Friday, March 15, 2013

ControlsPromote Control Promote Control


Promote Control


Product Description

Designed for serious amateurs and pros, Promote® Control is an advanced remote control for digital SLR cameras from Canon, Nikon and various other manufacturers. A brief feature list includes:
  • Automatic bracketing for up to 45 shots in a row
  • Up to 9.0EV steps between bracketed exposures
  • Automatic Bulb mode bracketing
  • Programmable Focus Stacking sequences (Canon only, requires a free firmware update)
  • Time-Lapse with optional exposure bracketing for HDR Time-Lapse
  • Pocket-sized alternative to laptop-based camera remote control solutions
Cilck here to build a Promote Control kit to match your workflow and camera model.

    Capture the World in a New Light

    Among a multitude of easy-to-use features, Promote Control offers unique flexibility for exposure bracketing, which is commonly used to create High Dynamic Range images. High Dynamic Range, or HDR imaging quickly gains popularity these days, thanks to stunning detail and tone range rendition. Promote Control propels HDR imaging forward by offering unparalleled flexibility, allowing for bracketing step variability previously not possible with in-camera bracketing modes. With Promote Control you can automatically bracket as few as 2 or as many as 45 images! Promote Control can also automatically put the camera into Bulb mode as appropriate when performing bracketed exposures longer than 30 seconds, requiring no further user intervention. * The resulting images can be processed in a software application of choice to create a highly realistic image with a wide tonal range.
    One of the most useful features of the Promote Control is an advanced Time-Lapse mode normally found only in middle to high end professional SLR cameras. Users can now perform Time-Lapse photography with any camera supported by Promote Control, including affordable entry level digital SLR cameras. An optional start delay can be specified to start a Time-Lapse sequence after a certain time period has elapsed.

    Get Sharper Photographs

    In order to boost the quality of their photographs, users can easily setup their Promote Control unit to perform a fully automatic, user-defined delay for Mirror Lock-Up before every picture is taken. Locking the mirror before taking a picture gives a tripod-based camera the ultimate stability required to take a perfectly sharp photograph. The Promote Control brings this important feature to every photographer’s workflow in a seamless, sensible way. **
    Because it’s highly customizable, the Promote Control can be calibrated to match your personal preferences. Moreover, the Promote Control’s firmware is upgradeable, so the device will stay up-to-date with the latest functionality and enhanced capabilities of future camera models.

    Feature List

    The Promote Control offers the following features:
    • Replaces and extends manufacturer-specific remote controls
    • Allows for unparalleled flexibility with automatic >30 second exposures in “bulb mode” - even in HDR sequences *
    • Advanced easy-to-configure “Time-Lapse Mode” with optional sequence start delay
    • Optional user-defined Mirror-Up timeout available in all modes *
    • Improved user interface featuring flexible user-definable settings
    • Optional multi-tone audible feedback
    • Large, easy to read liquid crystal display featuring RGB backlight of variable intensity
    • Weather-resistant design for water and dust resiliency
    • Powered by 2 AA batteries, the most easily obtainable power source
    • A passive camera pre-focus and release functionality remains functional as a backup even when the remote control is out of power *
    • External DC power jack for timing especially long exposures for astrophotography and other similar applications
    • Device firmware updates can be applied from a personal computer via USB interface.
    • Lifetime warranty for manufacturing and worksmanship defects - if it's broken, we will fix it!
    NOTE: the product image above is a simulated image. The actual product appearance and color may vary slightly.

    Specifications

    Camera Control: Advanced USB camera control protocol
    Operation Modes: One Shot, Time-Lapse, HDR, Manual Hold *
    Unit Size: Approx. 4.9 x 2.6 x 1.1 in. (125 x 65 x 27 mm)
    Unit Weight: Approx. 5.5 oz. (156g)
    Cable Length: 3.3 ft (1m)
    Power Source: 2xAA (alkaline, manganese or Ni-MH)
    Battery Life: 20 to 40 hrs estimated
    Display: Monochrome, with variable intensity RGB backlight
    Keypad: Membrane, weather resistant
    Mirror-Up Delay: ** 1 to 20 seconds (requires an optional shutter cable)
    * Some features are subject to be supported by the camera, and may require an optional shutter cable available separately. Shutter cable availability may vary by the camera brand and model. See below for shutter cable links.
    ** Mirror Lock-Up feature is subject to be supported by the camera, and requires using an optional shutter cable. See below for shutter cable links.

