Nikon Snapbridge 2.6 Ultimate Hands-On Review

[@wakeywarrior]

Just got my first modern Nikon (Z30- your video was very good thanks) and the app is brilliant. I love how it automatically uploads 2mb versions of your photos to your phone (for social media use etc) as soon as a photo is taken with no input required.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for your kind words - yes, that's a very useful feature. You get a high quality image and the ability to share instantly.

[@marthaduncan7694]

Just a quick thank you. :) Purchased my first entry level "big girl" camera yesterday (Nikon Z50 kit ) and before I've even opened the boxes I have watched your part 1, part 2 and then this particular video. I am SO glad I found you and SO very grateful for the videos you produced. I feel much more confident now about getting started and exploring the features as I learn. Thank you kindly.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Great to hear, always nice to know my videos are useful and appreciated. Thanks for commenting.

[@caoxiaoxiao8491]

Thanks so much for making this video Maarten. This is Danny from shanghai. I found the “remote control” apps camera companies offered was extremely fun and helpful for creative photography-be it street or birding or even Vlogging, and I believe it will transform the way we use cameras. so I searched review videos for SnapBridge and peers from canon and Lumix and come across yours. Your video is one of the best I’ve seen, glad to see someone having similar interests p. Hope we can keep an eye on this kind of apps and see creative ways of using it.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks, it was a pleasure to read your kind words, appreciated.

[@georgecharpentier6043]

Clear, concise, informative, useful and helpful. Your videos are easy to watch and easy to understand. Thanks you.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

A pleasure to read your kind words, thanks.

[@elefant2934]

This is a very informative video, I never realized you can use your IPad as a screen mirroring device. It seems wonderful to set up self portraits for learning editing.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Always nice to read that my reviews are helpful and appreciated, thanks for commenting.

[@shuswaptoy]

Thank you for. the excellent tutorial on Snapbridge. So clear and concise.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Always nice to know my videos are appreciated, thanks for the kind words.

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

The app is very useful for sure. I hope Nikon adds histogram display. That would be great for confirming exposure is optimal.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Totally agree! Thanks for commenting.

[@skylar767]

Thanks for another succinct easy to understand review. I've been a Nikon shooter for some time but am just now switching to Fuji. I'm very much looking forward to your Fujifilm app, "how to" and your review.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for the kind words. It's in progress.

[@Mobo70]

Hi Maarten, thank you for another great video. How do you experience the battery life, battery drainage etc of the camera/battery when connected to Snapbridge?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Good question. About the same - I didn't notice a major drain when it was on.

[@sunking9050]

I find SnapBridge very useful for remote control with camera on my tripod for shooting birds. Switching between stills and video is a breeze

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Yes, that's a great use for the app.

[@antonoat]

Thanks Maarten, very helpful as is usual from you! Cheers.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for the kind words, always appreciated.

[@PhotoGearFun]

Thanks for the detailed review. I recently bought a Nikon d7500 I will have to check this out. Keep up the great work. Cheers.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks, a pleasure to read your kind words.

[@nerdMike]

Hello Maarten, difficult question.. :) On my Lumix camera (G or S) by using remote app I can check directly a video review with audio on my smartphone, without any further or slow download into my device. Quick streaming at decent quality and very useful to check focus, listen to the previous part, etc.. Now I know Fujifilm can't do it and also lowers quality to 720p even on SD via remote live view, Sony can't do it and via remote app the face tracking with 4K is disabled also.. what about Canon RF and Nikon Z cameras? For me it's a basic and useful function, but can't find the extensive info about it. Thank You.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Good question, but I don't have either model here to test. Is it not possible to check on the camera's LCD? Alternately there are external monitors or wireless transmitters to view content on tablets and phones.

[@nerdMike]

@@MaartenHeilbron I usually record in a sit position, I'm a bit far from the camera and even flippy screens are small to check, and I can't set every time the focus points or change the settings if I'm not in the right position. How can I focus on myself properly if I have to left my position to touch the camera body and then sit down again? Yes I can predict the position but sometimes it's a hit n miss when I use manual focus. I use my smartphone app always to check camera settings, change focus points if in manual, start/stop recording and also I check older video clip with audio to redo something, or check last spoken words before going ahead with my recording. It's very useful, I never change position where I can change everything and also check everything, everything in the palm of my 🖐️ . No need to external display, no need to copy files to pc, everything is faster.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@nerdMike I use, and would recommend, manual focus if you are talking to camera from a seated position. I put an object where my head will be and focus before I sit down - but often also do a quick test recording and review it on my computer. That also helps verify audio, lighting, colour balance, etc.

