So, I've been looking today and found some free software online that allows me to tether my camera to my laptop with a USB cable so the images show up there almost instantly. ( http://www.diyphotobits.com/download-diyphotobitscom-camera-control/) The interface feels quite clumsy though and the full screen preview chops off the bottom of my images, so I'm not that fond of it.
I've also found one called Control My Nikon that costs about $20 is really pretty and feels nice to use, even showing histograms when the photo displays. (I'm on a free trial at the moment.) However, this one doesn't leave a copy of the image on the memory card and gives the images new names which seem to be random letters and numbers with no set pattern, which isn't the most helpful either.
So what I want to know is, does anyone use either of these pieces of software or any other software to tether their camera? If so, what do you think? Or what would you recommend trying?
Help me think this through - what is the benefit of going through all this to tether your camera to your laptop, vs. just popping the memory card into it? I promise I'm not being derisive - I'm genuinely curious! :)
ETA: Is it a way to bypass the use of a memory card? Wouldn't it be easier to use a memory card rather than a laptop/cord combination?
@beautifulthing Ive seen this sort of sort ware used in a situation like when you are doing fairs and such... or Kid ID's at a safety fair.. it sends the image straight to a laptop so you can edit and print straight away.. rather than pull the memory card from the camera etc..
@wormentude never used any of this software myself so cant help you..
With my Canon I use the EOS Utility programme that came with the camera. The camera connects to the computer via USB and you can control any settings and shoot remotely. The live view is on the screen and any changes in settings, aperture or shutter speed can be seen instantly. I use it quite often and find it very good for macro work.
@beautifulthing the only thing I've ever used tethered was a Phase 1 back on a Hasselblad. I think the main points were to bypass the memory card as it could only store about two shots, and to make sure the hairs on the eyebrow mites on the model's lashes were properly sharp
Such thing as WiFi equipped memory cards exist I do believe, so that could be something to look into. I would guess they have the ability to send photos over WiFi to some receiving software of some form running on a laptop. They're probably not that cheap though.
@beautifulthing it's useful for pixel peeping and examining your shots in detail. Although LCD screens on cameras are improving, they just can't match a full size monitor for clarity.
Whenever i do staged shots, i always find myself zooming in on the LCD and slowly panning across photos to find flaws, and i think it'd be awesome to tether this to a laptop. But unless i become pro or work in a studio environment, i don't see myself ever doing this just because of the hassle.
I use Eye-fi with LR3... one plus is that it lets you set up a screen off set so no one needs to come onto the set to review what you are doing... make-up artists, hair people and clients can review what you are shooting and comment on the models or products... OR you can have your PA do the button pushing and you can review the photos and adjust this without being behind the camera.... PS instead of tethering to a computer, tether to a tablet and it is uber slick...
@beautifulthing I want it as an option as I'm using a macro lens a lot at the moment, but it only manual focuses on my camera, but it's very hard on the camera screen to tell if it's focussed right, even if I zoom it right in.
@icywarm I wish! Would have to own a tablet first... My laptop will do for now though. Will look into Eye-fi, have been fancying LR3 for a while, so now might be a good time to go for it. :-)
@michaelsr67 How do you have it set up to use Lightroom? I fancy getting it, so it might be a good way too get everything I want. ;-) Is there a specific plug in you use?
I think it works best if you are professional photographer and you have clients watching and you are being paid for your time.
Also if the lcd screen is too small on your camera it may help, but I have seen it with portable dvd players so the equipment is smaller and less costly if it breaks
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ETA: Is it a way to bypass the use of a memory card? Wouldn't it be easier to use a memory card rather than a laptop/cord combination?
@wormentude never used any of this software myself so cant help you..
Whenever i do staged shots, i always find myself zooming in on the LCD and slowly panning across photos to find flaws, and i think it'd be awesome to tether this to a laptop. But unless i become pro or work in a studio environment, i don't see myself ever doing this just because of the hassle.
Also if the lcd screen is too small on your camera it may help, but I have seen it with portable dvd players so the equipment is smaller and less costly if it breaks