Canon 20D Tethered to Laptop

[alive1]

Just wondering if any 20D viewers have shot tethered to a laptop computer. I have searched the manual and on page 157 it shows a cable IFC-400PCU that is used to attach to the computer but that's all the info available as far as I have seen. What is the skinny on this operation? Please help...

[taygull]

I don't have a 20D any longer but I have tethered my 20D, 5D and 1D Mark IIn.

I use a standard USB cable and EOS Utilities to manage the files.

[Max@Home]

...as taygull said...

Use a USB2.0 cable, first install the EOS Utility that came with your camera on CD (program was called differently then, IIRC) and update that to the latest EOS Utility (free downloadable from Canon website)

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[tomrock]

The 20D came with the cable you need although it isn't too long (you need a USB extension cable) and you use the software from Canon that's also in the box (properly updated as Max says). I've done it in the past and it worked fine.

[Sidebyte]

If you use a standard USB 2.0 cable you are limited to about 3 meters. They sell (I have one) a USB 2.0 cable that has an amplifier built into the cable and you can go up to 15 meters successfully. Look at Geeks.com - Computer parts, Laptop computers, Desktop computers, Computer hardware

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Sidebyte

If you use a standard USB 2.0 cable you are limited to about 3 meters.

...actually, 5 meters is the maximum length a USB2.0 cable is allowed to be without amplifier, longer without amplification would result in signal loss

...and for most applications, 5 meters is jùst enough

...€0.02 more...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[Sidebyte]

5 Meters might be the listed maximum but mine wouldn't work past 3 meters without an amplified cable, it simply ran out of juice.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Sidebyte

5 Meters might be the listed maximum but mine wouldn't work past 3 meters without an amplified cable, it simply ran out of juice.

...sorry to hear that, I have a 5 meter USB2.0 cable (not an add-on/extension to the original, but a one-piece USB2.0), and have not had any problems with this cable and my 10D, 20D, 40D, 350D, 400D and 1D Mk III ...

...FWIW, *my* €0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[jfrancho]

I use this capability quite a bit. Just follow Max's instructions, and it works great. The only issue I had was when the camera went into standby, I sometimes lost the connection. I just turn that off. What's really great is that if use an in camera parameter and an accurate WB that is close to what you want as a final product, you can see a fairly accurate preview in DPP, if you are shooting raw only.

[alive1]

Super! You've helped immensely, a longer cord will help too.
Thank you...

[taygull]

I thought I might ad...at least for me when tethered it drains the battery very fast. Make sure you have backups!

[Fototravis]

The best program available for tethered shooting with Canon DSLRs is Breeze Systems DSLR Remote Pro, this gives full screen viewing, allows for full camera operation, allows for bracketing and HDR, and features Liveview on the 40D and EOS1D Mark III. For more information go to, Breeze Systems - Digital Camera Workflow Software: Browser, Downloader, Canon Remote Capture.

Travis

[Sidebyte]

Problem with Breeze is it's Canon only.....

[alive1]

Sidebyte, what cable did you purchase from Geeks.com? Belkin Components MFG Part# F3U130-16 for $21.45, ATEN Technologies MFG Part# G2LUB16 for $30.45, or ATEN Technology MFG Part# GUE216 for $32.95?

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Sidebyte

Problem with Breeze is it's Canon only.....

...for LiveView it might be, but BreezeBrowser Pro converts almost all RAW formats

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[HuBBaTheMan]

DSLR Remote Pro is quite good and at $99 its a cheap alternative to the more higher end tethered solutions. The EOS Utility is ofcourse cheaper with $0 Ive found however that it is tricky and tend to crash quite often. It also does not handle disconnecting the camera very well which sometimes happens especially if you are shooting tethered with 5 m passive cables

My last photoshoot i used a 40D tethered with 5m extension (passive) + 1 m (the usb to camera) and it worked perfectly throughout the shoot. Now this is definately pushing on the limits of USB so don't do this without active cables. I got lucky and it worked throughout the shoot and i had my entire crew (makeup, assistant, hair & designer) watch every single frame shot and could directly spot any issues with their respective fields. Very useful and i will be shooting tethered a lot more i think.

Now if Capture One could release their PRO version of 4.0 (or a upgrade to 3.7 that handles 40D i would be in tethered heaven

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by HuBBaTheMan

Now if Capture One could release their PRO version of 4.0 (or a upgrade to 3.7 that handles 40D i would be in tethered heaven

Hi HuBBaTheMan,

Capture One Four is out

Officially it is an upgrade to Capture One LE, but PRO users can use it too, as the new C1 4 PRO will not be out before Q2 2008.

It supports *all* new cameras (40D, D3, D300 etc...) and is a major step up (completely redesigned engine and interface) from C1 LE, and I think even for a C1 Pro 3.7 user...

Try it, you might like it

...*my* €0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[HuBBaTheMan]

I know Max. i already bought it as a upgrade from the LE version that came with a Sandisk CF card =)

But the Pro is the only one that supports tethered shooting. So unless thats out, C1 will "just" be my main raw converter. And using "just" is kind of bad there as so far it's been doing an excellent job at it =)