M9 tethering - a revisit

[rsmphoto]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I know this has been brought up before, but only with suggested solutions that have less than ideal professional capability. So - has anyone heard anything further about tethering the M9 now or in the future? Certainly tethering through Lightroom 3, as I can with my 5DII would be most welcome. As an architectural shooter, this seems to be the one frustrating shortfall (at least for me) for using this camera fully. Yes, I have other digital cameras (MF, 35) better suited for architecture, but I would welcome the added option of having use of the unique qualities of the M9's lenses AND the color engine, both of which I consider to be exceptional.

 

Cheers.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Guido]

As far as I can tell, no change in situation. No native support in LR3. Still the same "less than ideal" plug-ins and hacks around.

 

Some time ago, I thought that an "Eye-Fi" card (http://www.eye.fi) might solve the problem, but last time I looked they specifically warned against using those with an M9 due to possible hardware damage.

[rsmphoto]

Yes, thanks. From have gleaned from the web, it looks like the Eye-Fi Pro x2 is not yet a proper solution - slow transfer and battery drain plus as you mentioned the possibility of physical damage to the camera.

[mn4367]

At least on the Mac you could use a little program (I think it is called Image Capture in the english Mac version). First set your M9 to PTP in the USB section of the menu. If you connect the M9 to the Mac then it is seen by this software. The whole procedure isn't too convenient since there is no direct tethering with LR, but you can simulate it: In LR configure a folder for automatic import and configure Image Capture to store the pictures in that folder (and optionally delete them in the camera after storing). As far as I remember it is possible to issue a shutter release from Image Capture *and* the M9. I've used this setup for a basic 'studio' session and it worked ok but as you said, it is far from beeing optimal, since Image Capture can't control any of the M9 settings and the M9 doesn't let you change any settings while connected via USB.

[rsmphoto]

Michael, Thanks. That's an interesting solution and and I do use Macs. I'll certainly give that a try, but you're right, what makes that solution less than viable is not being able to change settings on the M9 while connected via USB. The quest continues...

[Double Negative]

You can also use Aperture...

[rsmphoto]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

You can also use Aperture...

 

Hmm. I can't find anything on Apple's Aperture 3 site that says anything about direct capture tethering with anything other than Canon and Nikon. Nor can I find anything on the web regarding this. Or does this involve a similar method to the one Michael's outlined with LR3?

[Double Negative]

Hmm. I can't find anything on Apple's Aperture 3 site that says anything about direct capture tethering with anything other than Canon and Nikon. Nor can I find anything on the web regarding this. Or does this involve a similar method to the one Michael's outlined with LR3?

 

Hmm, looks like it only works with the M8. My bad.

[arminw]

I would imagine not many people would use tethering with the M9 or M8, but I have to say I found myself in situations when tethering would have been rather welcome .

[A POV]

Eye-fi is a total ripoff! I couldn't get it to work in any of my camera's and then I find out here that I could have damaged my M9. Whoever heard of breaking your camera by inserting a memory card! The thing is expensive junk and now isn't even recognized by any of my card readers. Tell all your friends not to buy Eye-fi!

[rsmphoto]

Well, I just read this...

 

Rob Galbraith DPI: Wireless photography with an iPad and ShutterSnitch

 

If the Eye-Fi Pro-X2 card could be made to work with the M9 without potential damage then this looks like a viable direction.

[Double Negative]

The problem with tethering an M is the lack of autofocus and aperture control, just to name a couple. I don't know if you can override shutter speed and ISO when tethered either...

[ChristopherGrant]

I recently have been using my M9 for light studio work and had a need to try a

tethering setup as well. I can confirm Image Capture and Lightroom 3 work

together though as suspected, you don't have access to any settings.

 

Setup:

1. Set your M9 to PTP in menu settings.

2. Connect M9 via USB to your mac.

3. Setup Lightroom for Auto Import (File - Auto Import)

4. Note watched folder in Lightroom Auto Import settings.

5. Setup Image Capture for Take Picture (File - Take Picture...)

6. Check 'Download new images to' box.

7. Select aforementioned folder (Step 4)

8. Check 'delete after downloading' box.

9. Shoot either from camera or application.

 

I've only used this at this point for about 20 or so photographs as a test, but had

no problems. Not ideal, but it does work. To my knowledge you cannot override

shutter speed or ISO. Hope this helps!

[d2mini]

Christopher, do you have to use the mac to take the shot, or can you still use the M9's controls?

[mn4367]

Christopher, do you have to use the mac to take the shot, or can you still use the M9's controls?

 

Both is possible, including the M9s self timer.

There is another inconvenience: If the M9 goes off after the power off time limit, you have to reconnect it in Image Capture and unfortunately (AFAIR) the export folder has to be set again manually.

[ChristopherGrant]

Christopher, do you have to use the mac to take the shot, or can you still use the M9's controls?

 

As mn4367 mentioned, you can use either/or. You'll probably want to turn the auto power

off feature in the M9 to prevent having to restart the app.

[rsmphoto]

Thanks Christopher. This is better than no solution at all. I'll give it a try once my M9 returns from it's R&R in Solms.

 

Richard

[Gilles L.]

I recently have been using my M9 for light studio work and had a need to try a

tethering setup as well. I can confirm Image Capture and Lightroom 3 work

together though as suspected, you don't have access to any settings.

 

Setup:

1. Set your M9 to PTP in menu settings.

2. Connect M9 via USB to your mac.

3. Setup Lightroom for Auto Import (File - Auto Import)

4. Note watched folder in Lightroom Auto Import settings.

5. Setup Image Capture for Take Picture (File - Take Picture...)

6. Check 'Download new images to' box.

7. Select aforementioned folder (Step 4)

8. Check 'delete after downloading' box.

9. Shoot either from camera or application.

 

I've only used this at this point for about 20 or so photographs as a test, but had

no problems. Not ideal, but it does work. To my knowledge you cannot override

shutter speed or ISO. Hope this helps!

 

This brilliant Christopher, thank you! I was using Image Capture, but was not aware of the File > Take Picture option.

 

The same will with C1, except that you need to select the folder and enable the hot folder option in Camera > Hot Folder Enabled. Takes less than 5 seconds for the image to appear on screen, which is barely longer than with my MF back.

 

Thanks again, Christopher, brilliant.

 

Gilles

[Tulpenwahn]

Does the suggested method really work? There are a lot of other threads that say: there is no way of tethered shooting with a M9 and a Mac...

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[mn4367]

It works, I've used it a couple of months ago (with OS X 10.5 I think, not sure about 10.6, but I can retry if you like). The biggest drawback remains: you can't change any settings of the camera. But with the autoimport in LR this solution was sufficient for my needs.