Tethering on K5, your thoughts...

CaymanImaging · 10-01-2010, 01:19 PM

There's a lot of talking going on about tethering. So let's see what everything thinks about it.

opiedog · 10-01-2010, 01:36 PM

i think if the hardware supports tethering, it would be ridiculous for Pentax not to include it.
most other DSLR's have it.

i have a colleague that's interested in purchasing a DSLR, but once i mentioned it doesn't support tethering, Pentax was immediately out!

Hey, pentax, remember the competition. most folks will buy based on "paper" specs, unfortunately

hcarvalhoalves · 10-01-2010, 01:37 PM

For a camera that ships with WR + WR lens and is supposed to be used outdoors? I don't see it as a studio camera, and believe Pentax feels the same. If so, there's a point on not including this feature.

You can always use HDMI port or EyeFi cards too.

junyo · 10-01-2010, 01:55 PM

Everyone one knows that once you add WR to a camera it'll burst into flames if you try and use it indoors or mount it on a tripod. The K-5 gets warm if you hold it with more than one hand and don't have one foot in a mountain stream. Therefore tethering is completely useless.

Buckeye · 10-01-2010, 03:08 PM

I tried it once the first week I had my K20 for fun, thought this is cool and haven't used it since.

Freak · 10-01-2010, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by hcarvalhoalves

For a camera that ships with WR + WR lens and is supposed to be used outdoors?

Why can't you tether outdoors, Notebook, Tablet, Phone?

Night time, Long exposures, anything with a Tripod, etc... Why do you think it's only for studio cameras?

Quote:

I don't see it as a studio camera, and believe Pentax feels the same. If so, there's a point on not including this feature.

You can always use HDMI port or EyeFi cards too.

If these are possible solutions or workarounds to a problem, don't you think it is actually a problem then?

I already have a K-7 that can't tether, I don't want the K-5 if it doesn't...

deadwolfbones · 10-01-2010, 03:41 PM

I'm sure it'd be nice to have for a lot of people. For me it's not something I'd ever use and thus not a priority.

stormcloud · 10-01-2010, 03:48 PM

nice to have simply to make the camera more of a sucess and nice little addition for reviews etc but not something i'm likely to use other than to give it a test run

**Ex Finn.** · 10-01-2010, 04:02 PM

K5 hooked up to a telescope and tough-book would be cool.

hcarvalhoalves · 10-01-2010, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by Freak

Why can't you tether outdoors, Notebook, Tablet, Phone?

Night time, Long exposures, anything with a Tripod, etc... Why do you think it's only for studio cameras?

When I say "outdoor", I'm not saying shooting on the backyard. Normally, one doesn't pack a notebook when hiking. Camera gear alone is load enough to carry around, sometimes even a tripod is overkill.

And you don't need tethering for long exposure either.

Originally posted by Freak

If these are possible solutions or workarounds to a problem, don't you think it is actually a problem then?

Only if tethering will stop you from taking pictures, which may be true in a studio setting, and false everywhere else.

Like I said, I don't see the K-5 as a studio camera anyway. There are plenty of other better options for studio, without the price premium of WR too, and if you absolutely needs it, there's always HDMI + EyeFi which is a simple solution, compatible with everything.

civiletti · 10-01-2010, 04:55 PM

Tethering is a valuable tool for pros and can be useful for serious shooters who are not pro. As the Pentax flagship, the K-5 should be tetherable.

Much pro location shooting included condsiderable setup - lights, diffusers and reflectors, support crew. Given all that, tethering would be worthwhile make sure the images are what is desired.

brecklundin · 10-01-2010, 05:23 PM

To nobody in particular and everybody in general, something to remember just because you might arrogantly believe your needs are met so that is enough or the K-5 is "not" a "studio" camera, why? Is it not better to offer a body that appeals to as many needs as possible so as many people as possible. The lack of tethering is going to lose the brand customers not gain them. Which will help their market share to continue it's death spiral as the net impact of the body will be nil or a loss. And oh, yeah, for those who claim that tethering is a studio only feature...guess what, you know the 645D, THE studio camera from Hoya, well it doesn't have any manner of tethering not even the kludge pseudo-tethering of the K20D. If Hoya feels this is a good situation, then HoyaTax is ill and will keep parring out features "they decide" are not needed and you will all end up with nothing but expensive point and shoot bodies.

