Tethering Best Practices & Technical Support

Posted by: on May 02, 2024

Tethering Best Practices & Technical Support

Getting Started & Tethering Best Practices | Power Delivery Settings | Camera & Computer Tether Troubleshooting | Advanced Troubleshooting

Getting started and keeping a solid connection are easy in tethered shooting when you have the basics covered.  And a little know-how some quick trouble-shooting steps will keep your connection solid through your most demanding shoots.  We’ve broken this resource guide down into digestible sections to help you get the information and support you need fast.  We recommend you read through from top to bottom, and then bookmark this page for future reference.

Getting Started

  • Step 1: Turn on your computer and login. Keep camera powered off.
  • Step 2: Connect your cable at both the camera and computer ports. Protect sensitive data ports by securing each end with a Cable Management Device. 
  • Step 3: Open tethering software you will use to receive images.
  • Step 4: Start tethered capture session in software.
  • Step 5: Turn on the camera. Software should detect connected camera.
  • Step 6: Set up session with your file naming and saving preferences.  Begin shooting to see images appear in software. 

Tethering Best Practices

Important Camera Settings

  • Step 1: Ensure “Sleep Mode” is turned off on your camera: The computer needs to recognize the camera at all times during a tethered shoot. If your camera goes into sleep mode, the computer may not recognize it and cause the tethered connection to drop.
  • Step 2: Make sure your camera battery is fully charged: If your camera battery charge is low, you may find that tethering connections drop frequently.
  • Step 3: Turn off the USB Power Supply in your camera’s settings: This setting can disrupt image transfer and cause only power to be transferred between the computer can camera. See below to disable this function for your camera make and model: 

 Power Delivery Via USB-C

Cameras with USB-C ports are often able to power the camera and/or charge the battery of USB. While this is a convenient feature, this can sometimes cause connection issues during tethering. Therefore, we always recommend turning USB Power Delivery / Charging OFF during tethering in order to ensure the most stable connection possible.

Settings by Camera. Click Arrow to expand:

 
  • Nikon Z30: Setup Menu: Camera Setup  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Nikon Z5: Setup Menu  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Nikon Z6 II: Setup Menu: Camera Setup  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Nikon Z7 II: Setup Menu: Camera Setup  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Nikon Z8: Setup Menu  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF | Dual USB-C Ports
  • Nikon Z9: Setup Menu  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Nikon Z f: Setup Menu  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Nikon Z fc: Setup Menu  → USB Power Delivery  → OFF
  • Sony a1: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a6700: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7 III: Setup  → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7 IV: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7c: Setup  → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7c II: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7c R: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7R III: Setup  → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7R IV: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7R IVa: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7R V: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a7S III: Setup  → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a9 II: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony a9 III: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony FX3: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony FX30: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony ZV-1 II: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony ZV-E1: Setup  → USB → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • Sony ZV-E10: Setup  → USB Power Supply  → OFF
  • FujiFilm GFX 100 II: SETUP  → Network/USB Settings  → USB Power Supply / COMM Setting  → USB Power Supply OFF/Comm ON
  • FujiFilm GFX 100s: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm 50s II: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X100V: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X100VI: SETUP  → Network/USB Settings  → USB Power Supply / COMM Setting  → USB Power Supply OFF/Comm ON
  • FujiFilm X-E4: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X-H2: SETUP  → Network/USB Settings  → USB Power Supply / COMM Setting  → USB Power Supply OFF/Comm ON
  • FujiFilm X-H2S: SETUP  → Network/USB Settings  → USB Power Supply / COMM Setting  → USB Power Supply OFF/Comm ON
  • FujiFilm X-PRO3: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X-S10: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X-S20: SETUP  → Network/USB Settings  → USB Power Supply / COMM Setting  → USB Power Supply OFF/Comm ON
  • FujiFilm X-T3:: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X-T4: SETUP  → Connection Setting  → USB Power Supply Setting  → OFF
  • FujiFilm X-T5: SETUP  → Network/USB Settings  → USB Power Supply / COMM Setting  → USB Power Supply OFF/Comm ON
  • Panasonic LUMIX: DC-GH5M2, DC-GH6, DC-S1, DC-S1H, DC-S1R, DC-S5 II, DC-S5 IIX, DC-S5: Setup Menu →  In/Out → USB → USB Power Supply  →  OFF
  • Hasselblad CFV II 50C: Main Menu → General Settings → Power  → Power from Computer USB → OFF (Unchecked)
  • Hasselblad 907X 100C: Main Menu → General Settings → Power  → Power from Computer USB → OFF (Unchecked)
  • Hasselblad H6D: Main Menu → General Settings → Display → Power Modes and Timeouts → Power from USB → OFF (Unchecked)
  • Hasselblad X1D: Main Menu → General Settings → Power Modes and Timeouts → Power from USB → OFF (Unchecked)
  • Hasselblad X1D II 50C: Main Menu → General Settings → Power  → Power from Computer USB → OFF (Unchecked)
  • Leica SL2: Camera Settings  → USB Charging→ OFF | *Affects charging while camera is off
  • Leica SL2-S: Camera Settings  → USB Charging→ OFF | *Affects charging while camera is off
  • Leica SL3: Camera Settings  → USB Charging→ OFF
  • Leica M11: Camera Settings  → USB Charging→ OFF | *Affects charging while camera is off
  • Leica Q3: Camera Settings  → USB Charging→ OFF
  • Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk III: Custom Menu D4  → USB Mode  → Dedicated PD setting / Mutually exclusive to computer connection
  • Olympus OM-D E-M1X: Custom Menu D→ USB Mode  → Dedicated PD setting / Mutually exclusive to computer connection
  • IQ2: Power Management → Battery Charging → OFF
  • IQ3: Power Management → Charging from PC → OFF
 

