WU-1A (or B) ?????

RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Happy New Year everyone....

There have been a couple different threads in different locations relative to
1. WU-1A Is it worth it...
2. Discussions on Wireless
3. Comments on Eye Fi

I had indicated I would provide an initial update on the WU-1A etc once I had a chance to play

The 1A is a Wireless adaptor for the following: (it is the one I have)
Df, D7100, D5200, D3200, D5300

The 1B is for the following: (My understanding, they are the same except the connector)
D600, D610 and tne Nikon 1 models.

Does it work, absolutely YES... Nikon has a hit with the Unit but a failure with the software...

The software works, how effective depends on what you want to do... I will list my goals so you can appreciate why my comments are what they are... your needs may be different.

My primary goal was:
1. Be able to monitor a shot on location or in the studio (wireless) rather than rely on the LCD screen...

I originally had (still have) an EyeFi card.... I will talk more about that related to this later....
I have the 8GB Pro which will handle NEF which I wanted.... These can be expensive and limited files if shooting 24mp NEF files..

Ok, back to the WU-1A... Price $60 retail (less than my EyeFi) and there is no limit to how many photos like the EyeFi

It will show the images on the tablet screen the same as the EyeFi does... (sort of)
It has the added feature that you can trigger your camera remotely and see your image via Live View! I really liked this. On several occasions I have set the camera up over a bird feed station and been working at my computer 3 rooms away and taken pictures of multi species of birds and some squirrels.

At this point I was quite pleased... There are many complaints regarding the software, mostly revolving around the fact that you cannot make adjustments to your setting form the remote mode. During my tests, that was not a major concern...

Now, some questions were raised regarding sharing images in near real time etc...

I will address those next relative to both options!

Pat in NH
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
I don't use my 1b often, but when I do it's a lifesaver.

As you stated, Nikon is way off the mark with their WMU wimpyware app. Wake up, Nikon; It's 2014 now, not 1987! Ever hear of DSLR Dashboard? I mean, c'mon! Check it out! You can change everything with it 'cept for the zoom and moving the camera. Hello!?!?! Beuller? Beuller?................. Beuller?!?!

Hello, Nikon?!?!?
crickets.gif


(Unless Nikon originally intended the WMU app to be the 'Df of apps': A totally retro app that mimics the 'way we used to shoot back in the day') :p
 
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piperbarb

Senior Member
Pat,

I have been waffling between the WU-1 and getting an eye-fi card. I'll wait for your final analysis before making a decision. The crazy thing is, that I will probably get both. I know the WU-1 does not work with my D3000 but it does work with the D7000. Not sure about the eye-fi and the D3000. In principle, it should, though.

Thanks for the information so far.
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
Q: How does an Eye-fi card compare to the WU-1x? They are totally different animals, AFAIK.

The WU-1x allows you to control the camera remotely. At least Nikons WMU app lets you control the shutter button, making it a glorified MC-DC or ML-L remote release. An EyeFi merely downloads your images via wireless technology so you can view them remotely.... not allowing any camera control whatsoever.

Or am I missing something about EyeFi?
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
piperbarb said:
Pat,

I have been waffling between the WU-1 and getting an eye-fi card. I'll wait for your final analysis before making a decision. The crazy thing is, that I will probably get both. I know the WU-1 does not work with my D3000 but it does work with the D7000. Not sure about the eye-fi and the D3000. In principle, it should, though.

Thanks for the information so far.
Click to expand...


I will have a comparison of features & capabilities between the 2 later today... FYI, my sources indicate the WU-1A does NOT work on the 7000... Please check, I could be wrong... I will have some compatibilty up on the EyeFi also...

Pat in NH
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
480sparky said:
Q: How does an Eye-fi card compare to the WU-1x? They are totally different animals, AFAIK.

The WU-1x allows you to control the camera remotely. At least Nikons WMU app lets you control the shutter button, making it a glorified MC-DC or ML-L remote release. An EyeFi merely downloads your images via wireless technology so you can view them remotely.... not allowing any camera control whatsoever.

