How to view images of a DSLR on the iPad without importing them?

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Level 1

5 points

How to view images of a DSLR on the iPad without importing them?

Hi,

I have got an iPad mini and I want to use it for previewing images shot with a DSLR. I own a Lightning to USB adapter and a Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader. I tried both to view the images, but I can use them only to import the images with the Fotos app. The problem is now that the memory of the iPad is too small, so that I can only import just a fraction of the images stored on the SD card of the DSLR. It is very annoying to wait for the thumbnail creation of about 500 images in order to import just 50 of them, viewing this subset and then throwing them away so that the next 50 images can be imported. With a Notebook or even an Android tablet I can do this within a few seconds, but with an IOS based device it takes ages to just view the images.

I could not find any application which is able to provide a simple workflow for previewing images. There are some cloud based applications for that purpose, but they are completely useless if you are on a holiday trip without any internet access.

I read that former IOS versions provided an API to access images on a USB storage and there were about 150 apps using that API. But for some (business?) reason Apple dropped that API and kicked all these useful apps out off the App Store. Is there any alternative application available for the iPad or is an Android tablet better suited for my desired use case?

Thanks.

iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi, Cellular, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 2, 2016 2:43 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Mar 2, 2016 5:24 PM in response to thomasgi

Is there any alternative application available for the iPad

I gathered this information from my readings of these discussions and read the manufacture's web site. You will have to evaluate these comments for your situation. I'm only sure about point 2 working with a camera.

Yes. Airtash lets you look at the data with a web browser. Maybe it will show pictures too.

- 1 - Photofast app is still in the app store.

Photofast's iFlash Drive
Here is a nice adapter. You can move data in both directions! Be sure to get the real thing.
http://www.photofast.com

review:
http://www.macworld.com/article/2036911/review-i-flashdrive-hd-a-flash-drive-for -ipads-iphones-and-laptops.html

Here is the ios app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-flashdrive-hd/id525386291?mt=8

Turns out there is a cheap imitation product that didn't develop their own software and parasites of of PhotoFast's software. Could be the folks using the imitation product are complaining.

- 2 - There are Wifi camera cards.

FlashAir™ II Wireless SD Card series

--Share photos & videos wirelessly

--Capacity 16GB

--Supports simultaneous access from up to seven devices

- 3 - Airstash

"Easily access, transfer, and stream your files from AirStash® – the pocketable wireless flash drive for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch! This app requires an AirStash device in order to work. View, import & export photos, wirelessly stream videos, music & podcasts, and view documents stored on your AirStash. AirStash+ is an enhanced alternative to the built-in web interface adding features only possible with a native app."

http://www.airstash.com/

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Answer 2

Skydiver119

Level 9

53,527 points

Mar 2, 2016 5:19 PM in response to thomasgi

In the past 5 years that I've used ipads they have never supported viewing images off a USB drive, not beyond a thumbnail anyway. You've always had to import the images to view them full size.

They probably still can view images from an USB drive, however a 2012 update did reduce the amount of power allotted out the port (and this was pre lightning days) so I very literally plugged 14 USB drives containing identical files on them and only saw 7 of the usb drives....and there was no consistency which ones would work, either size or manufacturer.

The only way to get the ipad to see and import files from a USB is to make the iPad think the USB is a camera by mimicking the camera file structure, a folder named DCIM and having all the file names be8 characters plus the extension, for example IMG_3838.jpg

For your needs maybe a windows or android based tablet would be better, one with a file manager that would allow you to preview off the camera card

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Answer 3

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Mar 3, 2016 7:04 PM in response to thomasgi

... Bummer ...

"AirStash A02 sales ended November 2015. Any units purchased after are not supported."

AirStash® A02 SD Card Flash Drive requires you to use a separately purchased sd card for storage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh6JJhISLrU

Found two for sale here:

http://www.amazon.com/AirStash-A02-Netzwerkmedien-Streaming-Adapter-USB-2-0/dp/B 007KLAZFC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457044…

some info on airstash software versions.

http://support.airstash.com/entries/25188629-What-are-the-latest-Firmware-and-Ap p-Versions-

Check ebay.com

There are lots of similar devices on ebay. I have not idea which one are reliable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Wi-Fi-SD-USB-support-smartphone-charger-portable-wi reless-server-WG-C20-/261942303136

[ ships from Japan? English ? ]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=Portable+Wireless+Server+-WiFi+Disk-+USB+SD &_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m5…

some sd cards can be read faster than others.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NDL56A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&cr eative=390957&creativeASIN=B007NDL56A&li…

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Answer 4

LACAllen

Level 8

43,632 points

Mar 2, 2016 5:47 PM in response to thomasgi

Are you wanting to view them on the iPad for technical reasons, i.e."sharpness" etc. or merely as a gallery?

Maybe have a look at Lightroom for iPad. It's free and is likely the most "pro" app available for what you want.

https://www.adobe.com/ca/products/lightroom-mobile.html

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Answer 5

MichelPM

Level 10

81,861 points

Mar 3, 2016 2:32 PM in response to thomasgi

What about something like this?

https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/connect-wireless-stick

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Answer 6

thomasgi Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 3, 2016 1:29 PM in response to LACAllen

I want to use the iPad both for technical inspection of the image as well as a gallery. I checked the Lightroom for iPad tutorials and came to the conclusion that it is useless because it is cloud based. The only way to get images into the iPad is to first import them into the desktop version Lightroom and then to sync it via cloud with the iPad. There is no direct import from a camera or SD card into Lightroom for iPad.

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Answer 7

LACAllen

Level 8

43,632 points

Mar 3, 2016 8:56 PM in response to thomasgi

This is what would make the iPad somewhat unsuitable for pro level workflow. It's (relative) lack of internal storage makes working from a cloud source almost required.

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Answer 8

thomasgi Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 3, 2016 1:46 PM in response to rccharles

Thank you for your suggestions.

In principle Photofast's IFlash Drive is an expensive USB stick with an additional Lightning port. The problem is that it only connects to a USB host, i.e. a notebook, but not a camera. If I have to carry an additional notebook, then I won't need the iPad.

I also tried a WiFi SD card. The problem with these cards is that the WiFi connection is unreliable. The WiFi connection never survived a whole image review session. Further I would need to replace all my other SD cards (a single WiFi card makes no sense). And last but not least the DSLR battery lost its power faster with an inserted WiFi card.

The Airstash sounds promising. I will check that further.

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