Looks like
Nikon is intent on rocking the WiFi on its digital cameras, despite some pesky
security concerns with the implementation on its
Coolpix P1 and P2 digicams. This new WT-3 Wireless Transmitter that's just gotten FCC approval, however, looks to be fairly substantial, so maybe it won't be so easily susceptible to the same problems. It's also quite a bit more capable, not only wirelessly transmitting photos to your PC, but directly to an FTP server or printer as well. The transmitter will also apparently let you control your camera from your computer, and works with 100BaseTx/10BaseT wired networks if WiFi's not your thing. According to the FCC filings, the transmitter's designed to work exclusively with Nikon's
D200 digital SLR, but it seems fairly likely that the same technology could be put to use with other cameras sooner or later.
[Via
MobileMag]
posted Aug 9th 2006 2:05PM
Looks like it works as a vertical grip/battery pack also. Not bad.
Just the thing I've been waiting for. Apparently it replaces the $150 MB-D200 battery grip I already bought, but I can see great uses for all sorts of event photography -- weddings, concerts, etc. -- depending on the range of the WiFi. Set up a laptop in the car, plug it into the cigarette lighter and never change memory cards again.
In case you're interested, there is already a pro-grade WiFi solution for digital cameras which use Compact Flash (CF) cards. It's called "Wi-Pics". It's a U.S. based company which has a lot of the patents that the big manufacturers will need in order to serve up the features pros want in WiFi shooting.
http://www.wi-pics.com/
any idea of what the transfer rate is?
i can imagine the corded ethernet being quite useful. THe wireless seems a little more far fetched for transferring raw pictures. Seems like it would be easier to just fill up those cheap 2-4gb cards and transfer them later.
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=wi-pics
sure, its a good solution... but at that price it should come with a camera!
That's just what I've been waiting for! Very nice new features...
John