m lead, then feeding off to a laser printer on a 1.8m lead and a inkjet MFC on a 3m lead.

No worries.

I was even feeding an external HDD from the hub with no issues.

I've decided on CAT5 USB2 extenders as we have plenty of reliable CAT5 cable here. USB cable is rated at 5m without  active hubs. I wouldn't put the job (and my cred) on the line for the sake of saving a few dollars on cable.

As a backup I have constructed an electronic RC trigger and 2.4Ghz video downlink in the event the USB link fails.

Always have a backup plan and test test test .

Good idea overall on the cat5.
Test test test...... is exactly it. I havent run my D200 over a long USB and so I wouldnt rely on it for a living, but my post was just to say that USB doesn't die after 5m.... it probably slows a bit or isnt as good or as reliable.
The main thing is to pack a backup or 2......

I like the sound of this setup...if it is allowed do you mind sharing some of the resulting pictures?

USB cable is rated at 5m without  active hubs

The 5 Metre extender I mentioned above has a self pwoered  active hub.
Not sure of the details, but I guess it uses the 5V line to power an amplifier to boost the signal so the S/N doesn't get too bad