Tethering Software

scoleopy · 09-02-2022, 03:56 PM

Hi all. I have a Pentax KP and I’m looking for tethering software that I can connect the camera to my Windows PC for astrophotography. Pentax makes an app for Apple and Android products, and they used to make software called Image Transfer 2. I see Pentax have an update for that software, but you need the original software installed before you update. And I can’t find where to buy that software anymore. Is The original Image Transfer 2 software still available and from where, or is there another alternative? I also don’t use Photoshop so I can’t use the plugin for that product. Am I hooped? Thanks very much!

Not a Number · 09-02-2022, 05:40 PM

Refer to these threads:

Introducing Pentax Wi-Fi & USB Tether by PentaxForums.com - PentaxForums.com
Keep the overview on the increasing tethering options for Pentax cameras - PentaxForums.com

kypfer · 09-03-2022, 12:30 AM

See also Wifi Commander for Pentax - wireless remote control for your Pentax camera which is free, current, and still under development for the KP.
I've not tried it for Astro work, but it works well for many "normal" applications.
I'm currently helping the author by beta testing for a couple of minor glitches to do with Bracketing and Continuous drive settings … a new release is imminent

Do note, using wi-fi for tethering does noticeably shorten battery life, so have spare batteries available, or maybe an AC adaptor if working from home.
Enjoy

scoleopy · 09-03-2022, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Refer to these threads:

Introducing Pentax Wi-Fi & USB Tether by PentaxForums.com - PentaxForums.com
Keep the overview on the increasing tethering options for Pentax cameras - PentaxForums.com

Thanks for the reply. I’ll have a look and give it a try!

scoleopy · 09-03-2022, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

See also Wifi Commander for Pentax - wireless remote control for your Pentax camera which is free, current, and still under development for the KP.
I've not tried it for Astro work, but it works well for many "normal" applications.
I'm currently helping the author by beta testing for a couple of minor glitches to do with Bracketing and Continuous drive settings … a new release is imminent

Do note, using wi-fi for tethering does noticeably shorten battery life, so have spare batteries available, or maybe an AC adaptor if working from home.
Enjoy

Thanks for your reply too. I’ll have a look at this one. I’ll watch for when it’s available for the KP too.

kypfer · 09-03-2022, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by scoleopy

Thanks for your reply too. I’ll have a look at this one. I’ll watch for when it’s available for the KP too.

It's already available and working for the KP for "normal" stuff … just a couple of details needing fine tuning.
Try it, it may do all you need.
If not, the author is very open to suggestion (which is how I got involved)

**stevejo** · 09-06-2022, 12:03 AM

One thing to bear in mind though. However you connect, if you have to swap batteries, you will probably need to recalibrate the gps after switching the camera off and on, which isn't going to help with framing and lining up the images. So you will really need to do all your shots with one battery (or have a battery grip). I am also working towards this and have helped with the Wifi commander development for the KP. There is a limitation on the Pentax Bulb mode which makes the use of the Wifi commander less useful. If you have a timed exposure set for bulb mode, you cant use astrotracer. If you have astrotracer running you can't select a timed exposure.
This affects the ability to have a collection of timed exposures saved in Wifi commander say to do 20 x 45 second shots, once you set astrotracer on these become available. This is to do with the camera not Wifi commander. This appears to be the same with the K1 though have only just started playing with that one.

The solution is to get a programable remote (I got a wired one for just under £20, so quite cheap). You can set your exposure time, number of exposures and delay between, press start and leave the camera to get on with it. I may of course just have a setting wrong, so if anyone can contradict my experience, please feel free.

**stevejo** · 09-11-2022, 01:35 PM

Further to my last post, it appears that since upgrading my KP firmware, the difficulty in using bulb mode with a timed exposure has gone away. As long as you dont use the astrotracer preset (user mode 3), but set the mode to B instead. Then ensure that B timed is set by pressing the green button on either the camera or wifi commander. When it is on, the Tv box on commander will show a time (min 10s).
Set the aperture, speed and iso then you can save to the planned shots.
It seems to prefer having no planned shots in the list before saving a new shot parameter. You can have more than one program but the new planned will go into the selected program.
You can then duplicate the shot as required. Once ready run the program and it seems fairly happy shooting away.

I have done a dummy test for now, and will try it out once i can see some stars.

Hope this helps

scoleopy · 09-12-2022, 02:51 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. So far, I’ve downloaded, installed and tried the WiFi Commander software and the test shots I’ve done with my KP seem to be working great. Now I just have to wait for some clear skies so I can hook the camera up to the telescope again and do some astrophotography. The wild fire smoke is getting worse again!

