Last year I released a video explaining how to wirelessly tether your camera to an iPad by jailbreaking the iPad. Since then Eye-Fi has released a firmware update that makes wireless tethering possible without the need for jailbreaking. Now, not only is the whole process much easier to set up, it is also much cheaper because you no longer have to pay for the more expensive Pro Eye-Fi card, you can make this work with the cheaper Connect X2 card.
Today Eye-Fi released an update to their iPad app which includes some pretty helpful updates.
New features:
- Landscape mode support in the gallery view
- "Add network" button to automatically add the Wi-Fi network to the iOS device even when the Direct Mode network is not broadcasting
- Directly transfer from iOS device to computer when they are on the same Wi-Fi network (requires the user to set the computer destination for the iOS device in Eye-Fi Center again to enable this feature)
- Email up to 5 photos through the native mail app
User Interface:
- Show icons for items pending transfer and actively transferring
- Icon in the tray to indicate when connected to a Direct Mode network
- Added Spanish and Italian languages
- Double tap to zoom into a photo (only on iPhone4 and iPads)
- Smoother transitions when swiping through photos
- Single tap to dismiss the navigation elements in single photo view
- Provide feedback when card is not paired to device on a Direct Mode network
Other:
- Stability improvements
- Turn off video transfers from the Eye-Fi Card to the iOS device if the video type is not supported by iOS
- Screenshots are now automatically uploaded
If you had a little extra money I would suggest buying the ShutterSnitch iPad app as it has many more professional features and the new version is extremely stable. I've also found that I still prefer the older jailbreaking method of tethering (which requires the more expensive card) for a number of reasons. If you have your device jailbroken anyway, the "old" way may still be the best way.
Youtube version
Eye-Fi X2 Wireless SD Card The Eye-Fi X2 card is the perfect companion for any SD capable camera (and some CF cameras can use this adapter). Almost every photoshoot we do now has the iPad tethered for close monitoring of our images. [Amazon | B&H Video]
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Apple iPad 32 GB Almost every photographer these days is on the go, and the ipad is the perfect travel companion. The battery life is simply awesome for all your multimedia needs when traveling, and the ipad has become our favorite digital portfolio. Also the iPad allows a photographer to easily tether to a camera for on site review which is really cool. This is not a replacement for a true computer but it's definitely a good accessory for any photographer. [Amazon | B&H Video ]
Do you know if this will work with the android tablets?
They have an Android app as well.
Dear Eye-Fi,
When are you coming out with CF version?
Regards,
7D User
If you click on the "Connect 2X Card" link on this post there is a bundle kit for a 4g + 8g sd card with a
Extreme MMC, SDHC, SD to CF Type II Adapter all for $144.44 So yeah they do have an CF version as well
I've been told by a few people that using a CF card adapter will eventually destroy the eye-fi card and you will lose all data on the card. I've also been told by everyone at Eye-Fi multiple times that they have no interest in making a CF card which makes me wish I had enough money to produce them myself because I feel like every pro on the planet would buy a couple of them.
Thanks for the info on that. I know I would definitely buy a hand full if they had CF cards :/ bummer
I think the reasoning behind Eye-fi's decision is that they think SD cards will be the standard memory on all future cameras. It is interesting to see more and more Pro DSLR cameras including SD card slots while less and less are using CF. I personally can't stand SD cards but a change is probably coming.
I understand them wanting to move with new developments in technology. But in all I think they would gain more income if they produced a CF card, for not everyone upgrades all the time to camera that has an SD or both SD and CF slots. You guys should convince them to produce a CF version lol do it!
I did some tests with a Quenox SD/CF-card adapter and an Eye-Fi PRO X2
8GB Card in my 7D. I got it running but unfortunately it‘s not reliable. The
radio signal was shielded too much by the CF-card adapter so that the range I
could use the Wi-Fi connection in was reduced down to approx. 1 meter. Additionally it takes ages to transfer pictures to the iPad because of bad connection quality. Everything works fine with my Canon G10.
I really don’t understand why Eye-Fi refuses to build a CF-card version.
I can’t effort a Canon 1DMKIV and I really don’t wanna downgrade to an EOS xx0D/ Rebel. I guess It’s basically the same problem with Nikons midrange Cameras!?
