K3 Studio tethering

stevebrot · 09-25-2014, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Perhaps the K-3 and other bodies may also need a firmware update to use the new Pentax tethering software.

It would be nice if they would generalize the feature to at least the K-3 and while they are at it, perhaps they would publish the programming interface (API) and maybe even provide an SDK to help third-party developers (like Adobe*) do product tie-ins.

I know...I know...In my wildest dreams...

Steve

* Adobe is able to provide direct tethering to Lightroom (Nikon and Canon only) because those makers have published the specifications. Other makers have not done so.

adwb · 09-25-2014, 12:00 PM

I live in hope for me its bit of a deal breaker as I need to down load direct and the send online almost instantly.

I am happy with the HDMI instant view for quick client viewing but cant see how to use that to remotely capture or send images else where

perhaps as I said a couple of posts back I don't see why the k3 cant use it if it works for 645z.

stevebrot · 09-25-2014, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by adwb

perhaps as I said a couple of posts back I don't see why the k3 cant use it if it works for 645z.

I understand your reasoning here, but the answer may be something as simple as the difference in feature set between your K-5 and the K-30. Just because the K-3 apparently shares a significant amount of technology with the 645Z does not mean that the pieces required to do tethered operation* are present in both cameras. There is also the aspect of target market segmentation.

That being said, I am very hopeful that this feature will come to the K-3. Its USB 3.0 interface is just begging for a live tether.

Steve

* A direct dump to the wire might require a different buffering scheme requiring additional hardware. It is hard to tell.

Joel B · 09-25-2014, 02:04 PM

Tethering should be a feature on the whole series. They had it on the ist and that rolled over to the K100d and it still worked well until I needed to upgrade the firmware and that killed it!

Still grumpy about that!

So in my little world view, Pentax should make it standard on all cameras and use it as another unique selling point!
Joel

narual · 09-25-2014, 04:40 PM

Except it would hardly be unique. Failing to have it is more unique.. And that's not a positive.

**wizofoz** · 09-25-2014, 04:51 PM

Last night I set up a focus target on a tripod, my K3 on another tripod, activated the Flucard wireless tethering directly into my desktop PC so I could view the images on my Eizo monitor. It worked like a charm.

I had the image in the Pentax utility within a second or two, and could then right click on the image to open it in whatever program I had set as the default reader for jpeg images ( in this case PS, but it could just as easily have been CO or LR)

Why is this not just as good a solution as wired tethering?

**baldeagle21b** · 09-25-2014, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by wizofoz

Last night I set up a focus target on a tripod, my K3 on another tripod, activated the Flucard wireless tethering directly into my desktop PC so I could view the images on my Eizo monitor. It worked like a charm.

I had the image in the Pentax utility within a second or two, and could then right click on the image to open it in whatever program I had set as the default reader for jpeg images ( in this case PS, but it could just as easily have been CO or LR)

Why is this not just as good a solution as wired tethering?

It isn't free. Anything else is a secondary consideration.

stevebrot · 09-25-2014, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by wizofoz

Why is this not just as good a solution as wired tethering?

The new 645Z software does a parallel write to the SD card and to a folder on the tethered computer. Both are very high-speed. If the folder is monitored (think DropBox), a subsequent (almost instant) write to the cloud is possible. Likewise it might be possible to script basic processing in real time for very fast publishing to the Web. The common use case is for youth sports photography where game photos are available for purchase before the kids leave the field

Originally posted by baldeagle21b

It isn't free. Anything else is a secondary consideration.

The FLU Card is not free and neither is the Imaging Transmitter 2 software ($$$). It would be nice if PKTether supported the K-3, but if the interface is opaque, we have no choice to wait until that changes and/or volunteer software coding skills to help figure it out.

Steve

**wizofoz** · 09-25-2014, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by baldeagle21b

It isn't free. Anything else is a secondary consideration.

I guess wireless tethering isn't all that important to you then, if you baulk at spending $100 to achieve it.

It seems very inexpensive to me.

---------- Post added 26th Sep 2014 at 17:03 ----------

Originally posted by stevebrot

The new 645Z software does a parallel write to the SD card and to a folder on the tethered computer. Both are very high-speed. If the folder is monitored (think DropBox), a subsequent (almost instant) write to the cloud is possible. Likewise it might be possible to script basic processing in real time for very fast publishing to the Web. The common use case is for youth sports photography where game photos are available for purchase before the kids leave the field

Steve

Thanks for the info Steve.

