Photos are meant to be viewed large. Yet when taking a shot—that crucial moment when we should be most discerning—we usually rely on the camera's small LCD to preview the image. The traditional solution has been to "tether" the camera to a computer, so you can view shots on a large screen as they're captured, or even control the camera's settings and trigger the shutter remotely. That approach lets you correct the scene or settings and reshoot immediately if anything looks amiss.
But tethering can be limiting. Setting up a laptop on location is often inconvenient—and even if you're shooting in a studio, tethering typically involves snaking a USB cable between the camera and the computer.
The iUSBportCamera can fit into a hotshoe—but that doesn't help if you need the camera's pop-up flash (in this case, for triggering remote strobes).
A few new camera accessories aim to redefine tethering. The CameraMator, the CamRanger, and the iUSBportCamera communicate wirelessly between a camera and an iOS device, enabling you to control (on most DSLRs) such shooting settings as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, and transfer the resulting photos for review, taking advantage of the iPad's large screen. Even the iPad mini, iPhone, and iPod touch offer a better view than the camera's LCD does.
Since these devices operate wirelessly, you can use the iPad anywhere within Wi-Fi range. Each accessory can create its own Wi-Fi network, so you don't need to rely on existing infrastructure. Wireless control allows hands-free shooting in situations where the camera needs to be locked down on a tripod—for example, when you're photographing products. Alternatively, you can hand an iPad to clients who are present during a photo shoot so they can review photos without hovering over your shoulder.
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