Camera recovery item/accessory

[Strembicki]

I purchased a new Nikon Z8 and RRS has not released an L bracket for it yet and just wanted something to mount my camera to my tripods and cam across this, its made by SmallRig and is a tripod base plate with a compartment for an Apple air Tag built into it. I know the content rule here does not apply to my Z8 situation but I'm pretty sure this will work on my Nikon film cameras as well or for that matter any camera.

 

[abruzzi]

I've never tried airtags, but that is a neat idea. I assume the cover is plastic? I suspect if it was buried too beeply in metal, the airtag would have a hard time communicating.

 

[ic-racer]

Have you tested it? What is the range?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I purchased a new Nikon Z8 and RRS has not released an L bracket for it yet and just wanted something to mount my camera to my tripods and cam across this, its made by SmallRig and is a tripod base plate with a compartment for an Apple air Tag built into it. I know the content rule here does not apply to my Z8 situation but I'm pretty sure this will work on my Nikon film cameras as well or for that matter any camera.

It looks as though you can remove the plate on the bottom by using a hex head on the "silver" screw. See what is under there.

Also it looks like the three holes in a row will take a tripod screw. Are there threads in those holes?

Check the Nikon Z8 manual on page 22?

 

[Strembicki]

Have you tested it? What is the range?

I do not wish to be rude, but do a Google search on Apple Air Tags it will be much more comprehensive a description. I will say that in March I flew to Paris from STL on Lufthansa and they lost my wife's baggage, I will able to track it anywhere there was a WIFI or cell phone for it "pings" its location to my phone when I place it in LOST mode. I will never travel again without one of them in my luggage. I also have one in all my camera bags, they work very well. so short answer is lots of range when in either a WIFI zone or near another iPhone.

 

[MattKing]

I take this as being a question whether the tripod base plate will fit on the OP's film cameras and permit the cameras' normal operation - i.e. will it block the film door from opening or other practical impediments.
Not a question about the base plate's Air Tag functions.

 

[Strembicki]

I take this as being a question whether the tripod base plate will fit on the OP's film cameras and permit the cameras' normal operation - i.e. will it block the film door from opening or other practical impediments.
Not a question about the base plate's Air Tag functions.

Here it is mounted to my Nikon F2 and it clears the film door, the rewind button and the key to open the back. On the Nikon F there is a problem due to the design of the F film back sliding off.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I take this as being a question whether the tripod base plate will fit on the OP's film cameras and permit the cameras' normal operation - i.e. will it block the film door from opening or other practical impediments.
Not a question about the base plate's Air Tag functions.

Additionally, digital cameras do not have film doors.

 

[ic-racer]

I do not wish to be rude, but do a Google search on Apple Air Tags it will be much more comprehensive a description. I will say that in March I flew to Paris from STL on Lufthansa and they lost my wife's baggage, I will able to track it anywhere there was a WIFI or cell phone for it "pings" its location to my phone when I place it in LOST mode. I will never travel again without one of them in my luggage. I also have one in all my camera bags, they work very well. so short answer is lots of range when in either a WIFI zone or near another iPhone.

How far away was the baggage when you got the ping?

 

[Strembicki]

The bag was in Saint Louis, Missouri, I was in Paris, France

 

[koraks]

How far away was the baggage when you got the ping?

That's not very relevant given that the tag uses WiFi (or Bluetooth/BLE). It doesn't matter if the WiFi hotspot or BT device it connects with is within your home or in, let's say, downtown Kuala Lumpur, as long as it's internet-connected.

This strength is of course also its weakness. Leave the camera on your campsite (oops, forgot to take it off that tree stump I set it on while packing!) somewhere in the sticks and the airtag thingy will be as useful as a cat flap in an elephant house.

 

[Bushcat]

That's not very relevant given that the tag uses WiFi (or Bluetooth/BLE). It doesn't matter if the WiFi hotspot or BT device it connects with is within your home or in, let's say, downtown Kuala Lumpur, as long as it's internet-connected.

This strength is of course also its weakness. Leave the camera on your campsite (oops, forgot to take it off that tree stump I set it on while packing!) somewhere in the sticks and the airtag thingy will be as useful as a cat flap in an elephant house.

I don't want to be "that guy", but WiFi and internet is irrelevant. It's Bluetooth, specifically using devices with recent versions of iOS as relays. Once it's declared as lost, it will use any passing, recent, iPhone as a relay on the Find My feature. Bluetooth to iPhone, then cellular.

 

[MTGseattle]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1742000-REG/smallrig_md4150_arca_type_quick_release.html?ap=y&smp=y&msclkid=cf2673f409e61ca1736e177dc1ef92f9

I didn't know this existed. it's a good idea and potentially great for anyone who doesn't stray far from urban areas. If you're 10 miles from a trailhead, yes, there may be less effectiveness.

The product I linked to isn't described for a specific camera, so one would need to check things out.

 

[armadsen]

I don't want to be "that guy", but WiFi and internet is irrelevant. It's Bluetooth, specifically using devices with recent versions of iOS as relays. Once it's declared as lost, it will use any passing, recent, iPhone as a relay on the Find My feature. Bluetooth to iPhone, then cellular.

Yep, this is correct. Although they also have UWB (Ultra Wideband) connectivity for local precision finding. If within close range (30-40 feet), you can connect directly to find it, and on recent iPhones with Ultra Wideband capability, you can locate its exact position (within inches), no internet connection required. That's helpful if it's lost inside your house, or even somewhere remote (e.g. camping), etc.

All my camera bags have them, as do a lot of my other things (suitcases, etc.). They've come in handy a few times.