Nikon-CAN - Camera Area Network

Camera Area Networking
Wired and wireless for faster, easier and more efficient, workflow

 Petri's Blue2CANs

Camera Area Network (CAN) represents the digital networking between cameras, camera accessories  and computers.  CAN enables allows the remote control and automated access to internal settings of a camera or a set of cameras.  CAN may be simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex in the communication and its protocols.   Connection can be wired or wireless using various serial, Bluetooth, WiFi, or other methods.  Cameras can have linked control over cameras in the camera area network or are slaved to a networking server.   

NIKON-CANs

Nikon has been evolving its design of camera area networking through a series of step-wise innovations.  The primary driver was the inclusion on some of their SLRs a ten-pin connector.  This was a first step in opening up a simplex relationship to the outside world.

Red Hen Systems saw the opportunity and lead the industry through the innovation known as Blue2CAN(tm)  which make a Bluetooth connection to the 10-pinned Nikon SLR to deliver GPS metadata for the geotagging functions now included across their SLR and some point and shoots products.

Others have attempted to duplicate this simple and reliably elegant solution first presented to the market and Nikon users in 2006.  In ther earily years this design required the adjacency of a Bluetooth GPS device for wireless geotagging.  More recently both Android and iPhones can supply their GPS to the Blue2CAN.  Importantly, smartphones and their capacity to connect to WiFi wireless has enabled an even higher bandwidth camera networking.

Nikon D4 The Emerging Sophisticated Camera Area Network

For some professionals, there are assignments that the whole world is waiting to see. Being the first to publish can make a huge difference in reputation and career development. When workflow speed makes all the difference, the D4 provides a clear advantage. The D4 employs a built-in wired LAN function of IEEE802.3u standard (100BASE-TX). What's more, the D4 is compatible with the compact, easy-to-connect, newly developed WT-5A/B/C/D* (optional) that realizes high-speed wireless transmission. Also, IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) data can be automatically added to the images within the camera. In addition to input with a camera, it is possible to add information to a series of images at high speed to realize an even more efficient workflow by creating an IPTC file with IPTC Preset Manager, a software for IPTC preset registration (can be downloaded from Nikon's website), and registering the file to a camera. Furthermore, the D4 incorporates a variety of communication functions to enhance the workflow speed.

For Nikon's Lesser SLRs they have created several 10-pin-like connection methods.  Kikon classifies these mid-CAN parts and pieces ad WiFi Shooting.

Wi-Fi Shooting: WU-1a WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapters



Wi-Fi connectivity—now you can get GREAT pictures on your smartphone.   Using the WU-1a/b optional wireless mobile adapter you can now automatically send great images to your smartphone and even use your smartphone to remotely capture images from your D3200/D5200 (WU-1a) or D600 D-SLR/Nikon 1 V2/Nikon 1 J3/Nikon 1 S1 (WU-1b) . With an easy to use app, now when you can't wait to share that great shot you don't have to. Share it to your smartphone in a instant.*Wireless Transmitter WT-4A/B/C/D/E is also compatible.

 Images can be taken remotely using a compatible smart device using the camera's Live View preview on the smart device to frame and compose the subject.  A smart device (Android) is used to remotely fire the camera, maximum distance is up to 49 feet and the smart device can not be used to adjust settings on the camera

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On February 2013 Nikon announced the WR-1 Transceiver for Nikon D-SLR cameras.  This is yet another evolution in the Nikon-CAN design.  The WR-1 Wireless Remote Controller is part of the Nikon Wireless Remote Control system, which uses radio frequencies to communicate instead of infrared signal which requires direct line of sight, extending the capabilities and reach possible when photographers need the ability to control cameras remotely. The WR-1 Wireless Remote Controller can act as either a transmitter or receiver unit; and is compatible with the WR-T10 transmitters and WR-R10 transceivers. The WR-1 is compatible with the WR-T10 & R10 as long as the WR-1 is set to Group A, as the WR-R10/WR-T10 system is fixed on Group A.


Utilizing radio waves, the WR-1 and WR-R10/WR-T10 Wireless Remote Controllers widely expand the flexibility of remote control. They enable remote shooting even if trees or other obstacles stand in the way. Besides driving AF by half-pressing the shutter-release button of the controller and continuous shooting by pressing the shutter-release button longer, you can employ the controllers to use various functions of the camera, including movie recording and quiet shutter release.

This device uses 2.4 GHz radio frequency for maximum range when communicating with the camera, extending the range and functionality for remote shooting applications. The communication range between WR-1 units is approximately 394 feet, and 15 channels are available. Users also have the ability to remotely control a camera (with a WR-1 used as a receiver) attached by operation of another WR-1 (used as a transmitter), and also perform simultaneous or synchronized release of shutters on several cameras using the WR-1. Furthermore, there are a wide variety of options for remote shooting, which include dividing remote cameras into groups and controlling each group separately and interval timer photography. Remote shooting by combining the WR-1 with WR-R10/WRT10 wireless remotes is also possible.

Product Highlights

• Wireless Remote Control
• Works as Transmitter and Receiver
• Communication Range of 394' (120 m) Approximate range at height of about 1.2 m/4 ft; varies with weather conditions and presence or absence of obstacles.
• 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency
• 15 Available Channels
• Group Camera Control - Only a camera with a ten-pin remote terminal can be employed as a master camera.
• Pairs with Up to 20 WR-1 Transceivers - This requires pairing of the WR-1, WR-R10 and WR-T10 units in use. Maximum number of controllers that can be paired: 20 (WR-1) or 64 (WR-R10)
• Synchronized Release; Interval Shooting 
• Controls and Verifies Cameras Settings
• Compatible with Nikon WR-R10 and WR-T102 Functions limited.