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Bluetooth Camera to Connect to iPhone


bruce_hooke

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I'm looking for something that seems like it should exist but that I'm having a hard time finding I think in part just because of the flood of related devices that make it hard to sort through what's out there. I have a medium format film camera that I use to make images that include me in the image. I currently use a baby monitor camera to see what I look like from the camera location but I keep thinking that a Bluetooth camera that I could connect to my iPhone would give me better information as the image I see from the baby monitor camera is in black and white, is pretty low-resolution, and lacks basic things that I'd get with the iPhone like the ability to zoom in on the image. It's important to note that the image I see via this remote monitoring system is not the final image. That is captured on film via the medium format camera. Also, right now I simply aim the monitor camera in the same direction as the camera. Ideally I'd like to be able to aim the monitor camera at the ground glass to really see what the medium format camera is seeing. So, here's what I'm looking for in this "monitor camera":

 

- Remote camera that can connect to my iPhone 6S via Bluetooth. Since I often work in remote areas I can't count on their being a Wifi or phone signal.

- An available App that I can install on my phone to view the output.

- Either powered by a self-contained battery or powered by 12v or 9v DC.

- Compact since I'm often carrying this whole rig in a backpack and don't want to add a lot of weight

- I'm trying not to spend a whole ton of money on this.

 

The "obvious" solution would seem to be a GoPro Session but I've read that they now require you to sign into their system on a regular basis to use the App. This makes it useless to me. GoPro in general seems to be going downhill fast. I also don't need all the features GoPro cameras comes with.

 

It would be nice if the camera:

- Is wide angle enough to match a 40mm medium format lens (about 17mm equivalent on a 35mm camera). If that's not possible then at least something like 60mm (medium format) would be the next best.

- Can focus close enough to be aimed at the ground glass from an inch or two away (note that this would make the wide angle piece irrelevant).

 

Any ideas? Thanks!

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Digital backs for an Hasselblad can be viewed and controlled remotely with a laptop via FireWire. I am not aware of any which can communicate via Bluetooth or WiFi.

 

Many mirrorless cameras can do the same with an iOS or Android device via Bluetooth or WiFi. It is easy to set up a portable WiFi hub, battery operated, which can route bidirectional communications between devices. Bluetooth can communicate over 150' in ideal situations, but 15' is about as much as you can count on indoors. A Sony A7Riii or A9 can be controlled remotely with an iPhone and Imaging Edge Mobile (formerly PlayMemoryMobile) by Bluetooth or WiFi router.

 

Cameras with an HDMI port can be displayed on a portable monitor in near real time (~ 2 frame delay). HDMI is limited to about 15', but there are ethernet or DCI converters which can run hundreds of feet if necessary, all battery operated. This is the simplest and most accurate way to take self-portraits. Even a 5" display can be seen clearly from 10' or more.

 

Returning to your original question, a GoPro or Sony RX0 camera can be fitted with a closeup filter (lens), which could be rigged to the viewfinder, and transmit a continuous image to a smart phone. There is a considerable delay, up to 2 seconds, which can be annoying. A simple rigging might consist of an articulated arm attached to the tripod. You probably need a small cage for the GoPro or Sony, threaded for filters. There are many suitable cages, which aren't necessarily expensive. These cameras can be powered from an USB battery. A 20,000 mAH version costs about $40 and is easily portable. Mine came with a net pouch, which can hang from any convenient protrusion on the rig.

 

GenustechGenus Cage for GoPro HERO5, HERO6, and HERO7 Black

 

This cage takes ordinary 52 mm filters and gives you multiple hard points for rigging.

Edited by Ed_Ingold
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Most cameras that offer remote viewing/control use WiFi to do it. I'm not sure that Bluetooth has the necessary bandwidth for video streaming.

 

WiFi control does not need an internet service, router or hotspot; it's a 'WiFi Direct' connection between smart device and camera.

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@rodeo_joe outtyped me.

I am inexperienced in this field but bought Android tablets to remote control my EOS. They work fine without needing any kind of established WiFi network around.

 

I noticed that surveillance camera apps and surveillance camera monitor apps for Android devices exist. - Is there something similar in iOS and could you maybe (ab)use some of your previous phones? - Doing through the VF shots with phone cameras seems pretty easy. - Sorry, mine here is too old to install more apps, so I don't know what will work for sure.

From my limited shopping experience a used iPhone IV or basic Android cheapo should be cheaper than any half serious P&S camera or camcorder with WiFi.

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Using the GoPro (or PlayMemories) apps, you can connected directly from camera to smart phone, but the range is very limited. A person standing between the transmitter and receiver is enough to block the signal. I can mount a WiFi router to give a clear line of sight, with good connections at 150 feet or more in a crowded auditorium.
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