The problem with the K20D is it is not even to the level of tethering in the Canon 40D which at least supports liveview tethering to use for composition. Tethering is a must have feature period, even for those who don't use it...I do not need WR sealing because I am no longer physically able to be out and about shooting. I do however need tethering pretty much on a daily basis. So how would it sound for people who don't "need" WR sealing to begin clamoring to not keep the feature because it only makes the body more expensive.

I wish part of the poll or OP discussed what tethering is because most here don't seem to even know the first thing about it.

BethC · 10-01-2010, 05:46 PM

Okay seriously, what's tethering?

**Rondec** · 10-01-2010, 05:52 PM

Tethering is where you can hook your camera up to a computer/laptop and control the camera through the computer and see the photos on the laptop as you shoot. For the type of shooting I do (mostly chasing my kids around) it is completely useless. For some folks (Brecklundin?), it is a feature they can't live without. I hope for their sake that it is added in and that it works better than the K20's tethering/ remote shooting software.

creampuff · 10-01-2010, 05:54 PM

brecklundin, to my understanding the 645D is mostly aimed for outdoor shooters, though it will work just as well indoors. That said, having been a part owner of a photo studio in the past, I personally feel that tethered shooting is good to have but not really essential. There are Eye-fi cards that can transfer wirelessly as part of a solution but it won't address the image preview bit. That said, it is a feature that very few actually use, but not a deal breaker imo.

View Poll Results: How important is it to have tethering on the K5?
I have to have it or I'm not spending that much money on the camera!!!	15	22.06%
The K5 is so good looking on paper that if it's not on there, I can over look it.	21	30.88%
If it's included, I might try it.	19	27.94%
I'll never use it!! What's tethering anyway.	13	19.12%
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

10-01-2010, 01:19 PM	#1
CaymanImaging Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM Photos: Gallery Posts: 194	Tethering on K5, your thoughts... There's a lot of talking going on about tethering. So let's see what everything thinks about it.

10-01-2010, 04:29 PM	#10
hcarvalhoalves Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,019	Originally posted by Freak Why can't you tether outdoors, Notebook, Tablet, Phone? Night time, Long exposures, anything with a Tripod, etc... Why do you think it's only for studio cameras? When I say "outdoor", I'm not saying shooting on the backyard. Normally, one doesn't pack a notebook when hiking. Camera gear alone is load enough to carry around, sometimes even a tripod is overkill. And you don't need tethering for long exposure either. Originally posted by Freak If these are possible solutions or workarounds to a problem, don't you think it is actually a problem then? Only if tethering will stop you from taking pictures, which may be true in a studio setting, and false everywhere else. Like I said, I don't see the K-5 as a studio camera anyway. There are plenty of other better options for studio, without the price premium of WR too, and if you absolutely needs it, there's always HDMI + EyeFi which is a simple solution, compatible with everything. Last edited by hcarvalhoalves; 10-01-2010 at 04:37 PM.

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10-01-2010, 01:36 PM	#2
opiedog Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Posts: 787	i think if the hardware supports tethering, it would be ridiculous for Pentax not to include it. most other DSLR's have it. i have a colleague that's interested in purchasing a DSLR, but once i mentioned it doesn't support tethering, Pentax was immediately out! Hey, pentax, remember the competition. most folks will buy based on "paper" specs, unfortunately

10-01-2010, 01:37 PM	#3
hcarvalhoalves Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,019	For a camera that ships with WR + WR lens and is supposed to be used outdoors? I don't see it as a studio camera, and believe Pentax feels the same. If so, there's a point on not including this feature. You can always use HDMI port or EyeFi cards too.