[@nerdMike]

@@MaartenHeilbron thank you that's the main problem, I can try do do it (expecially with manual lenses) but also i want to be more dynamic with af lenses. That's why it's useful to have a feature included on the Lumix system from ages, but can't find it anywhere.. Now I also know that Nikon doesn't allow to directly steam the video from the remote App, I need only to know about CANON at this point to see if it is possible. 😅 I need a fast wide angle lens for video, the Sigma 16 1.4 for apsc is the best deals, no similar solutions for m4/3 under 28mm full frame equivalent with shallow dof and a fair price (the fastest and the cheapest lens for this purpose, maybe with a Sony a6400). 👍🏻 Thanks for your time as always. 🙂

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@nerdMike I hope you will be successful.

[@Stonefieldmedia]

Thank you for this helpful video. Is this a setup you could use to monitor the video as it's recording? Cameraman behind the camera, director a few feet away with tablet in hand and monitoring the recorded action?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Maybe. I'd recommend that you purchase an inexpensive external monitor. Thanks, I appreciate your kind words.

[@markstemmett5296]

Again short sweet and accurate, well done

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thank you, I do aim to be clear and concise, it's nice to have that recognized.

[@MBSKanal]

Hello Maarten, thanks for the review. You’re demonstrating the share option on your iPad to share a downloaded RAW file from SnapBridge to Lightroom. I’ve tried this several times on different settings but I’m not getting the 60 MB RAW file into Lr, just a jpeg. There is no settings option that I found, that let’s me change this. Maybe a software glitch, but if I’m not mistaken, in my opinion there is no option to import RAW via share into Lightroom.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

This doesn't work for all cameras.

[@MBSKanal]

Maarten, thank you very much for the quick reply. This is weird as 3rd party apps offer this function. If anyone is interested: One app that is really good is Cascable, and you can import wirelessly downloaded RAWs into Lightroom. However, I would have liked the option in the native, free manufacturer app as well.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@MBSKanal Sorry, I have no explanation for this.

[@jackbeardsley4290]

Marty o

[@dominicwilson1706]

How does the use of the app affect the battery life of the camera?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

If the app is useful, it barely effects it. If you find the app annoying and without appeal, it's a terrible drain.

[@barrekelley9268]

Thank you, your video was well done and very helpful.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for your kind words, they are appreciated.

[@rossjanthony]

Your work is great and this is another good example. What might be super interesting is if you conducted some “real world” experiments with uses for these camera remote apps and reported on which were helpful and in which scenarios the apps were not as helpful.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for the kind words, and your great suggestion.

[@ISSO.and.NOT.Anders]

Morning... I'd like to use an old SE as a monitor for selfie recordings or maybe also for vlogs. That's really great. But as long as Snapbridge is active, my remote shutter release doesn't work. Is a workaround or setting known to fix this problem?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Yes. The workaround is to get up, start the recording and then position yourself again. However, I don't understand why the shutter release in snapbridge isn't working. Isn't that the whole point of the app? Or are you using another device to start recording?

[@ISSO.and.NOT.Anders]

@@MaartenHeilbron to use parallel a radio trigger ... Like the "ayex". 1. Snapbridge on the cam as a extern Monitor with an iphone 2. use the shutter with a Camera Radio trigger Why? So i dont need a field monitor, and I can use an oder cheep iphone. That means... I have some layin around. So..no extra Costa And no extra Akku for a field monitor. No cable..no action.

[@bjnslc]

Disappointed with the severely limited remote control in video mode for my Z6. Terminating remote control to make basic video settings is a frustrating workflow. The Panasonic Image App delivers a useful range of control in both video and photo modes. But even the Panasonic app has annoying issues. Camera makers should devote more resources to their apps. A good app will sell cameras in the age of phones and tablets.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

While I agree with your thesis, I don't agree with your conclusion - thanks for commenting.

[@wingofwinter888]

can we use snapbridge running on background with the phone screen off and automatically download RAW or JPEG to the phone as backup thetering to nikon z6 or z7? it can replace the no 2 card slot problems. thanks maarten

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Great suggestion, thanks

[@jodythomas]

Hello, I enjoyed your video and found it very useful. Does the app allow you to use the zoom function? I have a P950 under the Christmas tree and was wondering. Thanks.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

I don't know, haven't tried with that camera.

