Odd problem caused by WU-1a adapter

mystic7

Senior Member
My D3300 came with the WU-1a adapter (thank you very much, Costco). Anyway, up until now I've had no reason to use it. Today I found an Android app called dslrDashboard which basically turns your tablet or phone into a remote monitor and you can also control everything from WB to Focus and ISO among other controls. So, I pulled out the WU-1a and connected it. The app connects to the camera, BUT, when the WU-1a is connected the live view goes black and I get an error message saying, in so many words, that the scene is too dark to turn on live view. Even if I put the camera in Auto mode, it stays black. Again, it's not that live view is not turning on, it's supposedly because the scene is too dark (and no, I did not forget to take off the cap, duh!) As soon as I remove the wifi adapter live view comes on.

Has anyone else had this problem? Solutions? This app will be great if I can get this problem licked.
 

mystic7

Senior Member
Right, it's not showing up on the app either. There's no error message, it's just black. All the controls work, I can change ISO, etc, but the actual live view image is black like on the camera.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
The last time I used mine, it kept loosing the signal and I decide it was interference from another wifi signal. You might try a few different locations just in case there is something affecting the signal quality.

There is also a Nikon app. It is simple compared to the app you have, but you could download it and see if it works.
 

mystic7

Senior Member
Yeah, I have that app on my phone, I think. I'm in my house which has wifi. But even with the tablet off, as soon as I plug the adapter into the camera, Live View turns off. I guess I'll try it tomorrow towards the back of my property. I'm pretty sure my wifi doesn't reach there, although the neighbors might.

If anybody else has any ideas, by all means.
 

mystic7

Senior Member
Thanks, Paul, but again, it's the camera whose live view will not turn on because "scene is too dark" when I plug in the adapter. Do you know for certain if that is supposed to happen, as Eyelight suggested but wasn't sure of? I just downloaded version 17 and I'll give it a shot tomorrow morning, but I don't think that'll do the trick. Thanks again.
 

John P

Senior Member
Turn off any other WIFI source in your phone, and also disable bluetooth.
Mine works great with my iphone, and my android tablet.
Bluetooth turned on seems to plag hell wkth it.
 

mystic7

Senior Member
ok, I downloaded the latest qdslrdashboard. It loads straight to the settings section with no way to leave and go to the main part of the app. So, useless. I reloaded dslrdashboard. Same problem. Nikons Mobile Utility app works fine, although, as you know, you can't shoot video. Oh well, it was a novelty at best. Not going to ruin my enjoyment of the camera. Thanks for all your help, guys.

P.S. Eyelight, I just noticed you live in upstate NY. You have no idea how jealous I am!!! I lived there in the late 60's, greatest time of my life, and I'm dying to get back up there while I'm still young enough to enjoy life. Stuck here in N.C. I don't have good enough credit to get another mortgage so hesitant to sell this house. Anyway, appreciate it, bro!
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
ok, I downloaded the latest qdslrdashboard. It loads straight to the settings section with no way to leave and go to the main part of the app. So, useless. I reloaded dslrdashboard. Same problem. Nikons Mobile Utility app works fine, although, as you know, you can't shoot video. Oh well, it was a novelty at best. Not going to ruin my enjoyment of the camera. Thanks for all your help, guys.

P.S. Eyelight, I just noticed you live in upstate NY. You have no idea how jealous I am!!! I lived there in the late 60's, greatest time of my life, and I'm dying to get back up there while I'm still young enough to enjoy life. Stuck here in N.C. I don't have good enough credit to get another mortgage so hesitant to sell this house. Anyway, appreciate it, bro!

Glancing at the dslrdashboard website, it appears they have to add stuff for new camera models as they come out. They do not mention the D3300, so it may not be supported yet. Also noticed the current version supports only Android 4.0 plus.

Upstate is a fine place to be, but just visiting long enough I figured I'd show it in my location.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
Glancing at the dslrdashboard website, it appears they have to add stuff for new camera models as they come out. They do not mention the D3300, so it may not be supported yet. Also noticed the current version supports only Android 4.0 plus.

Upstate is a fine place to be, but just visiting long enough I figured I'd show it in my location.

Update: qdslrdashboard does mention the D3300 and also mentions a fix for it not working with a D3300.
 

PaulPosition

Senior Member
ok, I downloaded the latest qdslrdashboard. It loads straight to the settings section with no way to leave and go to the main part of the app. So, useless. I reloaded dslrdashboard. ...

When you load it after the initial setup it just brings you to that screen and as long as your camera's turned on, you press the "wifi" (wave'y) icon and it brings you into the interface. Live view is off until you turn it on with the (in app) live view button (it keeps it off unless requested, because of the Nikon time-out).

There are complete instructions on the website for the many, many options (intervalometer, bulb ramping, custom exposure bracketing, focus stacking, setting things up, ...). The version that's on the app store ain't getting updated and will be replaced with the one that's in beta when (who would have thought?!) it's not in beta anymore.

Can't imagine doing any sort of serious HDR, casually waiting for "the moment" or shooting my own ugly mug (not for Facebook, just as exercise-for-a-solo-guy) with my d5200 if it wasn't for that novelty gadget ;)
 
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mystic7

Senior Member
ok I'll try it again but I would swear I didn't see any wifi icons or any other icons, just text with checkboxes next to it (Keep live view active Check, etc...)

I really want it to work so I can use the tablet as a monitor. My eyesight has gotten so bad that it really takes the enjoyment out of shooting when I constantly have to squint or take my glasses off. Anyway thanks for the info, Paul. I'll report back later.
 

mystic7

Senior Member
ok, I got it working, thanks Paul. Only thing is AF doesn't really do anything. It appears to, but it doesn't really focus on anything. At least I know I have it to use under difficult shooting situations, but I think I'll stick to the camera's LCD.
 

PaulPosition

Senior Member
Seems to work alright for me when I hit the live view where I'd like to focus then hit the AF button, but there might very well be bugs left to chase... Just another tool in a toolbox anyway :)
 
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