Nikon D4+WT5+New IPad

[Frommann]

Nothing helpful from the Nikon NPS guy:
"We can't say anything about shuttersnitch, we don't have it, we don't support it".
Concerning their own solution via HTTP server and the WT5, they seem to know, that it doesn't like like charme.
" We will develop that further, there will be an update sometime".
I decided to give back the WT5 and wait for better times. I don't want to spend so much money, without having fun therefore.
I am still curious, how Rob Galbraith gets his system running. I read, he doesn't use the ad hoc mode and additionally a mobile router to connect all devices.But does that speed up the camera+WT5?
If somebody here finds a solution for D4 and WT5 plus IPad using shuttersnitch, please send me an e-mail (Frommann.Ronald@gmx.de)
I still want to use this combo, but without waiting 20 sec per pic.

Ronald

[MadDawgJ]

You can always try it over your home router. If that works quicker then a mobile router will have the same effect. If you shop around you can usually find new mobile routers on sale for $30 USD and used off eBay for cheaper.

[TheBrew]

Since the issue is not with ShutterSnitch, you could ask them why it takes 20 seconds before the WT transfers to the FTP server running on your computer.

Then they won't have a convenient variable that invalidates their support capabilities. ;)

[inplainview]

Hi Ronald,

I too have a D4 and the WT-5. Not quite sure what problems you are having but mine seems to be working as advertised. I have not taken the plunge and purchased ShutterSnitch yet, but I am considering it. What kind of times are you expecting? I was playing with the the WT-5 and my iPad using the HTTP Server and it works perfectly. I can control the camera, see photos as they are taken. The only thing missing is the ability to save the files to my iPad, which is where ShutterSnitch comes in. From what I am reading and thinking, it could be that your network is very slow. I am on an (N) network and things happen almost instantly. What kind of network are you using?

[AMP]

See Rob Galbraith's website and review of the D4 for his tip. He strongly suggests using a router to make the connection with your iPad/ WT-5. I just bought the D-Link DAP-1350 pocket router and hope to have it set up later this week. I'm getting decent transfer/ display times with my 1st gen iPad but may upgrade that to the 3 because of way faster A5x processor with integrated graphics chip. My WT-5 does lose it connection way more than my W-T4A and I think the new router will solve that problem and also speed up my transfer times. ( WT-4A has robust external antenna. ) I think your 20 second transfer time is not normal. I'll post with my results. ps My fist image in a collection often takes longer than subsequent images to transfer. I think this is a D4/ WT-5 issue not SS since it never happened with my D700/ WT-4A set-up.

[AMP]

I have a Nikon D4 and WT5 and just got the new iPad and a D-Link router DAP1350.

First off: I found that using a infrastructure network connection rather than ad hoc is much more reliable and robust. This is particularly true for the WT5 which seems to have a weaker signal / range than the WT-4A.

It took about two hours with D-Link tech support, Rob Galbraith's instructions and my noggin to get the router set up with DHCP reservations and MAC addresses but now that it's done the set up is working flawlessly.

I'm carrying the router and power source in a pouch on my photo belt. The key to extending your range is to have the router close to the WT5 - which is the weak link. The iPad can be further away. Typically in a client's hands so they can follow along the shoot.

And the new iPad analyzes ( resizes, highlight warnings, metadata etc) much faster than my previous iPad which is the first version. Worth the extra money! I'm shooting RAW plus Small Basic Jpegs ( don't have the exact pixel count but it's the smallest that my D4 will record. ) I only transmit the jpegs which are for proofing purposes.

So you can see I've addressed the speed issue via the WiFi connection by adding a router on an infrastructure network and by utilizing Apple's new A5x chip in the iPad 3. ( Not sure about the tech but routers are supposed to add speed to the WiFi connection.)

I have noticed a lag ( as long as 15 secs or so noted by previous posters ) but it's generally on the first shoot of a take or after a long pause between takes. I'm inclined to think this is an Nikon issue either with the D4 or WT5. I had a WT-4A set up with an ad hoc network and a Nikon D700 and 1st generation iPad and never had that issue. That said my new set-up is vastly speedier and more reliable. I'm hoping Nikon addresses the delay in a firmware update.

All my clients and subjects love ShutterSnitch and being able to proof as we shoot. SS is still a little jumpy when images are loading in i.e. it's difficult to switch between images for viewing. I suspect it's a limitation of iOS devices and hope that maybe iPad 4 or 5 will solve that. RobG also mentions PhotoMechanic's Live Ingest on a laptop as a PC based alternative.

Happy shooting. -