Shooting tethered [Archive] - Talk Photography

Ste Manns

13-02-2009, 12:04

Hi All,

I had a play at shooting tethered the other day on the Imac, and I'm sold on the idea it's great :D

I have a nice 17" laptop as well (MS) and was wondering about the best way to set things up (I mean physically not software). I've only seen one decent looking commercial solution by Manfrotto, although I suspect there are a lot more out there. The Manfrotto side stand I saw attached to your tripod leg and whereas it looks ideal I reckon my lappy would prove a tad heavy for my Slik tripod, at the very least it would probably be very unstable.

So, I was wondering what you guys do - I'm going to have a look at a DIY solution, not sure how/what exactly yet but if anyone has any cool commercial or DIY setups it'd be great to see some pictures of your tethered setup. I want something portable, as I am not (yet) studio based, but studio ideas will still be of interest. Obviously in a studio you can just have a desk near your tripod but thats not really what I'm talking about! I do also have a (MS) webbook thingy which I have managed to get working tethered too but the resolution of the tiny screen isnt very good and it's a bit fiddly, however on location it will still probably be quite useful as its very light and the battery lasts ages.

Ste

fabs

13-02-2009, 12:07

I use tethered but only in my office at home where the cable reaches the laptop on my desk. I would say the easiest solution may well be a small folding table that you can set up quickly next to your tripod when required.

Ste Manns

13-02-2009, 12:09

I thought about modifying some sort of camping table/stool yeah. Again, studio based, have you seen the setup on profotolife.com? (the guy with the "stick in a can") that is one cool gadget he has...

fabs

13-02-2009, 12:10

Do you have a link?

CanonSax

13-02-2009, 12:19

In the studio I use a cheap adjustable projector trolley, which allows me to have the height of the screen near to head height (which makes it easier for me to view 'at a glance'). The trolley is also on lockable casters, which can easily be moved around the studio as required. Another benefit of the trolley is that it has security edges which stop the projector (laptop) from falling off if you trip on the cable by mistake (yes, it can happen!).

I think that I have seen a foldable version of a projector trolley, which could possibly be used for location work.

Ste Manns

13-02-2009, 12:26

fabs

13-02-2009, 12:30

Thanks Ste. I've bookmarked it to have a look later. :thumbs:

Chappers

13-02-2009, 12:51

You'll probably need a longer USB cable than the one that came with the camera. Go for a powered one. A bit more expensive but worth it for the reliability if you use a long extension USB cable

CanonSax

13-02-2009, 12:59

Hi Fabs

http://www.prophotolife.com/

The photographer (Jim Talkington) has some excellent videos on all aspects of photography, especially lighting.

CanonSax, do you have a pic I could see or a link?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Projector-Stand-AV-Presentation-Floor-Stand-in-Black_W0QQitemZ250356284681QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_H ome_Garden_LivingRoom_TV_Furniture?hash=item250356 284681&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1700%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

This is similar, but not identical to the one that I use. If you type in "projector stand" into an Ebay search, you will also see some foldable units.

Hope that helps.

Peter