episode 29, computer tethered photo capture
“How do I shoot tethered to my computer with a digital SLR?” That is possibly the most oft-asked question here at prophotolife.com. In most every instructional video I’m watching a computer monitor to view the images as they’re shot so it only makes sense that we give the process a look.
If your photography allows it this is a great way to view a large histogram and to check critical sharpness of the photos enlarged to 100%. The files can be easily managed and the good ones immediately tagged as you shoot. Small, hidden details become visible. For our commercial photo studio this is definitely the hot setup. And here’s a little bonus: the Canon software allows automatic captures at predetermined intervals for time lapse photography!
Shooting tethered can be both simple and complicated. The process (once you have it setup) is quite simple both in principle and execution. The complicated part can be figuring out what “capture” software will work with your particular SLR. If you have the latest, greatest camera model there may not be anything on the market that will work with it quite yet. The software developers can be a few steps behind the hardware developers at times so definitely check to make that your particular model is supported, regardless of what software you‘re interested in.
Subscribers view video here:
I’ve used Canon, Nikon and Fuji cameras tethered with great results. I’m honestly not current on how the other manufacturers handle tethered capture but I believe Sony, Pentax, Fuji and Olympus package some sort of capture software with their cameras (as does Canon). Nikon asks that you buy their software in order to shoot tethered (Amazon stocks the Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 Software Full Version for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Because I own Canon cameras and they include capture software with the new cameras that’s what I’ve used in the video (it was easy and accessible). It was necessary, though, to update my software to the latest versions after loading (by searching the Canon USA consumer support site). You can use both the Canon’s software and Nikon Capture for Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X.
Think of tethered capture as two different jobs being accomplished:
1. The tethered capture of images to a folder on your hard drive
2. The viewing of those captures in a viewing and processing software that reads that folder. It can be either part of, or independent from, the capture software.
I’ve mentioned the camera manufacturer’s softwares. There are some popular, full-featured third-party softwares that do both of the above jobs, they both capture and allow image processing:
- Phase One’s Capture One Pro V3.7 PC/Mac Software
(our favorite at Daylight Photo)
- For Mac users, Apple’s Aperture 2
- Bibble Labs Bibble Pro Workflow Software Version 4.9
If one of these softwares supports your camera (here’s the big disclaimer: ALWAYS check to make sure your camera is supported) then you should be good to go.
Some photographers really like to use the capture software from their camera manufacturer and then read the folder and manage the files as they shoot with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom! This “hybrid” method is very popular and gives great control (it is especially popular with local Nikon users, I‘ve noticed).
Most cameras shoot tethered using USB 2.0 cables, check to make sure you’re not using Firewire. If so, you’ll want to use complimentary Firewire extension cables. The USB cables mentioned in the video (in addition to the one supplied with your camera) are a 10-foot USB 2.0 Extension Cable and a USB Repeater Cable LSZH - 16ft/5m
.
Okay, that’s as much as I can cover on the topic in one Monday, if you have anything to share or contribute please let us know and thanks in advance!
Thanks a lot Jim!
Since I own the Canon 40D I can put this to practical use. But, what if you wanted to have a set up where the camera and computer where farther than the 15 feet you suggest? Is there some type of wireless device that can be used?
Thanks,
Jonathan
For canon i would like to throw in a extremely useful little application that does a much better job than EOS Utility and that is DLSR Remote by Breezesys. EOS Utility have a tendancy to sometimes crash and when it does, you loose the session information which means that you cannot later on go back and forth and look at earlier pictures unless you import them (or auto-import) into a 2ndary application such as Lightroom or Capture one. DSLR Remote is faster and better when handling this and will do all of it, capture, display, remote controlling, etc. all built into the same application. Works only with Canon cameras though and unfortunately only on Windows OS. Though it can be run in a VMWare or Dualboot Intel-based Mac.