09-02-2022, 03:56 PM	#1
scoleopy New Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 5	Tethering Software Hi all. I have a Pentax KP and I’m looking for tethering software that I can connect the camera to my Windows PC for astrophotography. Pentax makes an app for Apple and Android products, and they used to make software called Image Transfer 2. I see Pentax have an update for that software, but you need the original software installed before you update. And I can’t find where to buy that software anymore. Is The original Image Transfer 2 software still available and from where, or is there another alternative? I also don’t use Photoshop so I can’t use the plugin for that product. Am I hooped? Thanks very much!

09-11-2022, 01:35 PM	#8
stevejo Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 525	Further to my last post, it appears that since upgrading my KP firmware, the difficulty in using bulb mode with a timed exposure has gone away. As long as you dont use the astrotracer preset (user mode 3), but set the mode to B instead. Then ensure that B timed is set by pressing the green button on either the camera or wifi commander. When it is on, the Tv box on commander will show a time (min 10s). Set the aperture, speed and iso then you can save to the planned shots. It seems to prefer having no planned shots in the list before saving a new shot parameter. You can have more than one program but the new planned will go into the selected program. You can then duplicate the shot as required. Once ready run the program and it seems fairly happy shooting away. I have done a dummy test for now, and will try it out once i can see some stars. Hope this helps Last edited by stevejo; 09-12-2022 at 02:33 AM.

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09-02-2022, 05:40 PM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 9,623	Refer to these threads: Introducing Pentax Wi-Fi & USB Tether by PentaxForums.com - PentaxForums.com Keep the overview on the increasing tethering options for Pentax cameras - PentaxForums.com

09-03-2022, 12:30 AM	#3
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 2,528	See also Wifi Commander for Pentax - wireless remote control for your Pentax camera which is free, current, and still under development for the KP. I've not tried it for Astro work, but it works well for many "normal" applications. I'm currently helping the author by beta testing for a couple of minor glitches to do with Bracketing and Continuous drive settings … a new release is imminent Do note, using wi-fi for tethering does noticeably shorten battery life, so have spare batteries available, or maybe an AC adaptor if working from home. Enjoy

09-03-2022, 06:56 PM	#4
scoleopy New Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Refer to these threads: Introducing Pentax Wi-Fi & USB Tether by PentaxForums.com - PentaxForums.com Keep the overview on the increasing tethering options for Pentax cameras - PentaxForums.com Thanks for the reply. I’ll have a look and give it a try!

09-03-2022, 06:58 PM	#5
scoleopy New Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by kypfer See also Wifi Commander for Pentax - wireless remote control for your Pentax camera which is free, current, and still under development for the KP. I've not tried it for Astro work, but it works well for many "normal" applications. I'm currently helping the author by beta testing for a couple of minor glitches to do with Bracketing and Continuous drive settings … a new release is imminent Do note, using wi-fi for tethering does noticeably shorten battery life, so have spare batteries available, or maybe an AC adaptor if working from home. Enjoy Thanks for your reply too. I’ll have a look at this one. I’ll watch for when it’s available for the KP too.

09-03-2022, 11:07 PM	#6
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 2,528	Originally posted by scoleopy Thanks for your reply too. I’ll have a look at this one. I’ll watch for when it’s available for the KP too. It's already available and working for the KP for "normal" stuff … just a couple of details needing fine tuning. Try it, it may do all you need. If not, the author is very open to suggestion (which is how I got involved)

09-06-2022, 12:03 AM	#7
stevejo Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 525	One thing to bear in mind though. However you connect, if you have to swap batteries, you will probably need to recalibrate the gps after switching the camera off and on, which isn't going to help with framing and lining up the images. So you will really need to do all your shots with one battery (or have a battery grip). I am also working towards this and have helped with the Wifi commander development for the KP. There is a limitation on the Pentax Bulb mode which makes the use of the Wifi commander less useful. If you have a timed exposure set for bulb mode, you cant use astrotracer. If you have astrotracer running you can't select a timed exposure. This affects the ability to have a collection of timed exposures saved in Wifi commander say to do 20 x 45 second shots, once you set astrotracer on these become available. This is to do with the camera not Wifi commander. This appears to be the same with the K1 though have only just started playing with that one. The solution is to get a programable remote (I got a wired one for just under £20, so quite cheap). You can set your exposure time, number of exposures and delay between, press start and leave the camera to get on with it. I may of course just have a setting wrong, so if anyone can contradict my experience, please feel free.

09-12-2022, 02:51 PM	#9
scoleopy New Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for your input. So far, I’ve downloaded, installed and tried the WiFi Commander software and the test shots I’ve done with my KP seem to be working great. Now I just have to wait for some clear skies so I can hook the camera up to the telescope again and do some astrophotography. The wild fire smoke is getting worse again!

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