I'm sure I read somewhere that as tethering is an option for the 645z, and that as it mostly shares the same architecture as the K-3 then it is possible that P/R will issue a firmware update to enable it on the K-3. (but maybe the word 'mostly' is the sticking point??)

I also read somewhere that adobe will support Pentax tethering in LR, due out somewhere around September 2014 (as in any time now), not that it will help if the K-3 wont support tethering.

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1549621?start=0&tstart=0

**RobA_Oz** · 09-25-2014, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by wizofoz

I guess wireless tethering isn't all that important to you then, if you baulk at spending $100 to achieve it.

It seems very inexpensive to me.

I think you might have missed the tone of his remark…

**wizofoz** · 09-26-2014, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I think you might have missed the tone of his remark…

We definitely need a sarcasm/irony button....

rawr · 09-26-2014, 06:56 AM

Pentax need to lift their game - even Olympus does tethering now

- and its free software.

olympuscapture | Olympus

Quote:

The E-M1’s tethered shooting capabilities and Olympus Capture software makes control possible from both the camera and the computer, completing your studio photography experience.

APPLICATION FEATURES:
- Mac and Windows compatible
- Camera Control and Data Transfer via USB 2.0
- All camera Controls available through Capture application
- Compatible with popular studio workflow applications from Adobe and Phase One
- Free download
- Compatible with Olympus OM-D E-M1 only

You Tube

Unregistered User · 09-26-2014, 07:28 AM

I want that program for the K-3!!!
The "manual" focus was really neat.

narual · 09-26-2014, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by wizofoz

I also read somewhere that adobe will support Pentax tethering in LR, due out somewhere around September 2014 (as in any time now), not that it will help if the K-3 wont support tethering.

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1549621?start=0&tstart=0

You misread that.

One person said "They say late Sept for Pentax's software" -- that's the software from pentax, which has indeed been announced in late september. Nothing to do with Adobe, except that the person was posting on the adobe forum.

stevebrot · 09-26-2014, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Tjompen1968

I want that program for the K-3!!!
The "manual" focus was really neat.

That is real cool and reminds me of the manual focus on my Canon G2 (also supported tethering out of the box). It would be nice to have an AF "nudge" feature in live view. In the mean time, I believe you can use the HDMI out to do magnified live view on an external HD monitor if you like that.

Steve

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09-25-2014, 08:03 AM	#16
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by rawr Perhaps the K-3 and other bodies may also need a firmware update to use the new Pentax tethering software. It would be nice if they would generalize the feature to at least the K-3 and while they are at it, perhaps they would publish the programming interface (API) and maybe even provide an SDK to help third-party developers (like Adobe) do product tie-ins. I know...I know...In my wildest dreams... Steve Adobe is able to provide direct tethering to Lightroom (Nikon and Canon only) because those makers have published the specifications. Other makers have not done so.

09-25-2014, 12:00 PM	#17
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636 Original Poster	I live in hope for me its bit of a deal breaker as I need to down load direct and the send online almost instantly. I am happy with the HDMI instant view for quick client viewing but cant see how to use that to remotely capture or send images else where perhaps as I said a couple of posts back I don't see why the k3 cant use it if it works for 645z.

09-25-2014, 12:12 PM	#18
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by adwb perhaps as I said a couple of posts back I don't see why the k3 cant use it if it works for 645z. I understand your reasoning here, but the answer may be something as simple as the difference in feature set between your K-5 and the K-30. Just because the K-3 apparently shares a significant amount of technology with the 645Z does not mean that the pieces required to do tethered operation* are present in both cameras. There is also the aspect of target market segmentation. That being said, I am very hopeful that this feature will come to the K-3. Its USB 3.0 interface is just begging for a live tether. Steve * A direct dump to the wire might require a different buffering scheme requiring additional hardware. It is hard to tell.

09-25-2014, 02:04 PM	#19
Joel B Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Barnett MO. Photos: Albums Posts: 2,336	Tethering should be a feature on the whole series. They had it on the ist and that rolled over to the K100d and it still worked well until I needed to upgrade the firmware and that killed it! Still grumpy about that! So in my little world view, Pentax should make it standard on all cameras and use it as another unique selling point! Joel

09-25-2014, 04:40 PM	#20
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Except it would hardly be unique. Failing to have it is more unique.. And that's not a positive.

