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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

KBeat Author

Level 3

794 points

Apr 11, 2008 5:10 AM in response to ifarlow

You nailed it ifarlow, and that may be your issue William as well. For reasons unknown, Canon doesn't make the latest and greatest version of the camera software available for download online, or it wasn't when I went looking 5 months ago. I couldn't get the downloaded software to work with Leopard either. Around the time I was messing with it, I picked up a new 30D and decided to install the software from the CD. First clue something was different from the software I had just downloaded was a completely new icon. It was an all new application and it worked flawlessly with Leopard.

I take it back, I guess the reason it isn't available for download isn't unknown. Canon wants you to buy new cameras. 🙂

Apr 13, 2008 5:52 PM in response to windhoveruk

windhoveruk wrote:
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

you're kidding, right? this link is to canon software available for WINDOWS.

Message was edited by: Rich Cirminello

Apr 13, 2008 5:58 PM in response to Rich Cirminello

According to this http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1085
tethering should be working with a 30D/10.5.2.
I have a 30D; I am running 10.5.2... but tethering does NOT work for me.

Nor can I get the Canon software to work in Leopard... Grrr.... I really wish I had kept Tiger on this machine and Aperture 1.5

tcphoto1

Level 1

46 points

Apr 14, 2008 2:17 PM in response to Rich Cirminello

I tried to use CaptureOne and EOS Utility to shoot tethered with my 1Ds2 after installing the 10.5.2 update with no success. I ended up going back to 10.5.1 and the Canon software is working fine. Today, I download Aperture's trial version and receive an error message when I try to install. It needs to have 10.5.2 in order to install. Alright, I want to buy Aperture or Lightroom to replace the Canon software but I'm afraid to install the update again and spend the time to go back should there be a problem. Is anyone having success with the 1Ds2 and Aperture? I have a shoot in a couple days and I need to be tethered without incident. One last thing, will I use Apple's Image Capture or EOS Utility to communicate with the body?

KBeat Author

Level 3

794 points

Apr 14, 2008 2:44 PM in response to tcphoto1

With Aperture 2.1 and 10.5.2 you should be able to shoot directly to Aperture using the built in tether feature within Aperture. According to Apple, that camera is supported directly.

Apr 14, 2008 3:40 PM in response to KBeat

I just got a Canon Xsi, the newest Rebel, and downloaded the most recent Aperture trial. Aperture won't recognize the RAW files from the Xsi, and won't tether either, which I'm not AS worried about. I was looking forward to being able to use Aperture, any idea of when they might release an update supporting the Xsi RAW? The file name extension is .CR2. The camera hasn't been out long, so I'm hopeful, I hate using the Canon Digital Photo Professional software. Please let me know, or email if you have any info on this.
Thanks,
Josh

Apr 14, 2008 6:54 PM in response to TrbonePhoto

Standard issue. Not supported yet. Apple doesn't provide ETAs.

BTW, read the other threads on this. Poaching an 80+ post thread is bad form.

Apr 15, 2008 10:57 PM in response to Rich Cirminello

BLUSH....!!! Whoops.....sorrry..pasted in the wrong link...have recently swapped from Windows.... sorry about that too..... :o) http://software.canon-europe.com/software/0027552.asp?model=
Here's the link for OSX.....
I have had the dreaded auto-focus problem with my 1DMK111 and Canon re-called it twice.... still no good... I have just got a superb NEW 1DMK111 from Canon.... works perfectly but i cannot install my version of DPP on my imac.... just plain wont let me... any ideas...??? W.

Apr 30, 2008 3:47 AM in response to KBeat

It is rather curious that Apple had chosen to disenfranchise so many Canon high end DSLRs. I have a 1Ds Mark III and it just doesn't work with Aperture at all. It worked fine with the 1Ds Mark II but really Lightroom proved to be a superior product, at least from my perspective.

I am not saying that Aperture is terrible or anything of the sort. It is a fairly good field tool.
I agree with KBeat that it is disingenuous for Apple to claim to support Canon products when in fact they seem, at this point, to have gotten off track relative to Canon. It would be a welcome surprise for Apple to get on this project but we shall see.

