[MetteHHH]

I thought this looks cool - but so far it supports Canon only. Just a beta though, and there is a plan to include a wider range of camera compatibility in future versions. Hopefully, Pentax will be included!

The price seems a bit steep too, it would definitely be my most expensive app.

DSLR Controller App Lets Your Android Device Call The Shots | TechCrunch

[timh]

While these things are undeniably clever and cool, apart from using your phone (or tablet, a bit better) as a studio monitor/controller - which is a pretty specialised and minority need - is there actually any good use for this kind of software? Can it do anything I can't do quicker and easier with the camera's own UI? (Focus bracketing?)

[MetteHHH]

Minority need - maybe. I could definitely envision several things I would like to try, if I was to gain a bit better external control of my camera.

For instance, I have a gorillopod tripod, which (for instance) enables interesting new angles on things like party shots, but if you position the camera out of normal reach so is the camera screen. I have a remote for shutter release, but I have to basically compose the shot beforehand.

Or - I could use my gorillopod at the bird feeder or near the fox den in our nearby forest, or any sort of wild-life related scene.

Or I could more easily compose shots with myself included.

Sure, it's just a toy gadget, but although I have managed to sell a few bird shots this year, my camera will remain first and foremost my favorite toy. A new fun accessory for my favorite toy - good enough for me!

I know there are some tablet-based solutions, but they seem to require more of a specialist set up (like connecting the camera to a pc?) which are impractical in a more spontaneous party/travel/walk-in-the-park type situation - and they would require me to buy (and bring) a tablet too. My phone is mostly always at hand, and an app would not require additional packing and planning...

[timh]

Ah, OK! So it's mostly making up for the lack of an articulated rear LCD on the camera, I guess.. I'll give you that one.

For the bird feeder, I guess you'd want to be further away from the camera than a USB cable would get you though so pre-focusing plus wireless remote would win in that case.

Seems too much hassle for me (making photography less fun) but yeah, I understand the appeal of a new toy.