Satechi introduces BT Smart Trigger wireless shutter release for Canon

Accessory maker Satechi has announced the BT Smart Trigger, an iOS-controlled Bluetooth 4.0 shutter release for Canon DSLRs. It features multiple shooting modes including timelapse and long exposures, via the free Smart Trigger app. The trigger has a claimed battery life of up to 10 years and range of 50 feet. It is currently available for an introductory price of $44.99. An Android-compatible version will be available from March 2013.

Press Release:

Satechi Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Trigger, Wireless Timer Remote iOS “Appcessory” for Latest Canon Cameras, Makes New Generation Photography a Flash

SAN DIEGO – Feb. 27, 2013 – The Satechi BT Smart Trigger, available now, is the ideal “appccessory” for prosumer photographers, allowing them to easily manage their DSLR camera directly from an iOS device. The compact and lightweight wireless timer remote fits easily into any camera bag and features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with a range of 50 feet and a battery life of up to 10 years. The BT Smart Trigger is compatible with a wide range of cameras including the latest Canon EOS 5D Mark III, ESO 6D, Rebel T4i and EOS 60D. The Smart Trigger app is compatible with iPhone 5, iPad Mini and iPad. www.youtube.com/btsmarttrigger

The BT Smart Trigger app features multiple shooting modes giving photographers the freedom to easily capture the perfect shot during travels, outdoor adventures or everyday events.

• Regular Shot – This mode allows the iOS device to act as a wireless shutter.  Touch the shutter control button to capture an image – ideal for a group shot where the photographer no longer needs to be left out.
• Manual Shot – Manual Shot mode gives photographers the ability to take long exposures while in bulb mode.  This mode includes a switch to lock the shutter open to capture photographic techniques such as star trails, capturing fireworks or light painting.
• Timed Shot – For advanced photography tasks such as time-lapses, Time Shot mode turns the iOS device into an intervalometer to capture and stitch together images of cool videos of traffic, weather or blooming flowers.

The Satechi BT Smart Trigger is available for an introductory price of $44.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.  The BT Smart Trigger app is available for free at the Apple App Store.

Compatibility with Android devices such as the Galaxy SIII and Galaxy Note 2 will be available March 2013.

For more on the BT Smart Trigger and all of Satechi’s award winning products, “like” us on Facebook.com/Satechi and follow @Satechi.

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Comments

Total comments: 37

By SimonTay (2 months ago)

I designed a very similar thing last year - although the intervalometer is inside the Bluetooth receiver, not the phone. So, you can set it running, and switch the phone off. Never took it to production though.

http://phooto.co.uk/ismart/iSMART/

http://simontaylor.wordpress.com/tag/camera/

:)

0 upvotes

By SDPharm (2 months ago)

For anyone who is interested in remote shooting function via wi-fi, Panasonic GH3 has this built into the camera body. Not only can you trigger the camera with a smart phone, you can also set time lapse function, and see what the camera sees and do touch screen focus and trigger. Much much, more useful than just remote trigger alone.

0 upvotes

By b33g33 (2 months ago)

Apparently, their marketing department thinks Nikon and Canon bodies look exactly the same with only the Logo making the difference. Hopefully, their engineering team knows the difference.

http://www.satechi.net/index.php/bluetooth/bluetooth-smart-triggers/smart-trigger-b

same image on Amazon.

2 upvotes

By DenisBBergeron (2 months ago)

3 strikes
1- No android suppport. Android Smartphone have 75% of the smartphone market.
2- Why I should use this if I can't have liveview ?
3- Only Canon!

2 upvotes

By ConanLloyd (2 months ago)

Can't do anything about your first 2 points but a quick look at their website shows the following: "Satechi Bluetooth Smart Trigger (B) for iPhone 4S / 5, iPad 3 / Mini, and 5th Generation iPod Touch for D700, D300, D300S, D800, D200, D3S, D3, D2H, D2Hs, D2x, D1, D1H, D1x, F100, F6, F5, F90X and F90 fully compatible with Nikon MC-30"

I'm personally hoping the app is enhanced to allow live view at some point.

