Spark Camera Control User Reviews

Name: Spark Camera Control
Rating: 3.1 (19 reviews)

Spark Camera Control

Tangy Laboratories Inc

📷 Photo & Video

Customer Experience

Positive experience22.2% of reviews

Neutral11.1% of reviews

Negative experience66.7% of reviews

~ Based on 18 written reviews from the US App Store.

Is Spark Camera Control Safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Spark Camera Control.

Is Spark Camera Control Legit?

Spark Camera Control appears to be a legitimate app. AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Spark Camera Control is 80/100.

Based on 80 of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

Top reviews

Most Recent Highest Rated Lowest Rated

Does not work

Riddled with bugs. Would not go from function to function. Constantly disconnects from device.
Do not buy.
I’m seeking refund now.

ZSITVA photography

a year ago

Much Improved!

The app had its challenges early on, but has really improved in the last couple releases. I’m glad I tried the latest update!

WinterPark

5 years ago

Can’t connect to my phone at all

I’m tired of problem solving game. I backed the project when it launched on kickstarter. It was a great solution to my 5d mkiii and I backed the project as soon as I saw it. I was excited when I finally got my spark. It didn’t work great and always needed some fidgeting but it works ok. Now few years later, the battery is dead and I replaced it but It didn’t work. So, I bought a different battery brand, I can see lights but can never connect to the spark app. I would be ok with the app not working if i can still use it as an IR remote for my camera. NO. I only work when it likes which is when it first connect and disconnect to my camera.

Hannah-Lin

6 years ago

Updated to work with 13.5.1

Great app.

Premeau

6 years ago

Time lapse never Works

The time lapse feature never worked , always says no cable connected even when its actually connected

maglly

8 years ago

Response from developer

Hi Maglly. Thanks for sharing your experience so far. This sounds like a known issue that we've experienced with a small percentage of Spark units and we've released a firmware update to resolve it. To prompt the update, connect Spark to your phone and go to the about page under settings. There will be an option there to update your Spark's firmware. Make sure you stay in the app and that you're phone screen stays on until the update is finished. This should solve the problem but we're also happy to help troubleshoot further if needed. Send us an email at info@alpinelaboratories.com any time if we can help!

Updated firmware and works great.

After some issues an update to the spark firmware has made it all work great!!

Trotts1974

8 years ago

Need more features

Features like;
More control for time lapse
Option for view finder viewing real-time
More setting for long exposure
Thanks
Cy

cyrusom

8 years ago

Response from developer

Hi Cy. Thanks for the feedback! We did release a bulb ramping feature with a firmware update. If you connect Spark to the app and go to the about page you can prompt the update. You will then have advanced settings for timelapses in the top right corner. We weren't able to add a live view option with Spark's Bluetooth connection. Fair feedback though. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Basic

Apps are way too basic, it can be includes some of the ND calculator or star trail to ease user change and swop around with other apps

Mt. Isa

8 years ago

Sony A7R3 does not work.

:::::Edited:::::
Updating review. After upgrading the firmware on the Spark, the timelapse feature works perfectly. In order to update firmware open up Spark App. Go to Setting > About and update firmware. It should be on version V1.01. Thanks for responding Alpine Labs
:::::Edited:::::

Why would they continue to sell this if they are aware of an issue with the Spark firmware. I spend ~$90 on this device just to learn I can’t do timelapse. Had I known, I would’ve spend money on a different device. I’m on vacation visiting the Great Smoky Mountain, just to have a pointless device. This isn’t acceptable, I will be filing a PayPal request for funds back.

jonacemd

8 years ago

Response from developer

Hi Jon. I'm sorry to hear you've had trouble with Spark on your vacation. We are aware of an issue with the timelapse feature that affects a small percentage of units. Our recent firmware update resolves this problem though. Please feel free to send us an email if you're having trouble (info@alpinelaboratories.com). We can also help set up a return for you if necessary. We look forward to helping resolve this for you!

Needs to be better

I love Alpine Labs. I think my Radian is awesome, and I jumped right on the Spark when I was prepping for a trip. And, as a wired or infrared remote, it’s great, although the shutter button is a bit squirrelly at times.

But the phone app is frustrating, and it flat out doesn’t work with my Sony A7RII. The time lapse feature acts like it’s working, but the shutter never activates. Even the single frame option doesn’t work—the phone just vibrates without doing anything. There’s no troubleshooting on their website, so there’s little I can do to see what might be wrong.

