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CamFi is a wireless controller for your Nikon or Canon DSLR

Lars Rehm | Published: Jan 4, 2016 at 20:31 UTC

CamFi is a new option for those photographers looking to control their Nikon or Canon DSLR wirelessly. The device mounts on the hot shoe of compatible DSLRs and creates a Wi-Fi network that you can connect to using a PC or Mac as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. At $130 CamFi is priced well below manufacturer-provided options for high-end DSLRs.

With dedicated apps CamFi will allow for Live View on a mobile device, as well as capturing images and controlling camera settings such as AF points, metering mode, exposure compensation, aperture, shutter speed and ISO. You can also configure CamFi to automatically display images as they are taken and connect to an Amazon Fire Stick for viewing on TV sets. Additionally you can browse, delete and view images, including EXIF data on your camera from your mobile device or computer, and a robust built-in time-lapse feature is included.

According to the manufacturer CamFi has a six hours battery life and is compatible with devices and computers running at least iOS 7.0, Android 4.0, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.10. For a full list of supported cameras check the CamFi website. CamFi is currently listed at $130 on Amazon, with a €149 price given through local EU resellers.

@larsrehm

Comments

Total comments: 44

"For a full list of supported cameras check the CamFi website."

Check before buying ..... as always.

In particular the ............... 70D ...... we shoot and score!

AND "Camera Ranger" is still $295.03 On Amazon! "CAM FI" $134.99 and THAT is a deal from the CANON FOLKS!

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Does it also do video?

1 upvote

Yes, it can be used to record video.

1 upvote

The one problem this would pose for me is my hotshoe is already occupied by my pocketwizard. The Camranger sits in a nice little pouch, attached to my tripod with a small beaner.

If they want to use the hotshoe, then they need to provide a dummy hotshoe on top of the Camfi for remote flash triggers, or some other means of dealing with that situation.

0 upvotes

The hot shoe is only used for fixation. You may hang it on your tripod or on your wrist.

1 upvote

Can anyone provide a comparison between this and the CamRanger?

I have been using the CamRanger for a few years now, and it works quite well, I only wish it were quicker communicating with the camera and transmitting files... And sometimes I wish for more range; Anyone have an idea how it stacks up against this new device?

1 upvote

The price point and features make this system very appealing. I use my flash (with a cord) quite often. According to the website, you can still use the hotshoe for a flash; the CamFi unit will either hang down from the camera or you can rig up another flash bracket. The hotshoe is just for mounting, not for communication with the camera.

Comment edited 11 minutes after posting

1 upvote

that's correct

0 upvotes

Huge ugly hotshoe-squatting toad and yet only a skimpy 6 hours runtime. Yuck.

1 upvote

SIX-HOURS is quite adequate for MOST folks. It's not set in stone and it certainly is a GREAT advance in control from Apples to Nuts. Gimme a break amigo! Unless, of course, ya'll use it differently than the majority?? If so, it's still SIX HOURS of use from one juice package! AMAZING CANON AMAZING!

0 upvotes

"Caputre"

I'm sure it'll do great...

1 upvote

I use CamRanger with my D800 and it works flawlessly. CamFi seems to have the same function as CamRanger and it costs less than half the price of CamRanger. I think this is a great tool considering the price point. While I was watching the demo video, I noticed that CamFi software differs a bit as compared to Camranger. With CamRanger, you can magniify the subject by tapping on the screen and then you can select the focus point. Further more, you can fine tune micro focus on the subject. If you do manual focus, it'll help you a lot. I don't know if the demo video of CamFi showed its all features/functions but CamRanger has one distinctive function:client mode. If you shoot portrait and if you want to show your client images,you'll be usually showing all the camera settings on the screen to your client and your client could accidentally touch the settings,changing it without your knowing. Client mode just shows images you just took without showing your camera settings.

1 upvote

Does the camera have to be in Live View Mode to use this gadget? or is it using the HDMI signal?

0 upvotes

Both this CamFi and the CamRanger put out a wifi signal with its own SSID, and you connect your smartphone to that wifi source. You don't have to be in Live View, and there's no cable connecting your camera to your phone, so you can set up the camera and walk some distance away from it.

2 upvotes

CANON NAILED IT with this one simple feature: "...so you can set up the camera and walk some distance away from it."! WONDERFUL CANON WONDERFUL!

0 upvotes

This is not a Canon product.

0 upvotes

Barely visible!

0 upvotes

Could you guys do a shootout/comparison between this and the CamRanger?

5 upvotes

I'd like to see that too. I've relied on the CamRanger for years now, and it works well, but faster transfer rates and less lag would be an enormous help.

1 upvote

I hope they've made their break-even calculations carefully because they will have, what...one full year before ALL cameras feature built in wi-fi?

0 upvotes

My Nikon D610 shuts down after 15 minutes of non use, which is a problem if I am shooting birds etc.

Is there a way this device will bipas this feature, I have an external power adapter so there is no problem running out of batteries

0 upvotes

Why is this still not implemented by default into every single camera by now? I mean seriously? I can get a FREE Android or iOS device that has FAR MORE functionality than a dSLR that costs hundreds or thousands... Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, LTE, full functioning software, apps galore, etc. etc. Why are cameras still hobbled ???

1 upvote

Because some photography jobs/gigs actually will not let you bring a radio transmitter into the shoot.

Because adding wifi makes the camera significantly more expensive not due to the electronics but because of the regulatory hoops a company has to jump through to get a radio transmitting device approved for every country they want to sell it in.

