Tethered shooting with a 5D and Mac OS X ???

Hi everyone,

I have never shot tethered to a computer yet, so this might be really easy, but I thought I'd ask here and save myself the time if there are any tricks that I should know.

I have a job coming up where it would be a good idea to shoot tethered and have the images come up on a screen as they are being shot - it will draw a crowd, and more customers as a result. Now, obviously I want to make sure that I have things down pat before I do this, but what is the easiest way to do this? I will be shooting mainly with a 5D (maybe a little with a 1D Mark II N) tethered to a Mac running the latest OS X Leopard. What software (or hardware) is required? I know that Canon supplies something with their cameras, but is this the best way to go? If you shoot tethered, I'd appreciate your suggestions.

I shoot tethered quite a bit with a 5D and 1Ds MkII but only on Tiger. I use the Canon software in utilities, works fine for me. Some people don't like it but I can't see why, it works well. When Leopard was introduced I heard that it wasn't playing nice with the Canon software, really don't know if that has been cleared up. I would recommend getting the latest update and giving it a go.

I shoot tethered using Canon's EOS utility and Lightroom. You set the EOS utility to put the images in a general folder and then turn on Lightrooms auto-import feature and direct it to that same folder. Works like a charm.

Excellent, I use Lightroom, so that's an option.

Rudi>>
can take a look @ this link http://www.peachpit.co​m …es/article.aspx​?p=1151027
link is a bit slow but is a good guide

i shot with 30D tethered, just have to be careful if shooting raw cos low transfer speed

Rudi,

A slightly different option but have you considered a Zigview S2 and patching it into a decent monitor for the assembled masses.
Maybe not worth buying for a one of event but can give added interest for spectators.

Bob

I know that you use Lightroom and hence your probably don't therefore use Aperture, but if you did use Aperture, it supports tethering directly for the 5D without the need for the Canon utility.

it looks like your question is mostly answered, but I'm curious... What/where are you shooting to draw crowds and more customers? Sounds like it could be fun

I use bridge for viewing but I'm sure LR or aperture will work just as well, one stupid mistake I have made is to forget to open a folder before I get started. Clients are always happy to see me work this way and I let them take a picture from the laptop every now and again for kicks. They enjoy the ability to group chimp on the big screen too.

elbirth wrote in post #6209237
it looks like your question is mostly answered, but I'm curious... What/where are you shooting to draw crowds and more customers? Sounds like it could be fun

It's a Pet Expo deal. People will be wandering through with their pets, and I'm one of the "sideshows"...

Rudi wrote in post #6211456
It's a Pet Expo deal. People will be wandering through with their pets, and I'm one of the "sideshows"...

haha, that's great. sounds like it should be a lot of fun for sure. just make sure a rowdy pet (or person, for that matter) doesn't get caught up in the cable and send your laptop for a nice tumble. if the cable is long enough, might be worth trying to tape it to the ground or something so the bulk of it isn't freely moving around much

The irony of having EL Skyports to get rid of cables in the first place, then tethering my camera to a computer has occured to me.

Hahaha

Rudi wrote in post #6211573
The irony of having EL Skyports to get rid of cables in the first place, then tethering my camera to a computer has occured to me.

There's always the WFT module if you really want to be 100% wireless.

Thanks Leo! Also aware of that one - I'd want to be doing this a LOT to purchase one of those...