I do own Capture One Pro aswell but since i shoot with 40D i cannot tether it yet. Eagerly awaiting the next v4 version they say should hit the streets well about now in Photokina
And directory watching in Lightroom is just too slow for me. You can easilly end up 7-8 images ahead of the import-queue on Lightroom which is a bit of a drag in a studio situation when the CD/AD/Designer is commenting on shots you did a min ago.
Other than that i use 11.5 m of usb cable usually, 2 x 5 active usb and then one 1.5 m normal usb. Haven’t had any problems whatsoever with this setup. Used it yesterday in fact and the result you can see on my blog http://imaginara.tumblr.com (also linked from my normal page).
well that was my $0.02 for tethered capture with Canon cameras.
I was helping a friend out with a portrait shoot and was telling him how I have shot with my Canon tethered and that he should try it in the studio to let the clients see what’s going on. Me being the computer guy I figured I could get his Nikon connected up just as quick as mine, but I couldn’t find the options anywhere… a quick search and Nikon wants $70 for the simple version and $160 for the pro! Fortunately they had the free trial so the tethered shoot went ahead, but I’m still shocked that such a simple program (like Canon’s) isn’t automatically included with a ~$1000+ Nikon camera. Not even the D3.
Great video as always Jim, I particularly like the safety tips about the USB cables.
As a Nikon user who is too cheap to buy their software I wrote my own script to do tethered shooting on Windows. It’s very basic and just suitable for hobbyists, any pro should be using the pro software. But quite a few people have been kind enough to say it has helped them out. Only today did I finally get around to doing a video HOWTO on it.
http://www.diyphotobits.com/2008/09/22/tethered-shooting-script-a-howto-video/
I hope it helps someone else who is in my situation (Nikon, Windows, cheap and decidedly not a photography pro!)
Thank you for the video,
I have tested the Nikon Camera Control, and have used it a couple of times to create timelapse with my Nikon D70.
Your tips regarding cable security is great.
However, your computer tripod intriges me, is it a homebuilt one or an actual product. Please describe it if its a homebuilt one, or post product specifications.
This is great info! There’s nothing like hearing “real world” solutions for matching up a good camera / OS / software combination.
Canon does have the WFT-E1 Wireless File Transmitter
for wireless communication at around $1050 US. Nikon lists the WT-4a Wireless Transmitter
for the D3 and D300 at around $750.
I agree, JasonP, somebody needs to come up with an inexpensive solution for tethering Nikons, considering the other companies include it. Hey wait, along comes Raymond! Right on, Raymond, I’m heading over to watch the video!
Hey Jim,
thanks for sharing another great video
). I need to get usb extension cords soon, I think 
Very good point about the accidently-”removed”-cables. I suggest you make also sure not to pull the knots of your cables too tighly. I once had a broken cable at exactly that spot (luckily just an older hair dryer
I also have a totally different question. Did you ever experience lens flare or reduced contrast when you’re shooting sb/sth on very light background? By “light background” I mean overexposed white backgrounds (for saving isolation work later). I had that happen some days ago and I don’t know where it exactly comes from… light angle? light intensity? distance to background? (the lens?) I didn’t have time to investigate yet..
Best wishes,
Martin
PS: If you’re shooting just JPG and have wifi, you can use the Eye-Fi SD-Card for wireless (think CF-adapters are available). Hope make their cards RAW-compatible one day…
Then you can see them dierectly on your screen or (mac:) define folder actions to import it directly to Aperture
Michael, check out the video library, episode 24 (location photography gear) tells how to build the homemade computer stand. The Eye-Fi sounds cool, gotta check that one out.
Martin, I’m very familiar with what you’re talking about with flare and blown-out edges when shooting on white. We move black cards in very close to the subject for two purposes: to block light bouncing back from the white background and to create (reflect?) a dark edge onto the subject. Hope this makes sense. For people we use large 4′ x 8′ black foamcore boards on each side of them, moved in as close as possible.
Thank you for directing me in the direction of Episode 24.