0 upvotes

By briansworld (2 months ago)

Article says compatible with Android sometime this month.

0 upvotes

By Camp Freddy (2 months ago)

super duper, fitted as standard in all Olympus mFT / FT bodies.....

0 upvotes

By Paul JM (2 months ago)

what, wireless timelapse is fitted to the OM-D ?
Where ?
what on earth are you talking about ?

0 upvotes

By 3systermuser (2 months ago)

why is it always for EOS only ?
why not for alpha?

0 upvotes

By eddiephtgrphr (2 months ago)

Can it be used with iPhone 4?
To answer rsxrider your question, I think you can attach it to hot shoe.

0 upvotes

By LJ - Eljot (3 months ago)

Well...
With the MF-23 Data Back for the Nikon F4 one could do very amazing things with his camera. Why is that not part of every DSLR nowadays? That's stupid. Ok, auto bracketing is.

0 upvotes

By Rudolf (3 months ago)

Would be good if it also fired strobes

0 upvotes

By eddiephtgrphr (3 months ago)

Battery life of 10 years or 10 hours? Lol

0 upvotes

By JBrender (3 months ago)

Years – Bluetooth 4.0 is pretty amazing!

0 upvotes

By LJ - Eljot (3 months ago)

The trigger 10 Years. The iPhone less than 10 hours. Long exposures? Watch your iphones batteries!

0 upvotes

By nickelbaink (3 months ago)

There is an accessory for that:

http://www.satechi.net/index.php/ipad-iphone/speakers/satechi-10000-mah-portable-energy-station

it can go for couple of days at least

0 upvotes

By G Sciorio (3 months ago)

Theres are features built into the GH3.

0 upvotes

By JBrender (3 months ago)

If you had a camera with these features, why would you be in the market for a device like this...?

0 upvotes

By G Sciorio (3 months ago)

I can't imagine anyone would.

0 upvotes

By xlotus (2 months ago)

A built-in intervalometer is great but the GH3 apparently has an issue with this feature. You can read the article here: http://timelapse.org/2013/02/panasonic-gh3-for-timelapse-problems/
Plus, GH3 itself is bulky for a mirrorless camera and expensive.
I hope Panasonic will include this feature on next release of G series.
An external intervalometer only costs about $30 for the wired version and can be used with any cameras that accepts the same connector.

0 upvotes

By G Sciorio (2 months ago)

How is the GH3 bulky? If you ever have seen one in person its quite small. Pricy compared to what? Buy an OMD with a HLD-6 and you're at the same price as the GH3 which BTW is made for pros. What other pro-level camera has such features at this price? None.

You can also use an iOS or Android device to control the GH3, even with live view. A feature no other pro camera has.

0 upvotes

By xlotus (2 months ago)

I had Canon 60D, T1i, Pany GH2, G3 and GF2 a while back. While I like that there are so many buttons and dials on the GH2 (meaning I can change settings easily without going to menus), the size and weight is a deal breaker to me. It is too close to T1i (or any Canon Rebel line) that size and weight advantage of m43 pretty much gone. It was for that reason that I returned the GH2 and kept the G3. Now I noticed that GH3 is even larger so I thought it must be about the same size as Canon Rebel DSLR and I was right. Check this comparison between GH3 and T4i on this website: http://camerasize.com/compare/#381,333

Pricey? Yes. At $1300 body only, it costs even more than OMD-EM5. There are plenty of consumer/prosumer DSLRs and mirrorless camera models that are far cheaper. So for me, it's now a G5 + external intervalomer. I have a wired as well a wireless one with modular cable that I can use with different camera makes and models. Cheaper and smaller.

0 upvotes

By xlotus (2 months ago)

continue...
Yes, kudos to Panasonic for having those features built-in. I hope they will be available in next G series body.
Pro or not pro does not matter to me. The end results are the things that matter.

0 upvotes

By brian1366 (3 months ago)

Cool device, although not very compact for what it does. Also looks like my phone is too old to work with it.