10-01-2010, 01:55 PM	#4
junyo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 418	Everyone one knows that once you add WR to a camera it'll burst into flames if you try and use it indoors or mount it on a tripod. The K-5 gets warm if you hold it with more than one hand and don't have one foot in a mountain stream. Therefore tethering is completely useless.

10-01-2010, 03:08 PM	#5
Buckeye Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 32	I tried it once the first week I had my K20 for fun, thought this is cool and haven't used it since.

10-01-2010, 03:32 PM	#6
Freak Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 361	Originally posted by hcarvalhoalves For a camera that ships with WR + WR lens and is supposed to be used outdoors? Why can't you tether outdoors, Notebook, Tablet, Phone? Night time, Long exposures, anything with a Tripod, etc... Why do you think it's only for studio cameras? Quote: I don't see it as a studio camera, and believe Pentax feels the same. If so, there's a point on not including this feature. You can always use HDMI port or EyeFi cards too. If these are possible solutions or workarounds to a problem, don't you think it is actually a problem then? I already have a K-7 that can't tether, I don't want the K-5 if it doesn't...

10-01-2010, 03:41 PM	#7
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 7,451	I'm sure it'd be nice to have for a lot of people. For me it's not something I'd ever use and thus not a priority.

10-01-2010, 03:48 PM	#8
stormcloud Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 232	nice to have simply to make the camera more of a sucess and nice little addition for reviews etc but not something i'm likely to use other than to give it a test run

10-01-2010, 04:02 PM	#9
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	K5 hooked up to a telescope and tough-book would be cool.

10-01-2010, 04:55 PM	#11
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Tethering is a valuable tool for pros and can be useful for serious shooters who are not pro. As the Pentax flagship, the K-5 should be tetherable. Much pro location shooting included condsiderable setup - lights, diffusers and reflectors, support crew. Given all that, tethering would be worthwhile make sure the images are what is desired.

10-01-2010, 05:23 PM	#12
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	To nobody in particular and everybody in general, something to remember just because you might arrogantly believe your needs are met so that is enough or the K-5 is "not" a "studio" camera, why? Is it not better to offer a body that appeals to as many needs as possible so as many people as possible. The lack of tethering is going to lose the brand customers not gain them. Which will help their market share to continue it's death spiral as the net impact of the body will be nil or a loss. And oh, yeah, for those who claim that tethering is a studio only feature...guess what, you know the 645D, THE studio camera from Hoya, well it doesn't have any manner of tethering not even the kludge pseudo-tethering of the K20D. If Hoya feels this is a good situation, then HoyaTax is ill and will keep parring out features "they decide" are not needed and you will all end up with nothing but expensive point and shoot bodies. The problem with the K20D is it is not even to the level of tethering in the Canon 40D which at least supports liveview tethering to use for composition. Tethering is a must have feature period, even for those who don't use it...I do not need WR sealing because I am no longer physically able to be out and about shooting. I do however need tethering pretty much on a daily basis. So how would it sound for people who don't "need" WR sealing to begin clamoring to not keep the feature because it only makes the body more expensive. I wish part of the poll or OP discussed what tethering is because most here don't seem to even know the first thing about it.

10-01-2010, 05:46 PM	#13
BethC Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pennsylvannia Photos: Albums Posts: 377	Okay seriously, what's tethering?

10-01-2010, 05:52 PM	#14
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Tethering is where you can hook your camera up to a computer/laptop and control the camera through the computer and see the photos on the laptop as you shoot. For the type of shooting I do (mostly chasing my kids around) it is completely useless. For some folks (Brecklundin?), it is a feature they can't live without. I hope for their sake that it is added in and that it works better than the K20's tethering/ remote shooting software.

10-01-2010, 05:54 PM	#15
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	brecklundin, to my understanding the 645D is mostly aimed for outdoor shooters, though it will work just as well indoors. That said, having been a part owner of a photo studio in the past, I personally feel that tethered shooting is good to have but not really essential. There are Eye-fi cards that can transfer wirelessly as part of a solution but it won't address the image preview bit. That said, it is a feature that very few actually use, but not a deal breaker imo.