Wi-Fi / GPS on 5D MK IV - Patent

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm going to start a rumor that the 5D MK IV will have GPS or Wi-Fi

Obviously, its CR0, mere speculation!

This is based on a Patent approved the week of August 18.

Its Patent number US 9,113,062 B2

Here is a snipet from the description. As I read it, the flash shoe gets in the way of a antenna on a all metal body, so its put under the covering on the sloping surface of the pentaprism. This should overcome any issues with a radio on a all metal body.


"Conventionally, there has been proposed a configuration of an imaging apparatus in which a wireless communication unit is arranged on the top side of a pentaprism in a finder section (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-244735). However, an accessory shoe for providing communication by being connected to an external device such as a strobe is provided on the visible face of an imaging apparatus. Therefore, the metal section of the accessory shoe disturbs a radio wave to be emitted from or received by the antenna section of the wireless communication unit upon wireless communication, so that stable communication state cannot be obtained. In addition, the clearance between the wireless communication unit and the accessory shoe needs to be ensured, resulting in an undesirable increase in size in the height direction of the imaging apparatus. Accordingly, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-75381 discloses a configuration in which the wireless communication unit is arranged on the inclined surface (Dach surface) of the pentaprism such that the accessory shoe does not disturb a radio wave upon wireless communication."

 

[Bennymiata]

Sounds good to me.
I'd love to see this on the new 5D4.

 

[midluk]

I think it is more likely to be used for an integrated RT speedlite transmitter.

 

[msatter]

I had no problem with WiFi SD cards in these camera (1D & 5D) at all. The antenna should be close to the plastic door. That is why SD to CF adapters is not always working.

It is nice that Canon is looking now to make it standard build in so we don't need external dongles for remote controlling the camera.

 

[SilverSnake]

Fingers crossed for GPS in 5D mkIV. Wifi would be neat as well, but if I can only have one I want GPS.

 

[RGF]

wifi, gps, active histogram in the viewfinder, ..

suddenly we will only get a few hundreds per battery.

 

[rfdesigner]

I'm going to start a rumor that the 5D MK IV will have GPS or Wi-Fi

Obviously, its CR3, mere speculation!

This is based on a Patent approved the week of August 18.

Its Patent number US 9,113,062 B2

Here is a snipet from the description. As I read it, the flash shoe gets in the way of a antenna on a all metal body, so its put under the covering on the sloping surface of the pentaprism. This should overcome any issues with a radio on a all metal body.


"Conventionally, there has been proposed a configuration of an imaging apparatus in which a wireless communication unit is arranged on the top side of a pentaprism in a finder section (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-244735). However, an accessory shoe for providing communication by being connected to an external device such as a strobe is provided on the visible face of an imaging apparatus. Therefore, the metal section of the accessory shoe disturbs a radio wave to be emitted from or received by the antenna section of the wireless communication unit upon wireless communication, so that stable communication state cannot be obtained. In addition, the clearance between the wireless communication unit and the accessory shoe needs to be ensured, resulting in an undesirable increase in size in the height direction of the imaging apparatus. Accordingly, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-75381 discloses a configuration in which the wireless communication unit is arranged on the inclined surface (Dach surface) of the pentaprism such that the accessory shoe does not disturb a radio wave upon wireless communication."

Nice find there!.

Incidentally there was a Nasa story recently about zero power wifi.. using the received signal from the base unit to power the mobile unit.

Needless the say the range was lousy.. about a meter if I remember correctly. On a normal powered system the more rubbish the antenna, the shorter the range.. so even a really nasty -20dBi antenna will still provide some coverage.. just not 100 meters

For DSLRs the question I'd ask is.... how much range do we really need?.. clearly it depends on what we expect to do with it.

 

[Etienne]

I used the EyeFi card in my 5D3 to transfer small JPGS to my Samsung Note 3 phone before I started using Magic Lantern (EyeFi doesn't work with ML). This was awesome and surprisingly handy. Obviously the range required was only one meter, but this also allowed me to instantly send jpgs from the Note 3 whenever I wanted. I saved RAW to the CF and JPEG to the SD card.
I am ALL for WiFi in the 5D4!

 

[meywd]

wifi, gps, active histogram in the viewfinder, ..

suddenly we will only get a few hundreds per battery.

I am already at a few hundreds per battery (500-600?) but I keep checking the images I took so maybe that's why!

