Pentax just announced Tethering Software for the 645D!

einstrigger · 02-07-2012, 03:29 PM

DPreview, Pentax announces 645D tethering software

Finally a 1st party solution...now what about the K-5???

From the Press Release:

Quote:

DENVER, CO. (February 7, 2012)…PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION announced the PENTAX IMAGE Transmitter exclusive software for the transfer and saving of images taken with the PENTAX 645D medium-format digital SLR

camera to a personal computer. The transmitter software is equipped to automatically transfer 645D images from camera to PC via USB cable.

Overview of the software:

Available in CD-ROM format
Transfer recorded images to a designated file on a personal computer
Records the images simultaneously on an SD memory card installed in the camera
The camera’s shutter may be remotely released using the personal computer
Available in Japanese and English
Operating manual included on the CD-ROM

The transmitter software will be available in March 2012 for $199.95 USD on www.pentaxwebstore.com.

NOTE: The camera’s firmware must be updated to the latest version in order to use this software. The latest firmware is contained in the CD-ROM. With the Windows version, Microsoft’s .NET Framework 4 software must be installed on a personal computer in advance.

fundudes2010 · 02-07-2012, 03:32 PM

Nice.....

Quicksand · 02-07-2012, 03:36 PM

Given the similarity in electronics between the 645D and the K-5, perhaps all we need now is for someone to "sniff" the USB data exchanges between camera and tethering software, reverse engineer the protocol, and write an open-source version for K-5.

Any volunteers?

Asahiflex · 02-07-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by Quicksand

Given the similarity in electronics between the 645D and the K-5, perhaps all we need now is for someone to "sniff" the USB data exchanges between camera and tethering software, reverse engineer the protocol, and write an open-source version for K-5.

Any volunteers?

That's already been done! PK_Tether | Tethering and remote control software for Pentax DSLR cameras

trublubiker · 02-07-2012, 03:38 PM

File transfer and shutter release !!!

Is that all ???

rawr · 02-07-2012, 03:41 PM

$200!

Well at least there are now three tethering softwares for Pentax DSLR's:
- PENTAX IMAGE Transmitter
- pktriggercord and
- pktether.

einstrigger · 02-07-2012, 03:50 PM

Does seem pricey, considering Camera Control Pro (Nikon) is $145.95 and I think whatever Canon offers is free. Maybe Lightroom tethered support for the 645D will follow, which hopefully trickles down to the K-5.

Last edited by einstrigger; 02-07-2012 at 04:13 PM.

**Fontan** · 02-07-2012, 04:06 PM

Hm . . . After spending $10,000 on a body, they want me to cough up $200 for that, eh?

Well ok. At least we have it now.

DeadJohn · 02-07-2012, 04:19 PM

That's a stiff price for a feature that should arguably be bundled with DCU. I hope they at least make the price proportional to camera body cost, so it only costs around $20 for the APS models.

Docrwm · 02-07-2012, 04:56 PM

Well, another indicator that they listened and that Hoya is no longer "in charge". Price aside, this is a good sign.

Quicksand · 02-07-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

That's already been done! PK_Tether | Tethering and remote control software for Pentax DSLR cameras

Well, almost.

It's not open-source* and my last recollection is it's a bit buggy for the K-5 at least. Maybe that has changed.

* I use Linux, and it would be nice to have a native version that doesn't require .NET/mono.

**7samurai** · 02-07-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Well, another indicator that they listened and that Hoya is no longer "in charge". Price aside, this is a good sign.

I totally agree. I find it interestng that Pentax is making all these announcments. When in the past, they would have made the annoucenments duing CP+ and gotten lost in all the annoucements.

Docrwm · 02-07-2012, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by 7samurai

I totally agree. I find it interestng that Pentax is making all these announcments. When in the past, they would have made the annoucenments duing CP+ and gotten lost in all the annoucements.

They are riding the crest of the K-01 unveiling in my opinion. How many things would Hoya unveil per CP+ or whichever show? 1? 2? This is what?

8 different things?

Captn Ahab · 02-07-2012, 11:54 PM

I've been following the discussion elsewhere on the forum regarding tethering for a little while, so I decided to join the forum today. I sent an email two weeks ago to Pentax suggesting that they consider tethering for the K-5. To my surprise, I got a response that they would forward the suggestion on to Pentax in Europe (or maybe it was Japan, I don't remember). I'm just happy that I got a response.
I also got a response to my request that Pentax share the cost of repair of my 1 year 2 month old *D 16-50mm lens that had to have the SDM and focus mechanism replaced, even though it was out of warranty. A rep from North Carolina called me at home the and told me "corporate agreed to take $30 off the cost of repair" (about 20%). Again, I'm just supprised to get a positive response. I've been with Pentax for a long time so it looks like times may be changing.

Erik · 02-08-2012, 03:00 AM

Originally posted by Fontan

Hm . . . After spending $10,000 on a body, they want me to cough up $200 for that, eh?

Outrageous prices for software/accessories is hardly news in the medium format world.

