Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Just getting around to experimenting with my new FS5. I've been trying to try out the wifi features especially the control with smartphone. I can get my iphone6 to connect with the camera wifi but cannot get any type of picture or the option to monitor. Would anyone have some insight to this? I do not have the stock lens BTW and am using Canon L lenses with a Commlite adaptor. Thanks

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Has anyone tried to control their FS5 with their smart device?

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Works fine on Android. Doesn't really work how I want it to, but as far as looking at it and starting/stopping, it works fine.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Do you have the actual picture from the camera while controlling it from a smartphone? Starting/stopping is OK, but framing and general picture monitoring would be a godsend...

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Works fine. Don't have the camera with me at the moment but the option to view is buried away in one of the menus. The UI on the app is simply awful! But I have had it working. IIRC one of the menus at the top lets you do it.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

What is actually the name of the Android/iOS app?

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

I have a whole chapter devoted to this subject in my master class and have connected the camera to my iPad numerous times. The app is called Content Browser Mobile.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Thanks Doug.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

My advice: Don't even waste your time with it.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Not going to; just a technological novelty to try :)

Thanks

Piotr

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Really? Thought it looked quite useful if you are using the FS5 as a locked off B camera where the camera is remote to you as a lone operator (depending on what the range is like). Sure it isn't up to much but allows you to check everything is ticking over.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

What info are you hoping to see wirelessly?
I'd be interested to hear how you liked it once you've actually used it on a real production.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Help frame yourself for standups as a lone shooter / VJ. I've had producers try to frame but always way too much headspace. This way they can tilt tripod up / down and I can check framing while I'm in shot.

That said, haven't actually used it in the field yet, just practice at home.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Good luck with that.
In my opinion, it would be much easier to spin the LCD screen around to face forward and use the mirror button.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

I suppose it depends on how bright the sun is and how far away one is from the camera.

Looking forward to watching your course!

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Can see this being useful if you have it as a secondary unmanned camera. Just being able to see that it's still recording and that nobody's knocked it off position...
I wanted this for my A7s as I sometimes have it as an unmanned b-camera. And would be great if I could start/stop remotely because of the 29:50 time limit. But read somewhere it only works in standard gamma when controlled remotely so haven't bothered.
If the FS5 can be in any mode and monitored and started/stopped remotely that is already a step up ;)

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

I was hoping it worked like my GH4 app where I can control the camera including aperture and Focus if i have an auto lens on it. I film myself often in a run and gun situations, while flipping the monitor could be a solution, most of the time, I'm too far away to see my exposure and focus.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

You can control focus and zoom. Don't think aperature was an option.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Aperture is an option with the right lens. But you can't see zebras or anything else that would help you set the correct exposure. And the video streaming to the mobile device doesn't look very good, do it'd be a crap shoot to set exposure via Wi-Fi. I would recommend running a video cable to a real monitor if possible, and just using the Wi-Fi for actual control.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Yes. At a conference where the second camera is locked off but for whatever reason you just want a quick check to see its all OK. Usually I have to leg it around the room but a quick check on the phone just to check its still recording and framed would be great.

Also the occasions where you are setting up for an interview and you end up squinting at the viewfinder just to check the framing is roughly right. Or CSO work where you just want to check where the edge of frame is, yet again without having to squint at the LCD.

Perhaps its useless, perhaps the range is rubbish, who knows? I will be interested to see how it works in the real world. It is neither a feature I purchased the camera for or wish to rely on. But I can see the potential uses.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

OK, I found out how to monitor the FS5 after some fiddling. I will agree its pretty useless as even if I walk less than 10 ft away, it loses the connection which makes it very useless. It thought the GH4 wifi was weak but this takes the case.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Just an update on this. Yep, tried to use it in anger today and its useless even as a confidence monitor for quickly checking the camera is ok. At they bare minimum they need to get the histogram, focus peaking and VU's onto the phone display. With those two things at least I'd be be able to see if things are OK at a glance.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Told you so. :-)

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

This application is great for me,I put the camera on the crane and so they control enough..I use another application like this for A7S :-)

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

I suppose I could see it being useful on a jib or something but you'd need to set the camera first as the display is useless for judging anything.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

Even if it is only good enough to start and stop recording I'd be happy.
That means that a gimbal operator doesn't have to worry about that when a director or remote operator can press record. In my experience using 1 hand to press the rec button is what makes gimbals heavier...
The image wll be seen on a monitor anyway.

Re: Controlling FS5 with smartphone
 

inside, in standard lighting conditions..is perfect this app.