 

[wsmith96]

It wouldn't be hard to add antennas to these cameras outside of the metal body without compromising the weather sealing. I think that wifi and RT transmission would be a fantastic add to the functionality of the camera. Even better would be a way for the wifi to be a standardized card that you add if you want it. Upgrade the card to upgrade to the next flavor of wifi. This could be added near the battery compartment or memory card compartment to maintain weather sealing.

I would keep GPS as a bolt on device for the time being though.

 

[9VIII]

If Canon starts putting Wi-Fi in their Pro bodies I might actually seriously consider owning one!

As-is I was probably just going to get an SL2 (or some other equivalent crop body), regardless of how good the other cameras are, but if they all have Wi-Fi then it equalizes the playing field.
That's right, the 1D and 5D need their specs improved to complete with the Rebel line.
(Alternatively I would be happy with a fully articulated screen on the 1D, but we know how likely that is to happen.)

 

[that1guyy]

Lol I knew that the "engineering challenges" for putting wifi in metal bodies was pure BS because other manufacturers already did it. I guess now that they are feeling the heat they decide to do something. Better late then never?

 

[RGF]

wifi, gps, active histogram in the viewfinder, ..

suddenly we will only get a few hundreds per battery.

I am already at a few hundreds per battery (500-600?) but I keep checking the images I took so maybe that's why!

GPS really eats up the battery on 7D M2

 

[quod]

Lol I knew that the "engineering challenges" for putting wifi in metal bodies was pure BS because other manufacturers already did it.

+1. Yep, welcome to the party, Canon. You have a LOT of catching up to do.

 

[The Flasher]

Wifi has proved indispensable on the 6d, clients and art directors LOVE having viewing access to images as we shoot them, without having to gather around a laptop in a designated spot (there are rules of course, such as no swiping through images as I'm actively shooting due to camera slowing down etc.) I've also started using it for remote composition on top down shots from a jib or crammed locations. The 5d3 stays in the backup bag until needed for an event etc

Looking forward to seeing the next evolution.

J

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I use the eye-fi pro in my 5D MK III. I have a good Wi-Fi system that covers my studio, and another in my house. My photos are uploaded to my access point, then by Ethernet back to my office. From there, they are repeated to my NAS and other computers in a few seconds. The photos are always all there by the time I walk into the other room where my computer is running.

It works much better than the Canon Wi-Fi (on my G1X) for just downloading photos, but there is no remote control of the camera.

 

[AvTvM]

So utterly ridiculous. Just put all the freaking antennas around the main LCD in the back. Just as in any smartphone. No need for patents. It's all invented and proven tech. Just do it, Canon. And while you're at it, also put an RT transmitter and antenna into every freaking EOS camera. Sick and tired of all the delays and smoke screens from Canon.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

Perhaps my needs are different or I am a bit weird (probably the case!) but I simply have no use for these features on a DSLR. Somebody will tell me that they can shoot video next!
I am sure there are those out there who like these toys on their cameras - I don't, but I have no objection to them being fitted so long as they don't compromise stills performance, don't drain batteries and don't increase the price. Otherwise no thanks Canon!

 

[rfdesigner]

So utterly ridiculous. Just put all the freaking antennas around the main LCD in the back. Just as in any smartphone. No need for patents. It's all invented and proven tech. Just do it, Canon. And while you're at it, also put an RT transmitter and antenna into every freaking EOS camera. Sick and tired of all the delays and smoke screens from Canon.

If you put anything within 1 wavelength of an antenna (roughly) you start to "pull" it, closer and things get worse. IF you "pre load" with a metal backplane to try and reduce the effect you make the antenna very directional and narrowband. One wavelength is about 12cm at 2.4GHz.

Now take a photo looking through the viewfinder.. oh dear the wifi just dropped out as your cheek pressed against the antenna, pulled it off frequency and trapped the signals between the metal body and the users face so killing the link.

I've spent too many years working on this project.. http://toumaz.com/sensiumvitals%C2%AE-pilot-study The antenna was a major element in the development... every person's radio signiture is different depending on a variety of factors, fat content being major.

I can tell you body worn antennas are a real trial.. and not dissimilar to DSLR antennas, the 6D has no metal top plate for a very good reason.

 

[JimKarczewski]

Why not just use the big a$$ accessory port where a WiFi or GPS receiver plugs into a 1Dx as an Antenna port? So, there is a little stub antenna sticking out, would I care? HELL NO. Just put it in the body and stop making me pay extra for all these little bits that are in the cheaper camera.