By the way, sometimes it is better not to use direct mode to increase
the distance between camera and iPad. For longer distances I’m using a HUAWEI
E585 3G Wi-Fi Modem as an access point.
Regards
Andreas
(Germany)
Andreas- I just tried this tonight with my D3, and I've had the exact same experience as you. Also, the landscape mode doesn't work. I'm also wishing they made a CF card, I'd buy two!
I did some tests as well with my D300 and a SD to CF adaptor, with the Eye-fi PRO card... Never worked at all... Even at 1 cm, my iphone or Ipad couldn't see the network! So it's SD or nothing for me... I have the wire option but it's not as cool!!
Eye Fi won't do it. They have basically missed the boat. Within a year all manufacturers will be building Wi Fi in to their cameras. They know that the longevity of their business is very limited and won't invest in a CF card.
Eye Fi won't do it. They have basically missed the boat. Within a year all manufacturers will be building Wi Fi in to their cameras. They know that the longevity of their business is very limited and won't invest in a CF card.
well thats me out of the picture then.. What rubbish is this, i don't know any pros who use SD cards more than CF...
My other question was going to be, does it mean you have to shoot in JPEG? Can you shoot RAW and the iPad will still pick it up?
They never will.
but how quick is it with raw and won't it fill up an iPad super quick unless you are shooting jpg
many cameras now take 2 memory cards. So what you can do is send small jpegs to the eye-fi and ipad while your Raws are being sent to your 2nd CF or SD card. You definitely don't want to send a ton of RAWs to your ipad.
You can shoot RAW + Jpeg on the Eye-Fi card and tell it to only transfer the Jpegs to the iPad
How to tell the iPad to transfer only the Jpgs?
I want to ask - if I take a few shot, does it appear instantly appear one after another? How do I do that? I seem to need to swipe on the screen to go to the next one.
Lee - thanks for keeping tabs on latest developments and sharing with us. I feel the same about the CF thing. I'm about to purchase a Nikon D3s which has 2 CF slots I'm not sure I'm going to go with the CF adapter. Do you know if any other manufacturers are developing a CF solution?
The issue you will run into is that the D3s uses CF1. Where as adapter cards are CF2. We are talking about (mm) a tiny difference, but a difference none the less.
There is no adapter for the D3s. D3 yes, but not the D3s.
The D3s takes Type l cards. No adapter is made for them
This begs the question, can I send the pictures to multiple devices at the same time? Maybe have it go to two or three ipads at the same time? Or a computer, an iphone, and an ipad at the same time? btw I'm almost positive all new cameras will include an SD slot.
I wish but no, it can only connect to 1 device at a time.
Well one device without any wires is good enough.
You might only be able to sync with one device directly, but I don't see why you couldn't then sync from that device to a range of others? Maybe via a dropbox account? No idea how it would go in practise. Just a theory :)
I had actually thought of dropbox as a viable option to do exactly that. haha Awesome.
Thanks for the tutorial. During my other job, I use a portable document scanner to scan documents on the go and then have to use a memory card adapter to plug it into my iPad. Is it possible to set up the Eye-Fi to pick up images from a specific folder inside the card? I'm worried that the scanner might create images into a folder that Eye-Fi cannot read.
You mention that the jailbreak method is better than this method. How so?
I just find it to be easier to have a constant network that I KNOW is working coming from my iPad. If I need to I can easily cycle the camera on and off to reconnect. If the card is the network and they disconnect you have to leave the application and go back into settings and look for the eyefi network again.
This way works, but I will only use it when I am on an iPad that isn't jailbroken. It's nice to have the option though, especially for people that don't want to jailbreak.
With the new firmware update you can actually add the Eye-Fi's Wifi settings onto the card and use shutter snitch without jailbreaking. If you take a screen shot of the Direct Mode Settings, you can add them onto the card whilst the card is in the computer.
This works great, I use it on my Nikon D7000 and Canon 60D and transfer jpegs to the ipad way faster than a camera connection kit.
Jailbreak is no longer necessary to use Shutter Snitch. By the way @RLMorrisPhoto:disqus I bought my ipad soon after you released the first video, I've got all my photographer mates onboard too.
so what if im shooting with a 5d markII am i outta luck?
