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Is There A Cheaper Alternative To The CamRanger?

In: 
Published: 20/06/2016

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Camranger wireless controllers are connected to the camera using a cable, allowing you to control the camera from a distance without touching it, reducing camera shakes, and improving video stability and photo sharpness. However, they tend to be pricey, and you might need a cheaper alternative to the Camranger.  

Is There a Cheaper Alternative to the CamRanger?

The most popular cheaper alternatives to the Camranger are the Case Air and CamFi. Generally, Case Air and CamFi remote control cost around $140, which is around half the price of a Camranger, which costs around $300 to $350. YongNuo is a little cheaper than the Case Air and goes for around $40 to $100. The DSLR remote controllers software goes up to $9 for the download charges. 

A remote controller is a device that generates a WiFi network that tethers devices such as tablets, phone devices, and computers to wirelessly control a camera. The following devices can control the camera or transfer and save photos instantly from the camera to your device.

Case Air Remote Control

Case Air Wireless Tethering System is a compact device with remote monitoring capabilities of wirelessly controlling your camera from a mobile device, tablet, or computer. The mobile control mode gives you an instant transfer option of images from your camera to your device. 

The Case Air is connected to the camera via a USB cable and then mounted using the camera's hot shoe. Typically, a hot shoe is an electronic connector on top of the camera that allows you to connect compatible devices such as microphones, wireless triggers, and flashes.

Tether your device using the Case Remote app for IOS and Android through an 802.11 b/g/n ad-hoc WiFi network produced by Case Air. This gives you an approximately 150 feet wireless range. Some of the features that make Case Air suitable for on-location applications include

  • The ability to live-view your recording allows you to monitor the scene and capture well-composed photos and videos.
  • Compared to CamRanger, Case Air is relatively cheap and smaller than most wireless flash triggers
  • It supports video recording with the ability to remotely monitor the footage and composition, as well as control the recording settings.
  • For critical focusing in a complicated scene, the Case Air live view feature allows you to pinch-to-zoom using two fingers to zoom in and out on your mobile device.

CamFi Wireless Camera Control

CamFi wireless camera controller is a trigger device that enables you to wirelessly control your device and trigger live view. This feature allows you to create focus stacking, time-lapse videos, and HDR images. You simply need to use a mini USB cable to connect the CamFi device to your camera.

You can then hang the CamFi to your flexible tripod using the lanyard in the accessories or mount it using the hot shoe screw on the camera. 

Download and install the CamFi app on your mobile phone or tablet and use it to connect remotely with your CamFi hardware. Some of the CamFi connectivity and compatibility features that make it a great option include:

  • The software allows you to transfer the camera photos to your device in real time. 
  • The ability to adjust the settings without touching the camera prevents vibrations and micro-frame adjustments, which might affect the video's smoothness and stability.

DSLR Remote Controller 

DSLR stands for the digital single-lens reflex camera, which is a camera that operates with a fixed digital sensor. Usually, these cameras use single-lens for focusing, framing a shot, and taking photography

The DSLR remote controller allows you to remotely control your DSLR camera from your tablet or mobile phone using a tethered USB OTG cable. 

Download and install the DSLR controller on your device and connect it with a tethered USB OTG cable. Some of the versatility and flexibility reasons you might consider a DSLR controller include:

  • Like the Case Air controller, this controller allows live monitoring of the scene and live viewing of images. 
  • You can use this remote controller to transfer and save the images from the camera SD card reader to your phone's storage.
  • The DSLR remote controller application is much cheaper compared to other remote controllers. However, the software is only compatible with DSLR cameras, and you might not be able to use it with other camera models.

YongNuo Wireless Controller

The YongNuo wireless controller works by mounting one receiver into the camera and then connecting it to the camera using a 2.5mm shutter cable. You can then remotely control the camera with the other receiver. 

Mount the device on your camera's hot shoe to evenly distribute the weight attached to the camera and make the setup more stable. Unlike the Camranger, Case Air, and CamFi, the YongNuo wireless shutter cannot save images in real-time.

