Tethering K-30 to Mac

Scubayorp · 05-20-2022, 05:25 PM - **1 Like**

Hi folks,
I want to connect my K-30 to my MacBook so I can see what the camera sees. The camera will be attached to a telescope, not for astrophotography but to display on a cinema screen while I remotely control the scope.
Is this possible and what do I need? Tether cable? Software?
TIA
Rob

**madison_wi_gal** · 05-20-2022, 05:54 PM - **1 Like**

Tether Tools - Tethering resources for the tethered photography community | Tether Tools the cable, Use an external camera with Mac - Apple Support is the advice from Apple. YMMV, I have a Mac and a k-30 but no cable so I can't test it out.

EDIT: Nope, it only outputs video and photos already on the card.

Adam · 05-20-2022, 06:00 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Scubayorp

Hi folks,
I want to connect my K-30 to my MacBook so I can see what the camera sees. The camera will be attached to a telescope, not for astrophotography but to display on a cinema screen while I remotely control the scope.
Is this possible and what do I need? Tether cable? Software?
TIA
Rob

I don't think you can get live view unless you have one of the newer models. However, this program may allow you to capture photos to your laptop:

pkTriggerCord

Scubayorp · 05-20-2022, 06:17 PM

Tnx madison_wi_gal and Adam. As I suspected! Plugging in the tether cord I have only allows download of saved pics/vids, and LV closes. pkTriggerCord doesn't help any more than onboard software.

Follow-up question: is there software/firmware upgrade that might help?

**madison_wi_gal** · 05-20-2022, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by Scubayorp

Tnx madison_wi_gal and Adam. As I suspected! Plugging in the tether cord I have only allows download of saved pics/vids, and LV closes. pkTriggerCord doesn't help any more than onboard software.

Follow-up question: is there software/firmware upgrade that might help?

Latest FW is 1.06 for K-30 from 2014, so I will guess no.

**photogem** · 05-20-2022, 09:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Scubayorp

Follow-up question: is there software/firmware upgrade that might help?

Read this thread, the 1.10 firmware is the best you can get:
Running K-50 firmware on K-30 - PentaxForums.com

**madison_wi_gal** · 05-21-2022, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Read this thread, the 1.10 firmware is the best you can get:
Running K-50 firmware on K-30 - PentaxForums.com

OP, please take a look at this: Product Photography and ability to "live view" on a computer - PentaxForums.com

05-20-2022, 05:25 PM - 1 Like	#1
Scubayorp New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 5	Tethering K-30 to Mac Hi folks, I want to connect my K-30 to my MacBook so I can see what the camera sees. The camera will be attached to a telescope, not for astrophotography but to display on a cinema screen while I remotely control the scope. Is this possible and what do I need? Tether cable? Software? TIA Rob

05-20-2022, 05:54 PM - 1 Like	#2
madison_wi_gal Reboot before calling IT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 416	Tether Tools - Tethering resources for the tethered photography community \| Tether Tools the cable, Use an external camera with Mac - Apple Support is the advice from Apple. YMMV, I have a Mac and a k-30 but no cable so I can't test it out. EDIT: Nope, it only outputs video and photos already on the card. Last edited by madison_wi_gal; 05-20-2022 at 06:07 PM.

05-20-2022, 06:00 PM - 2 Likes	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 50,631	Originally posted by Scubayorp Hi folks, I want to connect my K-30 to my MacBook so I can see what the camera sees. The camera will be attached to a telescope, not for astrophotography but to display on a cinema screen while I remotely control the scope. Is this possible and what do I need? Tether cable? Software? TIA Rob I don't think you can get live view unless you have one of the newer models. However, this program may allow you to capture photos to your laptop: pkTriggerCord Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-20-2022, 06:17 PM	#4
Scubayorp New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Tnx madison_wi_gal and Adam. As I suspected! Plugging in the tether cord I have only allows download of saved pics/vids, and LV closes. pkTriggerCord doesn't help any more than onboard software. Follow-up question: is there software/firmware upgrade that might help?

05-20-2022, 06:33 PM	#5
madison_wi_gal Reboot before calling IT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 416	Originally posted by Scubayorp Tnx madison_wi_gal and Adam. As I suspected! Plugging in the tether cord I have only allows download of saved pics/vids, and LV closes. pkTriggerCord doesn't help any more than onboard software. Follow-up question: is there software/firmware upgrade that might help? Latest FW is 1.06 for K-30 from 2014, so I will guess no.

05-20-2022, 09:02 PM - 1 Like	#6
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 2,452	Originally posted by Scubayorp Follow-up question: is there software/firmware upgrade that might help? Read this thread, the 1.10 firmware is the best you can get: Running K-50 firmware on K-30 - PentaxForums.com

05-21-2022, 05:40 AM	#7
madison_wi_gal Reboot before calling IT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 416	Originally posted by photogem Read this thread, the 1.10 firmware is the best you can get: Running K-50 firmware on K-30 - PentaxForums.com OP, please take a look at this: Product Photography and ability to "live view" on a computer - PentaxForums.com

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