0 upvotes

By xlotus (2 months ago)

The bulk of the bluetooth receiver that sits on the hot shoe is mainly due to the battery. Perhaps, it takes two AAA batteries. The electronic circuit itself is very compact.
They can reduce the size down by using smaller battery but then the battery can become expensive and hard to find.
The brain of the intervalometer itself is in the app.
If you don't like bulky accessories, you can use a tethered intervalometer for Canon.

0 upvotes

By wakaba (3 months ago)

Now you can stalk without beeing there...make sure not to leave fingerprints.

0 upvotes

By ConanLloyd (3 months ago)

OK, I'll be different and be happy this came out. I already ordered mine.

Stoneysanpper - from the description of the one I purchased

"Satechi Bluetooth Smart Trigger (A) for iPhone 4S / 5, iPad 3 / Mini, iPod Touch 5G for Canon EOS-1V/1VHS, EOS-3, EOS-D2000, D30, D60, 1D, 1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II,III,IV, EOS-1Ds Mark II,III, EOS-10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, 5D Mark II,III, 6D, 7D, and RS-80N"

I'll put in a review once I get it.

~Conan

3 upvotes

By Stoneysanpper (3 months ago)

Official web page does not mention 5Diii or the 6D in the compatibility list.

0 upvotes

By James K Cheung (3 months ago)

I ordered on Amazon.com and the listing listed Canon (A) cameras for one device and there is also a (C) device foe Canons like 60D, T3i etc.
All very clear there.

0 upvotes

By xlotus (2 months ago)

There should be only two types for Canon DSLRs. The one that comes with Canon N3 proprietary connector is compatible with Canon 5D Mk 1/2/3, 7D, 6D and the 1D series and xxD except 60D.
The other one comes with E3 connector which is identical to mini stereo jack, is compatible with Canon Digital Rebel family and 60D.
The cable from the bluetooth receiver to the camera remote jack is modular.
So if you have both Canon 60D and 6D for example, buy one set with N3 cable, then buy only the cable with E3 connector.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

By gsum (3 months ago)

Does less than the Apurture wireless trigger for 3 times the price.

0 upvotes

By briansworld (3 months ago)

I've considered Aputure but couldn't find any I could use as an intervalometer for less than $50.

0 upvotes

By Mystery Gardener (3 months ago)

Hi Conan:

'iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad Mini, iPad 3 for Canon EOS 60D, Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XSi, XS, T1i, T2i, T3i & Canon Powershot G10, G11 & Pentax K7 & ELAN SLR cameras'

No mention of support for any of the full frame Canon DSLRs listed on their link. Cheers :-)

0 upvotes

By ConanLloyd (2 months ago)

Hey there Mystery gardner. On the A device, found at http://www.satechi.net/index.php/camera-accessories/smart-trigger/smart-trigger-a it lists: "Satechi Bluetooth Smart Trigger (A) for iPhone 4S / 5, iPad 3 / Mini, iPodTouch 5G for Canon 1DX, EOS-1V(HS), EOS-3, EOS-D2000, D30, D60, 1D, 1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II,III,IV, EOS-1Ds Mark II,III, EOS-10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, 5D Mark II,III, 6D, 7D, RS-80N3"

It looks like you hit the link for the c device, http://www.satechi.net/index.php/camera-accessories/smart-trigger/smart-trigger-c which lists "Satechi Bluetooth Smart Trigger (C) for iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad Mini, iPad 3, and 5th Generation iPod Touch for Canon EOS 60D, Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XSi, XS, T1i, T2i, T3i, T4i & Canon Powershot G10, G11 & Pentax K7 & ELAN SLR cameras"

I have no affiliation with them and had not heard of them before today, just wanted to correct potentially erroneus data.

~Conan

0 upvotes

By turner72 (3 months ago)

Glad to have the 6D that comes with integrated Wifi and an App that does all this and much more! :-)

1 upvote

By burgessd (3 months ago)

i'd prefer this type of device not occupy the hotshoe so I can leave a pocket wizard in there

1 upvote

By rsxrider (3 months ago)

You could just let it dangle from the remote port?

1 upvote

Total comments: 37