Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
Here is a screenshot I did not think I’ll see. Lightroom connected and tethered with a Sony A7III. I mean, Sony has been tethering with Capture One for ages, but Lightroom Classic? Uh uh! Mostly because Sony and Adobe never found a way to share the needed codebase.
But now comes Tether Tools, and fr a mere $69.95, give all Sony shooters the capability they always longed for.
Cameras these days are simply amazing! Not just with the image quality we get, but also the vast array of features which are often packed into them. Features which include WiFi that enables us to have control from our phones or other devices. What if you wanted a stronger, faster connection or even the ability to add WiFi to a camera that doesn’t already have it?
This is where the CamFI Pro Plus comes in handy. The CamFi adds a 2.4ghz and 5ghz connection to your camera when connected via USB. The 5ghz signal offers speeds of up to 10 MB/s (80Mb/s) and while this is still slower than a direct connection it can be up to 5x faster than what comes built into many cameras.
As soon as I received my Canon 5D Mark IV, I turned off the Wifi. I thought that it would not be very useful to me and that it would only serve to drain the batteries quickly. As I divide my work between studio and concerts, the WiFi did not seem very useful to me.
In the studio, the USB cable was perfect for working with tethered to the computer; in concerts, the WiFi also did not seem to be of great utility. But even so, one day, I decided to install the Canon Camera Connect application to at least find out how it works. Quickly the WiFI has become a fundamental tool in my work, both in the studio and in the concerts.
Of all the features I’ve read about regarding the Sony A7RIII, this is the one that’s probably impressed me the most. I don’t often shoot tethered, but when I do, it’s often quickly. Usually, I’ve got animals in front of the camera, and they tend not to take direction very well. So, I’m shooting fast, then waiting for the computer to catch up.
According to this video from photographer Evan Guttman, that waiting all goes away with the new A7RIII. In burst mode, it manages to transfer shots from the camera to Capture One in under a second each over USB3. And yes, he’s shooting raw, not jpg.
For many photographers, shooting tethered is a way of life. For others, it’s something we only do occasionally when the need arises. The big problem all tethered shooters face, though, is the cable not falling out. Sometimes, with a long cable, it can fall out under its own weight. Sometimes it gets tugged, yanking it right out of the socket. And if this happens often enough, it can even damage the socket itself.
There are commercial solutions out there to help prevent this from happening. Solutions such as the JerkStopper and Tetherblock work beautifully. But sometimes you find yourself tethering without these options to hand. So, in steps the humble rubber band, thanks to a tip posted by Redditor, lilgreenrosetta (photographer, David Cohen de Lara).
Anyone who has ever taken self-portraits will know the exhausting little jig that goes from in front of the camera lens, and around to check the screen on the back.
I’m pretty sure they now have this merry little dance down as fitness routine in your local gym, they call it the selfie workout! I joke, but anyone who has been dressed in full costume, running back and forth in a warm room. Wiping the sweat from their brow, and jumping back again before the timer runs out, will know my pain. The image above was created through this very technique.
I recently decided to purchase a tether cable from Amazon, not only would it help with self-portraits. But it would also be very handy to have whilst shooting models, who don’t have to squint to see themselves on a small screen on the back of my camera. My program of choice for this………Lightroom! Now before I hear a harmonic cry of ‘you should be using Capture One’ bellowing over the hilltops. Let me fill you in on my experience of tethering through Adobe’s image processor and organizer. And you too will find taking self-portraits like this easier….
Looking at the Tether Tools Case Air was an interesting experience. It promises the same Camranger experience at half the cost, and a significantly lighter package. (we covered its kickoff here)
I have used the Camranger before on tradeshows and it was very smooth. The Case Air appears to be no different. It provides several nice functions: sending the files you shoot into a tablet/computer; A basic monitor; some focus peaking and so on.
CamRanger was almost a solo player in the wireless tethering arena for a very long time. While some suspected that CamRanger was simply an upgraded TPLINK 3040 router, the fact was that it delivered.
Now Tethertools are making their entry into this market and I am curious to see how they will match up. Their device is called The Case Air and it is a dongle that “sits” on your camera hot shoe. But it doesn’t just “sits” there it acts as a two way remote.
On one hand, it sends photos to a tablet or phone, and on the other it acts as a remote to take photos and videos with.
(we will be at photokina and give you some first hands impressions on this new device, follow us here!)
Well, it looks like the issues with EyeFi may not be a problem for Canon shooters. At least, not all Canon shooters. A couple of weeks ago, Digicame-info reported that instructions and specs for Canon’s new W-E1 WiFi adapter had been leaked. One point of note was the listed dimensions. 24x32x2.1mm; the same as the SD card specification.
Now, new leaked photos confirm that this seems to be true and it is an SD card. Also leaked is some camera compatibility. Interestingly, the impending 5D Mark IV doesn’t appear in that list. This may confirm the rumour that the 5D Mark IV does, indeed, have built in WiFi.
For several years now, Camranger has been the only choice if you want to tether your Nikon, Sony or Canon DSLR wirelessly to your phone or tablet. While the Camranger is a worthy device that allows you access to all your camera settings remotely as well as instant viewing of your images, even in live view, the $299 pricetag, to me, seemed excessive. By the time you add extras such as the USB cable, mount, etc, you’re approaching $400 not including your tablet.
Well, this weekend, I’ve discovered a $40 alternative. All you need is a TP-Link MR3040 Battery Powered 3G Wireless Router and a $9 app called qDslrDashboard (Android or iOS).
You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube.
His videos have over a hundred million views, have been extensively published by news outlets, and has even received recognition from a few film festivals, such as International Ocean Festival
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