The project is the brainchild of UK-born David Slater, a photographer and filmmaker who is seeking $45,000 for the project, due to launch on Kickstarter tomorrow.
Designed to fit any mirrorless camera of DSLR with a standard hotshoe, the Camlet Mount should allow photographers to control, view their images live on screen, edit and share photos, using the larger touchscreen of a tablet or smartphone.
Features include multi-angle adjustment, enabling users to lower the mobile device for shooting video, for example, or switch to a forward-facing screen for self-portraits or video blogs.
Camlet Mount is designed to allow users to fold down their attached mobile device for carrying, or to detach it quickly.
Photographers using Wi-Fi-enabled cameras should be able to hook up to their mobile device over Wi-Fi.
A Wi-Fi-enabled memory card will allow wireless connection to Apple iOS and Android devices.
A cable will be supplied for connection of an Android device ‘to most Canon or Nikon DSLRs from the past six years’.
The first, limited, shipments are expected to arrive from November.
Slater told Amateur Photographer (AP): ‘I’ve had a great deal of interest from photographers about this over the past week, and even a few famous photographers have started to follow our Twitter and Facebook pages.’
He claimed: ‘I think this will prove a hit among amateur and causal photographers because it will allow them to affordably use the equipment they most likely already have… and not have to invest in expensive equipment usually reserved for pros…
‘I also believe that the tablet-control interface improves the learning ability and education of the beginner photographer… seeing and playing with all the controls laid out on the screen (shutter, ISO, aperture) so quickly and easily, really allows them to understand photography better.’
Slater points out that DSLR or CSC image quality (in terms of imaging sensor and lenses) is ‘far superior to a mobile device – as well as the controlling options’.
The Camlet Mount also gives system camera users an internet-connected device when out shooting.
‘As photographers, we were frustrated that DSLR interfaces couldn’t yet match the ease and connectivity of phones and tablets, so I invented something to bridge that gap.’
People pledging around £40 or more will be among the first 900 to get a Camlet Mount when it ships in November, according to the Kickstarter page due to go live tomorrow.
Slater says he has already sourced many parts and prepared some of the moulds for manufacture.
The project was first mooted in a focus group for start-ups last year.
For further details visit www.camletmount.com