Yeah, CF users are left out.. too bad :(
It didn't work with my Canon 7D and SD->CF adapter!!! Camera shows card error! Any suggestions??? Anyone have same experience?
Tima, the Quenox SD/CF card adapter works in my 7D so far. Limitations are described in my posting above! :-)
Great review, i'm already using the eye-fi card for a couple of months now.
I use the eye-fi Pro X2 card in my 5d2 using the Delock 61796 adapter(only this model no. will work!), this is one of the CF adapters that works flawless in my 5d2. This adapter needs an UDMA compatible body, so only works in newer CF cams!) You'll only need to modify the adapter since the aluminum covers will cause a signal loss. You can find alot of users on the eye-fi forum that have success with this adapter with other cheap cf-adapters you might run into some issues.(quick test, if you can't format the card you've got the wrong adapter) You'll only need to keep in mind that this solution isn't officially supported. If you use an older CF body you'll might get away with using the non-x2 eye-fi card(caused by the udma thingy), but then you can't use all the new awesome features ;)
With this cf-adapter there are even users that use 2 eye-fi cards in their pro body and let one card send the image to the ipad and 1 card send the image to the computer :)
I would like to add a few things to your review:
The file transfer will be slower when you use the direct-mode compared to a connection trough a router/accesspoint.
This software is also available for Android tablets, i've tested it and also worked perfect.
The card will switch to direct mode if there is no pre-configured wifi network available, so use can use the network in your studio for more speed and working distance and when you go outside the card will switch over to direct-mode.
In the eye-fi software in the direct mode tab there is a "start direct mode" button at the bottom, if you hit that bottom your direct-mode network will fire-up so you have all the time to connect your devices.
just for those that might want more info on the using the CF/SD adapters, i wrote a blog post about this http://danylophotography.com/blog/?p=439
Can anyone tell me if its possible to send video using this card?
This is a bummer for 5D users..No CF card from Eye-fi WTF?.. Card adapters are going to kill the signal WTF?..
What a pain in the ass.. Whats the point in saying that SD cards are the future when no company has outlined this is certain..
Why don't these businesses just wake up and sell what people ask for...Doesn't enough forum screaming make them think that money can be easily made from ventures like this..Apple are always gonna be my favourite computers but Jesus they are retarded for not allowing tethered shooting for the photography world on their iPad.. Give people what they want..They will love you more for it..
Eye Fi are a slow and cowardly company. They have missed the boat and they know it...
Or, if you have an iPhone or other mobile that can create a wireless network, you can connect both the Eye-Fi and iPad to that network. I have used this a lot. Turn my phone which is in the bag or my jacket, and it works realiable. And without jailbreaking.
I'd just prefer to have my iPad visibly show what's tethered to my computer. I know Capture One has an app just for that purpose. Is there any other way for an iPad to mirror wirelessly what i see on my computer? Lightroom for example...
I use iDisplay as a second monitor when I shoot tethered. In lightroom, the secondary display option is enabled and when i shoot, it is displayed on the ipad as a "2nd" monitor.
Will Eye-Fi cards send videos to iPad/iPhone?
I have a D700. How did I do? I can't find an CF1 adapter. Help me :(
There aren't any!
As far as I can tell searching on the web, ther is no CF I adapter for an SD card. Who ever makes a CF I wifi card that is direct to our tablets will selling a bunch of them. This is maddening myopia on the manufacturers part.
As far as I can search on the net, there is no CF I adapter for a Eyefi wireless card. This is a bungled lost opportunity from the card manufacturers Most likely it stems from getting permission from the camera manufacturers. As Thom has said they are behind the curve on givings us really useful new features- instead it is a repackaging of th same old ideas. Nikon's wireless solution is a dinosaur.
Eye Fi knows their business is over once Wi Fi is built into all cameras. That why they won't develop a CF card. You are correct, a bungled, missed opportunity. Pro's have been asking for a long time. Eye Fi's Busness Development Manager is obviously the one-eyed work experience boy. Idiots.
So I have a d300s and an ipad2. I just need the card...is there an app that you need??