Tethered support fo Pentax Cameras through Lightroom?

thibs · 07-09-2010, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by jboyde

and with the K20/K7 being way similar people can wait till something else whets their whistle.

which is very wrong. Of course if your sole interest in the sensor, OK. Otherwise, very wrong.

knoxploration · 07-09-2010, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by brecklundin

then, to me it seems, you want pseudo-tethering not true tethering. In camera LiveView has zero to do with tethering, but true tethering does involve sending the live image to the computer real time which is where the sensor heat might be an issue.

Your distinction between "pseudo" and "true" tethering is yours alone. There have been many, many DSLRs and fixed-lens digicams over the years that offered what you call "pseudo" tethering, and until today I've never heard anybody refer to them as anything other than tethering.

There are different kinds of tethering, yes. They each bring advantages and disadvantages. What you call "pseudo" tethering would be very useful for me, and I imagine for many other Pentax K-7 shooters.

thibs · 07-09-2010, 10:32 AM

I think eye-fi wifi sd cards would be your best option, although not ideal.

noser · 07-09-2010, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by jboyde

I hear ya on that! I was going to add the K7 to my K20 so that I'd have a faster AF camera for action and keep the tethering option in studio with the K20. I'm holding off on getting it. I wonder if playing loosy goosy with features can backfire on Pentax since I can't be the only one holding off on buying a newer camera because it doesn't do what my older one can, and with the K20/K7 being way similar people can wait till something else whets their whistle.

Count me in that camp; the K7 was too similar in spec to the K20D - BUT - and this is the important part - had too many negative differences for me to "upgrade". Tethering, different battery & grip, and I think a few firmware things that got dropped. For the price (at the time)... Meh. Buying the body now means also buying a new grip & a pile of batteries.

Like you said... nothing there to whet the whistle. FF? Ya. 12MP@8fps? Sure.

I don't know if 'the new cameras' can keep me with Pentax. I hope so, switching = $$$.

mikro · 08-30-2010, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by Russell-Evans

Not K-7 or K-x, but ...

PK-Remote | Get PK-Remote at SourceForge.net

Thank you
Russell

Will this work for the K-7?

knoxploration · 08-30-2010, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by mikro

Will this work for the K-7?

Nope, because the camera firmware itself lacks any protocol for the software to communicate with.

mikro · 08-31-2010, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by knoxploration

Nope, because the camera firmware itself lacks any protocol for the software to communicate with.

WTF is wrong with Pentax?

I checked all the specs on this thing before buying, but never thought to check whether or not tethering would be supported...I figured it being a "pro" level body that should be a given.

again...

WTF is wrong with Pentax?

thibs · 08-31-2010, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by mikro

WTF is wrong with Pentax?

I checked all the specs on this thing before buying, but never thought to check whether or not tethering would be supported...I figured it being a "pro" level body that should be a given.

again...

WTF is wrong with Pentax?

Or WTF is wrong with you not checking a feature which is so damn important for you ?

rawr · 08-31-2010, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by knoxploration

Nope, because the camera firmware itself lacks any protocol for the software to communicate with.

Well, the K-7 and the K-x both support the PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) protocol, which theoretically enables remote camera control to some degree. As I understand it, for example, PTP is how Lightroom tethering using the D90 works. But Pentax just have not written the code to enable tethering via PTP. PTP is certainly in there though.

mikro · 08-31-2010, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by thibs

Or WTF is wrong with you not checking a feature which is so damn important for you ?

wtf is wrong with your reading comprehension?

thibs · 08-31-2010, 06:24 AM

Originally posted by mikro

wtf is wrong with your reading comprehension?

None at all, you explicitly writes you didn't look it up although you should have.

oliver939 · 08-31-2010, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by thibs

Or WTF is wrong with you not checking a feature which is so damn important for you ?

this is a bit provocation no?

When you buy a DSLR liek the K7 (the "flagship" as they say), you should expect a minimum of features.

Mikro, change you signature photo (K7 proud owner

)

rawr · 08-31-2010, 06:49 AM

Just on the subject of tethering, after reading this:
Choosing Tethered Shooting Software for Nikon DSLR Cameras | The Photo Geek

I played with several of the freeware tethering applications mentioned (using Windows XP). Several managed to talk to the K-x via PTP - eg DIYPhotobits.com Camera Control, Loligo Tether and PhotoRemote. So PTP is there and works in the K-x and the K-7 for sure.