[@smkunder1]

Another helpful video, just not sure how much I will use, seems to add to my limited storage in my devices. Do you find the 2 mp files in image space are just for sharing or can they be printed?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

They can be shared, not printed. They're really just thumbnails.

[@SumitTiwari-tu5xe]

Can i use this as director's monitor..? Means simultaneously viewing both on camera and on the phone..?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Yes, but the image is slightly delayed and frame rate is less than optimal. There are many inexpensive small monitors and several adhoc wifi solutions to send HDMI output to an external monitor if a cable isn't the right solution. Those solutions are also subject to the vagaries of wireless transmission.

[@20whitesox1]

Well done. Thank you!

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thank you for taking the time to comment with your kind words.

[@torstenlarsson555]

Hi Maarten! Is it possible to display the live view histogram in the app? Thanks!

[@MaartenHeilbron]

It isn't, I showed everything it does.

[@vikk9596]

Nice video, can we take long exposure photography throw snap bridge in z system?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, you can. Or - how long did you mean?

[@vikk9596]

@@MaartenHeilbron 30 second plus like 2 minutes

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@vikk9596 Yes, you can.

[@vikk9596]

Maarten Heilbron how? Can u tell me ?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@vikk9596 Use manual, and then select the shutter speed you want.

[@overmach100]

Hi Maarten, Would you review the following 2 apps? - Helicon Remote - Camera Connect & Control Regards, Luca

[@MaartenHeilbron]

My viewers have not generally been interested in the videos I've done about apps, but let me see if those interest/excite me.

[@vueport99]

Hi, does anyone know how to set up the camera / snapbridge so only the photos I select for transfer is sent to the phone rather than every single photo taken? Thanks in advance

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Sorry, no longer familiar with this app.

[@vueport99]

@@MaartenHeilbron thanks. There was a setting in camera that did the trick. Under Select to Send. Menus are such a pain to dig thru

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Yes, that's a sore point with all cameras - so many features, so difficult to find.

[@neilmackey9626]

VERY informative video, Maarten...thanks for your insight and expertise! Armed with the info from your video, I've been playing around with SnapBridge on my Nikon D7500, using a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 tablet. Makes the taken photos a little easier to review, as I have more "seasoned" eyes and it's easier to see things on a bigger screen in the field. While the app is not perfect by any means, I think Nikon is headed in the right direction and hope that they will continually improve the app. (I have version 2.7.1). Now, that said...have you found a way to EXIT SnapBridge other than going to Settings in your smart device and doing a "forced stop"??? I can't seem to find any option(s) within the app itself for "exit"! :-0

[@MaartenHeilbron]

That works, or turn the camera off. Thanks for the kind words.

[@briankeck3762]

The focus points will not work properly for me. When I tap on my phone's screen to focus on an object it will place multiple green boxes on the screen but they will not be where I placed my finger on the screen. Basically, I cannot control the focus point and it seems like it will focus on the closest subject no matter what I point at on the screen. Any ideas on how to fix this? My camera is a D780 and I have it set to back button focus in AF-C single point.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

I'm sorry that it's not working as it should. Sadly, I have nothing to suggest for this problem.

[@dougdavis5808]

Hello,I have been looking for a new camera and I have it down to 2, 1) the eso M100 or the Sony HX 99 I will be taking pics and MAYBE some vlogging what do you think?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Neither of those support the Nikon Snapbridge App.

[@wilteduk007]

Did you find it stable in use and reliable in connecting to the camera with a device? I ask this as I have not.

[@mariomeasor]

What kind of phone or tablet are you using? I have the Z6 and a Pixel 2XL, and it has been fine for me, before the update at least. Haven't used it since the update to 2.6 or Android 10.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Actually, I did, except for one occasion in a big crowd where it was slow, but didn't disconnect. I was actually pleased as for must of the testing I was continually connected, disconnecting and re-connecting, and it never failed once. The photos transfer flawlessly (if slowly) in auto mode and the latency for remote shooting is not bad, and the refresh (you see in the video) is reasonable.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@mariomeasor I used an iPhone and iPad to test and prepare this review. The screens in the video are all from an iPad.

[@photo-markus]

Have you tried it with d850? 2 Year ago I tried it and was dissapointed...

