Arsenal: Anybody using the Arsenal remote system? They say it is an "intelligent camera assistant". It can control the camera thru an ap on your cell phone. I see it for $150... Is it...

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Anybody using the Arsenal remote system? They say it is an "intelligent camera assistant". It can control the camera thru an ap on your cell phone. I see it for $150... Is it worth it? Are there alternatives?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Boy does this question get asked a lot! We seem to have lots of questions, but not much user experience reported. For $150, I'd decline.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You can find 2018 and 2017 topics among this list (you have to do a little gleaning):
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=arsenal&sectnum=0&username=

Apparently, it only does what anyone can do once they learn and practice exposure and composition. A total rip-off, in other words.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Gitchigumi wrote:

Anybody using the Arsenal remote system? They say it is an "intelligent camera assistant". It can control the camera thru an ap on your cell phone. I see it for $150... Is it worth it? Are there alternatives?

I don't know about "Intelligent" or "AI". But I can get a Chinese Knock-off Wireless RF Remote Trigger for about $35 and have. A wired release even cheaper (have that too). So for $150 I'd expect a camera brand manufacturer.

dfrodin Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

If you check with Facebook you'll find a site with Arsenal users that will give you a better viewpoint on the device. Start with "with Arsenal" to find the site.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Linda From Maine wrote:

You can find 2018 and 2017 topics among this list (you have to do a little gleaning):
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=arsenal&sectnum=0&username=

Apparently, it only does what anyone can do once they learn and practice exposure and composition. A total rip-off, in other words.

Sorry... Yes... I remember those articles. Just forgot to search. Thought things may have changed and the product was now a wonderful buy. LOL!

I typically use a wired remote. Which is quite capable. But, it's cord length limits its use. Was imagining wireless, with some range, might be good. I really don't need it. (My common sense is finally kicking in!) Thanks!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Gitchigumi wrote:

Anybody using the Arsenal remote system? They say it is an "intelligent camera assistant". It can control the camera thru an ap on your cell phone. I see it for $150... Is it worth it? Are there alternatives?

Some people who have it use it more for automated photo stacking than for AI exposure control. Whether it is worth $150 for that is a personal decision.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Linda From Maine wrote:

You can find 2018 and 2017 topics among this list (you have to do a little gleaning):
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=arsenal&sectnum=0&username=

Apparently, it only does what anyone can do once they learn and practice exposure and composition. A total rip-off, in other words.

I think you are correct as far as the AI stuff goes. And the AI is basing its decisions on analysis of lots of good or professional photos. Which means it is leading you toward a calculated average of good. If being average is your goal, then the AI is a good thing. Or if you want to get to average as part of your path to improve, it might also be good. For me the AI has limited appeal. I have noticed they have changed their description of the AI in their marketing over time. They now put more emphasis on the other uses of the product and on how the AI "Like any good assistant, it then lets you control the final shot."
Their product page now just spends a short paragraph on the AI and a lot more on the rest.
https://witharsenal.com/features

From other threads it seems the product is useful for other functions like focus stacking, HDR, long exposures, time lapse and general remote control. But for these admittedly useful functions $150 seems a steep price.

I might consider a used Arsenal for under $100 as an interesting toy, but not at $150.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

dsmeltz wrote:

...I have noticed they have changed their description of the AI in their marketing over time. They now put more emphasis on the other uses of the product and on how the AI "Like any good assistant, it then lets you control the final shot." Their product page now just spends a short paragraph on the AI and a lot more on the rest. https://witharsenal.com/features

Ah, continually improving

Thanks!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Gitchigumi wrote:

Anybody using the Arsenal remote system? They say it is an "intelligent camera assistant". It can control the camera thru an ap on your cell phone. I see it for $150... Is it worth it? Are there alternatives?

Not again, this has been a thousand times on here!

Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

A total rip off, and waste of money!!!!!!!!! I speak from experience.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Elmo55 wrote:

A total rip off, and waste of money!!!!!!!!! I speak from experience.

Thanks! Sorry your experience was not a positive one! But, thanks for the warning.👍

joseph premanandan

i totally and unequivocally agree with Elmo55.it is indeed a total rip off.please do not even think about investing your hard earned money in this worthless system.i am surprised that this system is still in business. i purchased one few months back.it is a joke.most of the things, the inventor of this worthless device is supposed to perform, they simply don't, including focus staking, remote autofocus etc, etc and many of the new DSLR cameras do them well.things like focus staking can be done in photoshop.

dfrodin Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Hey Joseph, do you also know how to spell stacking?

joseph premanandan

dfrodin wrote:

Hey Joseph, do you also know how to spell stacking?

very funny! i do not claim to have mastery over spelling.thanks for your sarcastic remark.have a good day sir!