The Camera Remote API SDK helps you to operate and control a variety of devices apart from the Sony Alpha cameras. The devices that can be controlled using the applications developed from the SDK are Sony action cams and Lens Style cameras. Downloading of Remote Camera Control has been discontinued since September, 2018. Please use Imaging Edge (Remote/Viewer/Edit) from now on.
Shoot with your Alpha camera tethered via a USB cable to your computer using Sony’s Free ‘Remote Camera Control‘ Software.
When you shoot tethered the images will be transferred directly to a folder on your computer instead of the camera’s memory card. It is possible to then Auto Import images from this folder into Lightroom as your shoot progresses (File > Auto Import > Enable Auto Import). For Lightroom to import the images automatically you will need to choose the folder that the Remote Camera Control software is saving the images into by going to File > Auto Import > Auto Import Settings. Lightroom calls this folder the ‘Watched Folder‘.
NOTE > There is no Live Preview of the image before you shoot when importing images into Lightroom. The advantage of this workflow is that you are simply reviewing the images you have captured on a larger screen rather than the LCD screen of the camera. If you just want to Preview images on larger screen before you capture you can purchase Phase One’s Capture One or use a Sony HD external monitor. An advantage to the tethered workflow is that you can also apply a Develop Preset to the images as they are being imported, e.g. you could apply a high-contrast black and white preset to the images being imported so that your client is seeing images closer to what they have asked you to shoot.
Here are the steps you need to take to shoot tethered using Remote Camera Control and Adobe Lightroom:
- Download the latest Remote Camera Control App for Windows or for Mac
- In the Menu settings of your camera set the USB Connection to PC Remote (found in the Setup section that looks like a Toolbox).
- Start the Remote Camera Control Software.
- Choose a folder in the ‘Save in‘ section at the base of the Remote Camera Control panel.
- Choose this same folder in the Auto Import Settings in Lightroom.
- Switch on the camera.
- Capture an image.
- If you have trouble finding where this image is in your Lightroom Catalog go to the Library module and in the Catalog panel choose ‘Previous Import‘. Then right-click on the thumbnail image that you just captured and choose the ‘Go to Folder in Library’ option.
- Double Click on the thumbnail image to go into Loupe view (full screen preview).
- Subsequent images that you capture will be now be shown in Loupe view rather than a thumbnail image automatically.
NOTE > In recent versions of my Mac operating system the Camera Control Software has been telling me (after a couple of successfully imported shots) that it is unable to save in the folder that I created and instead saves them to a folder it creates – Documents > Remote Camera Control > Dated Folder. Even if I choose this as the watched folder in Lightroom the software will still come up with the warning – clicking OK in the Remote Camera Control warning dialog will cause the import process to resume. To overcome this problem I have been using this dated folder as the watched folder and also keeping the Remote Camera Control software as the active window when I am shooting. This workflow has resolved the problems I encountered. I expect subsequent software updates (either Apple or remote camera Control) to resolve the current issue I am experiencing.
Realistic Expectations for Performance: When shooting Raw images in a tethered workflow using an A7RII you can’t expect to 42.4 megapixel images to appear a split second after you press the shutter release on your computer screen. I believe the USB cable from the camera is the ‘bottleneck’ in the pipeline and so I expect to have to wait 10 seconds before the image appears on my computer screen I will then wait another second or two while Lightroom builds a detailed screen preview.
Problems with a Tethered Workflow: The USB I/O is definitely a problem with the reliability of a tethered workflow but other problems include working with your camera tethered to a laptop computer. I would strongly encourage you to invest in a long brightly coloured USB cable and use a Jerk Stopper on the camera and computer to avoid damaging the USB ports if someone walks through the USB cable while you are shooting. A company called Tether Tools supplies all the equipment you require to make this workflow painless.
A revolutionary announcement was made by Sony on Feb 11th 2020 to popularize their digital cameras among the professional photographers. Sony is a brand name when it comes to both mirrorless and full-frame cameras. Sony released a new remote software development kit (SDK) for camera that would allow any third party to develop their own custom-made applications that can be used to remotely operate as well as control the digital cameras especially α7R IV and α9 II.
The point-and-shoot model of digital cameras is named as Cyber-shot and the models of camera that employ the digital single-lens reflex have been named as Alpha. Sony’s Alpha is a remotely operated camera, but it required a desktop application made by Sony itself, to operate. This made the digital camera less popular among the photographers even though the hardware was world-class.
