mobeyone Posted September 16, 2012 Share #1 Posted September 16, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just a thought and on the back of the LCD failing, what if an app was to be created using the software available to control the ISO etc via your desktop in the event of your screen failing? Plug a cable into the phone, open the app, set paramaters and disconnect? Pretty sure this is feasible and I would be willing to pay. Mods feel free to move etc, just thought it may be an idea to post here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 Hi mobeyone, Take a look here M8 iPhone app?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mobeyone Posted September 16, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted September 16, 2012 50 views and not one reply? You wonder why people don't bother with this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted September 16, 2012 Share #3 Posted September 16, 2012 i think it's a great idea. wouldn't be too hard for someone with rudimentary knowledge of app-building to actually make one......doesn't need to be too fancy, just minimalist and functional. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 16, 2012 Share #4 Posted September 16, 2012 Apart from it being impossible. There's no interface in the M8 to allow this, it was never designed to be set remotely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobeyone Posted September 16, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted September 16, 2012 Apart from it being impossible. There's no interface in the M8 to allow this, it was never designed to be set remotely. I don't think it is though, the software available is already mac/windows compliant and is just a case of turning it into an application on an iphone/smartphone to mimic the function of a desktop. The cable can easily be manufactured so personally I think *if it is feasible, it is a superb solution which allows you to change settings on demand simply by plugging the camera directly into your phone. But clearly not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted September 16, 2012 Share #6 Posted September 16, 2012 Apart from it being impossible. There's no interface in the M8 to allow this' date=' it was never designed to be set remotely.[/quote'] IIRC a few parameters could be set using the tethered Digital Capture software tthat came with the camera. But not enough of them to keep the M8 from being a doorstop if the LCD becomes unreadable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted September 16, 2012 Share #7 Posted September 16, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Apart from it being impossible. There's no interface in the M8 to allow this, it was never designed to be set remotely. never use "impossible" with technology....lots of things are possible, if people are willing to think outside the box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted September 16, 2012 Share #8 Posted September 16, 2012 The M8 was designed to be set remotely actually. We just need a PC or a Mac, an USB cable and Leica Digital Capture. Could an iPhone replace a PC i don't know. Interesting idea though. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/187996-m8-iphone-app/?do=findComment&comment=2114684'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 16, 2012 Share #9 Posted September 16, 2012 Correct me if I'm wrong but the Leica software only includes certain functions, not full control of the camera. Can an iPhone communicate fully with the camera via the interfaces? I don't know. So, who can tell us if this is at all possible, and who's actually going to do it? Hunting down some compatible LCDs for the M8 would probably be a more feasible solution. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted September 16, 2012 Share #10 Posted September 16, 2012 Leica Digital Capture does not offer full control for sure. And it does not work with later than 10.4 Mac OSX version either. Leica did not think of updating LDC the same way as they forgot to provide LCD spare parts apparently. Now i'd prefer bringing an iPhone instead of a laptop along with the M8 in case of dead LCD. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandymc Posted September 17, 2012 Share #11 Posted September 17, 2012 Not currently possible, I'm afraid. Apple do not allow the iPad/iPhone's USB connector to be directly used by apps for any purpose - basically, the USB interface is only usable by iOS. The only camera control apps on the app store operate via a PC or Mac as server - the iPad/iPhone controls the PC/Mac, and the PC/Mac connects to the camera. Sandy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 17, 2012 Share #12 Posted September 17, 2012 If you had the correct cable made and if you found someone who was familiar with both the M8 firmware and iPhone App development I can see no reason why this might not be feasible. But, you might need to update the firmware first to allow an external program access to all of the menu functions. This must be doable, but I would think that it would need Leica to allow it to happen. Would make a great little project for a student. [Edit: someone who really knows his stuff was posting at the same time as me Add another "if"...] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobeyone Posted September 17, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted September 17, 2012 Not currently possible, I'm afraid. Apple do not allow the iPad/iPhone's USB connector to be directly used by apps for any purpose - basically, the USB interface is only usable by iOS. The only camera control apps on the app store operate via a PC or Mac as server - the iPad/iPhone controls the PC/Mac, and the PC/Mac connects to the camera. Sandy Then this would be something Leica would need to do if it was possible but would they either be interested or want to? as LDC already has limited control over the camera for certain functions, this alone would allow the camera to have a life long after the LCD goes pop. Cost I would imagine to be small to develop? If Leica show no interest, would a hacked iPhone and a programmer with an M8 be able to do this? Apologies, just re read my first post and to clarify it was to use the LDC programme as an iPhone app. