Need some help with SnapBridge/Image Cloud

[Larry Grady]

I was able to get my camera connected today to both SnapBridge and the Nikon Image Cloud. I updgraded my firmware to 2.0 using Snapbridge, and I was able to play with the remote controls using both wifi and bluetooth. I set up auto uploading and gps tagging.

However, then I connected to the Image Cloud from my camera and it started uploading all the images I have taken so far to the Nikon image cloud. It also disconnected SnapBridge. I thought that Snapbridge was uploading my images to the NIkon image cloud server, wasn't there a link in there to do that? Also, is this space I pay for like DropBox or OneDrive? I already have a few places where I'm paying for storage and I would rather just connect to them and upload if I can.

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings. The website descriptions aren't too detailed and I don't want to duplicate software or install software on my laptop that I don't need.

Can someone help me understand what the simple workflow might be for someone (non-professional) who is travelling and wants to share and backup pictures on the go? Which software and settings? Thank you.

(I also see other programs like Mobile Air, Tether, and Image Space, but I don't think that's anyting i need. I've already downloaded their image processing software NX Studio, which i guess is like lightroom but more attuned to their cameras and features?)

 

[Schrodingers cat]

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings.

I suspect you've got plenty of company. I've never been able to achieve anything worthwhile with Nikon software since the very first iteration of SnapBridge

 

[NoGutsNoGlory]

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings.

I suspect you've got plenty of company. I've never been able to achieve anything worthwhile with Nikon software since the very first iteration of SnapBridge

 

[jthomas39]

I haven't tried the Imaging Cloud. Is it still only for Z6 iii so far?

Nikon Imaging Cloud allows 30 days of unlimited photo storage. (Older files are deleted). You are supposed to set up an automatic forwarding link to your preferred online storage account -- Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

It wants to use a wifi network to send directly from the camera to the Imaging Cloud. No Snapbridge needed. So, if traveling, you need to set up the local wifi on your camera.

 

[jthomas39]

I just posted the details of using Snapbridge to send selected small, medium, or full size jpg photos direct to my phone. Note that this sends a jpg version of a raw file, so it's not great as a security backup.

It worked great except for the slow temporary wifi connection to the phone. And that got stuck during my tests. The usual Snapbridge wifi annoyances.

the DPR post:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/68426655

 

[rangel28]

I was able to get my camera connected today to both SnapBridge and the Nikon Image Cloud. I updgraded my firmware to 2.0 using Snapbridge, and I was able to play with the remote controls using both wifi and bluetooth. I set up auto uploading and gps tagging.

However, then I connected to the Image Cloud from my camera and it started uploading all the images I have taken so far to the Nikon image cloud. It also disconnected SnapBridge. I thought that Snapbridge was uploading my images to the NIkon image cloud server, wasn't there a link in there to do that? Also, is this space I pay for like DropBox or OneDrive? I already have a few places where I'm paying for storage and I would rather just connect to them and upload if I can.

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings. The website descriptions aren't too detailed and I don't want to duplicate software or install software on my laptop that I don't need.

Can someone help me understand what the simple workflow might be for someone (non-professional) who is travelling and wants to share and backup pictures on the go? Which software and settings? Thank you.

(I also see other programs like Mobile Air, Tether, and Image Space, but I don't think that's anyting i need. I've already downloaded their image processing software NX Studio, which i guess is like lightroom but more attuned to their cameras and features?)

The way I understand it is that Snapbridge creates a connection with your phone that allows you to download photos to your phone or control the camera.

The Nikon Imaging Cloud relies on a Wi-Fi connection, such as the one in your home or at a hotel, to upload photos to the cloud, which can then be sent to Dropbox (or other sites) or, in my case, I have it set up to send photos to the Nikon Image Space.

So if you are in vacation lying on a beach, and you just took a wonderful photo of the sunset, you can use Snapbridge to download the photo to your phone and send it to your friends on social media. Nikon Imaging Cloud will not work unless you can connect to the hotel Wi-Fi from the beach.

