CamsFormer: The Next Generation DSLR remote, High Speed Trigger,
and Pan/Tilt/Zoom
by Clive Smith
January 12, 2015
CamsFormer Tutorial
A lot of amazing photography inventions have come along recently, and CamsFormer is certainly among the best.
CamsFormer is really the Next Generation swiss army knife of photography accessories. A combination of Trigger Trap, and a CamRanger type of device, with built in 3-axis motorized pan/tilt/zoom control all in one.
This tutorial uses a pre-release version of CamsFormer in order to show you how to get started using it. CamsFormer is a really powerful multi use device will revolutionize the photography world. This device combines almost everything you need to help you take amazing pictures, while making your photography life more versatile and easier.
Equipment used: CamsFormer prototype, Nikon D7000, iPad Air 2, Bescor MP101 Motorized Pan/Tilt Head, CamsFormer free app.
All of the steps presented will be the same and work for iPad/iPhone/MAC/Android/PC when the apps become available for those devices.
First, attach the Bescor to a tripod, then attach the camera physically to the Bescor.
After downloading/installing the CamsFormer app to your device (in this case iPad), register everything by running the app and entering the CamsFormer hardwares serial number, while the iPads WiFi is connected to the internet.
After registration, plug the camera into the CamsFormers USB port, and also plug the cameras cable release port into one of CamsFormer High Speed Camera triggering ports. You can optionally plug in an additional camera, and two additional flashes, but for this tutorial, we are just using one camera.
Plug the Bescor MP101/MP-360 pan/tilt head cable into CamsFormer, set the ON/Off switch on the Bescor to M, and the other switch to 0 degrees. Set the Nikon shooting mode knob to MANUAL-M.
After registering the app, turn the Nikon ON, then turn on the CamsFormer hardware. Set the iPad's WiFi to the CamsFormer WiFi network SSID (CamsFormer generates its own WiFi network). Now run the app which looks for the CamsFormer in the network and automatically connects to it.
Since the feature set of CamsFormer is so large, in this article we will only be able show you how to use the basic features, such as using the remote live view, changing the cameras settings, pan/tilt, taking and uploading pictures, high speed triggering, timelapse, and scripting.
At this point the app should be connected to the CamsFormer through its own personal wireless WiFi network.
The app. When the ap show p starts, it fetches all the Nikon settings wirelessly and displays the most relevant ones on the background of the app such as ISO, WB, Shutter Speed, and Aperture.
Changing Camera Settings From the App. To change the Nikons ISO from the app, tap on ISO from the app menu, this displays all the ISO settings for that camera mode, tap on the desired ISO setting to remotely set the camera to that ISO. Same goes for the other settings such as WB, Shutter Speed etc. To change any of the more advanced Nikon settings, tap on CAMERA SETTINGS from the menu, the app displays a complex array of Nikon settings, tap any setting to modify that settings. Any camera setting changes made on the app will be instantly made also on the camera itself. A special thing to note is that the camera has to be in MANUAL mode to change most of the settings from the app. For example if you place the Nikon in FULLY AUTOMATIC mode, the app will not be able to change some Nikon settings, and will give an error if you try to change it, simply because those settings are automatic and are controlled by the Nikon and it wont allow you to change it while in AUTOMATIC mode. Same goes for other shooting modes, for example Aperture priority will only allow you to change the aperture remotely from the app, trying to change anything else will give an error while in that mode. Also note that if any setting changes are made on the camera itself, the app display will also be updated to show the new settings.
Remote Live View. To see a remote real-time live view of the cameras view finder from the app, select LIVE VIEW from the app menu. Now you will be able to see the camera view finder live from the app. Pass your hand in front of the Nikon lens and you will see your hand moving remotely in the app.
Pan/Tilt: To pan or tilt the camera remotely from the app, select PAN/TILT joystick from the menu, then press and hold the center joystick in the app and move it around a bit. This will cause the Bescor to pan and tilt based on your finger movements in the app. If you have the live view enabled, you will also see the live view video change in real time depending on what the camera is pointing to.
Taking Pictures/Uploading: CamsFormer allows you to take still pictures by pressing the shutter button on the Nikon itself, or you can trigger the Nikon remotely from the app. To trigger from the app, select “capture” from the app menu. The Nikon will take a picture, then transmit the image wirelessly to the app to be saved and viewed remotely. Both RAW and JPG files are supported. Images are saved in the general photos album on the iPad, so that any other app can access them and use them for any purpose like editing. You can specify the name of a sub album folder in order to categorize your pictures by purpose or by client for example, each new picture will be saved to that sub album.