Because the same reason car electronic systems are always years behind smart phones... it's ok if your phone freezes up for 5 seconds, it's not cool if your car does. Many photographers (including myself) would be more upset if their camera froze up as often as their Android or iOS phone. So features are limited and over engineered for maximum uptime.

Because in the end most people with wifi enabled cameras never use the feature, and those that do only play with it little here or there.

Comment edited 34 seconds after posting

9 upvotes

phase one got some wifi digital back, never heard of any stories about them freezing due to wifi?

1 upvote

You can not get a free Android or iOS device. You don't understand your cell service contract, especially the part about length of the contract and the early termination fee.

1 upvote

Uh... That whole list of excuses is pretty much bs or only made sense 5+ years ago. Further, pretty much every mirrorless body released in the last year or two has ALL this functionality baked in; some do it better than others but they all provide some form of Wi-Fi remote control plus live view in addition to image transfer, geotagging, and intervalometer functionality. There's a reason you see these gadgets keep popping up for DSLR bodies mostly...

I use my bodies' Wi-Fi features constantly btw, never had it cause any sort of stability issues, and even my $300 mirrorless bodies featured said functionality.

2 upvotes

They can just use a pre-approved radio transceiver. Problem solved? Seriously, every phone and fridge has to go through the same alleged hoops. Radios and telecommunications are standardised for a reason...

Nikon and Canon already sell a variety of wireless remotes. Why would they include it as integrated feature when they can charge $50-100 for an accessory worth less than $10? In retail, the majority of profits are made from accessories because they cost the least to manufacture and market and as a result have the greatest markup.

Now why might other manufacturers integrate the features? Because their market is smaller so it actually benefits their ['inferior'] cameras in marketing and more compact cameras are more likely to be used in conjunction with a smartphone than a full-sized DSLR by the masses.

1 upvote

I do understand how Cell Contracts work as I manage about 5500 contracts for my company and ATT, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. Trust me, however it is subsidized, it is free, for me, and I never said what model, version, if I got it from my employer or not.

Same goes regardless. No excuses. This is commodity by now, no more BS in having these ridiculous external devices to try and bridge gaps that should be filled by the manufacturers. It's like, Nikon makes the lenses but you have to buy third party AF controllers for them. UGH.

Also, AF has been a part of cameras for years, I don't see anyone complaining that it doesn't work right (auto-focus adjustments have a healthy third party market) and that it fails, and that it should not be included.

These are now basic functions that should be expected.

Touch Screens
Wi-Fi
Apps
Open Plug-in/Add-on interface
Open RAW support (should be optional)

0 upvotes

As kb2zuz notes, freezing is a real problem. I use CamRanger for architectural work and there are plenty of times when I have to reset the software, and occasionally have to power cycle the camera because of certain glitches.

I have to imagine a day will come when wifi will be built in, but for the various reasons kb2zuz notes, it's not going to be right away, and that's just fine, really, considering the tradeoffs.

When I'm not shooting architectural, I generally cannot afford to have to troubleshoot equipment issues, or I risk missing decisive moments.

0 upvotes

The comments about freezing were more the comparisons to phones having "apps galore." Phase and Hasselblad does have Wifi in some cameras. But they are not perfect implementations and do sometimes need the connections reset.

Comment edited 38 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Sarge if they integrated WiFi it doesn't mean you have to use it.

0 upvotes

Because the folks who UTILIZE the feature do not necessarily cover PROS to the AVERAGE JOE who wants to take pictures of the kiddies etc. Why add to the camera cost if folks will simply go and say, "Huh? It does WHAT? I'm confused". CANON did it right IMHO. Features that most nay photog can use and leaving the PRO features for ...... well..... THE PRO. Maybe? Just a thought from my place in the sun.

0 upvotes

You can also use a $30 tplink (same used and rebranded by camranger) and put a free costum firmware on it, and use qdslrdashboard (free android, $10 ios)

7 upvotes

I used a $299 CamRanger with a 5D Mark II and it was very useful for night photography. All of the controls were available on the screen of my iPhone, and the intervalometer feature added a functionality that was missing from the Canon. If this device has functionality equivalent to the CamRanger, it's a worthwhile tool at a far lower price point.

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

1 upvote

And MIKE validates this USEFUL accessory function. Thanks MIKE! THANKS CANON!

0 upvotes

Thanking Canon for what?

0 upvotes

Love it...my DSLR is a germ magnet.

0 upvotes

Everything we use with our HANDS is a "germ magnet". Another reason to carry a small jug of hand sanitizer and a few WIPES. A GOOD POINT though "NEWE"; may folks play photog and then eat with those grubby hands. YOU made an excellent point.

0 upvotes

Ridiculous, I guess pretty soon we'll no longer have to handle our cameras at all.

0 upvotes

Its very handy to send small jpgs to an ipad wirelessly

0 upvotes

It's actually an indispensable tool for those of us shooting composite photos where it is imperative that the camera remain perfectly still between shots, but we need to adjust ISO and other camera settings.

0 upvotes

Hi Sarge, it's not that I'm against indispensable tools but rather that for me being able to touch my camera when shooting is like a bond shared. When I need my camera to remain still I use a tripod and a shutter release.

0 upvotes

I do as well.......... however, it is nice that we are given the OPTION for an alternate way of operating the camera for those "few and far between" moments when having a "phototaker person" too close is a hindrance. It has its' place I believe.

0 upvotes

I understand the 'bond', but when you need to shoot a composite image, and you need to change things like ISO and shutter speed without having the camera move, wifi is the way to go... no other option, really. Having the ability to review the image remotely is a nice side benefit too, especially when I've got the D800 50' in the air on a mast, shooting a hillside home, etc...

0 upvotes

Total comments: 44

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