[@MaartenHeilbron]

It's been improved substantially since, try it again.

[@LarryHopper]

Hi Maarten. Thanks for another interesting video. Is the photo in the upper left-hand corner George Harrison?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for the kind words, they are always appreciated. Yes, that's George - the photo was included with the White Album when I purchased it the day it was released.

[@fotogmike5887]

I'm considering using SnapBridge for reviewing images from my D850 on an iPad, rather than reviewing them on the back of the camera. I only shoot large, highest quality JPGs. Do you think this would be as reliable as tethering? Also, do you have a guess as to how many seconds it takes for large JPGs to transfer to an iPad using Bluetooth? Thanks!

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Only if you're sending the higher res original (ie, not the 2Mp) versions. The Nikon app is more reliable than most at this point, and pictures do transfer automatically - but it is slow. I was clocking 10-15s per image, but that varied under some conditions, where it was much slower.

[@fotogmike5887]

@@MaartenHeilbron Thanks very much!

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@fotogmike5887 always happy to help

[@imfalks3667]

Thanks for the video. I’m currently using d750 which doesn’t support snapbridge. With the supported app for d750, I’m not able to view the video on my device while recording video. Does snapbridge support simultaneous viewing on the device while recording with the z6?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

It does, as demonstrated.

[@sctm81]

Only in 2MP files. You're not missing much.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@sctm81 2MP video? I think you mis-read the question. Your response is not helpful.

[@filmstudiojapanDOTcom]

I wish so much there was a simple method of starting and stopping timelapses from the app. Yes I can set a delay time to start in camera, but for times when I am going by visual cues, or other methods, it would be so nice to sit somewhere cozy with a cup of cocoa and a little live view with a start timelapse, pause timelapse, and stop timelapse function button trio. Of course more functions like regular controls would be awesome for changing conditions, but anything would be better than nothing in this regard. This lacking goes with all camera apps I have used including snapbridge. It is a free app, but I guess I expected much more from Nikon considering the professional designation of many of their cameras.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

There's certainly a long wish list of features that we all have. Thanks for commenting.

[@filmstudiojapanDOTcom]

@@MaartenHeilbron They updated with better video control a couple of days ago btw.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@filmstudiojapanDOTcom It's hard to keep up, thanks for the tip.

[@JosephKoprekphotography]

Thanks for the video. I’ve found that when I’m manual mode, I cannot focus at all (even with the manual focus ring on the camera). Also, I’ve found that auto eye / face detection must be off in order to use touch screen to focus. Anyone else have the same experience?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for your kind words. Which camera? Which lens? Neither of these are normal behaviours, have you tried doing a reset of the camera's settings?

[@JosephKoprekphotography]

Maarten Heilbron - It’s the Z6, with both the 14-35mm, and the 24-70mm 2.8. Haven’t tried a settings reset.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@JosephKoprekphotography Those should definitely work. Make sure the lens is attached and seated properly and that the focus switch is at A (I assume you already have, but just in case). Have you tried to focus with the AF-On key? Although I'm checking on a Z7, I've had no issues with the touch/eye/face settings - they all seem to work nicely together.

[@maeu59]

It works once connected but doesn’t stay connected. As soon as I leave the menu it disconnects. And it also doesn’t auto connect to the phone , I have to go into the phone settings every time.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

I'm sorry to hear that, in my experience Snapbridge is more reliable than most and reconnects without issue.

[@AjanProvocateur]

perhaps you know how to use an android smartphone as a 10 bit external video recorder for the Z series cameras? I assume it would be necessary to use a wired connection, with a hdmi to usb converter connected to the cameras hdmi port and to the phone via an otg cable? You are knowledgable, do you know if the phone can be used as an externa recorder and how to achieve that?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

That is not possible.

[@AjanProvocateur]

@@MaartenHeilbron Is it a hardware limitation do you think?

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@AjanProvocateur It's a technology limitation. There's not enough bandwidth to transfer that much data.

[@bobwoolcock]

Shame you can't remotely control your camera using the A2, Pre1 or whatever WB you have set up. Snapbridge only allows standard WB. I need to test - probably A0.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

All of the manufacturers apps have inexplicable deficiencies. I would not recommend any auto white balance for video, as it will shift during recording making editing difficult.