Camera Models that currently do NOT allow you to turn off your power delivery:

  • Canon R Series 
  • Nikon: D6, D780, Z6, Z7
  • FujiFilm: GFX100, GFX50R, X-A7, X-T200
  • Panasonic: DC-GH5, DC-GH5S
  • Hasselblad: X2D100C
  • Olympus: OMI, OM-DE MI Mk II
  • Pentax: K-3lll
  • Phase One: XF IQ4
  • Sigma: FP, FP-L

We recommend reviewing this informative blog post if your camera does not have the ability to turn off Power Delivery: https://tethertools.com/blog/connection-issues-with-canon-r-series-cameras/

Some camera manufacturers’ settings do affect how the camera behaves when connected via USB.  In some cases, these settings can prevent the camera from being recognized properly by tethering software. Please be sure to check your camera manual for unique tethered connection settings.

Camera & Computer Tether Troubleshooting

If you encounter connection hiccups while tethering your camera, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Certain things can impact your ability to keep a stable connection. Here are a few trouble-shooting steps you can take to solve common issues and get your tethering setup running smoothly.

Step 1: Confirm Software and System Support

It’s crucial to ensure compatibility between your camera model, tethering software, and computer system. Check the manufacturer’s website or user manuals to confirm that your camera model is supported. Additionally, ensure that your tethering software is up to date and compatible with your operating system.

  • 1a. Check the manufacturer’s website or user manuals to confirm that your camera model is supported for tethering. 
  • 1b. Check your software to ensure your camera’s files are supported for image upload and tethered capture.  
  • 1c. Ensure that your tethering software is up to date and compatible with your operating system. (Operating system updates can interfere with software functions.)

Always use the latest version of your tethering software. Updates often include bug fixes and improved compatibility with new camera models. Visit the software provider’s website or use the built-in update feature to download and install the newest version.

Step 2: Update Camera Firmware

Camera firmware updates can resolve connectivity issues and improve performance. Check the camera manufacturer’s website for any available firmware updates for your camera model and follow the instructions to install them.

Step 4: Establish Connection

When establishing a stable connection while tethering follow these simple steps:

  1. Turn on your computer
  2. Connect your TetherPro cable to both your camera and computer
  3. Secure the cable on both the camera and computer side with proper cable management like the TetherBlock Arca or TetherGuard to prevent accidental disconnection
  4. Open your tethering software and start your tethered session
  5. Ensure correct file naming and saving settings as directed
  6. Turn your camera on and wait for the software to detect it before starting your shoot

A few special notes: 

  • Nikon, Canon and other users may need to remove a nearly full card from your camera to maintain a connection.  Ensure you have set your file naming and folder saving settings to your desired destination(s).
  • USB-spec suggests that the longest base cable that should be used for tethered photography is 16ft (5m). Every additional 16ft (5m) you will want to have a TetherBoost Pro Core Controller or Active Extension cable in the line.

Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

Turn Camera Off

Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve connectivity issues. Turn off your camera and wait a few moments before turning it back on.

Avoid Using Adapter Cables, Extension Cables, or Hubs

While troubleshooting, it’s best to connect your camera directly to the computer without using adapter cables, extension cables, or hubs. These additional components can introduce interference and disrupt the connection.

Ensure A Secure Connection

Check that the cable is securely plugged into both the computer and camera ports. Loose connections can cause intermittent connectivity problems.

Disconnect and Restart Tethering Software

Close your tethering software and restart it to refresh the connection. Once the software is running, reconnect your camera, turn it on, and attempt to start the tethered session again.

Still Facing Issues?

If you’ve followed these troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Technical Support Team at technicalsupport@tethertools.com. Additionally, you may find helpful insights in our supporting articles, such as “Connection Issues with the Canon R Series Cameras”.

Don’t let connection issues hinder your tethered shooting experience. With these troubleshooting tips and our dedicated support resources, you’ll be back to capturing stunning images in no time. Happy tethering!