[Preface]

This is a SLR wireless viewfinder controller launched by CamFi in Zhuhai. It has the function of wireless photography, shooting and transmitting. It can replace the narrow SLR viewfinder screen through mobile phones, tablets and even computers. In other words, as long as it is available, the SLR is a high pixel, ultra clear picture quality "mobile phone" camera that can take photos of itself anytime, anywhere. Without any card reader or data cable, it can share the photos taken to the circle of friends in real time. Such a powerful function is better seen than heard.

[Its packaging]

        The package is made of hard paper box material, a white based cuboid, with the picture of this CamFi viewfinder controller printed on the front and the word CamFi printed on the side; On the label at the bottom left of the back, the parameters of the power supply, the specification and model of the product, and the address of the manufacturer are printed.

[Meaning of its existence]

        For those who love photography, a SLR is the whole world. I once joked with a friend who loves photography: "Your SLR contains the great rivers and mountains of the motherland, and also keeps many girls' sweet smiles, but only does not leave their own shadow"; The friend replied: "If one day, the mobile phone has the level of SLR, I will integrate myself with the beautiful country".

        The significance of CamFi is not only to achieve self timer and instant transmission, but also to reach an angle we have never tried before, as shown in the following figure:

[Its unpacking]
        In the middle is the CamGi SLR wireless camera controller, with data cables on both sides, and hot shoe mounting screws beside the controller.

[All of it]

        CamFi consists of a wireless viewfinder controller, two data cables with different interfaces, hot shoe mounting screws, certificate and instructions; It is such a simple accessory that can realize multiple functions and make the SLR more intelligent.

        The standard data cables are Micro USB charging cable and Mini USB camera connecting cable. The charging cable is mainly used for charging the viewfinder controller, while the connecting cable is used for connecting the viewfinder controller and camera.

        The hot shoe mounting screw is mainly used to fix the viewfinder controller and camera. The plane is square. After it is installed on the viewfinder controller and reinforced with screws, it can be placed at the installation place of the camera's hot shoe (flash).

[Its appearance]

        The frame of the viewfinder controller is black and made of ABS environment-friendly plastic. The front middle is printed with white CamFi words, with a size of 91 * 44 * 26mm. The corners are triangular in shape, with smooth lines; Built in Bluetooth 4.0 module and 1800mAh lithium battery, support WiFi 802.11n, transmission speed is 150Mbps, transmission distance is about 50m at most, and weight is only 92g.

        On the lower left corner of the front, there are icons showing WiFi, power and charging in turn; After turning on the controller, the WiFi light will flash slowly, and after waiting for a period of time, the green light will stay on.

        On one side of the top, there is an off/on slide switch, which turns on the viewfinder controller when you slide the switch to on. If the power of the controller is insufficient, there will be an indicator light prompt at the position of the power icon; In the actual test process, it was found that the battery life can be up to 7 hours, which can fully meet the needs of long time shooting, and its 5V/1A input and output can use a power bank.

        There is a USB interface and a WAN interface on the left side of the top. USB interface is used to connect controller and camera; The WAN port can be plugged into the network cable, that is to say, this controller not only supports WiFi signal for remote transmission, but also can use cable for transmission.

        On the right side of the top, there is a 5V-1A input port, which is mainly used to charge the view controller; RESET is the system reset key.

        On one side of the reset key and charging interface, there is a gap for installing a lanyard.

        Relevant parameters of the controller and other information are printed on the bottom. There is a screw interface in the middle, which can screw on and fix the hot shoe mounting screw for connection with the camera.

[Use of it]

        CamFi viewfinder controller is applicable to different cameras of various models, such as Nikon, Canon, etc. Specific models can also be found on the official website of CamFi. It is equipped with a Mini USB data cable as standard, but some cameras have different interfaces. For example, the Nikon D750 interface in my hand is not suitable for the Mini USB data cable, so you need to use the original or additional data cable worn by the camera itself.

        Connection renderings:

        After fixing the screw and the controller, slide the other plane into the flash of the camera to fix the camera and the controller, which is more convenient to use. Of course, if an amateur camera is equipped with a flash, it can be carried with a lanyard, which is also very convenient.

        Installation renderings:

[Use of it]

        When using, you need to turn on the power switch of the viewfinder controller and the camera at the same time. As mentioned earlier, the indicator light of the WiFi icon will change from a slow flashing green light to a constant green light. At this time, you can take a selfie with the mobile app and realize wireless instant transmission.

