Lightroom v2 Camera Tethering

  • Thread starter Thread starter mountainstorm
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mountainstorm

Guest
After a bit of work I've completed my first Lightroom Plugin. It ONLY works on Mac OS X 1'.5 and Lightroom v2 but gives you tethering support in Lightroom.

Its faster than using an AutoImport folder and (I think) pretty cool. Unfortunately at the moment it uses the Apple tether API so it doesn't support most modern Canon's although I'm going to try working on that :)

By default the image will be imported but won't be selected. This is because the Lightroom API doesn't support it. I've implemented a workaround which requires you need to enable "System Preferences"->"Universal Access"->"Enable access for assistive devices". This will then select the newly imported image IF you have the last imported image selected.

Have a look, any feedback gratefully received.

http://www.mountainstorm.co.uk/photography/Software/Software.html

Rich
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
58 views and not a single reply? So I take it there's defiantly interest in Lightroom tethering. Has anyone managed to try it? Does it work, it should do :)

Are you all Canon users?

Rich
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Windows and Canon. Currently EOS utility does the job. Would like to see direct tethered import capabilities though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Damn you windows people. Is it possible with the Canon software to run a program when the image had been downloaded? If so I'd consider porting the direct import side to windows.

Rich
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I am a mac user with Lightroom 2, Mac OSX 1'.5.2 and a Canon 2'D I have had some issues getting the EOS Utility to work for me and love the idea of a direct tether solution. I'm going to try out your plugin tonight but just let me know how else I may be able to help.

Thanks,
AaronVan
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mountainstorm;2'5'' said:
Damn you windows people. Is it possible with the Canon software to run a program when the image had been downloaded? If so I'd consider porting the direct import side to windows.

Rich
Click to expand...


Sorry, don't know.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Very interesting - but I cannot see a list of cameras that this will work with. Do you have one?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mountainstorm;2'5'' said:
Is it possible with the Canon software to run a program when the image had been downloaded?
Rich
Click to expand...

Ok, I have downloaded your plugin, it is copied to the right folder, but there is no documentation at all. Should it append a new menu item? How do I turn it on and off? Does it work as soon as a camera is connected? Do I have to turn AutoImport off? Or on?
Please tell us how it works so we can test it, Rich.
Thanks,
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Rich,

I tried the plugin in my Canon 5D, but it has not worked.
I guess the camera is one of those listed as * not compatible *, right?
Thanks,
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I tried shooting with EOS 5D and it works until I shoot single pictures. When I shoot burst plugin gets stacked and stops downloading images from camera. Is there any solution for this?
thanks for help!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The Canon 5D does appear to work, I believe you need to put it into "PC Connection" mode or something (can someone who knows confirm).

I also think I know what the issue with taking multiple photos is but haven't had time to fix it yet, but I have now updated my website. There a manual, FAQ and a Camera list.

Can everyone who's tried it send me an email saying what you tried and if it worked (or not) so I can update the camera support page. I'll do a code update soon and fix the bugs I know about and everyone with a Nikon can have a play with the enhanced mode.

Thanks for all the help

Rich
http://www.mountainstorm.co.uk
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mountainstorm said:
The Canon 5D does appear to work, I believe you need to put it into "PC Connection" mode
Click to expand...

OK, Rich, so I will give it another try. Docs are good, too many doubts about using the Plugin.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hi Rich

Are you considering releasing a windows version? I would be happy to donate to that cause!

What is 'Nikon True Tethering' that you refer to on your site?

Kind Regards

Michael
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The Nikon true tethering option is coming sometime this week (if I get the time). I've done the coding it just needs me to do some testing as I've fixed a few issues e.g. it gets its nickers in a twist if you take multiple photos at once. I also need to check it works on PPC as I think it was broken.

The normal mode I use has the camera take the picture, store it on the card and then download it to the PC. This is good as you keep the camera sequence number stuff intact. Unfortunately it makes the tethering process a bit slower as you have to wait till the image is stored on the card before you can start downloading it. The True tether mode sticks Nikons (the ones I've tried anyway) into a mode where they say "PC" rather than a frame count. When you take a photo it gets stored in the camera's buffer and downloaded to the PC. The upside is its even faster and more responsive, the downside is you loose the sequence number thing so I have to generate unique image names myself.

As for a windows version, after I've got this next release done I intend to add "append meta data" to the lightroom plugin and make a new version of StudioTether for those not using Lightroom. Then I'm planning support for modern Canon's but as that will take a while I may have a look at porting (at least the basic functionality) to windows. There's currently a link on my FAQ for a tool which downloads images as their taken on Windows so that may be of some use.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mountainstorm said:
Unfortunately it makes the tethering process a bit slower as you have to wait till the image is stored on the card before you can start downloading it.
Click to expand...

Rich,

Just tried it again.
It recognizes the canon 5D allright, it tethers faster than using Canon EOS Utility, it works.
But...
If one clicks a little faster, and the camera's buffer is being used, the tethering comes to a halt, and nothing is imported from them on.
So, it is a very welcome plugin, but I think it needs a bit of polishing to really shine!
Congrats,
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Rich,

I tested it this evening with a D3 using LR2 on a MacBookPro 2.33 Duo. Worked like a charm! Couldn't find a bug. In fact, I happened to plug in my iPhone, and your program used it as a camera - and tethered it to LR correctly! It was quite amusing.

Great work, man. This was the last piece to my LR puzzle. Any chance this will work with digital backs (like my PhaseOne P2')?

Well done. Thanks for creating this!

-Bobby

-----------------------------
Bobby Alcott Photography
2512 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 482'1

www.bobbyalcott.com
-----------------------------

Mod Note: Bobby, your link came up 4'4 Not Found, I took the liberty of fixing a minor typo.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bobby,

Did you have any problems with the burst mode?
I guess Nikons are OK, but I could not fire more than one shot at a time (like in doing still-life photography) with the Canon 5D.
This plugin is exactly what I was needing, so I hope Rich sorts out the burst mode bug on Canons!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I see that no Fuji cameras are supported but reading the blurb it seems a good product. btw the site doesn't view correctly on a Mac running Firefox 3
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Andrew Hayton said:
btw the site doesn't view correctly on a Mac running Firefox 3
Click to expand...
Having site viewing problems here on Camino 1.5.5, as well.

See screen shot.

Don
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Fuji cameras are not on the list but I've no reason to think it wouldn't work. You may need to put the camera into a PTP/PC Connection mode but I suspect it will work e.g. the iPhone.

Please, give your Fuji a try (twiddle all the menu items to do with USB) and send me a message if you do (or don't) get it working. I'll update the list to reflect what you find.

I've fixed the website in Firefox now as well.

Rich
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top