How to control several cameras with one computer?
 

Hi folks!
I have a really tough one for you, a problem that I have been struggeling with for quite a while... Here we go!

I am looking for a way to control four NIKON D700 cameras from one single computer. I want to be able to control shutterspeed simultaiously on all cameras. In other words - when I do an adjustment on shutterspeed on my computer, I want it to affect all cameras.

The program Camera Controller Pro 2 by NIKON is designed to control one camera from one computer. With this program you can adjust almost everything digitally adjustable on the camera via your computer. The program connects via USB or wireless via a so called WT-4 transmitter. The program and the transmitter even supports SEVERAL cameras to be connected, but then all it can handle is the output from the cameras, not the imput. In other words, all it can do is to take care of the photos taken from the different cameras, but it cannot adjust more than one camera at the time. IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN (please note this...)!

Do any of you guys know of any alternative way to solve my problem? Are there other programs to control cameras (several) via a computer? Are there other ways? I can do it via FireWire, USB or wireless, doean't matter.

The simultanious trigging of the different cameras is no problem, as I can do that easily with a seperate wired or wireless device.

All suggestions are most welcome, and I appreciate all your thoughts on this problem!

- Mattias

I've no idea how to do this, but if you want to supply me 4 D700's I'd be happy to give it a go!!! :)

Hi Mattias, I don't think it can be done the way you describe. If you have 4 x D700's, they will not be all in the same place - therefore the lighting conditions will be different for each view point and therefore you will need four different sets of adjustments and so four monitors one for each camera but individually controlled.

It probably can be done some way although I don't have the answer for you I'm afraid. Try researching some of the security camera manufacturers and their software controllers as they operate multiple cameras, you might get lucky somewhere there?!? :)

Change to Canon!!!!! You can definately do it then........
http://www.breezesys.com/MultiCamera/index.htm

May I ask why you want to control speed of all cameras from a remote place, when if they are kept at P or other semi-program settings you can achieve a good result as planned before, only shooting all at the same time?

You know this is how the genius guys in Matrix first came with showing an action frozen in mid air as cine camera (Several DSLRs in circular fashion place around subject) go all around showing the action from every 360 degree angle... & did the magnificent especial effect that was unheard off before.

Not sure about Nikon but my Canon cable does give that power to shoot as many as cameras as I want by serial connection of cables between them to do the effect shown on matrix and on several other major Hollywood movies after that and is shown in good ref. image Chunshine is left for you. I am sorry for large number of Nikonphilic friends here but I have to say the same thing Chunshine said especially when you want to invest in large magnitude. You definitely need a system that has maximum expandability, capability and actually does the job for you when money is not the barrier otherwise every camera takes picture. Yes You need Canon!:)

(I guess Nikonphilic friends are now enough stimulated to give you some good advice so if you want to thank me, send a whispering email) ;)

Try this link. Why should it be different from your description - I don't know, but Nikon say they have updated Camera Control Pro and the spec includes manipulating several cameras (including the D700), is it a new version, or does it not do quite what you want.

Hi Mattias, you mention that Camera Control Pro cannot control multiple cameras, yet their advert on line says that it does. Admittedly they advertise it as a new version - does this anser your needs, or is does it still fall short of the mark?

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Ni...rol-Pro-2.html

Best of luck on your hunt.

Aaah Sassan,

If this was to make me bite then now I have. :D

Firstly let me say I have Nikon Camera Control Pro but only ever use it to control one camera, but I do understand the adjustments that can be made to the camera settings via the computer.

We ran a thread on this subject some time ago - link
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=933


I have looked at chunshine's link with the array of 120 Canons, and my reading of that is that like Nikon Camera Control, all the settings for the individual cameras can be controlled by the pc. The key missing element here going back to the origional post is SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Yes both systems can trigger simultaniously, but I did not find anything in the link that suggests that simultanious adjustment of various camera variables like ISO, Shutter speed, Aperture and Focus point of a multiple camera setup as required by the OP.

I am not in the position to be able to try a multi camera set up, and having looked at Ver2 spec it only seems to offer support for a wider range of cameras, ie those released since Ver1. No mention of simultanous control of multiple camera variables in a single set up.

Perhaps a member owning several Canon cameras could give this software a go as it is available as a 15 day free trial, in order to establish that vital point of simultanious adjustment of camera variables on a multi camera setup. NOT simultanious triggering which we know both systems can achieve.

To add a bit of spice, and hopefully get someone to give it a try, my bet is that it DOES NOT. Quite happy to be proved wrong though. :p :)

Don

http://www.breezesys.com/products.htm

FOUND IT !!! look at this link folks, Breeze systems have a program for multiple Nikons now from a laptop. Is this what is wanted? Haven't looked at price as it's Windows only :mad:

Saw it Andy, but I do not know if it gives any benefits over Camera Control Pro. That is able to read thumbs from up to 5 cameras equiped with WT-4's at one time, but we still have the syncronising of camera variables problem.

Not knowing the situation that this setup is to be used in I do not know how important it is to be able to review the output from any one camera during the shoot. If that is not critical then here is a suggestion to overcome the problem. I am not a boofin as far as radio transmission goes but logic says that this would work.
This assumes all cameras are to be triggered at the same time, and images are stored to card.
As I am not sure of the signal code that will be transmitted, I am assuming that all 4 D700's will respond equally to any particular instruction. A mix of different models may or may not.

4 or more cameras equiped with wireless transmitters, either PocketWizard or Nikon WT-4.

Initially set the cameras up with the transmitters in send and recieve to confirm the result from each camera if required.

Then select a MASTER camera and ensure the transmitter is set to SEND and RECIEVE. Nikon Camera Control Pro should then see that and be able to communicate with it to enable adjustments to be selected.

The remaining cameras will be DUMB. Transmitter on the same channel as the master unit but set to RECIEVE ONLY. The computer will not be able to see them, but logically they should recieve all commands sent to the MASTER.

Blown my brains out reading the PocketWizard and Nikon WT-4 instructions but I still have faith this will work. Nothing I can do to prove or disprove this theory as I do not have the necessary kit, but anyone with 2 or more cameras, a Camera Control program, and owning more than one PocketWizard or WT-4 or similar should be able to check it out.

Don

In my search yesterday for info on the Pocket Wizard I came across this one.

Not quite what this thread is about, but nevertheless I thought Sassan may never forgive me if I did not post a link to this YouTube video. :) :p

3 Canon MkIII's timed to give a sequence equaling 30fps.

Note the commentary - 5 days to get it right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AuyV...eature=related

Don