To me Snapbridge is for sharing photos immediately, and the Nikon Imaging Cloud is for sending a larger volume of photos to a another storage service like Dropbox or the Nikon Imaging Space that can be edited later, useful for a working professional.

--
https://richardangeloni.smugmug.com/

 

[buildingsights]

I was able to get my camera connected today to both SnapBridge and the Nikon Image Cloud. I updgraded my firmware to 2.0 using Snapbridge, and I was able to play with the remote controls using both wifi and bluetooth. I set up auto uploading and gps tagging.

However, then I connected to the Image Cloud from my camera and it started uploading all the images I have taken so far to the Nikon image cloud. It also disconnected SnapBridge. I thought that Snapbridge was uploading my images to the NIkon image cloud server, wasn't there a link in there to do that? Also, is this space I pay for like DropBox or OneDrive? I already have a few places where I'm paying for storage and I would rather just connect to them and upload if I can.

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings. The website descriptions aren't too detailed and I don't want to duplicate software or install software on my laptop that I don't need.

Can someone help me understand what the simple workflow might be for someone (non-professional) who is travelling and wants to share and backup pictures on the go? Which software and settings? Thank you.

(I also see other programs like Mobile Air, Tether, and Image Space, but I don't think that's anyting i need. I've already downloaded their image processing software NX Studio, which i guess is like lightroom but more attuned to their cameras and features?)

snapbridge works pretty well when it is properly and finally set up (though it can sometime be a little bit of a headache) .
there are two ways to communicate with the camera: bluetooth as a simple 'cable release' and wi-fi to monitor the image that you are going to shoot (e.g. a self-portrait)... you can also send small 2mb files to your mobile phone through bluetooth automatically or 'on demand', and share them from your phone on social media, whatsApp, etc.
for backing up, as has been said you could you use the wi-fi option but perhaps a better option might be an external HDD with built-in SD card reader e.g.

no connection with the HDD or the youtuber.

 

[jthomas39]

I was able to get my camera connected today to both SnapBridge and the Nikon Image Cloud. I updgraded my firmware to 2.0 using Snapbridge, and I was able to play with the remote controls using both wifi and bluetooth. I set up auto uploading and gps tagging.

However, then I connected to the Image Cloud from my camera and it started uploading all the images I have taken so far to the Nikon image cloud. It also disconnected SnapBridge. I thought that Snapbridge was uploading my images to the NIkon image cloud server, wasn't there a link in there to do that? Also, is this space I pay for like DropBox or OneDrive? I already have a few places where I'm paying for storage and I would rather just connect to them and upload if I can.

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings. The website descriptions aren't too detailed and I don't want to duplicate software or install software on my laptop that I don't need.

Can someone help me understand what the simple workflow might be for someone (non-professional) who is travelling and wants to share and backup pictures on the go? Which software and settings? Thank you.

(I also see other programs like Mobile Air, Tether, and Image Space, but I don't think that's anyting i need. I've already downloaded their image processing software NX Studio, which i guess is like lightroom but more attuned to their cameras and features?)

The way I understand it is that Snapbridge creates a connection with your phone that allows you to download photos to your phone or control the camera.

The Nikon Imaging Cloud relies on a Wi-Fi connection, such as the one in your home or at a hotel, to upload photos to the cloud, which can then be sent to Dropbox (or other sites) or, in my case, I have it set up to send photos to the Nikon Image Space.

So if you are in vacation lying on a beach, and you just took a wonderful photo of the sunset, you can use Snapbridge to download the photo to your phone and send it to your friends on social media. Nikon Imaging Cloud will not work unless you can connect to the hotel Wi-Fi from the beach.

To me Snapbridge is for sharing photos immediately, and the Nikon Imaging Cloud is for sending a larger volume of photos to a another storage service like Dropbox or the Nikon Imaging Space that can be edited later, useful for a working professional.

On the beach: use the phone's wifi mobile hotspot.

