Bring Back TETHERED Shooting

EliotK · 02-10-2010, 05:41 PM

The loss of ability to shoot tethered on the K-x and especially on the K-7 is a really big deal, especially for pro/semi-pro people, and is probably holding a lot of people back from getting a K-7 which would otherwise would be a clear winner.

How do we organize and petition the Pentax company to bring back that capability?

How can we make the company respond to our feedback and improve the camera substantially, while likely only releasing a firmware update?

Any suggestions/advice?
Pentaxians unite for a better K-7!

Nass · 02-15-2010, 01:10 PM

I was just thinking that if Pentax had some revenue to spend on producing these firmware wishlists, more of the requests might actually get done. What do you think? See:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/90449-what-would-y...es-if-all.html

Thanks

rawr · 02-15-2010, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by Nass

I was just thinking that if Pentax had some revenue to spend on producing these firmware wishlists, more of the requests might actually get done. What do you think?

That's an interesting idea.

Pentax should set up a kind of auction site where twice a year users could bid on various new firmware options, and the one with the most bids gets implemented. Bidders then pay a modest amount via Paypal, and get special VIP edition of the firmware.

It could work. People would then only submit firmware requests they really cared about, and Pentax would have a clear financial incentive to crank out extra firmware features above and beyond the normal firmware bug fixes that make up their current firmware release cycle.

**Rondec** · 02-16-2010, 05:02 AM

Tethered shooting with the K10/20 was not a very rewarding experience. Quite clunky and didn't seem to work very well. I am hopeful that with the 645D in the works that Pentax will significantly rework their software and that will filter down to lower levels of camera. Don't know that the Kx will be able to shoot tethered (although I don't see why not), but certainly the semi pro level should have that availability.

16N64 · 02-16-2010, 05:13 AM

Originally posted by EliotK

The loss of ability to shoot tethered on the K-x and especially on the K-7 is a really big deal, especially for pro/semi-pro people, and is probably holding a lot of people back from getting a K-7 which would otherwise would be a clear winner.
Pentaxians unite for a better K-7!

Can you please explain what you mean by tethered shooting?
Just the ability to operate shutter remotely or full control of all parameters?
And tethered to what device - remote control or computer?

Thanks,
Stefan

Peter Zack · 02-16-2010, 05:16 AM

Being able to connect the computer to the camera and see images on the computer screen as shot. Great for studio work but the K10/20 system was poorly implemented.

**Rondec** · 02-16-2010, 05:18 AM

As it worked on the K10/20, you could connect your camera to a computer. You could not focus or operate the camera with the computer, but you could immediately see the results of your photo. As I say, I tried a few times and it felt like more work than benefit and I didn't continue using it.

kenyee · 02-16-2010, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Being able to connect the computer to the camera and see images on the computer screen as shot. Great for studio work but the K10/20 system was poorly implemented.

Ditto (I wrote up a long post in the Dear Pentax thread on how I thought it should work).
Better than nothing, though the Eye Fi Pro would be a good alternative if you just want to download images...

GerryL · 02-16-2010, 01:15 PM

I have been longing for this one too since I think it would be very useful for studio photographers.

chromo · 02-16-2010, 02:23 PM

I would really like tethered with my ist-DL. Would be fantastic for time lapse.

**Ex Finn.** · 02-16-2010, 04:52 PM

Thank`s to K-7s lack of tethering and mandatory DFS, I still shoot with K100D, but have a nice 52" bravia and blue-ray to look at.
I was on B&H with my shopping cart loaded and my finger on the trigger but I backed off, maybe the next model.
Amazing how little details can persuade a purchasing decision.

Cheers, Mike.

GerryL · 02-16-2010, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

Thank`s to K-7s lack of tethering and mandatory DFS, I still shoot with K100D, but have a nice 52" bravia and blue-ray to look at.
I was on B&H with my shopping cart loaded and my finger on the trigger but I backed off, maybe the next model.
Amazing how little details can persuade a purchasing decision.

Cheers, Mike.

Pentax saved you money then!

amoringello · 02-16-2010, 06:20 PM

Almost did not get the K7 because it does not have tethered shooting.
I am keeping my K10D for situations where it is required.

The Pentax Remote Assistant software was a complete steaming pile, but is better than nothing at all!

I am hopefully that the new eye-fi X2 Pro will be compatible with Pentax and not suffer whatever issues occur with the older versions. (From what I hear, not sure as they wont really say what the problem is, but the eye-fi may not allow the Pentax cameras to know that they should not go to sleep and therefore the cards cannot complete their jobs. Hopefully with instant dumping of photos, that will not be an issue...) The makers of eye-fi cards seem pretty confident that the new card will work well.
Fingers crossed.

**Ex Finn.** · 02-16-2010, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by GerryL

Pentax saved you money then!

NO, I blew my greenbacks on frivolous video stuff

, my kids like it thou.

Cheers, Mike.

VoodooATL · 02-17-2010, 03:31 PM

Wow, as I am new to Pentax (again, K1000 in my past - like everyone) I was surprised to read the K7 didn't support this. Another reason to keep the 10D until the generation or two.

I can't think of any technical reason for this, its strictly firmware/software and a huge step backwards. Its worse the removing the AF motors from your bodies (Nikon) or leaving large holes in your product line (Canon), its just a firware function.

