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Aperture 2: Tethering
Aperture 2 includes a new Tethering HUD that provides in-program tethering - a much better solution than the AppleScript-based tethering offered in previous versions. To use the tethering feature, you must connect your camera to your Mac via a USB or Firewire cable. Then choose File > Tether > Start Session. The Tether HUD will appear, which offers many of the same controls that you find in the Import dialog box.
You can select which project you want the images to go into, where you want them stored, and assign metadata to the images upon import. Once you've configured the HUD, click Start Session. The Tether HUD will change to a smaller HUD which should show your camera type, and some information about the session.
You can either click the camera's shutter button, or click the Capture button to fire a shot. After the camera has captured the image, it will automatically be downloaded to the project you specified. When you're done, click Stop Session.
So, the good news is that tethering is very easy in Aperture 2.0. The bad news is that there is no codified standard protocol for tethering, which means every vendor does it differently. Some camera makers publish an API for external tethering support, and some don't. This means that Apple can only provide tethering support for cameras that have an API, or for which they can reverse-engineer support. Further complicating this is that some vendors provide APIs for some models of cameras, but not others. So, until there is an accepted protocol standard for tethering, there's no guarantee that Aperture will support your chosen camera.
Also, note that Aperture does not provide access to any exposure controls for your camera. Again, this is usually because the vendor does not expose those controls. If you are used to using the tethering software that came with your camera, and it provides exposure controls, you might still be able to use that software and Aperture together, using the old 1.5 Automator-based tethering scheme. We'll need further research to determine if this works with 2.0.
Ben,
Does D2X work in tethered mode ?
If so, who supplies long firewire cables ?
Bill
Canon 20d works perfect with the new tether HUD - tried it out this weekend.
@Bill - My local camera store was selling a 15' Firewire cable for less than what Bust Bey or City Circut was selling a 6' cable for.
I believe I got it for $25.
http://www.idahocamera.com/search/shop/index.asp?action=ProductSearch&SearchString=firewire&SearchType=Store
hth,
Ken
I have had trouble getting it to work with a D2xs. Anyone have it working? How about a D3? Should have one this week.
Alex
anyone tried the canon 40d yet?
So far, I am unable to get my 20D to shoot using the new tether feature in Aperture 2. I;m not sure if running Tiger 10.4.11 makes a difference. I am able to capture images with the 20D tethered using the old 1.5 Hot Folder setup. However, I can only do this if I create a new Aperture 2 library and project just for that session. I then export the project and import it into my main Aperture library. Is anyone else having this experience?
I tried tethering with my Canon 10D (which is supposed to work, btw, according to this article since I am on Leopard 10.5.2) and it never worked. I have the latest firmware on my camera.
When I connect my camera in PTP mode, I have a "busy" display on the camera and it never goes away. Tethering is not working in this mode. I then tried "Normal" mode, there is no more busy display but tethering still doesn't work. No matter which combination and order of camera off/on/connect/aperture start/etc.
However, I am able to completely control my camera with the Canon Utilities, including total access to all parameters and camera control from my mac.
So, any idea someone?
Where art thou Brother Ben ? You said it was an easy set-up.
What camera did you try prior to publishing this Blog ?
Bill
One evening I was sitting and reading ...
tethered my Nikon D300 ...
the result:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mawas/2267702544/
read the story!
The New A2 tethering works extremely well with the LEICA M8.
This is much better than the previous scripted solutions.
Not that a lot of people probably use the Leica M8 in the studio - but we use it for group shots and stuff so that someone else can be checking out the overall picture as it comes up big and full screen while I'm shooting.
This is great and takes a lot of the stress out of these situations,
since we already know for sure what we have before letting anyone leave.
Bravo Apple Aperture Team, you rock!
Checked my trusty old Nikon D70s for compatibility - works!
You can see the result on my blog: http://olegkurapov.ru/blog/5/aperture-tethered-mode/
It does not provide any exposure controls and defaults to AF shooting (in Nikon's own Camera Control Pro you have two separate buttons for AF-on and AF-off shots) but it is definitely supported. Nice touch - you can see the exposure info of your last picture right in Tethered HUD (so you don't need to have Inspector HUD open as well)
After further testing with the 20D it appears Image Capture is seizing the camera before Aperture can get to it to tether. In the Image Capture preferences I have selected "Do Nothing" but every time the camera is turned on Image Capture grabs it. I think this might be why we are getting the flashing "Busy" on the camera LCD. Does anyone have any ideas on how to disable Image Capture beyond the preferences?
I also notice on Ben's illustration that the Capture button is grayed out with the iPhone attached. Almost like it's not fully connected either.
Hi Bill,
I have a P45+ which I tether into Captureone Pro software. I own Aperture but I have not' made it into a database for archiving and backing up because of the manual process of moving files into Aperture.
I understand that I can not tether the PhaseOne into Aperture directly. Would you recommend to continue to tether in Captureone and then use automator to transfer the raw files into Aperture?
Jeff
Here's the official list with supported cameras for tethered shooting in Aperture 2:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1085
Worked fine with my Nikon D2X via a USB2 cable, not sure if it would work via firewire, as I don't think the Nikon supports this option.
No control of aperture or shutter speed from Aperture though, this has to be done on camera.
Mathew,
What was your set up? I've been able to capture from my D2X into A2 but only if I have a card
in the camera. It saves images to the card and then into A2. Really want to by pass the card and go direct like I can with Nikon software. BTW you can also use Nikon Capture to set camera setting or on the camera like you said.
I have a Canon A560 and, although it's supposed to tether to Aperture, it just fails. I get the little camera icon next to the project, but the capture button stays dim and the lens of the camera stays inside. Hours of work led to my giving up.
The current list from Apple as of April 2008 can be found at:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1085
The Nikon D2xs and D300 are both on the list.
I had a little problem with my D200 and D40x at first until I discovered the USB-PTP option in the USB menu on the Setup menus.
It has to be in the P-PTP mode for tethered shooting. For me it worked fine.
Rick said: Canon 20d works perfect with the new tether HUD - tried it out this weekend.
Hi all, Rick, when u say 'perfect' do you mean you can control camera setting via A2?
To others, i have shutter control but how does one identify if further camera control is available or not?
regards, Graham.
has any one got a samsung GX10 or gx20 to work on it yet? sam
Hi, thanks a million for the article. It works great with my D700, USB cable and Aperture.