Real film looks for digital photographers
Four short guides, one per brand, with the actual menu screens from each maker's manual. Pick your camera below, or read the whole thing as a PDF.
Plug and go. A cable from the camera to your iPhone. No passwords, no network. Battery lasts longer because Wi-Fi is off. Best for a desk or a car.
Works anywhere. The camera makes its own Wi-Fi network and your phone joins it. No router needed. Your phone has no internet while it is connected.
Only at home. Camera and phone both join your router. Your phone keeps internet. Set-up takes a few more taps and you have to redo it on a different network.
Not every camera offers all three. Fujifilm phones only connect through the camera hotspot. Older Sony bodies are hotspot only. Canon turns Wi-Fi off while a USB cable is plugged in. The brand pages say which ones apply.
Wi-Fi through Canon's Camera Control API, or a USB cable. Most bodies need a one-time activation first.
USBHotspotHome Wi-FiBluetooth pairing, then the camera's own hotspot. Over USB set CONNECTION MODE to USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO.
USBHotspotCamera hotspot (AP mode) or home router (STA mode) from the network menu. USB is MTP/PTP; keep the USB setting on MTP/PTP, not iPhone.
USBHotspotHome Wi-FiHotspot from Smartphone Connection or Ctrl w/ Smartphone. Home Wi-Fi after Bluetooth pairing on newer bodies. USB needs Remote Shooting (PC Remote).
USBHotspotHome Wi-Fi (newer bodies)Canon is where FilmDeck started, and the Canon steps match the app today. The Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony pages show how to put those cameras into the modes an app can use. Check the app for current model support.