02-07-2012, 03:29 PM	#1
einstrigger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 728	Pentax just announced Tethering Software for the 645D! DPreview, Pentax announces 645D tethering software Finally a 1st party solution...now what about the K-5??? From the Press Release: Quote: DENVER, CO. (February 7, 2012)…PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION announced the PENTAX IMAGE Transmitter exclusive software for the transfer and saving of images taken with the PENTAX 645D medium-format digital SLR camera to a personal computer. The transmitter software is equipped to automatically transfer 645D images from camera to PC via USB cable. Overview of the software: Available in CD-ROM format Transfer recorded images to a designated file on a personal computer Records the images simultaneously on an SD memory card installed in the camera The camera’s shutter may be remotely released using the personal computer Available in Japanese and English Operating manual included on the CD-ROM The transmitter software will be available in March 2012 for $199.95 USD on www.pentaxwebstore.com. NOTE: The camera’s firmware must be updated to the latest version in order to use this software. The latest firmware is contained in the CD-ROM. With the Windows version, Microsoft’s .NET Framework 4 software must be installed on a personal computer in advance.

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02-07-2012, 03:32 PM	#2
fundudes2010 New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 10	Nice.....

02-07-2012, 03:36 PM	#3
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Given the similarity in electronics between the 645D and the K-5, perhaps all we need now is for someone to "sniff" the USB data exchanges between camera and tethering software, reverse engineer the protocol, and write an open-source version for K-5. Any volunteers?

02-07-2012, 03:37 PM	#4
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Quicksand Given the similarity in electronics between the 645D and the K-5, perhaps all we need now is for someone to "sniff" the USB data exchanges between camera and tethering software, reverse engineer the protocol, and write an open-source version for K-5. Any volunteers? That's already been done! PK_Tether \| Tethering and remote control software for Pentax DSLR cameras

02-07-2012, 03:38 PM	#5
trublubiker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hunter Valley NSW AUSTRALIA Posts: 143	File transfer and shutter release !!! Is that all ???

02-07-2012, 03:41 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	$200! Well at least there are now three tethering softwares for Pentax DSLR's: - PENTAX IMAGE Transmitter - pktriggercord and - pktether.

02-07-2012, 03:50 PM	#7
einstrigger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 728 Original Poster	Does seem pricey, considering Camera Control Pro (Nikon) is $145.95 and I think whatever Canon offers is free. Maybe Lightroom tethered support for the 645D will follow, which hopefully trickles down to the K-5. Last edited by einstrigger; 02-07-2012 at 04:13 PM.

02-07-2012, 04:06 PM	#8
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Hm . . . After spending $10,000 on a body, they want me to cough up $200 for that, eh? Well ok. At least we have it now.

02-07-2012, 04:19 PM	#9
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	That's a stiff price for a feature that should arguably be bundled with DCU. I hope they at least make the price proportional to camera body cost, so it only costs around $20 for the APS models.

02-07-2012, 04:56 PM	#10
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Well, another indicator that they listened and that Hoya is no longer "in charge". Price aside, this is a good sign.

02-07-2012, 06:05 PM	#11
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by Asahiflex That's already been done! PK_Tether \| Tethering and remote control software for Pentax DSLR cameras Well, almost. It's not open-source* and my last recollection is it's a bit buggy for the K-5 at least. Maybe that has changed. * I use Linux, and it would be nice to have a native version that doesn't require .NET/mono.

02-07-2012, 06:13 PM	#12
7samurai Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 474	Originally posted by Docrwm Well, another indicator that they listened and that Hoya is no longer "in charge". Price aside, this is a good sign. I totally agree. I find it interestng that Pentax is making all these announcments. When in the past, they would have made the annoucenments duing CP+ and gotten lost in all the annoucements.

02-07-2012, 06:38 PM	#13
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by 7samurai I totally agree. I find it interestng that Pentax is making all these announcments. When in the past, they would have made the annoucenments duing CP+ and gotten lost in all the annoucements. They are riding the crest of the K-01 unveiling in my opinion. How many things would Hoya unveil per CP+ or whichever show? 1? 2? This is what? 8 different things?

02-07-2012, 11:54 PM	#14
Captn Ahab New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 12	I've been following the discussion elsewhere on the forum regarding tethering for a little while, so I decided to join the forum today. I sent an email two weeks ago to Pentax suggesting that they consider tethering for the K-5. To my surprise, I got a response that they would forward the suggestion on to Pentax in Europe (or maybe it was Japan, I don't remember). I'm just happy that I got a response. I also got a response to my request that Pentax share the cost of repair of my 1 year 2 month old *D 16-50mm lens that had to have the SDM and focus mechanism replaced, even though it was out of warranty. A rep from North Carolina called me at home the and told me "corporate agreed to take $30 off the cost of repair" (about 20%). Again, I'm just supprised to get a positive response. I've been with Pentax for a long time so it looks like times may be changing.

02-08-2012, 03:00 AM	#15
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by Fontan Hm . . . After spending $10,000 on a body, they want me to cough up $200 for that, eh? Outrageous prices for software/accessories is hardly news in the medium format world.