I asked for some very specific gifts for Christmas, and I was lucky enough to get most of them 🙂
The first cab off the rank is Camfi, it is essentially a Wi-Fi adaptor for your camera, but is is so much more. I first saw it on a Studio session with Kim Klassen and it allows you to take complete control over your camera, remotely. You can adjust the EV, aperture, shutter speed, bracketing, focus point, ISO……..etc, etc, etc. It is quick and easy to set up and use.
PROS
- It small and light weight, not much bigger than a smartphone (but it is a little thicker)
- Quick to connect and set up
- not much more in cost than a traditional wi-fi adapter for say Nikon D7100 (AUD$135.00)
- works with lots of different brands and models
- connects via you tether cable (the one to connect to PC to grab photos)
- you can see live view on larger screen
- focus is far superior (especially for macro) as you can zoom right in and focus and see better on larger screen
- once set up there is no need to touch your camera, therefore NO Camera shake
- allows you to put your camera in really awkward spaces and not yourself
- Works with great App IOS and Android…….nice interface and easy to use
- Look, share and work on images directly from the camera
CONS
- due to being lightweight and small, occasionally blows around and the hot shoe does not fit the D7100, so I hang it from my tripod; it comes with a lanyard.
- EV took a bit to figure out, you still need to eyeball it
- A bit glitchy with my old Samsung Note 1.0 tablet…….possibly due to the older software on the tablet?
- Occasionally freezes on Sony Smartphone as well, especially if trying to arrange a bracketed shot.
- When freezes sometimes locks the whole camera up.
- I found that sometimes my Home Wi-Fi kicked me off the Camfi…….but that could just be my system and not the camfi
- User manual pretty useless
- Not much technical help available if required
It is possible that the glitches are App based and may be fixed in time, but in general they are a small annoyance outweighed by the sheer freedom this device allows you, not just in the studio. I can’t wait to really get out and about with it. This below Sunset shot was taken with Camfi as well. No more aching back for me 🙂
CONCLUSION
So is it worth the AUD$135.00? I say yes. I have used other apps, like the Nikon but it was clunking and glitched ALL the time and didn’t do half the stuff the Camfi can do. Sure it can be a little annoying, but in general it is a valuable tool, for someone with mobility problems, like me. I cannot sit or lay on the ground, but I can put the camera on the ground and use either my tablet or smartphone for my live view, and change all the settings without using my camera.
You can view photos on your tablet etc too and send, share and receive as well, all via the App.
Cheers, til next time happy snapping…
~ Julz
Julie Powell - Photographer & Graphic Artist 