In the meantime there are some very capable tools out there for use with Canon. The 1Ds Mark III is a wonderful tool with many great features. I have shot many times now with the camera "tethered" to my computer using the "Live View" function.

As much as I like Apple, and we converted to using only Macs over a year ago, there is still a strange residue of a cult like social order that true Mac Believers seem to indulge in. For my part I just love the fact that I can use my Macs as the wonderful tools they are even if Adobe and Canon supply my photographic processing software.

Apr 30, 2008 6:58 AM in response to Adam's View

If you had bothered to read the thread, you'd note that the reason the 1Ds Mark II is supported and the 1Ds Mark III is not supported is that the standard tethering protocol that Aperture is using is not supported by Canon in their latest camera. If Canon hadn't removed this functionality from their Mark III cameras (and the 40D), they would tether fine.

Meaning if Apple wants to support these latest cameras they have to do extra work over and above what they've done, to get around what Canon removed (for whatever reason). I don't know if it's difficult to reverse-engineer the new stuff that Canon's software uses for tethering. I'd certainly like to see this functionality, but have no idea personally if it's feasible or how much work it might be.

Note you can still tether your 1Ds Mark III to Aperture by using Canon's software as a bridge, and by having Aperture watch a "hot folder." This has been possible since the day Aperture shipped, and is similar to the way you tether with Lightroom today.

KBeat Author

Level 3

794 points

Apr 30, 2008 7:20 AM in response to Adam's View

When I first started this post, back when Aperture 2.0 was released, my frustration was born out the fact that Apple had announced the inclusion of the much sought after tether feature as "working with most Canon DSLRs". When the 30D, 40D, and Mark III all failed to work, and other users reported the same issue, it was difficult to get any answers. The mistake Apple made initially was not posting any supported camera list and instead simply stating rather generically "most Canon cameras." After all, when a product ships you expect it to support currently shipping companion devices. Usually we're scrambling to get support for our older cameras or ones that were release after it shipped.

Since then Apple has posted a list, and as William has noted, we now know why the current Canon cameras are not supported. Additionally, having tried out the tether feature with a 5D, I have to admit I wouldn't use it even if my cameras were supported. It's far too bare bones in that you can't make any camera adjustments. I prefer to use the EOS Utility and capture to a hot folder that then imports the images directly to a project of my choosing in Aperture. I shoot a lot of small products for catalogs and web sites, and tether is ideal for such work. However, it's a much easier task with some camera control and Aperture's current tether implementation doesn't allow such control.

But as far as supporting the Mark III, that's really the only thing Aperture doesn't do. The RAW conversion in 2.1 is superb, better than Lightroom IMHO, and the adjustment controls are excellent. Try using a hot folder in conjunction with the EOS utility. I think you'll be satisfied.

tcphoto1

Level 1

46 points

May 6, 2008 3:27 PM in response to KBeat

After reading all of the responses regarding shooting tethered to Canon 1 Series cameras, I updated to 10.5.2 again today. Unfortunately, I experienced the same broken connection with EOS Utility 2.3. I went back to the Canon website and verified the software (Utility, Viewer, DPP, Imagebrowser, etc.) to be current but no go. I did read on their site that a new version will be released this month. There is hope but knowing my luck it won't be until the 31st. Thank God for Time Machine, I did learn something from the last train wreck;)

May 6, 2008 7:18 PM in response to MacBoy G4 Intel

MacBoy G4 Intel wrote:
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

Yes, you are quite right. In a dyslexic fit of wishful thinking, I misread the line that says D30 and interpreted it as '30D'

However, that doesn't explain why I can't even get it working with Canon software.

May 9, 2008 1:16 PM in response to tcphoto1

My 30D works with 10.5.2 and the canon utility 2.3.0.1

KBeat Author

Level 3

794 points

May 9, 2008 1:25 PM in response to tcphoto1

As we speak I'm capturing images to my MacBook Pro, running Leopard, from a Canon 30D using EOS Utility 2.0.1. It's the software that came on the CD with the camera. I haven't installed the image browser or anything other than the EOS Utility and it works really well.

Aperture 2.0 Tether & Canon