Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 3

794 points

Aperture 2.0 Tether & Canon

From Apple's PDF titled "Aperture 2 Product Overview" which you can view [here|http://images.apple.com/aperture/docs/Aperture 2_ProductOverview.pdf]:

"The new Tether command in Aperture lets users of popular Nikon and Canon digital
SLRs tether their cameras to their Mac and capture images directly into Aperture,
without relying on third-party software or scripting."

Visiting Canon's [site|http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcate goryid=111] you'll note they currently offer 8 models of digital SLRs. Among their most popular are the 1D & 1Ds Mark III, 30D, and 40D. I see a huge number of 1D models at shoots and the 30D is everywhere. So far, in my own testing and in reviewing the posts on the forums, at least 4 of the 8 SLRs Canon sells don't work with tethering in Aperture 2. In fact, the only Canon SLR confirmed to work is the 20D. Given this, I wonder...

1. How can Apple say with a straight face that it supports the popular Canon SLRs.
2. Is everyone doing something wrong?
3. Why the heck hasn't Apple posted a supported camera list for a very sought after feature?

PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5 4/500, MacBook Pro 2.4 4/250, Mac OS X (10.5), iPhone 8 GB, iPod Nano 8 GB, AppleTV 160 GB

Posted on Feb 13, 2008 4:11 PM

104 replies

ifarlow

Level 1

95 points

Apr 2, 2008 3:12 PM in response to William Lloyd

William Lloyd wrote:
And it all needs to be available yesterday 😉

Absolutely! Now you're talking!

Apr 4, 2008 1:09 AM in response to ifarlow

Hi everybody,
finding very interesting this topic... i'm going back home now to try... i have a canon 350D and a 5D... i'd like to try tethering with Aperture 2 on a MacBookPro 2.16 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo 2Gb RAM which has Tiger 10.4.11 installed.

Will my cameras work with Tiger 10.4.11 or do i have to install Leopard?
Many thanks

ifarlow

Level 1

95 points

Apr 4, 2008 7:04 PM in response to William Lloyd

I just connected my brand new 1D Mark III to my MacBook Pro laptop running Leopard 10.5.2, after installing all of the Canon software (DPP, Utility, etc.). First, the Canon software worked without a problem, even though I had read that it won't work properly under Leopard. I didn't have to do anything to get it to work right... no image on display before connecting, standing on one leg...

I then fired up Aperture 2.1 and started a tethering session. It recognized the camera, started the session, but grayed out the capture button. I took a picture with the camera itself, which worked, but the image disappeared into never-never land. I have no idea where it went, but it definitely didn't go to Aperture. Odd...

Seems like it's almost there, but just not quite.

Apr 5, 2008 6:47 PM in response to ifarlow

I can confirm the Mark IIN works.

ifarlow

Level 1

95 points

Apr 5, 2008 7:35 PM in response to Michael Hickey

Michael Hickey wrote:
I can confirm the Mark IIN works.

Yep... when I had the IIn, it worked great. Disappointing that the III doesn't work so well. Maybe in an update sometime...

Apr 6, 2008 12:25 AM in response to ifarlow

have tried tether option with my canon 350D but, even if the camera is recognized, the "capture" button in the HUD is greyed... doesn't work. I've created a new Album, set camera to "PC Connect", changed my USB cable... doesn't work. Do you think is because of Tiger 10.4.11?

mpdajo

Level 1

30 points

Apr 6, 2008 12:33 AM in response to irisbru71

Note: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1085 specifies that 350D requires Leopard

Apr 7, 2008 4:32 AM in response to ifarlow

Hi, I guess if you have a new 1D Mk111 you should have the latest version of DPP software ??
If its of any use, Canon have issued a upgrade to V 3.2. If not... it can be downloaded at http://software.canon-europe.com/software/0027547.asp

Good shooting..... W

Apr 8, 2008 8:33 PM in response to KBeat

Apple has had a list of supported cameras for tethering since 2.0 was released. It says clearly at the bottom that Current generations 30D and up and Digital Rebel XTi or new are not supported (that now includes the XSi)

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1085

KBeat Author

Level 3

794 points

Apr 10, 2008 7:13 AM in response to MacBoy G4 Intel

They have a list now MacBoy, but no, they did not have one when it was released. It led to a lot of confusion and angst by the early adopters. Why they would release 2.0 with a much requested feature that doesn't support *current generation* Canon cameras is anyone's guess. Yes, no doubt there are more of the older Canon's out there, but seriously??

Apple has been great responding to customers with Aperture 2, 2.0.1, and now 2.1. I have high hopes we'll see full Canon tether support in a future update. Until then, use the Canon utility and and a super simple Automator script to get nearly the same results, with the added advantage that you can fully control the camera settings from your laptop.

Apr 10, 2008 8:55 AM in response to KBeat

The reason for this is obvious... the standard tethering protocol that Aperture supports is supported by older Canon cameras, but not by newer ones. Canon removed support for it, and Aperture supporting those is I'm sure a lot more work than supporting the standard, for now.

If you can do a set amount of work and get 90% of the cameras that are out there, today, it makes sense. It may be 5x as much work to get that additional 10% (which will eventually be more of the market).

Apr 10, 2008 11:52 AM in response to KBeat

New to discussion - works with 1D

KBeat Author

Level 3

794 points

Apr 10, 2008 2:10 PM in response to William Lloyd

William, don't give me common sense answers that take in to account real word resource management. Give me what I want when I want it! 😉

Like I said, in studio sessions I get better control using the Canon utility anyway, and Automator handles the import simply enough. As more and more photographers move to the newer Canons, I trust Apple will invest more time in the tether feature to account for the newer Canon protocol. At least I hope they will.

Apr 10, 2008 3:12 PM in response to KBeat

I apologize for the rational answer. I'll make sure to flame you next time 🙂

A real issue though is that currently, the EOS Utility and all the other Canon "software" has issues with Leopard. I can't get DPP to fire up; it hangs when trying to display a thumbnail. They still don't support Leopard.

I never use Canon Utility so I don't know if it's affected by the same malady. I have the good fortune of being almost exclusively a landscape/outdoor photographer so actual tethering isn't really anything I've used. Though I certainly see the need in a studio setting!

ifarlow

Level 1

95 points

Apr 10, 2008 4:40 PM in response to William Lloyd

William Lloyd wrote:

A real issue though is that currently, the EOS Utility and all the other Canon "software" has issues with Leopard. I can't get DPP to fire up; it hangs when trying to display a thumbnail. They still don't support Leopard.

I never use Canon Utility so I don't know if it's affected by the same malady. I have the good fortune of being almost exclusively a landscape/outdoor photographer so actual tethering isn't really anything I've used. Though I certainly see the need in a studio setting!

What's weird is that when I had the 1D Mark IIn, I couldn't get the downloaded latest version of DPP and Canon Utility to work on Leopard (10.5.2), but with the 1D Mark III I just got, I installed DPP and Canon Utility off the CD that came with the camera, and both work perfectly. Go figure...

Aperture 2.0 Tether & Canon