09-25-2014, 04:51 PM	#21
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Last night I set up a focus target on a tripod, my K3 on another tripod, activated the Flucard wireless tethering directly into my desktop PC so I could view the images on my Eizo monitor. It worked like a charm. I had the image in the Pentax utility within a second or two, and could then right click on the image to open it in whatever program I had set as the default reader for jpeg images ( in this case PS, but it could just as easily have been CO or LR) Why is this not just as good a solution as wired tethering?

09-25-2014, 05:02 PM	#22
baldeagle21b Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 223	Originally posted by wizofoz Last night I set up a focus target on a tripod, my K3 on another tripod, activated the Flucard wireless tethering directly into my desktop PC so I could view the images on my Eizo monitor. It worked like a charm. I had the image in the Pentax utility within a second or two, and could then right click on the image to open it in whatever program I had set as the default reader for jpeg images ( in this case PS, but it could just as easily have been CO or LR) Why is this not just as good a solution as wired tethering? It isn't free. Anything else is a secondary consideration.

09-25-2014, 08:10 PM	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by wizofoz Why is this not just as good a solution as wired tethering? The new 645Z software does a parallel write to the SD card and to a folder on the tethered computer. Both are very high-speed. If the folder is monitored (think DropBox), a subsequent (almost instant) write to the cloud is possible. Likewise it might be possible to script basic processing in real time for very fast publishing to the Web. The common use case is for youth sports photography where game photos are available for purchase before the kids leave the field Originally posted by baldeagle21b It isn't free. Anything else is a secondary consideration. The FLU Card is not free and neither is the Imaging Transmitter 2 software ($$$). It would be nice if PKTether supported the K-3, but if the interface is opaque, we have no choice to wait until that changes and/or volunteer software coding skills to help figure it out. Steve

09-25-2014, 10:39 PM	#24
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by baldeagle21b It isn't free. Anything else is a secondary consideration. I guess wireless tethering isn't all that important to you then, if you baulk at spending $100 to achieve it. It seems very inexpensive to me. ---------- Post added 26th Sep 2014 at 17:03 ---------- Originally posted by stevebrot The new 645Z software does a parallel write to the SD card and to a folder on the tethered computer. Both are very high-speed. If the folder is monitored (think DropBox), a subsequent (almost instant) write to the cloud is possible. Likewise it might be possible to script basic processing in real time for very fast publishing to the Web. The common use case is for youth sports photography where game photos are available for purchase before the kids leave the field Steve Thanks for the info Steve. I'm sure I read somewhere that as tethering is an option for the 645z, and that as it mostly shares the same architecture as the K-3 then it is possible that P/R will issue a firmware update to enable it on the K-3. (but maybe the word 'mostly' is the sticking point??) I also read somewhere that adobe will support Pentax tethering in LR, due out somewhere around September 2014 (as in any time now), not that it will help if the K-3 wont support tethering. https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1549621?start=0&tstart=0

09-25-2014, 11:36 PM	#25
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Originally posted by wizofoz I guess wireless tethering isn't all that important to you then, if you baulk at spending $100 to achieve it. It seems very inexpensive to me. I think you might have missed the tone of his remark…

09-26-2014, 01:13 AM	#26
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I think you might have missed the tone of his remark… We definitely need a sarcasm/irony button....

09-26-2014, 07:28 AM	#28
Unregistered User Guest	I want that program for the K-3!!! The "manual" focus was really neat.

09-26-2014, 09:08 AM	#29
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by wizofoz I also read somewhere that adobe will support Pentax tethering in LR, due out somewhere around September 2014 (as in any time now), not that it will help if the K-3 wont support tethering. https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1549621?start=0&tstart=0 You misread that. One person said "They say late Sept for Pentax's software" -- that's the software from pentax, which has indeed been announced in late september. Nothing to do with Adobe, except that the person was posting on the adobe forum.

09-26-2014, 09:44 AM	#30
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Tjompen1968 I want that program for the K-3!!! The "manual" focus was really neat. That is real cool and reminds me of the manual focus on my Canon G2 (also supported tethering out of the box). It would be nice to have an AF "nudge" feature in live view. In the mean time, I believe you can use the HDMI out to do magnified live view on an external HD monitor if you like that. Steve