Canon WFT-E1 Wireless Transmitter - For 1D Mark II, 1DS Mark II and 20D

[Steve Mitchell]

For those that may not have noticed, the new WiFi transmitter announced with the 1DS Mark II will also work with the 1D Mark II and 20D.

Taken from Canon 1DS Mark II Press Release:

"New for the EOS-1Ds Mark II camera is the optional Wireless File Transmitter (WFT-E1A)**. Given the enormous popularity of LAN-based image transmission systems and the demands for higher speed image distribution in the reporting fields, Canon developed this new accessory that allows photographers to transmit images from their cameras directly to a computer over a wired or wireless local area network (LAN). The WFT-E1 transmitter includes a mini antenna, a long and short IEE1394 cable, a case and camera mounting screw. The transmitter will also be compatible with the EOS-1D Mark II and the EOS 20D digital SLR cameras via a firmware upgrade. Pricing for the WFT-E1 has not been finalized, but will be announced prior to initial dealer shipments in November."

[Anders Östberg]

Looks interesting, but the form factor is not that nice. I had hoped for something less bulky, and it will interfere when holding the camera in portait mode.

Maybe you can use an extension cord.

[Kevin Sadler]

According to what I've read on galbraith's, in addition to attaching to the tripod socket on the bottom of the body, you can use a cord so you can attach it to your belt, a tripod, etc. The belt is probably going to be popular. It's got some pretty other nice features as well.

[Anders Östberg]

Hehe, maybe it's just my humor, but I think it's kind of ironic to have to have a cord for a wireless unit...

[jliechty]

Originally Posted by FretNoMore

Hehe, maybe it's just my humor, but I think it's kind of ironic to have to have a cord for a wireless unit...

People complain about medium format backs that require external tethered storage banks also, for this reason: What if you set the camera down on a table, with the storage bank / transmitter clipped to your belt, and walk away?

[Anders Östberg]

Originally Posted by jliechty

People complain about medium format backs that require external tethered storage banks also, for this reason: What if you set the camera down on a table, with the storage bank / transmitter clipped to your belt, and walk away?

That sounds like it could be expensive.

[Rune]

Hopefully you'll notice. It's the same problem with the flash battery packs...

[Steve Mitchell]

It's a great idea. For PJ work you need to have an on-site photo editor however to make it usable in the field. Captioning cropping and sizing still has to be done. For major events where you may have the luxory of having a photo editor it might be neat. Eliminates the need for runners.

[mzdial]

I'd like to see this in action at a venue.. Wondering how much RF in the air and/or competing among other shooters would cause this system to not work well in an event setting.

It would be very cool to process though immediately without runners.

-- Matt

[MatsP]

Originally Posted by mzdial

I'd like to see this in action at a venue.. Wondering how much RF in the air and/or competing among other shooters would cause this system to not work well in an event setting.

It would be very cool to process though immediately without runners.

-- Matt

The 802.11g standard allows for plenty of "clients", so I wouldn't think that's too much to worry about. Of course, you need to have a WiFi "hub" in the area you want to work, so it's not just a case of popping open your laptop with a WiFi card and then start shooting. You need to have the right setup in the area too, which may or may not be the case at for instance a rock-gig or a press conference with the president. You could of course carry the extra equipment yourself, or hope that someone else has it.

WiFi works on a "on demand" principle, so you're only actively using the radio waves to transmit when you have something to transmit. Of course, if many clients are transmitting at the same time, it's going to make the airwaves busy, just like if this web-site had several thousand active visitors at the same time, there'd be a significant slow-down to view pages. So it may take a bit longer to transmit a picture from your camera when there's lots of people doing the same around you, especially if it's a press conference where everyone is shooting at the same time.

--
Mats

[lecter]

I want one

[GooldyPhoto]

I was wondering if they would make the firmware so that you could use this on other canon dslr's also.

[MatsP]

Originally Posted by GooldyPhoto

I was wondering if they would make the firmware so that you could use this on other canon dslr's also.

Aside from needing the extra connections, I'm sure that's possible.

The firmware to do this shouldn't be too difficult, but you need the camera to transmit the data to the WiFi product, and that's not available on cameras that hasn't been designed to do this...

--
Mats

[tonyr]

The EOS 1DS Mark I is not mentioned.. Is this an oversight..?? Or is this correct that the 1DS Mark I is not supported

Would seem strange it works on the new model and not the model it replaces.. Lots of Mark I's out there

[MatsP]

Originally Posted by tonyr

The EOS 1DS Mark I is not mentioned.. Is this an oversight..?? Or is this correct that the 1DS Mark I is not supported

Would seem strange it works on the new model and not the model it replaces.. Lots of Mark I's out there

I think the Mark 1's (1D or 1Ds) will not have the required connection to the WIFI interface, and thus you will not be able to use it. That's just a guess however, as I haven't seen the equipment, and I'm not sure exactly how it connects to the camera electrically.

--
Mats