[Repurposing Old Devices] XDARoni:
Use Android Device As A DSLR Screen

[IMG="DSLR Phone Mount"]http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3633938&stc=1&d=1454600783[/IMG]

I recently purchased a DSLR camera to take pictures of my stuffed animals. They are alive but they only come to life when I'm out of the room. I love them so much and I just want some kind of proof that they are alive so I know that I'm not throwing my heart into nothingness.

I purchased an older model DSRL that wasn't equipped with any WiFi abilities like some of the new models. I wanted to be able to view and control my camera through my tablet screen. I found out that I could use a USB OTG cable to plug my DSLR right into my tablet. Then all I needed was an app and I was up and running.

Here are the things that you will need to make this work.

1. OTG Cable

An OTG cable is an adapter that will enable you to plug a full sized USB cord directly into your Android device.

View attachment 3633918

Micro USB OTG Host Adaptor

2. Android Device

You can use almost any Android device as long as you find an app that is compatible with it. I used my Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet and it worked just fine.

3. USB Cable

You probably already have one of these. You'll need a usb cable that can connect to your DSLR camera. This is the one I used to connect to my Canon camera.

View attachment 3633919

USB Cable

4. (optional) DSLR phone mount

If you're using a phone, you can buy a mount that will allow you to connect your phone right to your camera. The mount in this link is meant to hold your camera and use it as a flash for your DSLR. For this project we will repurpose this device and install in backwards so your phone screen in facing you.

View attachment 3633916View attachment 3633917

ChargerCity DSLR Hot Shoe Flash Camera Mount

5. DSLR Remote App

I tried out a bunch of different apps but only found one that worked. It also happened to be one of the only ones that was also free. SCORE! I recommend trying Helicon Remote. It worked great for my Canon and was able to do everything I wanted it to do.

[YOUTUBE]rKE19PdeN18[/YOUTUBE]

Download Helicon Remote

If this app doesn't work for you, then just search around until you find something that does. The term you'll be searching for is "DSLR Controller"

Now that you have everything you need, start by connecting your USB OTG cable to your android device. Then connect that to your DSLR camera using the standard USB cable and launch your DSRL Controller app. If everything works, you should be able to see the live feed from your camera and be able to control it as well!

Here are all the features that I was able to use once I was all setup.

Key features:

- Automated focus bracketing (focus bracketing, exposure bracketing and time lapse shooting can be combined in any way possible)

- Focus stacking result preview

- Extra long exposures - up to 32 min (all Canon cameras, Nikon D750 / Df / D600 / D610 / D800 / D810 / D4 / D4s / D7100 / D7200 / D5200 / D5300 / D5500)

- Advanced exposure bracketing

- Image review

- Geotagging (on devices with GPS receiver)

- Full screen Live View

- Focus areas highlighting

- Live View noise averaging

- Time lapse shooting

- Video recording

- Burst (continuous) shooting

- Hyper focal distance and DOF calculator

- Live histogram (gray/RGB)

By using my tablet as a controller for my DSLR, I was able to monitor my stuffed friends without being seen. I have not seen any movement out of them yet but I wont give up!