How To: Control your DSLR with an Android tablet pt 1 (Wired)

In part one I will show you the basic method of connecting your Android tablet to a Nikon DSLR camera using a USB cable. The instructions below will detail what things you will need, some that are optional, as well as the app I used to control the camera. I will start with optional accessories I used to attach the tablet to the camera. You could just hold it in your hand instead.

Optional:

1. A hot shoe adapter. ($2.99)

2. A tablet mount. ($16.95)

3. A Ball head mount. ($12.90)

Necessary:

1. A USB OTG (on the go) cable. ($5.95)

2. The USB cable that came supplied with your camera.

3. An Android tablet.

4. The DslrDashboard App. (Free)

Getting Started

To be honest setting this up through a USB connection couldn’t be much simpler.

First install the DslrDashboard app on your tablet or phone.

Next find the USB port on your camera and plug in the USB cable that came with it.

After that just plug the other end of the USB cable into the OTG adapter, and then plug that into the tablet.

Once you turn on the camera after it is all plugged in you should be prompted to choose which app you would like to use to run the camera. Select DslrDashboard and you are all set. It will then launch into that app and you will be able to control your camera through the touch based interface. Below is a brief video of all the setup steps.

In part 2 I will show you how to control your DSLR through a tablet wirelessly. It is a little more complicated, but the benefits it provides are well worth the time spent setting it up.

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Ben Johnson

Co-Creator at Empty Bottle Evenings

Ben is an aspiring writer, amateur photographer, and gadget reviewer that is always looking for and trying out the newest and greatest technology and software.

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