Canon 70D tip: Connect to a Mac via Wi-Fi

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A post on how to connect a Canon EOS 70D to a Macbook Prorunning Mavericks via Wifi (no cable needed!)

WHY to do this?

- - To control the camera wirelessly. You can configure the camera, shoot remotely via the computer, even set-up the 70D for timelapse.

- - To download pictures wirelessly, without a need to remove the SD card.

What do you need before starting??

- A Macbook with Canon’s EOS utilities installed. It helps to have the last version, so check the canon website for updates. If the pop-up (see video) doesn’t appear, most probably this software is your issue. To fix, completely remove all EOS applications with an application like AppCleaner and reinstall directly from the Canon website.

The link today to download 70D software in US English is:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_70d#DriversAndSoftware

- A Canon EOS 70D (wifi version), should be model Canon 70D (W) as in the manual it seems there is a non Wifi version call ed Canon 70D (N). It should have a charged battery. Basic knowledge on how to enter the menu and navigate through the menus is needed.

- A Wifi network and the information needed to connect to it. Both devices will not connect directly to each other, but via a wifi network (i.e. your home router network name and password)

What are the steps?

- Boot up your Mac, ensure it is connected via Wifi to the network you want to use.

On the Canon 70D:

1) Turn on WIfi by:

- Turn on the Canon 70D

- Press the menu button

- Navigate via the left / right arrow keys on the multicontroller until you reach the settings (wrench symbol 3)

- Go down also via Multicontroller to “Wi-Fi”. Change to enable.

- Enter the option below "Wi-Fi" to “Wi-Fi function”

2) Set-up the Canon to connect to the network

- Within Wi-Fi function select the computer symbol, where it says “Remote Control (EOS Utility)

- In the next screen, connect to your router as you normally would. There are 3 options, via “Find network” (scans for available networks or lets you enter a network ID manually) or via “WPS” if your router supports this either via PBC or a PIN.

- Follow the next screens to enter the details of your router. They will be different depending on the connection option you chose.

- After it will ask if you should set a manual IP or have your router set it automatically for you. Use your router settings (most probably automatic).

- It will display “Start pairing devices”. Press OK

- When the Canon 70D has on it’s screen “Start pairing software on computer screen”, move onto Step 3 which is setting it upon the Mac

3) Set-up the Mac:

- On the Mac, if you are connected to the same Wifi network and have the EOS utilities installed, a pop-up will appear top right saying “EOS Pairing”. Click on it and a window will appear.

- You should see a line with Canon 70D on it. Press “connect”. It will tell you to validate on the camera.

4) Authorise on both devices:

- On the Canon 70D it will say “ found. Connect to the PC.”. Press OK to validate

- You can set a name for the connection on the Canon 70D if you want. There are 3 slots for having more wifi connections.

5) ENJOY!

Ensure you have this video in HD to see the text of the Mac desktop. Youtube allows you to configure this pressing the gear button on the bottom right of the video screen.

Canon 70D: First set-up and usage

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Setting up the Canon 70D to start taking pictures is simple. I'll write a post afterwards on setting up the Canon software on the Mac, I found that slightly more complicated.

Canon included almost everything you need in the box, but there are two things you will need to make sure you have:

 

- a SD memory card

- a Canon compatible lens

 

For the memory card I bought the Sandisk Extreme Pro 64Gbs. Sandisk as to not compromise on reliability, would´t want to loose pictures because of a cheap SD, and extreme pro as to have no slowdown while recording High res video or shooting sports Photography with a high fps rate. I think this cards´ speed is overkill for the 70D, but can´t hurt and the cost difference isn´t that much to the lower tier cards.

 

For the lens if you bought a Canon kit of 70D body and the 18-55mm or 18-135mm it will be in the box. I have the 18-135mm.

 

1) First thing to do is fully charge the Canon battery pack. Insert the supplied power cable into the battery charger and leave it to charge to 100%. First charge took about 1 hour, The light on the charger will turn constant green when it is done

 

2) Add the SD card. If you are looking to the back of the camera ( the LCD ), On the left of the camera is a hinged door, you need to slide the door backwards and it will pop open. Insert the SD card with the label facing the back of the camera, push it in until it clicks. Close the door again.

 

3) Insert the battery into the bottom of the Canon 70D. You need to unlock the latch by sliding and the door will pop open. Insert the battery pack until it clicks and close the door.

 

4) Add the lens to the body.  Remove the supplied sensor plastic cap by unscrewing from the body. When inserting the lens, match the little color spot on the lens (either white or red) to the color spot on the body of the camera.  Turn the lens until the lock clicks.

 

Lens' with a red dot are made for cropped sensor cameras such as the Canon 70D or the entry range (550D / 600D / 650D) and you will have the focal range stated on them I.e. a 40mm will be 40mm) whilst the lens' with a white dot are developed for full frame cameras ( such as the 5D or 1D ) and on a cropped sensor camera will show a different focal length. A 70D has a crop factor of 1.6x, meaning a full sensor 50mm lens will appear 50 x 1.6 = 80mm, an 80mm equivalent on a full sensor camera.

 

 

The order of the above isn't particularly important. Just make sure the camera switch is Off while performing any of the tasks. After the steps above are completed, hinge out the LCD and turn it so it faces you. Turn in the 70D for the first time. A screen appears for you to adjust the time. Use the job dial and buttons inside it to navigate this menu. Set the time, date, if you want automatic daylight saving time and your time zone. Press OK and you are ready to take pictures.

 

For the first picture I just set the camera to fully automatic, turned on automatic focus and image stabilizer on the lens and started shooting away!

 

Below a video!