I get that Sony’s stuff is harder to work with than Canon or Nikon, but if you can’t make it work, then you shouldn’t sell the product for that market until it does, flawlessly.

I’ve updated firmware on the device, and maybe some day an update will fix the problems, but more likely, the Spark will end up in a drawer, forgotten.

As I said, I love what these guys are trying to do, and I’ll keep working with my Radian.

JoeyLP_28

8 years ago

Response from developer

Hi Joey. Thanks for sharing your experience with Spark and Alpine Labs so far. This actually sounds like you may have a defective unit. If you've completed the firmware update and Spark is still having trouble triggering the camera, then the unit is not functioning properly. This isn't caused by your camera type as Spark is most popular among Sony users. Please send us an email so that we can arrange a replacement! Look forward to working through this with you.

A7riii doesn’t work.

I have an A7riii and the only functions that work with my camera is the single shot feature and the photo booth. The two lamest ones! I bought this thing because the time laps feature stinks on the this camera. Turns out, this product stinks just as bad. Oh, and it came in pieces in the box. Shipping packaging wasn’t adequate.

testing me

8 years ago

Response from developer

I'm sorry to hear about your experience! You obviously got a defective unit that needs to be replaced. The issue with the timelapse feature that you experienced seems to affect a small percentage of units. We have released a firmware update to fix this. Please send us an email so that we can arrange a replacement and give you more instructions for the firmware update. Thanks for sharing your experience so far. I hope you'll give us the chance to get this resolved!

Timelapse doesn't work

When trying to start a timelapse, spark blinks to acknowledge it but does not start

ComfyKane

8 years ago

Timelapse doesn't work

I backed this on Kickstarter to get the timelapse capability, which I can't get working. I see in reviews on other app stores that I'm not the only person with this problem. I can't recommend with the app or the Spark until this problem is fixed.

Robert Prior

8 years ago

Not fit for purpose

I’ve followed all the tips on the website but unfortunately I have a big banner saying my Bluetooth is not enabled and the banner doesn’t disappear when pushing on the “OK” button. Cannot access any other part of the app. Effectively unusable. FYI, the Bluetooth is enabled and can see the spark is connected at bottom of screen.

Mariusg81

8 years ago

Timelapse doesn’t work

Using this on a Sony A7riii the timelapse feature doesn’t work. I followed up with support and they stated the engineers are aware and working on a fix that it isn’t specific to that camera but a firmware failure due to the LED on the spark and power management. For me this is a dealbreaker and I would suggest not purchasing a spark until they get the unit working. Timelapse was the only reason I bought this device.

bublar

8 years ago

Response from developer

Hi Bublar. We were able to release a firmware update in March. To prompt the update you'll need to connect Spark to the app and go to the about page under settings. Please let us know if you have any trouble. Thanks for the constructive feedback!

Doesn’t fulfill promises

I still can’t do bulb ramp time lapses even though that was promised. The fastest shutter I can do in HDR mode is 1/10 of a second, so that’s not even useful unless I’m only doing HDR photos at night. I would stay away from this product.

hosayif

9 years ago

Missing Intervalometer Ability

I don’t understand why this app doesn’t have an intervalometer feature. If I can control how the exposure time with my spark why can’t I program how many photos I want to take as well! Very disappointed.

acbuono5

9 years ago

Needs work

Like many, my experience is mixed, mostly with the main features I backed this for not working as advertised. Funny, some of the function on the app worked, like time lapse, on an earlier build of the app. I have already submitted a couple of bug reports for the issues described below, but have had no follow-up with them, so not sure if they actually received them.

My setup: Canon T5i camera, iPhone 8 (iOS 11)
App v1.1.0.8320c56
Firmware v0.01

- the app keeps on forgetting that I set this for Canon and keeps resetting to Nikon. This makes using the IR function non-functional. This probably is why I have issues in the other functions as well.

- I get occasional 'camera cable is not connected' messages on the phone in
the 'Photo' menu. The phone buzzes and no picture is taken.

- Time Lapse, one of the main reasons I bought the Spark, just doesn't work. I can push 'Start' on the App and then App goes through the motions of taking the pictures - the camera does nothing. It did, however, worked when I first got the Spark with an older version of the app. This was for only a short time before the app was updated. Seems like it went backwards.

- HDR is erratic and mostly nonfunctional. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does something, but not as it is set in the settings. I have to make sure I am in Bulb and on manual focus, which is fine, but then it will only take 1 or 2 pictures (when set for 3).

I can get the Long Exposure and Photo Booth to work. A bit of saving grace, but not the main functions I got this for.

IronSolidac