Most DSLRs these days have video-out ports. You can “tether” inexpensively that way as well. Connect the camera to a TV or portable DVD player and the TV will display whatever would be on the camera’s LCD. I’ve done this a couple of times to preview photographs for the entire family after a day out. You will still be recording to the flash memory, but you get the display off the camera’s LCD.
Adobe photoshop Lightroom2 allow tethered photo capture in the file menu with the command Autoimport.
Hello,
do any of you know a way to shoot tethered with
an olympus (e510)? none of the softwares seem to support
the tethered features with the olympus brand.
Is there any technical hardware diffeculty that doesn’t allow this
or is it just lack of intrest for developers to work on it?
Hi Jim..
Great site You have made… I like Your Video-tutorials couse they are basicly to the new DSLR-people.. Love to look at a new video every monday..
But now to my question:
Do You know a free alternative software (Something that works a little bit like Nikon Camera Control Pro 2(I have an Nikon D80)). Hope You can help a student from Denmark, who don’t get so much money i month..
/Brian
I have the Pentax K20D, and the software and cable that come with it is lot like that shown in the video. A 1 meter USB cable is included, and the software is Pentax Remote Assistant 3.
very nice web site. to the point. no b.s. keep it up. i think you guys are great. thank you! Richard Olson/photographix. tupelo MS.
Hey Jim,
Great video as usual…(deja vu anyone??)
I shoot Nikon (D300) and i have not yet purchased the software needed to try this out, (which should be included in the package in the first place). However, I do see a few great ways to utilize this feature. One question though. Perhaps some of your Nikon viewers can answer this. Does the live view work when shooting tethered? I mean, will you be able to actually use the labtop to see what you are about the shoot?
Thanks
Jan
Thanks for the very useful tips. I’ve been following the portrait video’s (which came out the day *after* I shot some pictures, and have found them very useful. Learnt a lot already. My hardest was a family shot of 10 adults and 3 kids under 5 - not much time to get photos before the kids get very fussy. Really needed to know how to do the tethered shooting as trying to preview the image on the lcd screen is impossible. Worked it out but found that I needed the original cd from canon as the downloaded eos software will not install unless the cd is installed first.
I then tried Bibble’s software but it didn’t work - looking back I think the big gotcha for me was the ptp vs pc connection. Back home I then tried the eos software and that worked when using pc connection and I was laughing - now to work on the camera stand!
Thanks again, the tutorials have been very helpful.
Re. Adobe Lightroom. Autoimport exists in 1.4 aswell so it’s not 2.0 specific.
It is however extremely slow compared to any of the direct capture solutions (Capture one, DSLR Remote, Eos Utility, Bibble).
And ofcourse it needs one of the other (usually Eos utility =)
ToneUp S3 allows tethered shooting, along with custom curves upload to Nikon cameras. It also uses the Nikon SDK for NEF rendering, and has a decent bunch of editing tools for global image editing. Best part- it’s for $19.99. I think it should work with other brands for tethering too, while it certainly does support the major manufacturer’s raw files for editing.
If you only want tethering for Nikon (and maybe for other cameras too,) then check out this link: http://www.diyphotobits.com/2008/05/23/free-tethered-shooting-script-for-nikon/
For longer wired setups I use a 100′ category 5 network cable with USB extenders. This is used to operate my camera on a telescoping mast with pan and tilt. I to use the Breezesys program to run it via a laptop. Someone is using a wireless usb hub but I can’t remember who, He controls pan/tilt and all camera functions from his laptop. I believe it is somewhere on APLanding.com
Other wireless methods for operating a camera including pan/tilt and zoom require hobby servos. Shutter can be operated by either a servo, a RC trigger direct to the usb or something like the Phottix Cleon on ebay ($30 with tested 300′ range).
Wireless downlink via live video out is viewed on an lcd monitor with a range of 1000′+… but this wireless method you loose control over saved images on your computer, the CF card must still be used.
I to greatly appreciate your tutorials, Hopefully I have provided some information someone may also find useful.
