Android vs iOS for DSLR users

E

eco_bach

Well-known member
Hi
Already have an iTouch and an ipad. Am reluctant to get yet another device, but read about DSLR Controller app for Android. Now am considering getting a Samsung Galaxy just so I can use this app. Am I crazy?

It doesn't seem as though there will ever be the ability to use your iPad as an external monitor...

Anyone else care to weigh in here?
 
I wouldn't get one just to use that app, as the app is still very much beta, being developed by one person and doesn't even have support yet for remote video start/stop.

However, in general, I've found Android devices to be far more useful tools than iOS ones. Apple's devices are excellent for entertainment, but whenever I've wanted to actually get any work done in the field, I found certain features offered by Android to be far more useful (flash support, being able to use the file explorer to manipulate and back up files, plugging in USB storage devices, etc). But this is arguably a personal opinion, and can be argued as a separate topic from here until tomorrow.

If you're going to get a tablet to use with that Android DSLR app, just make sure you get the Galaxy 10 and not the older 7". The app requires Honeycomb, which I don't think is available for the older 7" yet.
 
Yeah, the cube has been discussed to death on the forums. Its way too expensive and impractical for use as just a monitor, IMO.
 
I agree it is expensive – but it is possible which the OP didn't seem to know about.

IMO neither ipad or android should be used as a monitor for the camera operator because of a lack of mounting options. Fast way to get a device dropped and scratched. SmallHD or Marshal are good options in the price range for dslr shooters. Where the teradeck comes in handy is streaming to a clients iPad. eco_back said something about wanting an android app to control the dslr. Is that for a jib? Could be useful.
 
That app doesnt support video yet sadly. However you may want to look at this app
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...ource-video-production-toolkit-in-Development
I find it useful at times but now ive moved over to iOS

Between the two i find that neither of them are dramatically better than the other. I have been able to find apps that do what i need on either device (slate, light meter, prompter, 44k tone) get whatever you are comfortable with using in your day to day life otherwise you will just resent it.
 
The pads are pretty killer no-brainers already... show your portfolio, music video playback w/ bluetooth, the slate and prompter apps.

I got one for the above, but I can never pry it away from my wife. And with a bluetooth dongle on your stereo, it's a dynamite way to get all the web radio stations. SOMA FM alone has been a musical gamechanger for me, constantly running to the screen saying "who was THAT??"
 
J Davis said:
IMO neither ipad or android should be used as a monitor for the camera operator because of a lack of mounting options. Fast way to get a device dropped and scratched. SmallHD or Marshal are good options in the price range for dslr shooters.
Click to expand...

First of all, there are mounting options for tablets of various sizes, and that's assuming you want it mounted. I often use my external monitor hand held (camera in front seat of car, I sit in back watching the monitor in my lap, etc), so mounting isn't critical.
But as far as price/features/etc, I agree that I wouldn't buy a tablet just to do this, however the fact the tablet can do other things (casual web browsing, video/music, games, etc) means I can justify the price. But obviously once it requires a $2k adapter like the cube to work, that argument goes out the window.

Meanwhile, there are two potential advantages to having a tablet instead of a monitor: a) You might already have one, or can justify the cost for other uses as well b) potentially remote control the camera as well, as in the case of the Android app mentioned.
Yes, the ability to remotely control video isn't there yet, but mostly because the dev didn't know it was an option (I had a little chat with him over at XDA-developers, and he's working on it for future releases).

Also, while iPads are expensive to drop/scratch/lose, Android tablets (and phones, this will work on galaxy s 2 phones as well) are easier and cheaper to replace. My tablet costs about $250 these days, and while I haven't tried it with the app yet (not one of the ones "certified" to work), the idea has me rather excited versus dropping $399 or more on a dedicated monitor.


eco_back said something about wanting an android app to control the dslr. Is that for a jib? Could be useful.
Click to expand...

The Android app we are discussing already controls the DSLR for photography, etc- it basically mirrors what you can do with the EOS utility desktop program. Video stop/start coming soon.

Another advantage of the Android tablets over iPads is the choices of form factor and size- I think a 7" might be more practical to use for this than a 10". Other than that, to answer the op's question, there isn't anything iOS specific for DSLR use that an Android tab can't do, but there is at least one vice versa. Does that make it "better"? That's your decision. Some people just really prefer the Apple ecosystem.
 
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