Remote Control (1 Viewer)

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i321587

Well-known member

• Nov 26, 2011

• #1

Hi

My Canon 550D offers the option to take pictures using a computer as the screen (tethered they call it). It relies on a USB cable connecting the camera to the computer. Very useful but I would like the possibility of setting the camera up on a tripod overlooking my feeders while I work in my office (in a different room).

Does anyone know of a set up using some sort of wireless connection or is a very long USB cable available?

All suggestions would be useful.

Thanks.

Tony

 

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Huntso

Well-known member

• Nov 26, 2011

• #2

Can use a USB extension cable, but needs to be an active or hub type for anything over 5 metres otherwise the signal degrades

 

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i321587

Well-known member

• Nov 26, 2011

• #3

Thanks for the advice. If I were to need approx 20 mtrs would I need 4 hubs or would one be sufficient?

Tony

 

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Huntso

Well-known member

• Nov 27, 2011

• #4

I'm no expert on this, but guessing if you could get a 20m lead, just the one or however many leads you used to make up the distance.

Do know 5m is the longest without any amplification though.

 

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i321587

Well-known member

• Nov 29, 2011

• #5

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll have to do some more research before I buy anything, although I guess that these days there must be some sort of wireless option available (probably at a higher cost).

Tony

 

hollis_f

Well-known member

• Nov 30, 2011

• #6

I guess the Eye-Fi card could do what you require.

 

Wildmoreway

Well-known member

• Dec 1, 2011

• #7

Canon RC-6 wireless remote Remote Control shown as compatible with 550 is in argos at £18.99, I bought a similar one for my Sonys that works fine for about £4 off ebay

 

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i321587

Well-known member

• Dec 2, 2011

• #8

Thanks for the suggestions but they don't quite meet my requirments.

The "tethered" system allows you to connect the camera to a computer, using a USB lead, and see the viewfinder image on the computer screen. Alongside on the computer screen is a "button" which you can click with your mouse to actually take the picture.

So what I'm looking for is something that will allow me to set the computer up in a different room so that if anything arrives on my feeders while I am working I can see it on the screen and take a picture. A long USB lead would seem to be the answer but does anyone know of a wireless system that will transmit the viewfinder image to my computer screen?

Thanks

Tony

 

hollis_f

Well-known member

• Dec 2, 2011

• #9

Do you have an iPhone? If so, DSLR Remote could be what you want.

You still need to connect your laptop and camera via a USB cord. But you can connect your laptop to your iPhone (or iPad) via wifi. then you can use your phone to see the viewfinder image, and to take a shot.

 

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i321587

Well-known member

• Dec 3, 2011

• #10

Hi Frank

Many thanks for your helpful suggestion.

I downloaded the 30 day trial of DSLR Remote and tried it on my ipod touch. It worked well but there was a lag of a couple of seconds between pressing the 'Fire' button on the ipod and the camera actually taking the picture, by which time the bird had moved out of shot.

I'll try it again but if you've used it have you had better luck.

Thanks again.

Tony

 

hollis_f

Well-known member

• Dec 6, 2011

• #11

No, I don't recall any problems with such long lag times. I do remember their online support being pretty good, probably worth checking there.