Need for the Remote Camera SDK
The company even though is a household name when it comes to its hardware, Sony’s software isn’t popular. Sony has previously launched a mobile application to control the camera’s features. But the reactions of the users weren’t much exciting. Infect, the cameras produced by the company stood out, but the software could not reach the mark. Thus, the idea of the Software development kit was born. By making it open to developers, Sony hopes to find an app that is worthy enough to meet the expectations of the users.
With the release of the Software Development Kit, leading software developers can easily develop applications to control the cameras, thus making the digital cameras more popular and user-friendly.
Remotely operated cameras would be of much help to studio photography. As the stills can be taken without the presence of the photographer near the camera. The custom app would also help the camera click pictures of the spots that are not navigable by human beings. The sony camera remote SDK can be of much use for wildlife photographers. As the app can be installed on the mobile phone after development. And the photographers can take a close-up shot of dangerous animals without actually being there.
The SDK can be used to develop applications that can be used for camera robots. Sony aims to take over the field of sports photography which is dominated by the main competitors of Sony, Canon and Nikon. Cameras used to capture sports events like football, require complex software and hardware to capture the game perfectly. Both hardware and software need to be in sync to get the perfect shot by the camera robots. If at all any glitch is to happen, then the cameras would end up capturing blurred or non-focused pictures.
Sony Camera SDK Expectations
Telemetrics Inc. has high expectations for Sony’s move to release the software development kit. Telemetrics Inc. is giants in the field of robotics and camera control systems. The systems developed by this company is compatible with the mirror-less full-frame models of digital cameras from Sony. The company expect to collaborate with Sony and incorporate their systems along with with the Sony’s Alpha model controlled using custom software to bring about a revolution in the way Live football matches and other sports are captured. Thus, making Sony capable to compete with the main competitors in the field.
As of now, only the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 9 II will support the incorporation of the applications made by the software development kit. But soon, the updates will be available to all other Alpha models.
With the release of SDK, anyone can develop applications required for tailored for their purpose and incorporate with the Sony alpha camera to get the perfect shots.
Getting started with the Software Development Kit
If you are confused as to where to start exploring the SDK, then here is a guide to help you. The SDK comes with a beginner’s guide as well. So you do not have to worry if you are new to the field of app development. All you have to do is follow the steps accordingly to get started and familiarise yourself with the development kit.
Step 1 – Downloading of the SDK
Install the Camera Camera Remote SDK to your desktop. Sony Camera Remote SDK comes with three things :
Sony Remote Camera Control Windows
- API reference guide/document
- Guide to help you develop and familiarize the kit
- Sample code for iOS as well as Android
Step 2 – Testing
The best way to get to know in-depth about the API and to start developing the application is to test the sample codes in the SDK and to do a detailed search about the API reference document. The downloaded file of SDK comes as a zip file and unzip it to find the three components mentioned earlier. Once the sample codes are tested, it is time to connect the camera to the remote device (e.g. Mobile phone, Computer, tablet) with the help of WiFi.
Step 3 – tutorials to develop
If you are new to developing applications, then tutorials can help you find your way. You can find a lot of websites offering tutorials on how to develop applications using Sony’s Camera Remote SDK. The tutorials would give step by step methods to develop the application, and after watching it, you can incorporate your own touch to the application by including unique control options or interface.
Step 4 – App Development
After the development of the app, in order to discover the digital camera, you need to run the Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP). The protocol would also help you get the endpoint URL that is essential to call the API. It is also required to call the information that is most needed to know about the functionalities supported in the camera. After this, the API can be called using HTTP POST along with JSON.
Sony Remote Camera Control Software
The Camera Remote API SDK helps you to operate and control a variety of devices apart from the Sony Alpha cameras. The devices that can be controlled using the applications developed from the SDK are Sony action cams and Lens Style cameras. You can use the application to adjust the zoom control, autofocus and shutter speed, operate the remote viewfinder, capture still images, remotely control the start and stop of recording and operate the settings related to the self-timer.
The API used by the camera remote SDK is strong enough. It can be easily operated on the commonly used protocols such as JSON and HTTP. The SDK can be used to develop apps for Microsoft Windows, iOS and Android operating systems.
The SDK can be downloaded free of cost. Also, developers can even sell the apps developed by them using the SDK unless and until it is used for legitimate purposes.
Conclusion
Sony Camera Remote App
With the launch of the remote-control API software development kit, Sony has made an intelligent step to make its Alpha range more popular among professional photographers without actually investing in the software. When the provision for developing custom applications are granted, the user experience enhances, thereby increasing the reach of the cameras.
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