Pressing the shutter button on the camera itself also results in the picture being uploaded to the app. CamsFormer has a picture buffer that queues up the photos as you shoot, transmitting them in the background to the app, meaning you can shoot as fast as you wa show nt from the camera without waiting for each picture to be uploaded. Wireless picture uploading is pretty fast anyway maybe around 3 seconds or less for a decent sized image.
Remote Focusing: To refocus the camera from the app, simple click Focus from the menu, then click near or far to move the lens in or out remotely adjusting the focus from the app. According to the CamsFormer team, they are currently implementing a touch focusing feature where you can touch any part of the live view image in the app and the camera will automatically focus on that.
Video Recording: To start the Nikon recording a video, click the video record button in the app menu and the Nikon will start recording a video. From the app you can monitor the live video being recorded remotely. To stop the video, click on the record button again.
File Browsing: To remotely browse the files on the memory card in the camera from the app, click on the CAMERA FILES from the app menu. This allows you to see the files, folders, and thumbnails of images that are on the memory card inside the camera. To upload a picture wirelessly to the app, just double tap on the file name. To delete an image, swipe on the name and then tap delete to delete it remotely. You can even upload video files wirelessly to the iPad.
High Speed Triggering: CamsFormers high speed triggering system uses built in sensors to trigger the camera after it detects certain external events that you set up. In this example we will use the motion sensor to trigger the camera as soon as it detects motion. In the app, select Scripts, then from the drop down menu select High Speed Triggering. The app now allows you to select which channels you want to use and which sensor to use for that channel. We will select the first camera triggering channel, and select the motion sensor for that channel, set the trigger threshold to the middle at 128. We will take three pictures when it triggers so set “trigger 1 times” to 3, the delay between triggers to 400 milliseconds. Set the post trigger delay to 5 seconds. Leave the other settings at default. Make sure ARM is on for that channel, click Enable, then the send button. Now CamsFormer is armed. As a test, walk in front of the CamsFormer, the camera should automatically take 3 pictures in quick succession, each picture uploaded wirelessly and viewed on the app immediately.
Changing Camera Settings From the App: To change the Nikons ISO from the app, tap on ISO from the app menu, this displays all the ISO settings for that camera mode, tap on the desired ISO setting to remotely set the camera to that ISO. Same goes for the other settings such as WB, Shutter Speed etc. To change any of the more advanced Nikon settings, tap on CAMERA SETTINGS from the menu, the app displays a complex array of Nikon settings, tap any setting to modify that settings. Any camera setting changes made on the app will be instantly made also on the camera itself. A special thing to note is that the camera has to be in MANUAL mode to change most of the settings from the app. For example if you place the Nikon in FULLY AUTOMATIC mode, the app will not be able to change some Nikon settings, and will give an error if you try to change it, simply because those settings are automatic and are controlled by the Nikon and it wont allow you to change it while in AUTOMATIC mode. Same goes for other shooting modes, for example Aperture priority will only allow you to change the aperture remotely from the app, trying to change anything else will give an error while in that mode. Also note that if any setting changes are made on the camera itself, the app display will also be updated to show the new settings.
High speed triggering using the sound sensor
Remote Live View. To see a remote real-time live view of the cameras view finder from the app, select LIVE VIEW from the app menu. Now you will be able to see the camera view finder live from the app. Pass your hand in front of the Nikon lens and you will see your hand moving remotely in the app.
Pan/Tilt: To pan or tilt the camera remotely from the app, select PAN/TILT joystick from the menu, then press and hold the center joystick in the app and move it around a bit. This will cause the Bescor to pan and tilt based on your finger movements in the app. If you have the live view enabled, you will also see the live view video change in real time depending on what the camera is pointing to.
Taking Pictures/Uploading: CamsFormer allows you to take still pictures by pressing the shutter button on the Nikon itself, or you can trigger the Nikon remotely from the app. To trigger from the app, select “capture” from the app menu. The Nikon will take a picture, then transmit the image wirelessly to the app to be saved and viewed remotely. Both RAW and JPG files are supported. Images are saved in the general photos album on the iPad, so that any other app can access them and use them for any purpose like editing. You can specify the name of a sub album folder in order to categorize your pictures by purpose or by client for example, each new picture will be saved to that sub album.
