Camera & DSLR Setup
Karafuru works with two types of cameras: a USB webcam for quick live preview, or a professional DSLR for higher image quality.
Webcam (Recommended for Speed)
A standard USB webcam is the fastest option. Guests see themselves live on screen with minimal delay.
Steps
- Plug in your USB webcam to any open USB port on your PC
- Open Karafuru or restart it if it's already running
- Karafuru auto-detects the camera within a few seconds
- You should see live preview in the camera area of the dashboard
If it doesn't appear
- Try unplugging and plugging back in the USB cable
- Restart Karafuru
- Check Settings → Camera to confirm the webcam is listed
Karafuru uses your webcam for live preview during the event. It does NOT capture final photos from the webcam — even though guests see the preview on screen, the actual photo grid is captured by your selected camera (webcam or DSLR).
DSLR (Professional Quality)
Use a professional DSLR for higher-quality photos. You'll need DigiCamControl — a free software tool that lets Karafuru control your DSLR remotely.
Before you start
- Your DSLR must be on the DigiCamControl supported list (most modern DSLRs are supported)
- Download and install DigiCamControl on the same PC
- Connect your DSLR to your PC via USB cable
Steps
- Open DigiCamControl on your PC (run it in the background — it doesn't need to stay visible)
- Open Karafuru and go to Settings → Camera
- Select "DSLR" or "DigiCamControl" from the camera dropdown
- Karafuru connects to DigiCamControl and takes control of your DSLR
- You'll see the DSLR live preview in the dashboard
If the DSLR doesn't connect
- Make sure DigiCamControl is running (open it first, then launch Karafuru)
- Check that your DSLR is connected via USB and powered on
- In DigiCamControl, confirm the DSLR is detected (you should see it in the device list)
- Restart Karafuru
- Try again in Settings → Camera
DigiCamControl must be running for Karafuru to control your DSLR. Keep it open during your event, even if you don't see it on screen.
DSLR vs. Webcam
| Feature | Webcam | DSLR |
|---|---|---|
| Photo quality | Good for web/social | Professional, high-res |
| Setup time | Instant | Requires DigiCamControl |
| Speed per photo | Fast (1–2 seconds) | Slower (2–3 seconds) |
| Cost | $20–50 | $300+ (you probably own this) |
| Learning curve | None | Install DigiCamControl once |
Recommendation: Start with a webcam for speed. Switch to DSLR if you need professional-quality prints.
Related: First Launch • Running a Session