Remote Control
During the last couple of years, I have used Helicon Remote to control my Canon 5D4 for focus Stacking and HDR. A few days ago, I decided to photograph some birds in my garden and had observed that they often landed on a particular branch before heading for a feeder. I decided to set up my camera with longest lens (limited to 280mm) on a tripod and remote control from my iPad. This would enable me to take shots from inside my house and not scare the birds. I could not get Helicon Remote to communicate with my camera. The only thing which has changed since last time is the IOS has updated. Looking at the Helicon Forum, I tried all the obvious advice but there was a warning to make sure that Canon Connect was not installed as it tended to grab any Canon camera. So I decided to install Canon Connect and was able to take control of my camera. For these shots, I had no need for HDR or Focus Stacking so Canon Connect was all I needed. All I need now is to train the wild birds to arrive when I want and pose for me. Initially I found that every few minutes either the camera or iPad would shut down breaking the connection, I eventually set the shutdown default higher but even then triggered a photo every 5 mins or so to make sure the WiFi connection was still OK. I did get a few birds but nothing special but also over 100 frames of an empty branch
Dave
Dave
Quote:I just use a wireless remote, works very well and only cost a tenner off Amazon.
Thanks for responding but it is not just a remote release I need. I can see the live view on the iPad and thus decide when and whether to take a shot. The live view also allows me to focus.
Dave
Dave
For my bird shots in the garden I feed the birds very well and observe where they like to land. I then set my camera on a tripod set the focus to the desired spot then switch autofocus off otherwise the camera will suddenly decide to focus on something else at the critical time or not be quick enough. Set your aperture to around f8 to give you a bit more depth of field to hopefully capture the bird in focus. If you ensure there is a lot of space behind the perch you will still get great bokeh.
Sit patiently for the birds to arrive and don't be tempted to move for another perch that appears to have more action.
You need to set the ipad and camera not to go into powersave mode and with a little patience with Canon connect you should have some great pics. I delete hundreds if not thousands of pics on my shooting exploits so you are not alone
Steve
For my bird shots in the garden I feed the birds very well and observe where they like to land. I then set my camera on a tripod set the focus to the desired spot then switch autofocus off otherwise the camera will suddenly decide to focus on something else at the critical time or not be quick enough. Set your aperture to around f8 to give you a bit more depth of field to hopefully capture the bird in focus. If you ensure there is a lot of space behind the perch you will still get great bokeh.
Sit patiently for the birds to arrive and don't be tempted to move for another perch that appears to have more action.
You need to set the ipad and camera not to go into powersave mode and with a little patience with Canon connect you should have some great pics. I delete hundreds if not thousands of pics on my shooting exploits so you are not alone
Steve
Steve, thanks for your encouragement. I did have my camera set as you suggest and I am not really patient enough to be a serious wildlife photographer. I thought I took on a difficult subject when I had a go at Bees Flying but this turned out to be easier than birds on a branch. I will give it another go over the weekend.
Dave
Dave
Additionally you can get a 5m wired remote off ebay, I usually use a wired connection when shooting spray and prey pre focused shots because there is no discernible split second lag which I have found with wireless remotes I have tried