Pressing the shutter button on the camera itself also results in the picture being uploaded to the app. CamsFormer has a picture buffer that queues up the photos as you shoot, transmitting them in the background to the app, meaning you can shoot as fast as you wa show nt from the camera without waiting for each picture to be uploaded. Wireless picture uploading is pretty fast anyway maybe around 3 seconds or less for a decent sized image.
Remote Focusing: To refocus the camera from the app, simple click Focus from the menu, then click near or far to move the lens in or out remotely adjusting the focus from the app. According to the CamsFormer team, they are currently implementing a touch focusing feature where you can touch any part of the live view image in the app and the camera will automatically focus on that.
Video Recording: To start the Nikon recording a video, click the video record button in the app menu and the Nikon will start recording a video. From the app you can monitor the live video being recorded remotely. To stop the video, click on the record button again.
File Browsing: To remotely browse the files on the memory card in the camera from the app, click on the CAMERA FILES from the app menu. This allows you to see the files, folders, and thumbnails of images that are on the memory card inside the camera. To upload a picture wirelessly to the app, just double tap on the file name. To delete an image, swipe on the name and then tap delete to delete it remotely. You can even upload video files wirelessly to the iPad.
High speed triggering using the sound sensor ISO. Same goes for the other settings such as WB,
hutter Speed etc. To change any of the more advanced Nikon settings, tap on CAMERA SETTINGS from the menu, the app displays a complex array of Nikon settings, tap any setting to modify that settings. Any camera setting changes made on the app will be instantly made also on the camera itself. A special thing to note is that the camera has to be in MANUAL mode to change most of the settings from the app. For example if you place the Nikon in FULLY AUTOMATIC mode, the app will not be able to change some Nikon settings, and will give an error if you try to change it, simply because those settings are automatic and are controlled by the Nikon and it wont allow you to change it while in AUTOMATIC mode. Same goes for other shooting modes, for example Aperture priority will only allow
TimeLapse/HDR: To use the timelapse function, select Scripts from the app menu, then Timelapse. The timelapse screen is displayed. This screen also allows you to do HDR photography. The basic timelapse function lets you set how many pictures to take and and how long to wait between each picture. You can also set it to do groups of pictures at different settings, allowing you to do an HDR timelapse. You can also set it to use the pan/tilt function to shoot-move-shoot, or shoot while moving for example. While doing the timelapse you can change any camera setting for example you can step the Aperture, ISO, White Balance, Shutter speed, or any other camera setting while doing the timelapse. The timelapse function actually takes the settings from this screen and generates a script that you can edit to make your own version of timelapse. During the timelapse you can also use the bulb mode and set the amount of time for each exposure.
Scripting: As far as I know, the scripting function is unique to CamsFormer. The CamsFormer scripting language was made especially for photography. It lets you create your own scripts, basically adding new features that you need anytime you like. For those of you who don't know what a script is, a script is basically a set of instructions that lets you automate any set of functions you want the CamsFormer to do on its own. Using a script you can read the sensors, read or change camera settings, pan/tilt/zoom the camera, or set up your own triggering scenarios, make decisions, perform calculations using the built in trig functions etc. Because everybody uses products in different ways, rather than waiting for the manufacture to implement feature that you want, you can just do it yourself using scripting. The app can hold an unlimited number of scripts. Using scripts you can easily do bulb ramping, or ramp any other camera setting, pan or tilt the camera over different non linear paths, or do non linear timelapse where each picture has a different amount of exposure or different amount of time between each picture. Using scripting you can start a video recording when the sensors are triggered rather than taking still pictures for example.
Screen shot
CamsFormer will be available starting at $149 on kickstarter for only around two more weeks as of this writing. If their funding goals are reached, and their manufacturing plans are successful, it will certainly be a serious game changer in the photography industry. Our funding goal was $7,000 as of this date we have received pledges totalling $52,349.00.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/969220052/camsformer-high-speed-triggeringwireless-camera-co
eMail: info@comp-hx.com Twitter: @CamsFormer
Bio: Clive Smith is a hobby photographer who works in the medical field for his day job. He uses photography as relaxing diversion from the every day office life. He enjoys landscape photography, traveling and taking photos in the Caribbean islands.
Clive Smith2350 N University Drive
Pembroke Pines, FL, 33024
e:mail: info@comp-hx.com
Twitter: @CamsFormer
For more information visiti:
website: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/969220052/camsformer-high-speed-triggeringwireless-camera-co
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