Related Questions

Is There a Difference Between a CamRanger and Case Air?

Case Air is more lightweight and has a large battery that can last up to 9 hours on a single charge compared to CamRanger, which operates for around 6 hours on a full charge. However, Camrangers are reasonably fast, with a speed of 5HZ networking and an incredibly good range of up to 250 feet.

Can Remote Controllers Drain the Battery?

Yes, a remote controller can drain your camera battery. Typically, most remote controllers generate radio waves or infrared, and the camera needs the power to receive and decode the instructions. As a result, most wireless controllers shorten the camera's battery life when frequently used because the system requires more power. 

What Is the Average Remote Control Range for a YongNuo Controller?

YongNuo controllers have a variety of controllers in the market with different performance capabilities. For example, The YongNuo WRS II C3 can control the camera shutter up to 300 feet in an open space area.  

Final Thoughts

Despite having different capabilities in performance and use, there are cheaper alternative remote control devices to the Camranger you can use to remotely control your camera. In most cases, YongNuo controllers are the cheapest, and although Case Air controllers are a little pricey, they are still cheaper than CamRangers.

Larry Lohrman

15 comments on “Is There A Cheaper Alternative To The CamRanger?”

  1. The problem I see immediately with the "Pulse" from Alpine laboratories is that it takes over your hotshoe on your camera. I use a Yongnuo YN560TX flash controller in my hot shoe on my camera which also gives me a remote shutter release. Using the Pulse would not allow me to do this. If Alpine labs added a pass through hotshoe to the top of the Pulse that would be great or if they added the ability to trigger and control my off camera flash to the software, even better. While I don't own a CamRanger it still allows me to control my flash units and use my 560TX controller. Maybe there is a way do this with the Pulse but I couldn't find it on their website.

  2. Hey Larry... I didnt know you can remote control the shutter as well with the yn560tx. Do you have a link to a video to show me how to do that?

  3. Love my camranger! Only problem I ran into lately was not being able to use my iPad on really hot days. After a few shots in locks up due to heat????

  4. Hi Brandi,
    Yes, you can. Connect it to the camera with the cord (in my case it's the 10 pin Nikon connection). Then I use a Yongnuo RF-603N II as the trigger. The 10 pin cord I mentioned comes with the RF-603N II. You will need to get the RF-603 that is compatible with your camera (they come in pairs). I know it works on my Nikon but can't say for sure on Canons or any other Nikons but I'd guess it will work as well with those.

  5. I’ve been using an easy to work with product found on eBay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wifi-Wireless-Liveview-Remote-Nikon-D810-D610-D800-D7000-D7100-D4-Df-iphone-ipad-/360389678734?hash=item53e8e6168e:g:5uQAAOSwL7VWlf4I

    They delivered it pretty quick, considering it comes from Australia. Turning it right side up was no big deal :-).

    Software - http://dslrdashboard.info/

    While it works great, I do have two very minor complaints. I don’t use it very often and because it uses a rechargeable battery, sometimes it’s not ready when I need it. Second, it may not tie up the hot shoe, but attaching it to the tri-pod with Velcro isn’t exactly the sophisticated solution you’d like. A shoe mount with a pass-through would be a better solution.

    It has a lot of features and ‘usability’ with complete control of your camera. If you shoot JPG’s, it’ll upload the pics to your smartphone immediately for instant delivery to your client. Yes, I would recommend it.

  6. I recently picked up this CamFi - at $130 it was exactly what I needed. Wireless remote triggering with live view on my iPhone, and I can browse and send a few "instant" photos to my clients on-site for their pre-marketing needs. (Often my agents are already getting inquiries about the property while I'm shooting.)

    It comes with a cold shoe mount so that you can put it in your hot shoe, but if your hot shoe is being used you can let it hang or apply a velcro strip or band to attach it elsewhere. It does not NEED to be in a shoe...