[@bobwoolcock]

@@MaartenHeilbron I've ben using two cameras for events - Z7II and Z9. I assumed since they have the same sensor, all else equals they would match. No :) I'm experimenting with using the same Kelvin in both - but unless you have an $800 meter that measures K how do you set it? 6300 for shade? There's shade and then there's shade/ Look through the viewfinder and set Kelvin by eye? A preset using a white card works ok. But here's the rub: You can match the color between the two cameras pretty close but...NOT the contrast. The Z9 shoots flatter than the Z7II. So you still have to tweak the levels in post.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Yes, there's still matching to do. That's why a white or colour reference card is useful. When I don't know, I tend to use 5300 unless I can see that's not right.

[@swallowcreekvideo]

Thank you!

[@MaartenHeilbron]

I appreciate the kind words, thanks.

[@AndreyNikiforovPhoto]

Hello! Is it possible to use SnapBridge and camera simultaneously? All I see, is black screen with PC connect (it something) letters on camera and all controls blocked, when using remote on SnapBridge.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

No, remote shooting with Snapbridge transfers all control to the smart device.

[@Hardik_P]

can you please throw some light on Black Magic Pocket CInema camera so, individual video content creators like me can have clear view to take a decision for their investment. ( So far, i have impression of BMPCC 6K to be like Mercedes/BMW/Audi, Easy to buy bust costly to run/maintain.) I am in process to buy my first personal camera after working into Video making (as a one man team) for 5 years.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

I have been in contract with Black Magix about a loan, and they've indicated that they will send one when it's available.

[@sctm81]

My problem with it is that it isnt that useful except for social media sharing. 2MB is just not very useful for automatic transfer. Automatic Full JPEG ot even RAW would be more useful.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Those are supported, please watch the video.

[@SchwinnRichard]

@@MaartenHeilbron Hi Maarten, I watched the video and did not catch that "Automatic Full JPEG" is supported. I did note that you said 2MB was a default. Would you be so kind as to clarify that AUTO full JPEG transfer is possible?

[@chingkheitokpam8049]

Hallo Mr Martin (Mr hand some).

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@skiphorni]

WiFi works. Kinda. Bluetooth not so much. It did but no longer shows up in Bluetooth. iOS.Z50:

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Oh dear, while it's certainly not perfect, my experiences with Snapbridge were better than other cameras.

[@andylive974]

Sadly not available for all Nikon mirrorless cameras. Customers who bought Nikon 1 cameras don't deserve this app, Nikon stated.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Those older models don't have the hardware required to support.

[@andylive974]

@@MaartenHeilbron that's sad. Wmu I useless app

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@andylive974 It's worth noting that most of Nikon's older models are not supported. Or their film cameras either.

[@andylive974]

@@MaartenHeilbron oh, I didn't know that. I wonder why other brands have more complete apps. It looks like Nikon don't really pay attention like "we do 'g really need those things to sell cameras. Which is true by the way... but from my eyes, paying attention to the customers is not absolutely useless and it shows consideration.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@andylive974 I don't share your opinion about other camera apps. I feel that Nikon's is now one of the better ones. I would also suggest that most photographers do not use this feature. And in general, these apps are unreliable and underpowered, so that they're not nearly as useful as I'd like.

[@hoffen]

Small detail, but I think it's pronounced N-ee-kon and not N-eye-kon.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

As far as I can tell, here in Canada, even among Nikon employees, the pronunciation I use is the accepted one.

[@Megalobatrachus]

Nickon in UK. Not 'eye' or 'ee'.

[@pdlagasse]

Nikon has officially approved all regional pronunciations of its name, so technically they’re all correct.

[@alafiaxbelle5894]

D3500 is basic as hell. Only good feature is the remote photography option and even with that, there isn’t a live view. It sucks. Nikon needs to do better.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

Maybe it's kind of an old model that doesn't have the technical ability to do more? You need to be a little more understanding.

[@alafiaxbelle5894]

@@MaartenHeilbron While it may be an older model, all the features should be a bit more consistent. I do not understand why the thought of providing a feature without all the main aspects(Live View) of it. One might as well set the timer on the camera and press the button. Like I said. Nikon needs to do better.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@alafiaxbelle5894 Really? Do you homework before you buy! If you buy an entry-level model, you get entry level features.

[@alafiaxbelle5894]

@@MaartenHeilbron Well phase out the snapbridge feature for entry level cameras. Don't provide mediocre features just for the sake of trying to be inclusive.

[@MaartenHeilbron]

@@alafiaxbelle5894 Just no pleasing you.