The camera compatibility chart for PhotoRemote indicates K-x support, and has ? next to the K-7. However when I ran the camera compatibility checking application, it indicated that remote shutter activation was not supported on the K-x, but other stuff was.

So it seems PTP is there in Pentax, and at least partly works with tethering apps mainly designed to run against Nikons. I certainly now have the impression that full tethering support isn't completely impossible on either the K-x or the K-7. The code in these freeware applications seems to be ALMOST capable of delivering full tethering support, but maybe the developers just haven't devoted any energy to make the code work with Pentax.

It is also to be noted that the tethering support of LR isn't for all models of all cameras, even by Nikon and Canon. Pentax tethering isn't alone in not being supported by LR.

knoxploration · 08-31-2010, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Well, the K-7 and the K-x both support the PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) protocol, which theoretically enables remote camera control to some degree. As I understand it, for example, PTP is how Lightroom tethering using the D90 works. But Pentax just have not written the code to enable tethering via PTP. PTP is certainly in there though.

Well, yes, that's true -- but try connecting via PTP. You'll find the camera itself shuts down imaging functions while PTP is active -- so it's not accessible to third parties to hook into for tethering purposes, either. (You'd have to disconnect the camera between shots, and then offload them, whether via PTP or Mass Storage, when tethered -- hardly the accepted definition of "tethering".)

My point wasn't whether or not the code was there (for all I know, Pentax's tethering code from the K20D is in the K-7's firmware, but not activated for whatever reason.)

The point was simply that, as stands, there's nothing that even third-party software can hook into to activate tethering on the K-7. It would require a firmware update from Pentax or a third-party, before the K-7 could offer tethering with *any* software.

Russell-Evans · 08-31-2010, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by mikro

WTF is wrong with Pentax?

I checked all the specs on this thing before buying, but never thought to check whether or not tethering would be supported...I figured it being a "pro" level body that should be a given.

Can you show me where it says Pro in the spec? Can you show me where is says Pro anywhere in the literature put out by Pentax? So where did you get Pro from then?

Thank you
Russell

08-31-2010, 06:36 AM	#57
oliver939 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: europe Posts: 156	Originally posted by thibs Or WTF is wrong with you not checking a feature which is so damn important for you ? this is a bit provocation no? When you buy a DSLR liek the K7 (the "flagship" as they say), you should expect a minimum of features. Mikro, change you signature photo (K7 proud owner)

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07-09-2010, 07:17 AM	#46
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by jboyde and with the K20/K7 being way similar people can wait till something else whets their whistle. which is very wrong. Of course if your sole interest in the sensor, OK. Otherwise, very wrong.

07-09-2010, 10:08 AM	#47
knoxploration Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 846	Originally posted by brecklundin then, to me it seems, you want pseudo-tethering not true tethering. In camera LiveView has zero to do with tethering, but true tethering does involve sending the live image to the computer real time which is where the sensor heat might be an issue. Your distinction between "pseudo" and "true" tethering is yours alone. There have been many, many DSLRs and fixed-lens digicams over the years that offered what you call "pseudo" tethering, and until today I've never heard anybody refer to them as anything other than tethering. There are different kinds of tethering, yes. They each bring advantages and disadvantages. What you call "pseudo" tethering would be very useful for me, and I imagine for many other Pentax K-7 shooters.

07-09-2010, 10:32 AM	#48
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	I think eye-fi wifi sd cards would be your best option, although not ideal.

07-09-2010, 03:06 PM	#49
noser Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Calgary, AB CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 292	Originally posted by jboyde I hear ya on that! I was going to add the K7 to my K20 so that I'd have a faster AF camera for action and keep the tethering option in studio with the K20. I'm holding off on getting it. I wonder if playing loosy goosy with features can backfire on Pentax since I can't be the only one holding off on buying a newer camera because it doesn't do what my older one can, and with the K20/K7 being way similar people can wait till something else whets their whistle. Count me in that camp; the K7 was too similar in spec to the K20D - BUT - and this is the important part - had too many negative differences for me to "upgrade". Tethering, different battery & grip, and I think a few firmware things that got dropped. For the price (at the time)... Meh. Buying the body now means also buying a new grip & a pile of batteries. Like you said... nothing there to whet the whistle. FF? Ya. 12MP@8fps? Sure. I don't know if 'the new cameras' can keep me with Pentax. I hope so, switching = $$$.