    Supplied Accessories:

    • Camera connection USB cable
    • Firmware update USB cable
    • User manual
    • Carrying case
    • Neckstrap
    • 2xAA alkaline batteries

    Compatibility

    The Promote Control is compatible with digital cameras supporting an industry standard PTP/MTP protocol for controlling camera functions over USB interface. If you have a question about whether your camera is compatible with the Promote Control, please contact our Technical Support. A non-exhaustive list of supported cameras includes the following brands and models:
    Nikon: D4, D3, D3s, D3X, D2X, D2Xs, D2H, D2Hs, D200, D300, D300s, D700, D800*, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3100, D5000*, D5100*, D5200*, D7000.
    * Nikon D5000, D5100 and D800 require an optional USB OTG adapter (USB Mini-AB male to USB Type A female). Nikon D800 additionally requires Promote Control firmware update 2.49b or later.
    NOTE 1: Fuji S5 Pro is currently not compatible due to differences in camera firmware.
    NOTE 2: There is currently no shutter cable available for D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80 cameras. Promote Control is still compatible with those cameras in USB-only mode at this time.
    Canon Type 1: 1D Mark III, 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark IV, 1D X, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 7D, 30D, 40D, 50D
    Canon Type 2: 400D/XTi, 450D/XSi, 500D/T1i, 600D/T3i, 1000D/XS, 1100D/T3, 60D. The 550D is also supported except for shutter cable functionality due to the hardware limitations of the camera.
    NOTE 1: Canon 300D, 350D, 10D, 20D, 5D Mk I, 1D/1Ds Mk I and 1D/1Ds Mk II cameras are not supported in HDR mode. Only basic operations such as One-Shot, Time-Lapse and Manual Hold are available on these cameras, and would require a CN3 cable to be connected. Other Canon cameras listed above are fully supported, including HDR mode.
    Sony: limited compatibility. See Sony Shutter cable description for more details and functionality limitations.

    Shutter Cables

    Click a compatible camera model above to see compatible shutter cable. The shutter cable is not required for general operation and is optional.

    Resources

    Watch Quick Start Guide video
    Download Promote Control User Manual in PDF format.

    Reviews

    "The Promote Control is an essential tool for better HDR captures. I've only had mine for a week and I can't imagine capturing brackets without it ever again. It allows the most affordable Nikon and Canon DSLRs to outperform the AEB capabilities of even the highest end pro DSLRs. I've tonemapped over 10,000 commerical images derived from HDR files, so you'll have to take my word for it when I say the Promote Control ... is a real game changer."
    Michael James - hdriblog.com
    Watch Michael's Video Review Part 1 and Part 2.

    Build Your Own

    Build your very own High Dynamic Range Imaging System in seconds!

    Videos

    User Manual

    Reviews

    "The Promote Control is an essential tool for better HDR captures. I've only had mine for a week and I can't imagine capturing brackets without it ever again. It allows the most affordable Nikon and Canon DSLRs to outperform the AEB capabilities of even the highest end pro DSLRs. I've tonemapped over 10,000 commercial images derived from HDR files, so you'll have to take my word for it when I say the Promote Control ... is a real game changer."

    Michael James - hdriblog.com
    "I have been using my Promote for some time now and it's sooooo good, it's an unmissable part in my camera bag."
    Wim, Belgium - wim360.eu
    "Again though, I really have to say that I love the Promote. We have now purchased a few of them now and are currently part of a rig used on set. And personally speaking, for my own work, it's much more robust than anything manufacturers have available in their line ups in terms of bracketing and time-lapse."
    Phil Holland - phfx.com
    "I read about, tried it and am SOLD! The Promote Remote has helped my work flow by leaps and bounds. With it's easy use interface the Promote Remote is a must have for amateurs and pro's."
    Nathan Enriquez - CEO, Get Your View.com LLC
    "Promote Control is a cool tool. I can get greater efficiency by shooting a wider exposure range with fewer exposures. That saves disk space and processing time on the computer, and wear and tear on the camera. Promote Control also lets me shoot brackets that my camera otherwise can't, giving me greater control over my final output."
    Carl Stone, realestatefotografix.com
    "Overall, I could not recommend this product enough. If you are remotely serious (get it... get it? :) ) about HDR photography, then you owe it to yourself to at least consider the Promote Control."
    Brian Matiash, brianmatiash.com

    Samples

    See samples done with Promote Control, generously provided by our loyal customers on Flickr!
    By: vedd / Flickr

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