I used this on my Galaxy S21 when my home internet was broken. The phone creates a wifi that other devices can connect to. This does use your cell data, but I have an unlimited data plan.

~~~

It was quite easy:

Settings --> Connections --> scroll down to Mobile hotspot and tethering --> mobile hotspot --> On.

This mobile hotspot settings page has the wifi name I typed in, a generated password (or type one in) and 2.4 Ghz or 5 Ghz preferred -- the 5 Ghz often has less congestion.

I saved these phone settings, so next time, I just need to navigate to this setup page, and flip the On/Off setting.

~~~

Add this wifi to your camera. (Note, I didn't try this on my Z6 iii.)

 

[Barleyman]

Snapbridge and Image Cloud are 2 different offerings, and while some functions overlap, they achieve it differently.

Imaging Cloud connects via WiFi to the Nikon Imaging Cloud. The photos (Raw/Jpeg) that are synced to this cloud storage are kept there for 30 days. You have the option to sync what you put in the Nikon Imaging Cloud to you own personal cloud storage, including OneDrive, DropBox, Google, or Nikon Image Space.

I have found that Nikon Imaging Cloud is extremely solid in terms of connecting and transfer. I have used it all over the world, plus at home. I have it linked to my OneDrive, which syncs all my Raw files to my desktop. So after a long trip, I just drag and drop them from my desktop to my storage at home. No need to transfer otherwise. In fact, I don't ever take my portable SSD when I travel now to back up my photos, not needed.

Nikon Imaging Cloud can also install new firmware, including automatically.

Snapbridge is from your camera to your phone. I find it really good and consistent for syncing low res images and general GPS location to the camera. It can also be used for remote photography, and syncing (over wifi) full res images. I find that the WiFi is difficult to maintain, mostly due to settings on your phone. Your phone is designed to grab WiFi whenever it can, so it's always looking for a connection with Internet. This interferes with Snapbridges link. However, for syncing over bluetooth photos I can share, it works really well for me.

 

[Thom Hogan]

However, then I connected to the Image Cloud from my camera and it started uploading all the images I have taken so far to the Nikon image cloud.

That's what it is designed to do. NIC (Image Cloud) is an intermediary product, takes files from your camera, passes them through NIC, eventually putting them onto the Cloud Server of your choice.

It also disconnected SnapBridge.

Nikon cameras can't be connected to two wireless external services at once. Your choice of SnapBridge, NX MobileAir, or Nikon Image Cloud, each of which do different things. But one at a time.

I thought that Snapbridge was uploading my images to the NIkon image cloud server, wasn't there a link in there to do that?

Not exactly. You were probably pushing to yet another thing, Nikon Image Space, which is Nikon's cloud storage service for photos.

Also, is this space I pay for like DropBox or OneDrive?

Nikon Image Space allows you to upload an unlimited number of 2mp images for free. You can share them to others from there. If you want to store larger images, you need to pay for that.

I already have a few places where I'm paying for storage and I would rather just connect to them and upload if I can.

That would suggest that you should use Nikon Image Cloud, which again, is an intermediary (and works with both cloud systems you mention above).

I think I'm just a little bit confused about the different software offerings.

So is Nikon ;~).

Can someone help me understand what the simple workflow might be for someone (non-professional) who is travelling and wants to share and backup pictures on the go?

For onesies, I'd suggest SnapBridge, then share from SnapBridge. For large numbers of photos, I'd suggest either (1) Nikon Image Cloud to the service of your choice (e.g. a public DropBox folder), or (2) 2mp versions pushed to Nikon Image Space, where you can share folders with others. For getting all your photos stored safely while traveling, again, Nikon Image Cloud to the service of your choice (private folders).

 

[buildingsights]

For onesies, I'd suggest SnapBridge, then share from SnapBridge. For large numbers of photos, I'd suggest either (1) Nikon Image Cloud to the service of your choice (e.g. a public DropBox folder), or (2) 2mp versions pushed to Nikon Image Space, where you can share folders with others. For getting all your photos stored safely while traveling, again, Nikon Image Cloud to the service of your choice (private folders).

just out of curiosity... roughly how long would it take you to upload e.g. a 512gb card full of Nef files to NIC, and say the same volume of jpgs to NIS ?