Or am I missing something about EyeFi?
Click to expand...


Sparky, I will be reporting on that comparison later... and you are basically correct!! There are some operating issues with both depending on what you want to do..

Your input and comments will be appreciated as I go forward.


Pat in NH
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
480sparky said:
I don't use my 1b often, but when I do it's a lifesaver.

As you stated, Nikon is way off the mark with their WMU wimpyware app. Wake up, Nikon; It's 2014 now, not 1987! Ever hear of DSLR Dashboard? :p
Click to expand...


Do you use DSLRDashboard with your 1B?? I may have some questions for you later...

Pat in NH
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
480sparky said:
WU-1b with Nikon's WMU app:







Yes. I have the WMU app, and use it on rare occasion. But I typically use the DSLR Dashboard.
Click to expand...


The video is nice, good job.... I am having trouble with my DSLR Dashboard crashing when I try to view the pictures.... also, a question... with DSLR Dash.. can you take a picture from camera, and immediately view (auto dl) on your tablet screen??? I can select and download but not able to get it as an Auto View (want to snap from camera like a portrait... then look at Tablet and see the downloaded image as a proof.... (as EyeFi & WMU does)

Pat in NH
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
I have no experience with tablets. Just the smart phone.

I'd guess when you're connected, you can't do anything on the camera (cept zoom, move tripod, etc).
 
E

Enzo

Senior Member
RockyNH said:
I will have a comparison of features & capabilities between the 2 later today... FYI, my sources indicate the WU-1A does NOT work on the 7000... Please check, I could be wrong... I will have some compatibilty up on the EyeFi also...

Pat in NH
Click to expand...

This correct as I had a D7000 for about a week before trading up to the D7100.
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Ok, time to add some more results and comparisons... I will compare the Eyefi Card & Software to the WU-1A(B) using Nikon's Wireless Mobile Utility ...


Eyefi Cards: These should work in most of the newer models of Nikon.... please confirm your model before a purchase...

Cost (amazon) 8gb jpeg only $40, Pro X2 8gb does RAW at $60. (Pro X2 is what I have...)

Cost (retail) for the WU-1A is $60...

Software/apps are free for both....



One use is to "chimp" your file ... useful if you are in the studio and want to see it on something larger than the LCDscreen. I have also used on a field shoot... again see a large picture for focus and comp before you get home!!!
Eyefi - can send to phone, tablet or PC (has both app, cloud and PC support)
WU1A - can only send to smart device (phone or tablet) Obviously a phone would not be much better than your LCD for previewing...
For whatever reason, the images fom Eyefi were better (maybe my settings in camera,
Eyefi (with Pro X2) can transfer RAW files and will transfer Full Res, where WU1A will transfer at 1620x1200 for my tablet.
Edge - Eyefi

There was talk/questions about being able to share your files live time... Both apps can do that...
Eyefi can transmit NEF to your smarphone... and you can send NEF to a computer to be manipulated (lLR/PS) I could be in the field, transfer a NEF to my phone, send it to jake in NJ to perform PP for me...
You can also transfer jpeg to your device and share with FB etc... or send to Jake for PP.. (sorry Jake) (to do this, you need to take it in jpeg... do not send a NEF to FB) Note that the transfer is what you capture!!! a large fine jpeg will be 6000x4000 (8 megs) and a NEF is 6000x4000 and 26megs.
WU1a- Transfer here is a little awkward.... If you have the image saved directly from the capture... it will only save at recommended (for my tablet 1620x1280 & 1 meg). ... BUT, you can view all camera images seperately and download Full Res including NEF... and you have other choices... so you could take a NEF and download at Full Nef, Recommended (1620x1280) or VGA (640x480)

What does all this mean??? Eyefi does the job and does it straight & easy... It has the edge in direct download and then share of NEF... Disadvantage is once captured, there is no way to change the file size/res.

WU1A is a little more awkward but it it also has added capability over the EyeFi (though somewhat limited...) in that it has more flexibility in file sizes once you review a download and decide what and where you want to transfer...