    Here's where it is on Amazon - http://amzn.to/28JtK0B (affiliate link) First heard about it on Phlearn in Aaron Nace's giveaway.

  7. Nikon do a little dongle WU-1a which plugs into the side of the camera and generates its own wifi which can be used with dslrdashboard.
    Really cheap too at £30 ($60)

  8. $300 is a good price point. Any cheaper and the product is going to be poor and/or there will be no customer support. I hear that the CamRanger has great support.

    Brandi, my Yongnuo YN560TX came with a cable to connect to my Canon 3 pin shutter release and I use a RF-603 as a remote. If I get a Camranger, it will trigger the shutter and I will use the RF-603 in the hot shoe and carry the TX with me velcro'ed to the back of the tablet to make adjustments (ala Rich Baum).

  9. I created a comparable version using an app called DSLR Controller and a TP-Link MR3040. I think that it's the same router the Cam Ranger uses. Super cheap.

  10. As a few others already mentioned... qDSLR Dashboard is a great alternative. It's exactly the same hardware as camranger (TP-Link MR3040). The router costs about $30 on Amazon. Then you simply have to upgrade the firmware. (easy instructions are on the website) DSLR Dashboard is open source so there's always smarter people than I creating new stuff for this thing. It's also free... but they request donations. The smartphone app is $10! Total cost for DSLR Dashboard $40 plus your donation to qDSLR.

    I have had both a CamRanger and the qDSLR setup. I will say that the CamRanger interface is more robust, but not so much that it's worth the $300 price tag. For 1/8 of the price... I stayed with the qDSLR Dashboard.

    Check it out... http://dslrdashboard.info/introduction/

  11. These guys put out the Case Remote a couple of years ago. They are just about to start a new Indiegogo campaign in July for a new product called the Case Air. Their website is http://www.caseremote.com. Their current products are around $125-$150. I haven't had a chance to use their product yet, but there are reviews on their website and youtube.

  12. I saw Mike Kelly using one of these and thought at the time, now that is a very good idea and very useful. I wanted to place an order immediately for same but alas, the said product is only available for Canon and Nikon.
    I am a freelance press photographer and creative photographer. For my journalistic work, I needed a camera that wasn't so cumbersome like the said DSLR's and is far easier to handle in tight situations. In 2015 and changed my gear completely to Sony. I started with an a6000 then added an A7. I shall be placing an order soon for the A7RIII and if business goes really well I will order in addition an A9.

    Don't these companies who produce accessories for cameras realise many pro's are changing to Sony. OK, I understand they want to serve a larger market first but Sony is up and coming, I am convinced they will be a market leader within a few years overtaking the other two manufacturers by leaps and bounds.
    It was exactly the same situation with Profoto when they introduced their A1. I saw this and thought great and set about to order 2 of these units. Again, the same old Story, only for Canon and Nikon. Well, I don't need them anymore as I have found an excellent alternative - so Profoto, you have lost the sale of 2, yes two A1 units.

    I am not digging a Canon or Nikon or Profoto! They manufacture excellent products. Even their older products are very good.
    When my son went on holiday I lent him my a6000. In return he gave me his old Canon 30D as I needed to have two cameras for my press work. One to use and the second as a backup. No, Sony are not unreliable but it is very prudent to have a backup just in case, regardless of manufacturer.

    I actually shot many images of press conferences with the Canon as well as my other Sony.
    The results of the Canon, for an old camera were very useable. Albeit, when the lighting was low the Canon just couldn't cope and produced unusable images due to noise.

    So back to CamRanger. Similar to Profoto, I shall be researching the market for an alternative. No, I am not looking for something cheaper, in fact $300 for the CamRanger is a fair price, a price I would be prepared to pay. I just want a product that is reliable and can carry out the task it was built for. Price is irrelevant but of course the price/performance ratio must apply.

    Enough of my rant, I'm sure I've bugged some people now.

    Toole-oo

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