Nikon Coolpix P3 camera picture uploading problems

Question

Level 1

0 points

Nikon Coolpix P3 camera picture uploading problems

This is the first time I've tried to upload some photographs since upgrading to Leopard and the first time I've tried to do it via USB (previously used wireless). Image Capture, PictureProject, Nikon Transfer, and ViewNX all fail to show any photos. I've checked that the camera is set to PTP using its Interface menu and that the pictures are correctly marked to be transferred to the computer.

http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/aid/45011/p/467%2C469%2C478/c/241/rid/150284
According to that document wireless and PictureProject are not supported any more; and, even worse, they have no plans to make them compatible. However, Nikon Transfer and ViewNX should work.

So what am I missing? Thanks.

Message was edited by: Adrian Bolt

iMac 2GHz Core Duo 2Gb RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 5, 2010 5:23 AM

Reply

Answer 1

elmac

Level 5

4,252 points

Oct 5, 2010 6:17 AM in response to Adrian Bolt

Hi, why not use a card reader, far more secure?...
I only ever used iPhoto/Camera once..much prefer the Card Reader.
As for which App opens that depends on your Preferences setup. I transfer to my Desktop then decide where I want the images to go........L

Reply

Answer 2

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 5, 2010 2:15 PM in response to elmac

Well, if no one can advise how to get the Nikon software working, or suggest a suitable shareware replacement, then buying a card reader would be my fall-back plan. Thanks.

Reply

Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

92,626 points

Oct 5, 2010 3:10 PM in response to Adrian Bolt

{quote:}if no one can advise how to get the Nikon software working, or suggest a suitable shareware replacement{quote}

iPhoto > http://www.apple.com/support/iphoto/

I have an assortment of Kodak, Olympus, Canon, Panasonic, Nikon cameras and they all open and download into iPhoto without any problem what so ever. I have 10,562 photos from 8 different cameras as far back as a 2004 stored in my iPhoto Library and can easily locate each and every photo that we have ever taken.

You can direct all cameras and image capture devices to iPhoto using the Image Capture utility.

Dennis

Reply

Answer 4

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 6:35 AM in response to den.thed

As originally mentioned, Image Capture fails to show any photos in the camera. I don't have iPhoto but have just tried Aperture; it fails to show them as well. (I didn't try it before as I presumed that, if Image Capture doesn't show them, then Aperture wouldn't either.)

Reply

Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

92,626 points

Oct 6, 2010 7:55 AM in response to Adrian Bolt

{quote:}I don't have iPhoto{quote}

iPhoto is part of iLife that came preinstalled on the iMac's and I have to wonder what other critical software you are missing besides iPhoto?

iLife 6 came preinstalled on all 2006-07 models
iLife 8 came preinstalled on 2008 models
iLife 9 comes preinstalled on 2009 -10 models

You may need to backup your iMac to an External HD, reinstall the OS X and iLife from the Original Install Disks that came with your iMac. If your Original Disks are Tiger and you want to run Leopard, first install both Tiger Disk, iLife is on the second Disk, then upgrade to Leopard using your Leopard Upgrade Disk.

Reply

Answer 6

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 9:59 AM in response to den.thed

True, iLife '06 was included. But they split it into a separate upgrade path. I bought the Tiger and Leopard Install disks, but not the equivalent iLife ones, so I don't think I'm missing anything critical.

I've read some other posts suggesting that putting the SD card in a different camera would work, which agrees with elmac's post that it might be the Nikon hardware...

(I bought Snow Leopard recently, so I'll be doing a clean install at some point, but that doesn't help immediately (and might not anyway).)

Message was edited by: Adrian Bolt

Reply

Answer 7

den.thed

Level 10

92,626 points

Oct 6, 2010 11:32 AM in response to Adrian Bolt

{quote:}True, iLife '06 was included. But they split it into a separate upgrade path. I bought the Tiger and Leopard Install disks, but not the equivalent iLife ones, so I don't think I'm missing anything critical.{quote}

iLife 6 will run run in both Leopard and Snow Leopard, I have upgraded my iMac that came with Tiger 10.4.4 & iLife 6 to both OS's and never upgraded iLife.

{quote:}I've read some other posts suggesting that putting the SD card in a different camera would work, which agrees with elmac's post that it might be the Nikon hardware...{quote}

Only problem is that a different camera may want to reformat the SD card and erase the photos on it. I agree with elmac it's probably easier to first try an SD Card Reader, there are tons of Mac worthy SD card readers out there at places like BestBuy, Fry's, Target and even WalMart for around or under $10.