Both have mutiple share methods, Gmail, custom mail, dropbox, twitter, FB and more.... For a Direct Share for editing professionally, Eyefi is slightly faster.. WU1A has much more flexibility
Edge - WU1A

Compatibility.... Eyefi works on both my D5100 and my D7100, not so with WU1A, it only works on the D7100...
Edge here goes to Eyefi... works on more cameras

Range - Eyefi Pro X2 -90ft outdoors/45ft indoors. WU1A - approximately 33 to 49'
I found the WU1A getting twitchy at 30 feet indoors..
Edge - Eyefi

Ability to remote trigger your camera -
A BIG feature of WU1A, even with their lame software... you can remotely trigger your camera from your smart device. This is huge, it allows you (as seen in Sparky 480's Vid) to trigger in locations where viewer is against a wall, near ground with lens up etc... Sure, you say, you can just guess and shoot, trigger with a wireless etc... True, but you are BLIND!!! Not with this, you can see the target on your smart device via a liveview image that is broadcast to you. I use this to monitor a feeder and when critters arrive, i just snap from the other end of the house...
Eyefi - NOPE, It Cannot!
Edge - Obvious to WU1A

So, what is the final result??? It all comes down to what you want...

1. What will work on your camera? Do you want to use it on more than one camera???
2. Do you just want to have your photos upload to your computer??? EYEFI
3. What do you want to do??? If you want Remote, WU1A
4. What has the potential for more options? WU1A (I will talk about DSLRDashboard next)
5. Capacity - Limited with Eyefi to the size card, more than 8GB gets increasingly expensive.. WU1A can run merrily with a 16 or 32GB card in the camera..

Cost: If you get the Pro X2 so you can transfer RAW... it is about $60 retail...
The WU1A Also retails near that... BUT................
Adorama has Refurbs for sale for $29 - That is cheap ( Refurbished Nikon WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. 27080B )
Price goes to WU1A

Drawbacks to remember...
Eyefi has the best Chimp download and the only direct RAW download
Wu1A is more limited on direct download but presents more options for later review and dl from camera
Range - WU1A is a little more limited but for me not an issue...

I have both... and for my needs, today, the WU1A offers more... I will continue using it while the Eyefi sits in my card holder unless I want to transfer from the D5100.

I hope people have found this useful... in teh next day or so, I will discuss other App options...

Pat in NH
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Final update at this time....

Eyefi is what it is, I do not expect much to change with it....


WU-1A has the WMU App from Nikon... as mentioned a tad lame though it does work....

Here are some screen views of it....

wmu1.jpg wmu2.jpg


wmu3.jpg wmu4.jpg


Now, there is already another APP that really increases the capability.... That is DSLR Dashboard...
You can literally change every setting on your camera (and it works) I was trying to test some of the other features
but it kept crashing on my tablet... ( I suspect it is my older tablet)

here are some shots of it...

ds1.jpg ds2.jpg


ds3.jpg ds4.jpg


ds5.jpg


notice it also does focus stack and time lapse.... This shows the capability of app's
for the wireless adapter...

This potential here is another reason to look at the WU-1A(B).

I hope everyone found the reports useful... Have a great day...

Pat in NH
 
K

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Thanks Pat for doing this, I ordered the B version today for the remote control ability. I already have the Eye-Fi, so this should round out my ability. Been thinking about it for a bit, but your review sealed it for me. Thanks for your time.
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
Krs_2007 said:
Thanks Pat for doing this, I ordered the B version today for the remote control ability. I already have the Eye-Fi, so this should round out my ability. Been thinking about it for a bit, but your review sealed it for me. Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Kevin... Try out the DSLRDashboard... It has a lot of features/promise...

Enjoy!

Pat in NH
 
K

Krs_2007

Senior Member
I am, I wasn't aware it worked with the nikon adapter. I read some reviews a while back on that software and it sounded pretty good, just never followed through with it till your review.
 
K

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Ok, now after looking up DSLRDashboard I remembered why I never bothered with. It's for android and not apple, at least from what I am seeing.
 
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