Helicon Remote - Camera control & shooting

Helicon Remote is a tool designed for tethered photography and remote camera control, compatible with most recent Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras (excluding D3000 / D3100 / D3200 / D3300 / D3400, which are not included in the supported list). Other camera brands are not compatible.

This application requires a device that supports USB OTG (host mode). If your device lacks a full-size USB port, you will need a USB OTG adapter!

Featured capabilities include:

- Wi-Fi integration (For cameras equipped with built-in Wi-Fi; Nikon WT and Wu-1 attachments; as well as Canon WFT attachments)

- Automated focus bracketing (This feature allows combinations of focus bracketing, exposure bracketing, and time-lapse shooting in various configurations)

- Preview of focus stacking results 

- Extended exposure duration (BULB mode) - can reach 32 minutes (compatible with all Canon cameras and all Nikon models except D90, D300(s), D700, D5000, D5100, D7000, D3, D3S, D3X) 

- Enhanced exposure bracketing options 

- Image review capability 

- Full-screen Live View functionality

- Highlighting of focus areas

- Noise averaging for Live View

- Time-lapse capability

- Video recording features

- Continuous shooting mode

- Hyperfocal distance and depth of field calculator

- Live histogram display (in grayscale/RGB)

For further details about Helicon Remote, including its functionalities and versions available for various operating systems, please refer to the relevant section on the official website.

Device prerequisites include:

- Android version 4.4 or higher

- Support for USB host (also referred to as USB OTG). An adapter is necessary unless your device has a full-sized USB port. Be aware that some Android devices may have limited USB functionality and might not recognize cameras even if they detect other devices such as USB drives or mice. You can determine whether your device fully supports USB OTG with a specific app.

- Touch screen capability

Camera compatibility varies by brand:

Canon:

- Models including 1D Mark III, 1D X Mark III, 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 1D C, 1D X, 1D X Mark II;

- 5D series from Mark II to Mark IV, along with 5DS and 5DS R (5DSR);

- 6D and 6D Mark II;

- 7D and 7D Mark II;

- 40D through 90D series;

- Entry-level Rebel models from 450D (Rebel XSi) through 1300D (Rebel T6);

- The 2000D and 4000D series.

Nikon: Compatibility includes D3, D3s, D3x, D4, D4s, D5, Df, D90, D300/D300s, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D780, D800/D800e, D810, D810A, D850, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7000, D7100, D7200, and D7500. (Models from D3000 to D3500 are excluded).

Video recording functionality is supported by:

- All Nikon models except for D90, D300(s), D700, D3, D3S, D3X, D5000, Df;

- All Canon models.

Note that the free (unregistered) version limits users from capturing images in raw format. A license purchase option is available through the app.

Helicon Focus and Focus Stacking

The digital revolution of the last few years made professional photo hardware widely available and affordable. Now it's the advanced technology that makes the difference. Plain single shots are bit by bit giving place to improved and more sophisticated technologies like HDR and EDoF. 

Today it's hard to imagine macro or micro photography without focus stacking technique. Professional photographers and enthusiasts seeking to keep up with the trend take advantage of focus stacking to create eye-catching images. 

With focus stacking software you can make your usual camera render results that could not be achieved even with a classic tilt-shift lens. Take several shots at different focus distances instead of just one, and Helicon Focus will quickly and smartly combine the stack into a fully focused image. 

Nowadays micro photography, close-ups, jewelry and product photography became truly dependent on focus stacking. But it does not matter what you shoot – landscapes or flowers, animals or still-life – Helicon Focus will make your images stand out. Watch the tutorials, read the articles and impress your colleagues and friends with your new photo achievements!