Remote control of newer Pentax DSLRs?

Hi all,

have just seen an ad for CamRanger on sister site ePhotozine a few minutes ago. Basically its a remote control app with a wireless range of up to 150' allowing all sorts of creative possibilites. Only advertised as compatible with Canikon though. Other similar products seem to be bypassing Pentax also. I just wondered whether the most recent DSLRs are capable of using this technology, speculating that their new soon to be released K3 or whatever must have this capability and a usable software option from the start or I fear that this omission will leave Pentax uncompetitive.

My next camera will probably be a K30 (upgrading from a Kx). If it wasn't WR then I wouldn't buy one as I don't see the point in buying a camera that i couldn't use for half the year outside in this country. In a similar vein though, the next most important feature to me is/would be remote control of camera as described above. I will expect this feature in even the most basic £400+ model.

What do other people think? Is this vital 'must have' technology or am i in a small unimportant minority. By 'must have ' technology it could be read as
either from a user point of view and from a Pentax survival point of view.

Karlo

It's not something I've ever had on my wish list, in or out of the studio.

It's not an unimportant minority though, if it can be offered for some it might well be what they want.

Not for me but I can see serious benefits for the wildlife photographer, in fact I could see it as a must have in certain situations. As Ricoh's aim is for Pentax to become a player then I agree that yes Pentax needs to keep up with this type of innovation.

this isn't a camera capability as such, other than requiring there to be a protocol for remotely controlling the camera from a computer.

Pentax used to have such a protocol in the K10D and earlier, I don't know if it has been maintained and updated in the later models. There is also the question of weather this protocol is published for others to use in add-on devices.

Thereafter it's up to the good people at CamRanger to support or not a given camera, and at the moment they seem to have chosen to concentrate on Canikon, for annoying but obvious reasons.

Looking at the CamRanger I suspect it's a tiny Linux, ARM based computer. It connects via USB to the camera and provides their own WiFi adhoc network and protocol that's used by the various apps.

As for Pentax, it is possible to do similar things, but AFAIK the info isn't formally documented. The only available tool is "PK Tether" for Windows.

Maybe CamRanger could collaborate with the PK Tether author and work something out. Maybe Ricoh will open up the protocol, or extend it for later.

But as of now there is no option

Matt

My old Pentax wireless remote control that came with my MZ7, works with my K20D, although I am not sure of the range capability?

For a cheap cable release look in the 7Day Shop!

I suspect that the only users of this Cam Ranger will be Olympic sprinters, because by the time you get 150' away from your camera to use it, some little "toe-rag" has ran off with your shiny, new Canikon DSLR, and you'll need to be a good runner to catch them!!

Roscoe,

You can't focus, zoom in or change important in camera parameters with a shutter release or cable release!

How can a remote/tether app zoom a DSLR lens? It also can't point the lens in a different direction. Hmmm. Fairly limited in its applications methinks.

Like I said earlier, it's a "fitness" app!!

Sorry to put the dampers on this thread, but got this from CamRanger re the prospects of a Pentax version;

"At this point we are focusing on Canon and Nikon DSLRs. We would like to add support for additional cameras in the future, but don't know if/when this would happen. The unfortunate reality of the situation is that Pentax is a much smaller market within DSLRs, but it is possible at some point".

I tried the 'we're WR', 'better togs', 'nice people', arguments, but to no avail.

Remote control via smartphone/tablet is cool and useful function. I had that in my new Canon 6D and I can see where it could be beneficial. Shame this is not offered for Pentax.

Well obviously you would have previously focused & zoomed to the required focal length,then fitted the eye piece blanking cap before executing the shutter release.

The whole idea is that you can fire the camera shutter whist remaining out of view,or without disturbing the camera whist it's mounted on the tripod!

what is the advantage over an RF remote? they have a considerable range

With the Remote Control F (or other compatible device), on the K7 at least, I can set a menu item to activate AF on first press of the remote button, then fire on second press - or, not to AF at all but just fire on first press. (This is my usual setting for static subjects as you would get the framing and focus set up first). But for moving subjects you could use the remote to focus first from a distance then take the shot, and keep repeating that.