{quote:}I bought Snow Leopard recently, so I'll be doing a clean install at some point, but that doesn't help immediately (and might not anyway).){quote}

A clean Install without iLife/iPhoto is what got you where you are today with no camera support. If you went back and reinstalled Tiger and iLife 6 from your Original Disk's, then Upgraded to Leopard or Snow Leopard instead of doing a Clean Install you would have iPhoto to work with. The only other option is to buy iLife 9 and install that along with Snow Leopard.

Reply

Answer 8

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2010 2:28 PM in response to den.thed

Good point re a different camera may want to reformat the SD card. A card reader may well be the quickest and easiest solution. However, I'm in England, so I certainly won't find one as cheap as $10 (about £6)!

A clean Install without iLife/iPhoto is what got you where you are today with no camera support. If you went back and reinstalled Tiger and iLife 6 from your Original Disk's, then Upgraded to Leopard or Snow Leopard instead of doing a Clean Install you would have iPhoto to work with. The only other option is to buy iLife 9 and install that along with Snow Leopard.

I have Upgraded in the past. And I still would not have iPhoto to work with: why would I install iLife 06 when I have no intention of using any of the programs? I have Aperture, remember. Are you suggesting that it's mandatory to purchase iLife and install iPhoto in order to have camera support? Surely such support would be part of the OS (or Image Capture) and not iPhoto?

Reply

Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

92,626 points

Oct 6, 2010 4:40 PM in response to Adrian Bolt

Shop around, they can't be that much more there?

Sorry just trying to help, you asked for some solutions and every camera I've ever plugged in work's with iPhoto.

Reply

Answer 10

elmac

Level 5

4,252 points

Oct 6, 2010 4:59 PM in response to Adrian Bolt

Hi, well looking @ Google (Nikon Coolpix iPhoto) it seems like there is a glitch in iPhoto seeing the camera via usb..
I'm not sure if every Mac/iPhoto & Nikons have a continuing issue..Although my D300 & D3000 do upload via iPhoto I still prefer to use a card reader...
Setting aside iPhoto & other photo Apps have you contacted Nikon? - Also, are you plugging the camera directly into the computer? try a different usb/camera cable, also the battery on the Camera must be 100% charged for the transfer to work..
Some cameras Do Not show up on iPhoto - that's how it is...
In closing, by using the card reader method you stop the possibility of corrupting the card/camera
as does sometimes happen..............L

Reply

Answer 11

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2010 11:38 AM in response to den.thed

I appreciate your comments, I'm just trying to understand. To my thinking, if it should work with iPhoto, it should work with Image Capture and Aperture.

Reply

Answer 12

elmac

Level 5

4,252 points

Oct 7, 2010 11:47 AM in response to Adrian Bolt

Hi, Yes I understand your thought process, my Ford Sync should do certain things easily but a hiccup between the iPhone4 & the Sync software says No..
I'm sure you have but recheck your Permissions On Your Apps & Files etc..via Right Click -> Get Info -> Lower part of Open Window -> Select Yourself to Read & Write..
You could Trash the iPhoto.p.list in Home -> Library -> Preferences & Reboot..
Another thought is to Open a new user account (import a few images into iPhoto) & then connect your camera,if it works You kno' it's an issue within your User account or if it fails it is a Computer wide issue......L

Reply

Answer 13

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2010 11:53 AM in response to elmac

Thanks, I hadn't tried the search you thought to; I'd just been searching/browsing the Nikon knowledge base. And I'd also discovered that it appears that some Nikons just don't work. Knowing Apple, I'm fairly certain that it's all or nothing: either it'll work with Image Capture, Aperture, and iPhoto or it won't work with any of them. I really can't see it working for one but not another because I believe the camera support would be at a more fundamental OS level, rather than at application level.

Previously I'd used wireless to transfer a few photos; this time I have a lot so I tried USB for the first time. I am plugging the camera in directly. Thanks for the different USB cable and battery charge suggestions. I have two batteries, so I can charge and swap them to see if that makes a difference. I'm fairly sure I only have one USB cable that'll fit the Nikon slot, however, I can perhaps buy a spare when I look to see what card readers are available locally.

But I'm tending towards thinking you're right when you say "Some cameras Do Not show up ... that's how it is...". And it looks like the P3 is one of them. Maybe there's another P3 owner out there reading this who could comment?

Reply

Answer 14

elmac

Level 5

4,252 points

Oct 7, 2010 12:01 PM in response to Adrian Bolt

Hi, go to:- http://www.dpreview.com/
There is a Nikon Users & Mac Users Forum..lots of info & advice readily available..Good Luck.
Keep us informed....L

Reply

Answer 15

Adrian Bolt Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2010 4:30 AM in response to elmac

Thanks, that looks interesting, I'll have a browse and see what I can discover.

Reply