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Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Tethering the Current Pentax DSLRs?

I've seen people from day to day are asking for tethering support for the current or just the later Pentax DSLRs including the K-5, K-r, 645D and K-7 etc., which all lacks such a function. Recent examples:-

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=36797719

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/120241-tether-my-k-7-k-5-645d-please.html

And yes, back to the old *ist D till the K10D/100D days, there was the software of Pentax Remote Assistant. But then this feature and support was dropped later on. As for competitors' products, say, every Canon EOS DSLR can be controlled via the bundled EOS Utility software, with software updates that are uploaded to Canon's websites for downloading from time to time, too.

But, I just don't understand how important this feature really is, on the other hand. If you just need just a "tethering" feature, get a Web-Cam! ;-D My opinion is for most of the time, cameras are used outside for shooting, not connecting to a PC indoor! Right? :-)

So, as you can see, last time when I think about the shortcomings of the K-5, the lack of tethering option is just Not one of the big ten reasons for still why not the K-5, as I don't think it is just significant enough to be a real issue. Nevertheless, I think the 645D, as a studio camera, would be better to have such a feature, so that images can be downloaded to the computer directly immediately after shooting. But then the 645D supports Eye-Fi, doesn't it?

Comments (18)

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Yepp, I don't understand why anyone needs this for Pentax cameras.

If you work in studio, then you can use Eye-Fi and transfer wirelessly, not through thin unreliable short cable.
Rice, admit it, in your "ten reasons" you simply forgot to nag about this as well...
2 replies · active 749 weeks ago
Haven't you read that I think this is just a non-issue? Shouldn't you be glad that I am *defending* the brand this time! ;-)
Well I am glad, it is just.... so CONFUSING to see you step out of your type. :-)
My experience of transferring large files between two pc's through wi-fi says that it is better to have a cable connection :) After series of 40+ mpx images i'm guessing wi fi would be chocked up for good. Haven;t tried N spec wi-fi though.
2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
Have you tried transfering with 2 meters long USB cable? :)

Otherwise I can not imagine use of standart Pentax usb cable in a studio when PC is on a table and camera is in a hands of photographer or on a tripod.

Btw, for transfering photos it is better to use fast card-reader, then camera's built-in one.
For longer distance USB transfer, equalisers will be needed.
For me thetering is VERY important since i do a lot of stop-motion shorts films and i have a nice colection of Pentax lenses that i don't wanna sell.
For this kinds of work wifi is not the answer, just the good old thetering.
After reviewing forums like DP review, it seems the only people who shoot Pentax are birders who think shooting a bird in flight at 100 yards is the end all be all of photography. Well, thankfully it's not, as 'just using a camera outdoors' as the only way to use one is about the oddest thing I've ever heard.

Shooting indoors, such as architectural photography, would benefit greatly from seeing your image directly on a laptop, instead of on the rear screen. This is just a software fix. I don't see how this is so hard. It's like Pentax's thinking is, "well, what the camera offers is good enough". They need to compete, not just give us good enough.

Now back to shooting your birds, cats, frogs, and bees.
joergens.mi's avatar

joergens.mi · 747 weeks ago

When your are doing Macro, or repro photography -especially take photos of real old books, there is a need for a goof tethering dupport.

I hope it will come back at least at the level of my k20D ore better with picture preview by liveview on the PC
Alex James's avatar

Alex James · 745 weeks ago

What about astro-photography , delayed photos (macro, flowers) and stop-motion movies?
"If you just need just a "tethering" feature, get a Web-Cam!"
Imagine a pro with lots of clients used to follow every shot on a screen. Than you pay 10 grand for a camera that is veeery, very slow and does not support tethering! I'm in that #%! situation. Pentax = Fail
All APS-C Pentax DSLRs support tethering. Just use PK Remote or PK_Tether and shoot away. Useless blog from a Pentax hater.
1 reply · active 540 weeks ago
mantas tantas's avatar

mantas tantas · 540 weeks ago

pk tether does not support k3, and pk remote is only for Pentax K10D DSLR, as their website stats. i would love to get k3, but tethering is something that stops me...
Steve Bain's avatar

Steve Bain · 637 weeks ago

quite obviously, Rice, you've well and truely overlooked those using their cameras for astrophotgraphy!
software such as RA helps greatly with framing and focusing a target
Canon have a large following in the amateur astronomy field and their software works well
Would it really be THAT difficult for Pentax/Ricoh to provide similar?
and as for webcams, FFS, what a stupid comment. Tell me, what webcam has the same resolution and light gathering power for the same price as a late model DSLR?
Hi,
Wchich is the best software to tether a Pentax k 500 to a laptop?
Ideally a free one or one that is readily available for a PC.
I just need it so that I am showing my clients on portrait shoots the results instantaneaously on a monitor rather than the cameras preview screen.
Also I like the idea that you are creating an instant back up if it is saving to the SD card and PC at the same time.
Many thanks,
Elaine Hether Lester.
1 reply · active 553 weeks ago
Try the latest version of the PK Tether and see if it works.
UPDATE! Ricehigh if you read this, pls share!

PKTriggercord now supports K-3 and alike... :D

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