If you have recently purchased a highly-rated digital camera, you may be wondering about some of the things it can do. For instance, you may be wondering how to tether a digital camera to a computer. Tethering a digital camera to a PC involves connecting the camera via USB or Wi-Fi and using manufacturer-provided software. After installing the software, configure settings for camera controls, file saving location, and live view. Once connected, you can remotely control the camera settings, capture photos or videos, and have them transferred directly to your PC for immediate review and editing. Keep reading to get all the information you will need on tethering and tether tools.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Tethering a digital camera to a computer or related device is a great way to preview images as you shoot.
- You can connect a digital cam to a computer by using a USB cable or by relying on a wireless connection.
- You will also need some dedicated tethering software, such as the popular Adobe Lightroom.
Why Tether?
Many professional photographers tether their cameras to their computers as they shoot, especially if they’re using a model like the one in our Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ70 review. This isn’t the same tether as a strap on a digital camera. It’s an electronic connection. Why would they do this? It gives them instant access to the photos themselves on the larger screen of a computer. Additionally, it allows them to immediately access photo-editing tools to increase the image quality and perform post-processing tasks.
Insider Tip
The first thing you need to do is to connect the digital camera to the computer, smartphone, tablet, or related device.
How to Tether a Digital Camera
The process may differ depending on your actual camera and the digital device you are tethering to, be it a laptop, smartphone, desktop, or tablet. Still, we’ve assembled some general guidelines on how to perform the tethering process.
Connect the Camera to the Computer
The first thing you need to do is to connect the digital camera to the computer, smartphone, tablet, or related device. This is typically done with a USB cable of some type, so read the instructions that accompany your camera to make sure you have a suitable cord.
Insider Tip
Some cameras can connect to a computer or related digital device wirelessly, as long as they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Some cameras can connect to a computer or related digital device wirelessly, as long as they are on the same Wi-Fi network. Others use Bluetooth to instantaneously send photos to a computer. No matter the method, the connection between the two devices is a main priority.
Grab a Sturdy Surface
If you are tethering to a laptop computer, you will want to make sure it is sturdy as you shoot photos, particularly if you are shooting outdoors. We recommend gathering a small, yet sturdy, table for the laptop to rest upon. This may not always be possible while out in nature, but you can always use a food tray or something like that. Nothing ruins a good tether like a laptop falling onto some rocks.
Warning
Nothing ruins a good tether like a laptop falling onto some rocks.
Use Tethering Software
Most digital cameras can only tether via purpose-built software, such as Adobe Lightroom, LUMIX Tether, or Canon EOS Utility 3. Make sure you have this tethering software installed on your computer before you begin the tethering process. Go through all of the setup steps until everything seems to be running smoothly. These software applications should open automatically when the camera is connected to the digital device. But you should first find out how to update a digital camera to ensure that the software will work well.
To further improve your photography, you may want to check out how to take pictures in low light with a digital camera, how to take bokeh photos, and learn what a digital camera UV filter does.
STAT: The sales of digital cameras are expected to recover from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) from 2021 onwards, exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels for the first time in 2023. In 2025, digital camera vendors are expected to sell 128.17 million units. (source)
F.A.Q.
What do you need for tethered shooting?
You will need a camera, obviously, and a digital device to tether it to. Other than that, you will likely require a USB cable and dedicated tethering software, such as Canon EOS Utility 3 or LUMIX Tether. Those are your tether tools.
Why should you tether?
The main reason to tether a camera to a computer is to preview RAW file images on a large screen so you know which ones to keep and which ones to send off to the trash heap. You will get a good white balance on a computer screen, no matter the shutter speed on your shutter button.
What are reliable tethering software applications?
There are many reliable options when it comes to tether tools. Look into Adobe Lightroom, Canon EOS Utility 3, and LUMIX Tether, just to name a few. There are plenty of tether tools out there.
REFERENCES:
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172711/forecast-of-digital-camera-sales-volume/
- https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/tv-radio-multimedia/digital-cameras/worldwide
- https://www.wikihow.com/Use-digiCamControl-to-Take-Digital-Photographsr
- https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Picture-with-a-Digital-Camera
- https://www.wikihow.com/Tether-a-Nikon-D3100-Using-digiCamControl
