Canon is offering for some models a Wi Fi based file transfer system that sends the image from camera to laptop, without the need for a tether, utilizing Wi-Fi. Has anyone have any experience or a resource to go to for a review of this very interesting product.
Hi Jerry, I just saw your post, but I have to run off to a lengthy meeting. I hope I can get back in a bit to answer your questions. If you have specific questions... it would really help. :-)
Were you satisfied with the performance of the CANON wireless file transfer system? Approximately, how long would it take for the file to be seen on the laptop screen after the exposure? Did you still create files on the camera's CF card? Did you buy the booster antenna, or was the system suitable for your use as purchased? Lots of questions, sorry, but you are the only person so far whom I know who has used this system.
The Canon WiFi is great. It was pretty fast to transfer a RAW file from my 1DMark II. I would say 30-45 seconds maybe? I never really timed it, but I would just have my files go the laptop and Phase ONe would generate the preview automatically. It worked great. It still writes to the CF card and then transfers the files. I did not need the booster antenna for studio work.
Not sure about Canon, but I like my Nikon WT-1A. I'm thinking about using it on the beach next year to shoot surf contests if I can get a decent laptop. Right now I'm not using the booster antenna but I would out there. I don't think the Nikon can operate w/o the card in the camera but I haven't tried it.
jerryreed wrote:
Were you satisfied with the performance of the CANON wireless file transfer system?
Yes, I'm very pleased with the performance. I shoot the Canon 1DsMk2 and in the model where both a Hi-res JPEG (3-5MB) is created as well as a Raw image (16MB.) I shoot this was (wirelessly) in the studio as well as on location (using either a battery pack or the Honda 200i generator to power lights, portable computer as well as the Wireless Access Point (WAP.)
Approximately, how long would it take for the file to be seen on the laptop screen after the exposure?
The 16MB Raw file is transfered first and takes about 5-6 seconds, followed by the JPEG, which takes about 2-3 seconds. I simply keep a folder browser open on my lapton and I display the JPEG as soon as it copies over (I also keep the FTP Server software open so I can monitor the upload progress of images.)
Did you still create files on the camera's CF card?
Yes, I allow it to create the backup set on the CF card. There may be a way to turn that off, but I like the safety of the images on the CF card as a backup.
Did you buy the booster antenna, or was the system suitable for your use as purchased?
Suitable as purchased. I thought about the booster antenna, but didn't purchase it.
Lots of questions, sorry, but you are the only person so far whom I know who has used this system.
Thanks in advance,
Jerry
My pleasure. Its so nice to be able to shoot without having tethering cords to kneel on, step on, kick and rip out of the computer or the camera. Overall, its been a very worthwhile investment for me.
Thank you for your very helpful reply. Like you I shoot with the 1Ds Mark II, and am wondering about two items that you mentioned 1) FTS -- is this a feature of the software that CANON might provide with the wireless unit? ... or perhaps this is a software that remote printing services provide. 2) Are you using the CANON Remote v 2.7 capture software (that allows setting camera controls from the laptop, as well as releasing the shutter, or other software to view the incoming images from the wireless download. I am using Capture One Pro, but it lacks the camera control features that Canon software provides.
jerryreed wrote:
John:
Thank you for your very helpful reply. Like you I shoot with the 1Ds Mark II, and am wondering about two items that you mentioned 1) FTS -- is this a feature of the software that CANON might provide with the wireless unit? ... or perhaps this is a software that remote printing services provide. 2) Are you using the CANON Remote v 2.7 capture software (that allows setting camera controls from the laptop, as well as releasing the shutter, or other software to view the incoming images from the wireless download. I am using Capture One Pro, but it lacks the camera control features that Canon software provides.
I hope that I am not wearing you out.
Jerry...Show more →
Hi Jerry,
No problem.
#1 is FTP Server (File Transfer Protocol). The one I use on the HP laptop was an on-line freebie from some sharewear site. (I'm not at home, so I'm not able to get the name right now.) The software is simply configured to listen to the data on a certain port at an assigned IP address and to write the incoming data to a designated folder.
I'm a fairly impatient person and found that the Canon Capture and C1Pro software is just too slow when I have people standing around waiting to see the images. Windows has an embedded image display. So when I see the new JPEG show up in the folder, I just double click on it, it opens in a full screen window and I can easily evaluate the shot.
