SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Dear colleagues in the use of Nikon Z cameras, this one comes (as you all know) with ways to communicate with other devices. It can be through wi-fi or Bluetooth.
Now... I have a question. What's the use of doing that? I don't think it allows for a faster photo transfer. From what I gather one can transfer only certain images to either a computer or a smart device (phone or tablet).
However, when will you need it? Better yet, is there someone here who does it? Why?
I'm not trolling... just want to know and understand.
BTW, I di'dn't get a cell phone until 2015 (an iPhone). Now I cannot live without it. That goes to say that if there's a good reason to do something, I will do it.
Thanks in advance.
Now... I have a question. What's the use of doing that? I don't think it allows for a faster photo transfer. From what I gather one can transfer only certain images to either a computer or a smart device (phone or tablet).
However, when will you need it? Better yet, is there someone here who does it? Why?
I'm not trolling... just want to know and understand.
BTW, I di'dn't get a cell phone until 2015 (an iPhone). Now I cannot live without it. That goes to say that if there's a good reason to do something, I will do it.
Thanks in advance.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Valid Question but I have no answer.
joe bosak
Well-known
Nikon Z connected to smart devices or laptop
One thing might be to make it easier or quicker to post jpegs online, in that you don't need to connect your PC or take the memory card out and put it into a computer.
Another is to be able to use your phone as a remote release (and indeed control camera settings). You may even have live view on your phone (see what camera sees). Useful for tripod work?
I can't say I do either often. Phone apps seldom work in a completely intuitive way and often leave out control that to a user like me seem to make the exercise rather less useful than I had hoped, either that or they are so convoluted to use that I can't be bothered. Simply connecting can be a real annoyance (but maybe I don't do this enough to get the muscle memory). Add to that the phone turning the screen off at inopportune moments, needing to fiddle with glasses because of the screen, and the phone randomly turning on its torch (that's down to my particular phone design and button placement, not usually a problem...) - generally it's all a bit frustrating.
Probably better on some cameras than others. My SD Quattro has no such facility but I'd argue doesn't need it because it has a beautifully simple menu and controls. My Olympus Em5ii has (to me) frustrating controls for tripod use so I'm more inclined to use an app.
One thing might be to make it easier or quicker to post jpegs online, in that you don't need to connect your PC or take the memory card out and put it into a computer.
Another is to be able to use your phone as a remote release (and indeed control camera settings). You may even have live view on your phone (see what camera sees). Useful for tripod work?
I can't say I do either often. Phone apps seldom work in a completely intuitive way and often leave out control that to a user like me seem to make the exercise rather less useful than I had hoped, either that or they are so convoluted to use that I can't be bothered. Simply connecting can be a real annoyance (but maybe I don't do this enough to get the muscle memory). Add to that the phone turning the screen off at inopportune moments, needing to fiddle with glasses because of the screen, and the phone randomly turning on its torch (that's down to my particular phone design and button placement, not usually a problem...) - generally it's all a bit frustrating.
Probably better on some cameras than others. My SD Quattro has no such facility but I'd argue doesn't need it because it has a beautifully simple menu and controls. My Olympus Em5ii has (to me) frustrating controls for tripod use so I'm more inclined to use an app.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
While I haven't yet used it with my Z7 but may be doing so in the next couple of months, I have done it with my D4 and my Hasselblad 907x (using Hasselblad's Phocus/Phocus Mobile 2 software). The main time I have used that feature is when I've been working with clients on-site and they want to review images in real time and be able to make any adjustments accordingly (being 'tethered' with a cable to the device accomplishes the same thing). This has been particularly helpful for me when working with food clients and there are a number of 'chefs in the kitchen', if you will. It's much easier for them to review a setup on a larger computer/iPad screen than on the back of my camera, making sure that we have the picture as we all want it before we move onto the next shot. It's also been helpful for some of my architectural clients and art directors/stylists for the same reason. Another may be so that if you need to send images to a client remotely to review during the assignment, it streamlines the process. You can use Nikon's Camera Control Pro2 in conjunction with the camera and computer/laptop - I haven't yet tried it with the Z7, so I'm not sure if that software has been updated to be compatible with it.
Nitroplait
Well-known
Quick download to phone for web/social media usage without the need for a computer. This accounts for 10-15% of my use.
Communication of GPS data to the camera is also an essential function for me.
Communication of GPS data to the camera is also an essential function for me.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Thanks a lot for your replies and patience! I just got the Z5 and even though I really like it, I am customizing it pretty much the same way I did with my D700 and D800. When I saw one of the big differences (the connectability) I recalled that a former student of mine was pretty excited about her Nikon allowing her to send pictures to her cell. I don't want that so I started thinking whether it's something I may use.
So, Vince, I believe that if I were in your situation it'd make sense to connect the camera to some smart device. But I am an amateur and have no customers so - there we go!
Again, thanks a lot!
So, Vince, I believe that if I were in your situation it'd make sense to connect the camera to some smart device. But I am an amateur and have no customers so - there we go!
Again, thanks a lot!
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I use WiFi tethering with both my Leica CL and Hasselblad 907x.
- With the CL, recently, I was shooting photos of a friend's exotic car for his Bring-A-Trailer auction. We needed to get a comprehensive set of photos of the underside of the car, but the lift we were working with would not allow enough elevation for me to get underneath at a suitable distance. I put the Leica onto a small trolley, connected to it with the iPhone Leica FOTOs and WiFi, and then I could draw it along the underside of the car and frame all the needed shots.
- The CL does not have a port for a wired remote, so I use tethering with Leica FOTOs on my iPad or iPhone as my remote release with the camera on the copy stand when doing negative or print scans. It makes it so easy, I do the same with the 907x using Phocus Mobile.
- With either camera, if I'm traveling or away from my desk, I can use Leica FOTOs or Phocus Mobile respectively to review my photos on the iPad's larger screen, and download a select few of them to the iPad for quick processing and posting. It means I don't have to carry a card reader dongle or whatever.
- Doing tabletop of products, I often use Phocus Mobile to operate the 907x and store the images directly to the iPad for processing rather than saving them onto the camera's card.
Etc. I haven't shot anything on a paid job since 2015...
G
- With the CL, recently, I was shooting photos of a friend's exotic car for his Bring-A-Trailer auction. We needed to get a comprehensive set of photos of the underside of the car, but the lift we were working with would not allow enough elevation for me to get underneath at a suitable distance. I put the Leica onto a small trolley, connected to it with the iPhone Leica FOTOs and WiFi, and then I could draw it along the underside of the car and frame all the needed shots.
- The CL does not have a port for a wired remote, so I use tethering with Leica FOTOs on my iPad or iPhone as my remote release with the camera on the copy stand when doing negative or print scans. It makes it so easy, I do the same with the 907x using Phocus Mobile.
- With either camera, if I'm traveling or away from my desk, I can use Leica FOTOs or Phocus Mobile respectively to review my photos on the iPad's larger screen, and download a select few of them to the iPad for quick processing and posting. It means I don't have to carry a card reader dongle or whatever.
- Doing tabletop of products, I often use Phocus Mobile to operate the 907x and store the images directly to the iPad for processing rather than saving them onto the camera's card.
Etc. I haven't shot anything on a paid job since 2015...
G