Canon WFT-E2A Wireless File Transmitter

by Canon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NP1GV4
• Item model number: 1902B002
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Canon’s second-generation Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2A incorporates a number of significant new features into a robust, camera-powered system to make wireless transfer faster, simpler and less cumbersome than ever. WFT-E2A is smaller, attaches to the side of the EOS-1D Mark III, transfers images wirelessly through either 802.11 B or G, has USB and Ethernet connections for situations where wireless access is limited, as well as a more powerful antenna, capable of transmission up to 150 feet from the computer, or an accessory router/access point receiver. It can connect to a third-party GPS device via USB; generating GPS information in the image’s EXIF data. Or, you can plug a compatible USB v.2.0 hard drive into the transmitter’s USB port, and actually shoot directly to a large portable hard drive. Dust- and water-resistance are also matched with the EOS-1D Mark III body. (Note: the previous WFT-E1A Wireless Transmitter unit is not compatible with the EOS-1D Mark III camera.)

Product Description

Canons second-generation Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2A incorporates a number of significant features into a robust, camera-powered system to make wireless transfer faster, simpler and less cumbersome than ever. The WFT-E2A is smaller, attaches to the side of the EOS-1D Mark III, transfers images wirelessly through either 802.11 B or G, has USB and Ethernet connections for situations where wireless access is limited, as well as a more powerful antenna, capable of transmission up to 150 feet from the computer, or an accessory router/access point receiver. It can connect to a third-party GPS device via USB generating GPS information in the images EXIF data. Or, you can plug a compatible USB v.2.0 hard drive into the transmitters USB port, and actually shoot directly to a large portable hard drive. Dust- and water-resistance are also matched with the EOS-1D Mark III body. (Note: the previous WFT-E1A Wireless Transmitter unit is not compatible with the EOS-1D Mark III camera.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Before you purchase this, ask yourself what do I need it for?, July 1, 2008

By 

Todd in Upstate NY - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon WFT-E2A Wireless File Transmitter (Electronics)

The WFT-E2A Review:

I have been using this product for about a year before I finally wrote this review. I try not to jump the gun before I post a review. If there are issues, I want to give tech support plenty of time to get new firmware updates out etc.

One of the main reasons I purchased this device was it's initial advertisement of working with jump drives or a portable self powered hard drive are not true. Since the product has come out, the online literature has changed. You can check out Chuck Westfall talking about this product at [...] . At the 5:00 minute mark, he talks about all the stuff you can backup to. Well this isn't what is delivered to the door. The only thing the USB connection will work with is a USB hard drive that is powered by an AC adapter. So if you have a self powered USB drive like the Epson 2000, Wolverine ESP products, it just doesn't work.

I found an article at www.robgalbraith.com and they tested a preproduction version of this product and it worked with numerous devices that do not work on the finished product.

The other issue that is big is it will not auto focus a shot when you are shooting remotely. So if your camera is outside (on your deck) and you are inside (at the computer facing your camera that is on your deck) you are really hoping that bird will land just at the right spot or you have an out of focus shot. I now shot with the Canon TC80N3 and a 33 foot extension in combination with the WFT-E2A. I can remotely change settings on the camera with the WFT-E2A, and take the picture with the Canon TC80N3. I could have also got a USB hub and long USB cable and accomplished the same thing and saved $[...]s.

I do like this product when it is hooked up to the telescope though. I can sit inside and remotely control the telescope, camera, and focusing (on the telescope) without any vibration or cables running all over the place (you really don't trip on any of those cables in the dark at 4:00AM - really).

I did test 3 different GPS devices with it and none of those worked - none of the devices that I tested were on the approved list of GPS units set by Canon though. Again, this is worth researching to make sure what you have is on the approved list.

So you really have to ask yourself what do I want this product for? If you want to backup to a USB device in the field, I would say don't get it because you need to be close enough to a power source. If you want to shoot remotely and have the camera autofocus, don't get this product. If you are in a studio where you control everything, this product is for you but chances are you can run that long USB cable to your camera and save yourself some cash.

This product is worth doing some digging around for on the internet to see what it can and can't do. Canon Tech Support was little help. When I first got the device and called they told me they had no documentation in house or a WFT-E2A to test with.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have either of the Mark III bodies, this is a must have!!!, January 17, 2008

By 

Alaskan Photo Workshops & Tours "Visit www.Ph... (The Wonderous State of Alaska) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Canon WFT-E2A Wireless File Transmitter (Electronics)

This is a great add-on to any Mark 3. I have a 1d M3 and jut got my 1Ds M3 yesterday. I have had my WFT-E2a for a few months and its great. Wonderful if you do a lot of shooting or might need to put a camera in a place where you cant stand behind it to take the photos.

You can remotely control your camera to take shots, ie Live View on major Steriods. Also allows the use of external usb devices, like nice large hard drives that can be hooked to the camera for direct download of the image. You can also have the camera send the image wirelessly to a computer or laptop, so if you are doing a lot of shooting, like at a sporting event, its a great way to send your files so they can be sorted and reviewed by an assistant and uploaded or stored or ..??? Sometimes here in Alaska, in the winter you will be shooting at -50 degrees, and after standing in it for a while you go numb. with this transmitter you can be in a warmer room and control the camera remotely!!! No more frost bite or being bait for predators... :) Great for remote Macro or other wildlife shooting also!!! Or if you need to mount your camera to a tree for a shot or on a rock cliff or such, now you can still safely control it!

The price was at $1,000 originally, and now for under $800 its a deal! If you you have a valid reason to be shooting with a Mark 3 body, then you should have this in your bag. Nikon owners are all drooling over this unit because Canon is a huge step head for there pro grade shooters.

I will warn you the set up can be a pain at first. There is some very helpful info online to make it easier, like at the pixel-shooter website.

I bet you will see a ton of these over the next few months at all major sporting events!!!!!

I have used mine to capture some of the images on my website and in my photo gallery online.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No Excuse for the poorly designed network configuration and pairing paradigm, December 26, 2010

By 

Just Me "Just Me" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon WFT-E2A Wireless File Transmitter (Electronics)

Canon is a great camera company. I have had all of the 1Ds versions and many of the small Power Shots. I have eight computers on a LAN with several video cameras and a NAS which I have set up and configured without any problems but the setup for this thing is a confusing and ambiguous pain in the neck and in this day and age it should be simple, painless and highly reliable; actually, it should set itself up with a minimum of input from the user; just like Apple's computers and other network equipment.

And once you set it up it is very, very, very slow with raw files even if you have a fast network.

As one of the other reviewers wisely said, be sure that you know that you really need this device before you buy it. If you don't have a pretty compelling wireless requirement you are just not going to use it.