Hacker Gets Nikon WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter to Play Nice with the D800
Hardware security guru Joe Fitz has successfully hacked the WU-1a wireless mobile adapter to be compatible with the Nikon D800. “Why would anyone want to do this?” you might ask. Well, to get the same features, you could also buy a Nikon UT-1 Communication Unit for $470 and Nikon WT-5A Wireless Transmitter for $580 — a combined total of $1050. The Nikon WU-1a, designed for the entry-level D3200, costs just $58!
Sadly, the hack isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need quite a bit of technical know-how in order to carry it out yourself. Just to give you an idea of what it involved, check out these photos and diagrams of in-between steps:
If these images make sense to you — or even get you excited — you should check out Fitz’s slideshow presentation on how he carried out the hack.
Here’s a quick video showing the Nikon WU-1a working with Fitz’s D800, and snapping a photograph through the smartphone app:
Fitz says that the Nikon WU-1a has worked with every Nikon DSLR he has tried so far, but not with Nikon point-and-shoots or cameras by other manufacturers. He’s planning on developing the hack more, and is looking for hardware and software people to help out.
Image credits: Photographs by Joe Fitz