[Its APP application]

        The app supports iOS8.0, Android 4.0 and above, and Windows XP, Mac OS X 10.10 and above. In other words, this app can be operated on almost all mobile phones, tablets and even computers. As long as you put the camera there, you can shoot from any angle.

        Download this CamFi and install it through the App Store. When using a mobile phone, tablet or computer, the first thing you need to do is to connect the mobile phone, tablet or computer to the WiFi signal with the words camfi-XXX. The whole process does not consume any traffic.

        After opening the CamFi software, if the phone is not connected to the WiFi signal with the words camfi XXX or other WiFi signals are connected, a prompt will appear; When you use this controller for the first time, you will be prompted to upgrade the firmware version. Click OK. Before I started, I thought that the firmware upgrade needs to enable data traffic and WiFi at the same time. After all, how can I upgrade the firmware without network support? But I stubbornly connected my mobile WiFi to camfi-XXX and clicked Upgrade. It is actually found that the firmware upgrade does not require traffic, so where is the mystery? I don't need traffic anyway, so I don't bother.

[Actual Operation]

        Compared with the tedious operation process of the camera, the operation on the mobile phone or tablet is more intuitive. After entering the APP, open the viewfinder, and you can view the shot angle in real time on your mobile phone or tablet; At this time, moving the position of the lens at will can be displayed through the mobile phone or tablet, which is like a "huge" camera viewfinder screen, and even taking a selfie is very flexible and convenient. The biggest advantage of this app is that it not only does not need traffic, but also can give up the use of data lines and card readers. It transmits the captured photos to the mobile phone or tablet in real time, and can also see the IOS, shutter and format of this photo, so as to make some appropriate adjustments to the angle and parameters of the shot. As for how to adjust the sensitivity The amount of light entering varies from person to person.

        On the APP interface, there are timing functions that can customize the photographing time, reference lines used for shooting angles, metering, image quality, white balance and other functions required for shooting; The focusing function in the case of real-time shooting is extra prominent. For example, as shown in the following figure, when you click the picture position in the red box in the following figure, a focus box will appear, meaning that this is the focus, and the rest will become blurred. This function is simpler and more convenient than focusing in the camera.

        In the same way, once you click the lens position of the picture, the focus of shooting will be automatically determined. If you are careful, when you click the focus of the screen position on the tablet or mobile phone, you will see that the SLR lens parameters will also be adjusted accordingly.

        When a photo is taken, there is a receive button on the lower right corner of the APP. After entering, you can see the photos taken by the SLR. You can choose to save the original image or the standard definition image to the mobile phone, tablet and computer. In the lower left corner, there is even a button to share to the social circle to increase interaction and interest. Just like the official promotion that it can be broadcast on TV, it is the most noteworthy reception function. In fact, even if there is no millet box and other functions, as long as it is a smart TV and this APP is downloaded, it can also receive real-time images. It can be said that this remote degree can achieve the effect that people shoot outside and their families receive on TV, as if they are around.

        In fact, the current SLR cameras also gradually have the wifi function, but after all, there are still a few. With it, the ordinary SLR can not only have WiFi function, but also be regarded as a front camera of high definition and high image quality for mobile phones; More importantly, it allows us to achieve angles and positions that we cannot try, such as the following figure.

        The angle that we never thought about and dare not think about can be realized with it now.

        In the process of shooting, you can adjust the shooting parameters in the APP, such as image quality format and quality, white balance effect, etc. Compared with the operation of SLR, APP is more like a self portrait beauty phone camera with SLR image quality.

[Summary and Suggestions]

        The appearance of CamFi is simple, stable and has a sense of quality; In terms of function, it not only solves the wifi function that ordinary SLR does not have, but also can realize the function of SLR self taking through mobile phones, tablets and even computers. Just like the previous conversation between me and my friends, from today on, as a photographer who regards SLR as the whole world, he can also integrate into the beautiful rivers and mountains of the motherland, Take a beautiful picture for yourself; In my opinion, its biggest function is to give up the data line, card reader and even traffic, and directly read the characters and scenery shot by the SLR and share them with the social network.

        Similarly, I hope to make further progress in the optimization of the APP and the response to the shooting time will become faster. I also hope this innovative CamFi will do better and better.

        Perhaps, from today on, it will no longer be difficult to fall in love with an SLR and a self portrait; Take the SLR and go to an angle that we have never tried before, maybe there will be another world.