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 17, 2012 Share #14 Posted September 17, 2012 You might be able to do it from an Android phone. If they are as "open" as their proponents would claim, they should no restriction on what you do with the USB port. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandymc Posted September 17, 2012 Share #15 Posted September 17, 2012 Then this would be something Leica would need to do if it was possible but would they either be interested or want to? as LDC already has limited control over the camera for certain functions, this alone would allow the camera to have a life long after the LCD goes pop. Cost I would imagine to be small to develop? If Leica show no interest, would a hacked iPhone and a programmer with an M8 be able to do this? Apologies, just re read my first post and to clarify it was to use the LDC programme as an iPhone app. Leica would need to persuade Apple to make the M8 an approved USB device for this to be done officially. You could do this with a hacked (aka jailbroken) iPhone, or an Android phone. An Android phone would be you best bet, imho. Then at least you could sell the product via legitimate channels. Sandy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted September 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted September 17, 2012 Let's start with the basics, even before dealing with Smartphone apps. Since there is already software that allows some of the M8's parameters to be set while tethered, how big a deal would be it be to write software allowing setting all the M8's menu functions? If so, that might be something Leica should do as an option to their "generous" upgrade solution. Seems to me a lot of people would be ok without image review, as long as they could still set the functions, load firmware, format cards, etc. These days a PC net-book the size of an iPad can be had for <$300 if someone wants capability in the field. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted September 17, 2012 Share #17 Posted September 17, 2012 Let's start with the basics, even before dealing with Smartphone apps. Since there is already software that allows some of the M8's parameters to be set while tethered, how big a deal would be it be to write software allowing setting all the M8's menu functions? If so, that might be something Leica should do as an option to their "generous" upgrade solution. Seems to me a lot of people would be ok without image review, as long as they could still set the functions, load firmware, format cards, etc. These days a PC net-book the size of an iPad can be had for <$300 if someone wants capability in the field. That is going to be a very awkward way to use what is designed as a reasonably small camera that you can easily carry with you... ready to shoot. It is too bad that the M8 does not have a simple video out port or HDMI. Maybe that can be added somehow using the connector that goes to the LCD screen. At least anyone who is good with electronics would understand what information is coming over that signal. As for tethering to Android, that has been possible for a long time with other cameras yet only one company has bothered to make a method... "DSLR Controller" for Canon and Android. (Not all Android devices will work, only the ones that will support using the cable as a USB Host Device.) So maybe it is harder than some think and would be less attractive to a developer for a camera in a small market segment. The trend is for Wifi connect-ability between the camera and Android and iOS devices. These even support wireless live view. Sony offers that on some of the Nex models and Canon has it on the new 6D. I don't know if other cameras can do this. It is too bad that one can't use a wifi card in the M8 this way. Sony now has "PlayMemory Camera Apps." These are downloadable extensions to the camera firmware that work with some of their newest cameras. I think they are a great idea and add a lot of functionality. The end of this video shows the phone wireless controller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jarski Posted September 17, 2012 Share #18 Posted September 17, 2012 Leica does not want todo any M8 firmware changes. as it has been seen e.g. with wishes to have M9-like configurable lens profiles. so what ever devices could communicate with M8 would have todo it to current firmware. the interface to camera is proprietary, so even if iPhone/Android side would be ok, I doubt Leica would open their M8 API and libraries for outside developers. its work for them without any benefit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted September 17, 2012 Share #19 Posted September 17, 2012 Leica does not want todo any M8 firmware changes. as it has been seen e.g. with wishes to have M9-like configurable lens profiles. Leica said that the change was too large to fit into the M8's memory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted September 17, 2012 Share #20 Posted September 17, 2012 off the wall question....but does our hotshoe carry significant electronics? enough to develop some sort of device which attaches to it? i've noticed on the new Leica M, that the EVF which attaches to the hotshoe can actually review photos as well after taking them...pretty interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.