FAQ - DSLR Remote Pro
 

1. How far can I setup my camera from the PC?

2. Is it possible to use manual focus when the camera is connected to the PC?

3. Is there a way to display live viewfinder images on the PC?

4. I would love to use this software on my Mac. Do you have any plans to bring out a Mac version?

5. Does your software give me greater control for time-lapse photography than the software bundled with the camera?

6. Can I use this software to control more than one camera from a PC?

7. Is it possible to use bulb mode for exposures longer than 30 seconds?

8. Can I use the controls on the camera when it is connected to a PC?

9. Why are raw files from the Canon EOS-1D and EOS-1DS displayed so small?

Troubleshooting camera connections problems

Please check the following if you are having problems connecting to your camera:

1. The Canon USB or Firewire drivers are installed on your computer. The latest versions can be downloaded from www.powershot.com

2. The latest firmware is installed for your camera (this can be downloaded from www.powershot.com)

3. If possible connect the camera directly to a port on your computer using the cables supplied with the camera. Connecting via a hub or using a longer cable may result in an unreliable connection.

4. Some cameras have a communications setting in the camera menus and this should be set to "Normal" or "PC Connection" not "PTP" or "PTP/Printer"

5. Please ensure a memory card is in your camera if it is set to shoot only if a card is present (custom function 2 on most cameras) otherwise it will not connect

6. Only use the Firewire connection with Canon EOS-1D and Canon EOS-1Ds cameras as the USB connection is only intended for direct connection to compatible printers

7. Please use the beta version of DSLR Remote Pro (below) when connecting to a Canon EOS 20D, 350D/Rebel XT, 1D Mark II or 1Ds Mark II. DSLR Remote Pro v1.0 does not support these cameras.

1. How far can I setup my camera from the PC?
   The maximum length of a USB cable is 5m. USB repeaters can be used to extend the cable length to approx 20m and more expensive, fiber optic extenders are available for longer lengths. The Canon EOS-1D and 1Ds use FireWire and the maximum cable length is 4.5m. FireWire repeaters are also available to extend the cable length to around 20m. Suppliers of USB and Firewire repeaters can be found by searching on Google with search phrases like "USB repeater" or "USB extender". You can also use a USB server which connects to an ethernet LAN e.g. the USB server from Keyspan.
    

2. Is it possible to use manual focus when the camera is connected to the PC?
   Yes, manual focus can be used by switching the camera lens to manual focus but can't be controlled from the PC.
    

3. Is there a way to display live viewfinder images on the PC?
   The imaging sensor on Canon digital SLRs is blocked by the mirror and shutter curtains when not taking pictures. A live viewfinder display is available with Canon PowerShot cameras using our PSRemote software.
    

4. I would love to use this software on my Mac. Do you have any plans to bring out a Mac version?
   We are planning to do some feasibility tests on the Mac soon.
    

5. Does your software give me greater control for time-lapse photography than the software bundled with the camera?
   Yes, the time-lapse feature allows the interval between shots and the duration of the time-lapse sequence to be set to any value you wish. Please ensure the PC does not hibernate or shutdown during the sequence and the camera is powered using an external power supply during long time-lapse sequences.
    

6. Can I use this software to control more than one camera from a PC?
   Due to software limitations in the Windows camera drivers it is only possible to control one camera at a time.
    

7. Is it possible to use bulb mode for exposures longer than 30 seconds?
   Yes, by releasing the shutter from the camera. If the shutter is released from the PC the maximum exposure time is 30 seconds.
    

8. Can I use the controls on the camera when it is connected to a PC?
   Yes, you can use the camera's controls when it is connected to a PC.
    

9. Why are raw files from the Canon EOS-1D and EOS-1DS displayed so small?
   Raw files from the original Canon EOS-1D and 1Ds models (not the Mark II models) only contain a small thumbnail image and the raw data. It would be too slow for DSLR Remote Pro to convert the raw file to display each image and so it displays the small thumbnail instead. It is recommended that you set the camera to Raw+JPEG mode so that DSLR Remote Pro can use the JPEG to display a larger image.