Unfortunately this video series started strong but seems to be loosing its salt,
More videos on shooting please
The early stuff is awesome lets get back to that
Stu
Thank you Jim for demystifing this process for me. I had a question about the stand you placed your laptop on. Is that a tripod, and if so/not can you please tell me what you are using?
Once again, you’ve outdone yourself! THat was a great video. Thank you so much!!!!
Thanks Jim, I was really glad to see this video in my inbox. For the last couple weeks I have been talking to my wife about getting something like this, but didn’t know much about it. Thanks for the enlightenment.
I didn’t realize the pieces of Canon software worked together like that - I’ve been importing to Aperture using an Automator script.
One thing I can’t figure out is why the transfer is so much slower (almost 10 seconds) on a Rebel XTi versus the 5D, with the same software. Has anyone else experienced this or come up with an explanation?
Thanks Jim, discovered you today on Youtube. Appreciate the tips.
Hey Jim,
I’ll try that out asap.
thanks for your info about the flare with white backgrounds some days ago
Best wishes,
Martin
Hey, I just daw a pic pif Joe McNally with a similar laptop mount:
http://panospin.com/projects/mcnally/
(3d view, need shockwave I guess)
He had the laptop on a boad like you and the camera “attached to it”.
Just wanted to mention this
As usual, great video, Jim.
One more thing that is worth mentioning is that the camera should connect to a USB cable with a fuse. (like the one you used in the video).
This will prevent a harmful USB discharge from your laptop to the camera. those are rare, but I have seen them happen.
Jim, thanks for all of the great info that you give us. Could you please tell us about the desk top that you have your computer sitting on in the video?
You’ll find info on how to build the laptop stand in Video Episode 24 - complete instructions!
I did my first tethered shot yesterday, I had to take some portraits of my colleagues.
View it at my Blogspot blog
Yesterday I uploaded a new version of the free tethering script I’ve written for Windows which is mentioned above. This time I’ve given it a proper installation routine and an GUI with a preview window etc. It’s still very basic, but still free, yet perhaps a bit less “geeky”.
http://www.diyphotobits.com/2008/10/16/diyphotobitscom-camera-control-10/
I’d greatly appreciate any of the readers who are interested in tethering, and have Windows and don’t want to buy CCPro, who would give some feedback on how it works for them.
Already I’m working on a new version that will allow things like shutter and ISO control from the PC. Actually I have that mostly working but need to make the interface a bit more usable.
I’m also planning on an intervalometer for time laps where you can bracket each shot or otherwise control the settings for each shot. I think this will help a lot with longer outdoor time laps where lighting conditions may change over the duration.
Your video is very informative and precise…I sat at home on sunday and went to school for about 8 hours…I work in Jackson Mississippi as a portrait and sport photographer…we do everything that has to do with the yearbooks, from proms to highschool football games to senior portraits as well as copy work. Currently we have contracts with over 30 schools…
I was watching espisode 29 and wondering wat kind of head unit is supporting the computer from the tripod…it looks very suitable to our needs…that is the upright angle and sturdyness of the tripod…can you help us out…also I was watching the episode on high key lighting and love the idea of using kitchen flooring for its workablility and re-usablity…
Hi Simba, for the laptop stand check out the video libary, episode 24, location photography gear. You’ll find complete instructions on how to build the stand! Thanks for watching…
Thanks great video, I’ve watched them all and your a very clear and easy to understand instructor, I run a D300 and I use Camera Control 1.0 from DIYPhotobits.com running through Adobe Bridge, it down loads 14bit NEF files in approx 4 secs, best of all its free…
hi Jim great tips. can u suggest what software is the best for tethering software for nikon d80?
Thank you
I am going to go home and look through the programs that came with my computer.
Hi jim, just found your video’s on ‘you tube’. Excellent stuff. I am just getting back into photography and digital cameras (i swore i would never buy such a thing.) I have recently bought a Nikon D80. So after reading your letters and watching your video’s i cant wait to see if my camera will tether to my aperture program. I look forward to trying to keep up with your video’s and what your viewers and writers have to say.
Thanks, Nigel from the uk
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