02-10-2010, 05:41 PM	#1
EliotK New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 10	Bring Back TETHERED Shooting The loss of ability to shoot tethered on the K-x and especially on the K-7 is a really big deal, especially for pro/semi-pro people, and is probably holding a lot of people back from getting a K-7 which would otherwise would be a clear winner. How do we organize and petition the Pentax company to bring back that capability? How can we make the company respond to our feedback and improve the camera substantially, while likely only releasing a firmware update? Any suggestions/advice? Pentaxians unite for a better K-7!

02-16-2010, 06:29 PM	#14
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by GerryL Pentax saved you money then! NO, I blew my greenbacks on frivolous video stuff, my kids like it thou. Cheers, Mike.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Shooting Tethered??	CLYNN0928	Photographic Technique	1	06-21-2010 08:28 AM
Tethered Shooting With a Pentax	fwbigd	Photographic Technique	23	02-08-2010 01:02 PM
Shooting tethered with K-7	GossesPhoto	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	1	07-17-2009 01:56 AM
Tethered Shooting	balofagus	Pentax DSLR Discussion	22	06-15-2009 04:25 AM
Tethered shooting....	Aaron1971	Photographic Technique	11	10-21-2008 06:23 PM

02-15-2010, 01:10 PM	#2
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	I was just thinking that if Pentax had some revenue to spend on producing these firmware wishlists, more of the requests might actually get done. What do you think? See: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/90449-what-would-y...es-if-all.html Thanks

02-15-2010, 01:52 PM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Nass I was just thinking that if Pentax had some revenue to spend on producing these firmware wishlists, more of the requests might actually get done. What do you think? That's an interesting idea. Pentax should set up a kind of auction site where twice a year users could bid on various new firmware options, and the one with the most bids gets implemented. Bidders then pay a modest amount via Paypal, and get special VIP edition of the firmware. It could work. People would then only submit firmware requests they really cared about, and Pentax would have a clear financial incentive to crank out extra firmware features above and beyond the normal firmware bug fixes that make up their current firmware release cycle.

02-16-2010, 05:02 AM	#4
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	Tethered shooting with the K10/20 was not a very rewarding experience. Quite clunky and didn't seem to work very well. I am hopeful that with the 645D in the works that Pentax will significantly rework their software and that will filter down to lower levels of camera. Don't know that the Kx will be able to shoot tethered (although I don't see why not), but certainly the semi pro level should have that availability.

02-16-2010, 05:13 AM	#5
16N64 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Former capitol of Germany Posts: 63	Originally posted by EliotK The loss of ability to shoot tethered on the K-x and especially on the K-7 is a really big deal, especially for pro/semi-pro people, and is probably holding a lot of people back from getting a K-7 which would otherwise would be a clear winner. Pentaxians unite for a better K-7! Can you please explain what you mean by tethered shooting? Just the ability to operate shutter remotely or full control of all parameters? And tethered to what device - remote control or computer? Thanks, Stefan

02-16-2010, 05:16 AM	#6
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Being able to connect the computer to the camera and see images on the computer screen as shot. Great for studio work but the K10/20 system was poorly implemented.

02-16-2010, 05:18 AM	#7
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	As it worked on the K10/20, you could connect your camera to a computer. You could not focus or operate the camera with the computer, but you could immediately see the results of your photo. As I say, I tried a few times and it felt like more work than benefit and I didn't continue using it.

02-16-2010, 07:21 AM	#8
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by Peter Zack Being able to connect the computer to the camera and see images on the computer screen as shot. Great for studio work but the K10/20 system was poorly implemented. Ditto (I wrote up a long post in the Dear Pentax thread on how I thought it should work). Better than nothing, though the Eye Fi Pro would be a good alternative if you just want to download images...

02-16-2010, 01:15 PM	#9
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	I have been longing for this one too since I think it would be very useful for studio photographers.

02-16-2010, 02:23 PM	#10
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581	I would really like tethered with my ist-DL. Would be fantastic for time lapse.

02-16-2010, 04:52 PM	#11
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Thank`s to K-7s lack of tethering and mandatory DFS, I still shoot with K100D, but have a nice 52" bravia and blue-ray to look at. I was on B&H with my shopping cart loaded and my finger on the trigger but I backed off, maybe the next model. Amazing how little details can persuade a purchasing decision. Cheers, Mike.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-16-2010, 06:15 PM	#12
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by Ex Finn. Thank`s to K-7s lack of tethering and mandatory DFS, I still shoot with K100D, but have a nice 52" bravia and blue-ray to look at. I was on B&H with my shopping cart loaded and my finger on the trigger but I backed off, maybe the next model. Amazing how little details can persuade a purchasing decision. Cheers, Mike. Pentax saved you money then!

02-16-2010, 06:20 PM	#13
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Almost did not get the K7 because it does not have tethered shooting. I am keeping my K10D for situations where it is required. The Pentax Remote Assistant software was a complete steaming pile, but is better than nothing at all! I am hopefully that the new eye-fi X2 Pro will be compatible with Pentax and not suffer whatever issues occur with the older versions. (From what I hear, not sure as they wont really say what the problem is, but the eye-fi may not allow the Pentax cameras to know that they should not go to sleep and therefore the cards cannot complete their jobs. Hopefully with instant dumping of photos, that will not be an issue...) The makers of eye-fi cards seem pretty confident that the new card will work well. Fingers crossed.

02-17-2010, 03:31 PM	#15
VoodooATL Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Wow, as I am new to Pentax (again, K1000 in my past - like everyone) I was surprised to read the K7 didn't support this. Another reason to keep the 10D until the generation or two. I can't think of any technical reason for this, its strictly firmware/software and a huge step backwards. Its worse the removing the AF motors from your bodies (Nikon) or leaving large holes in your product line (Canon), its just a firware function.