08-30-2010, 09:22 AM	#50
mikro Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 57	Originally posted by Russell-Evans Not K-7 or K-x, but ... PK-Remote \| Get PK-Remote at SourceForge.net Thank you Russell Will this work for the K-7?

08-30-2010, 04:15 PM	#51
knoxploration Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 846	Originally posted by mikro Will this work for the K-7? Nope, because the camera firmware itself lacks any protocol for the software to communicate with.

08-31-2010, 05:03 AM	#52
mikro Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 57	Originally posted by knoxploration Nope, because the camera firmware itself lacks any protocol for the software to communicate with. WTF is wrong with Pentax? I checked all the specs on this thing before buying, but never thought to check whether or not tethering would be supported...I figured it being a "pro" level body that should be a given. again... WTF is wrong with Pentax?

08-31-2010, 05:06 AM	#53
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by mikro WTF is wrong with Pentax? I checked all the specs on this thing before buying, but never thought to check whether or not tethering would be supported...I figured it being a "pro" level body that should be a given. again... WTF is wrong with Pentax? Or WTF is wrong with you not checking a feature which is so damn important for you ?

08-31-2010, 05:10 AM	#54
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by knoxploration Nope, because the camera firmware itself lacks any protocol for the software to communicate with. Well, the K-7 and the K-x both support the PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) protocol, which theoretically enables remote camera control to some degree. As I understand it, for example, PTP is how Lightroom tethering using the D90 works. But Pentax just have not written the code to enable tethering via PTP. PTP is certainly in there though.

08-31-2010, 06:22 AM	#55
mikro Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 57	Originally posted by thibs Or WTF is wrong with you not checking a feature which is so damn important for you ? wtf is wrong with your reading comprehension?

08-31-2010, 06:24 AM	#56
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by mikro wtf is wrong with your reading comprehension? None at all, you explicitly writes you didn't look it up although you should have.

08-31-2010, 06:49 AM	#58
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Just on the subject of tethering, after reading this: Choosing Tethered Shooting Software for Nikon DSLR Cameras \| The Photo Geek I played with several of the freeware tethering applications mentioned (using Windows XP). Several managed to talk to the K-x via PTP - eg DIYPhotobits.com Camera Control, Loligo Tether and PhotoRemote. So PTP is there and works in the K-x and the K-7 for sure. The camera compatibility chart for PhotoRemote indicates K-x support, and has ? next to the K-7. However when I ran the camera compatibility checking application, it indicated that remote shutter activation was not supported on the K-x, but other stuff was. So it seems PTP is there in Pentax, and at least partly works with tethering apps mainly designed to run against Nikons. I certainly now have the impression that full tethering support isn't completely impossible on either the K-x or the K-7. The code in these freeware applications seems to be ALMOST capable of delivering full tethering support, but maybe the developers just haven't devoted any energy to make the code work with Pentax. It is also to be noted that the tethering support of LR isn't for all models of all cameras, even by Nikon and Canon. Pentax tethering isn't alone in not being supported by LR.

08-31-2010, 08:07 AM	#59
knoxploration Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 846	Originally posted by rawr Well, the K-7 and the K-x both support the PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) protocol, which theoretically enables remote camera control to some degree. As I understand it, for example, PTP is how Lightroom tethering using the D90 works. But Pentax just have not written the code to enable tethering via PTP. PTP is certainly in there though. Well, yes, that's true -- but try connecting via PTP. You'll find the camera itself shuts down imaging functions while PTP is active -- so it's not accessible to third parties to hook into for tethering purposes, either. (You'd have to disconnect the camera between shots, and then offload them, whether via PTP or Mass Storage, when tethered -- hardly the accepted definition of "tethering".) My point wasn't whether or not the code was there (for all I know, Pentax's tethering code from the K20D is in the K-7's firmware, but not activated for whatever reason.) The point was simply that, as stands, there's nothing that even third-party software can hook into to activate tethering on the K-7. It would require a firmware update from Pentax or a third-party, before the K-7 could offer tethering with any software.

08-31-2010, 08:31 AM	#60
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by mikro WTF is wrong with Pentax? I checked all the specs on this thing before buying, but never thought to check whether or not tethering would be supported...I figured it being a "pro" level body that should be a given. Can you show me where it says Pro in the spec? Can you show me where is says Pro anywhere in the literature put out by Pentax? So where did you get Pro from then? Thank you Russell