› ›kelbyone.com105› › lightroom magazine › ›The name “tether” conjures up images of ropes and lines
with a water skier. It’s not too far from the truth with
Lightroom tether. You take a compatible camera, connect
a suitable wire between it and the computer, and turn on
tethering. As you shoot, each photo will be imported into
Lightroom and appear onscreen.
why tether?
Why would you even want to tether? An image may look
great on the back of your camera, but tethering allows you
to see the full-resolution RAW file on a large screen, so it’s
easier to see focus issues, motion blur, or composition errors
that could ruin the shot.
If you look at behind-the-scenes shots or videos of any
medium to large production shoot, you’ll see someone man-
ning a laptop or computer, checking the files coming in, and
providing feedback. You’ll often see the client standing at
the computer too, so there’s no guessing if they’re happy
with the results. Just because you see tethering used in larger
shoots, though, shouldn’t stop you from using it for smaller
productions. Here’s how to get tethering.
practical tether
First, get a suitable cable for your camera. For a full list
of compatible cameras, go to http://helpx.adobe.com/
lightroom/kb/tethered-camera-support.html. Additionally,
third parties offer software for Pentax, Samsung, Olympus,
and Fuji (X-T1 only). By way of example, I’m tethering with a
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, which has a USB Mini-B socket, so a
USB to USB Mini-B cable is required.
While you can get long, basic USB cables from just about
anywhere, I highly recommend a TetherPro cable from
Tether Tools for the following reasons. First, you’ll avoid
a trip hazard—because of its color. Many years ago while
using a standard black cable on location, I managed to
catch the cable and send a 5D Mark II flying to the ground.
I saved the camera with my foot, but the USB cable broke
the USB connection inside the camera during the fall. The
bright orange of a TetherPro cable acts as a visual reminder
on set that you’re connected, helping you to avoid tripping
on the cable. Second, TetherPro cables are thicker than nor-
mal USB cables, making them hardier with a better signal.
And third, they’re available in long lengths, which you gen-
erally need for tethering.
Another great, must-have gadget from Tether Tools is
the JerkStopper. The JerkStopper attaches to the camera’s
strap holder and to the TetherPro cable, allowing you to
create slack on the cable between the JerkStopper and the
camera’s USB connector. This means that if someone trips
on the cable, it will pull the camera rather than break the
USB connection.