Is there a programmable remote for Canon 40d (looking for >3 bracketed shots)?

Question

I love playing with HDR and am wondering if there is a third party that puts out a remote for the 40d that you could script comannds with. For example I'd like to:

- take baseline exposure

- drop exposure comp by -1 and take 3 bracketed shots (.5 stops between)

- return exposure to base and take 3 bracketed shots

- increase exposure comp +1 and take bracketed shots

I'd love to get the 9 shots with -1.5...+1.5 for both the focus sharpening and highlight detail.

I know you can do this with software and the camera connected to a laptop/computer, but I'm wondering if someone already makes something that would be highly portable that can send the commands.

If there is a blackberry plugin/app out there that would be excellent too.

Answer 1

Having the camera connected to the computer over USB is the only way to do that now.  

The N3 interface has 3 pins.  Common, focus, and shutter release.  When you press down halfway, focus and common are tied together making the camera auto-focus.  When you press it down fully, shutter release and common are tied together causing the camera to take the photo.  There is no other communication involved.

What you want would require something that connects via the USB port.  As of now, I don't know of any third party device that controls over the USB and would be small enough to be considered portable.  You'll need to use a laptop or set your camera for 3 brackets and adjust your shutter speeds so that you get the desired number of EV shots.