Connection Failing When Shooting Tethered with a USB 3.0 Camera?

If you’re using USB 3.0 for tethered photography and want to maintain a stable and dependable connection add the Tether Tools TetherBoost Pro Controller to your shopping list! The TetherBoost Pro USB 3.0 Core Controller is designed to boost and regulate power from a DSLR camera and/or Digital Back. The TetherBoost provides enough power to sustain a consistent and reliable connection when a camera is connected to a computer during tethered shooting. This is the perfect tethered shooting companion for all new USB 3.0 cameras including Nikon D800, Nikon D800E, Nikon D810,Nikon D850, Canon EOS 5Ds, Canon EOS 5Ds R, Canon 7D Mark II, Pentax 645Z, Pentax K-3 as well as the following digital backs: Phase One IQ140, Phase One IQ160, Phase One IQ180, Phase One IQ250, Phase One IQ260, Phase One IQ280 and Leaf Creado Series.

The Problem: Wondering why your tethered photography connection may fail when using USB 3.0?

Are you having trouble connecting your DSLR USB 3.0 camera to your computer using tethering software such as Lightroom, Capture One or other tethering software programs? You’re not alone. USB 3.0 camera users including Nikon D800, Nikon 810, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 5D S, Canon 5D SR and digital back owners are experiencing dropped tethering connections or are unable to get a tethered connection started at all. The core issue is that computer manufacturers, mostly in an attempt to be as efficient with power as possible, are either underpowering or dynamically powering their USB 3.0 ports. In attempts to help with the situation, some camera manufacturers have updated firmware adding a level of uncertainty and complexity to the issue. Under USB3 specifications you should be able to go 15’ without any issues. However, many computer manufacturers are not building USB3 ports to USB.org specifications in order to conserve power. These manufacturers are not currently considering the unique needs of photographers and this is causing these connectivity issues.

The Fix: Tether Tools has developed a product called TetherBoost Pro USB 3.0 Core Controller.

The TetherBoost Core Controller will regulate the power from DSLR/Digital Backs to the computer and operate up to full USB3 speeds. And it’s about the size of a deck of cards, making it small enough to not add much to your already stuffed bag of gear. TetherBoost™ can be used with or without external power and will facilitate producing a reliable connection. When using external power, either via an AC outlet or battery bank it will allow you to go longer distances and decrease the power draw from the camera, increasing the camera’s battery life.