A new app has been developed for the Apple Watch that allows camera operators to control their Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras remotely.
Vladimir Belohradsky developed the Alpha Remote Controller app and it connects the Apple Watch to a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera via Bluetooth, enabling camera control of essential features and an extended range of capabilities.
Image Credit – Vladimir Belohradsky
Users will be able to access a range of C1 features including AF-ON buttons, shutter release with half-press support, start/stop recording of video, and even power zooming in and out with speed adjustment on supported lenses.
The app also allows users to manually adjust focus and use Sony’s experimental focus stacking feature. All of this can be done from the Apple Watch itself.
Additionally, the app enables users to connect and control multiple cameras simultaneously, monitor the signal strength of the camera connection, and even access quick features from the watch’s lock screen.
Users can also view the current camera connection state, and see if the camera is recording or capturing a still image.
A complete list of the Alpha Remote Controller app’s supported features includes the ability to connect and control one or multiple cameras simultaneously, easy operation of the Record, C1, and AF-ON buttons by pressing, holding, or locking the hold function, and capturing photos by pressing the shutter button or using one finger for half-press and two fingers for full-press functionality.
Users can also monitor signal strength for a stable connection, view the current camera state, whether it is Disconnected, Connected, Recording, or Exposing, and stay informed about the recording/exposing time and access a countdown for the second noise reduction exposure.
Furthermore, users can zoom in or out with power zoom lenses, adjust the speed of zooming according to their preference in settings, manually focus with any lens by adjusting it in the positive or negative direction, modify the speed of focusing in settings, experience experimental focus stacking with any camera supported by this app, enjoy the convenience of a quick access widget for the lock screen or watch face, and theme the app with their favorite color.
Users can also use different control schemes while operating multiple cameras. The Alpha Remote Controller app is supported by several compatible Sony cameras including the following cameras:
ZV-1F, ZV-1, DSC-RX100M7, DSC-RX0M2, ZV-E1, ZV-E10
ILCE-1, ILCE-9, ILCE-9M2, ILCE-9M3, ILCE-7SM3, ILCE-7RM5, ILCE-7RM4A, ILCE-7RM4, ILCE-7RM3A, ILCE-7RM3, ILCE-7C, ILCE-7CM2, ILCE-7CR, ILCE-7M4, ILCE-7M3
ILCE-6700, ILCE-6600, ILCE-6400, ILCE-6100
The Sony Alpha Remote Controller is available for the Apple Watch through the Apple Watch App Store for $5.99 and makes for a great alternative to Sony’s wireless remote trigger. However, to access these features, users will have to sacrifice a live view feed. This appears to be a third-party developer app, so get it while Sony isn’t paying attention.
[source: DIYP]
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