least expensive camera that will work in tether mode

nissan.gtp · Nov 6, 2012, 03:52 PM

I need a camera that can work in tethered mode (to a computer) but with NO internal memory card.

Looks like Canon DSLR are the best (only?) choice. I'd like to find something inexpensive.

This is for taking pictures of whiteboards BTW.

I'd really appreciate any ideas or suggestions. thanks !

milbournosphere · Nov 6, 2012, 05:17 PM

Not sure what software you're using, but aperture has a nice tidy list of cameras that they've certified for operation in tethered mode:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4176

Attonine · Nov 6, 2012, 05:30 PM

I've never paid much attention to tethered shooting other than knowing my camera works. But I'm surprised by the Aperture list. I would have thought that there would have been some of the more traditional studio cameras included, Hasselblad, Leica S2 (or M9 even), some of the digital backs, Leaf etc.

To the OP, it looks like pretty much any Nikon or Canon DSLR, including discontinued and entry models are a very safe bet!

snberk103 · Nov 6, 2012, 05:53 PM

Try looking at Capture One software. There is a trial version, I believe. Otherwise you will need to buy it. And it's not cheap. But... if it's just for one project.

DaveNinja · Nov 7, 2012, 10:22 AM

cool. i didnt realize my D70 could do this. I'll have to try it out sometime and make a claymation or something

acearchie · Nov 7, 2012, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attonine

I've never paid much attention to tethered shooting other than knowing my camera works. But I'm surprised by the Aperture list. I would have thought that there would have been some of the more traditional studio cameras included, Hasselblad, Leica S2 (or M9 even), some of the digital backs, Leaf etc.

Hasselblad's own Phocus software works nicely for tethered shooting so people tend to use that.

ytk · Nov 7, 2012, 01:45 PM

If you don't need really high resolution (i.e. above 1920x1080) then you could just use a webcam. In terms of simplicity and cost, it'll beat out any DSLR solution hands down. Remember that all DSLR cameras will need external power, but webcams are generally bus powered. Also, if whiteboards mean this is in a classroom setting, consider the annoyance factor of the shutter going off every time you take a picture.

nissan.gtp · Nov 7, 2012, 03:16 PM

thanks for all the info

Nov 6, 2012, 03:52 PM	#1
nissan.gtp macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia	least expensive camera that will work in tether mode I need a camera that can work in tethered mode (to a computer) but with NO internal memory card. Looks like Canon DSLR are the best (only?) choice. I'd like to find something inexpensive. This is for taking pictures of whiteboards BTW. I'd really appreciate any ideas or suggestions. thanks ! __________________ Mountain Lion 24 inch iMac 2.4Ghz core duo 3GB 500 GB Mountain Lion 13 inch MacBook Air 1.7Ghz i5 4GB 256 GB iPhone 4s 32GB
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 05:17 PM	#2
milbournosphere macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA	Not sure what software you're using, but aperture has a nice tidy list of cameras that they've certified for operation in tethered mode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4176 __________________ Russian roulette linux style : dd if=/dev/urandom of=/dev/kmem bs=1 count=1 seek=$RANDOM
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 05:53 PM	#4
snberk103 macrumors 601 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: An Island in the Salish Sea	Try looking at Capture One software. There is a trial version, I believe. Otherwise you will need to buy it. And it's not cheap. But... if it's just for one project. __________________ My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. - Jack Layton
	0

Nov 7, 2012, 10:22 AM	#5
DaveNinja macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2005	cool. i didnt realize my D70 could do this. I'll have to try it out sometime and make a claymation or something __________________ 15" RMBP 2.6 GHz
	0

Nov 7, 2012, 03:16 PM	#8
nissan.gtp Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia	thanks for all the info __________________ Mountain Lion 24 inch iMac 2.4Ghz core duo 3GB 500 GB Mountain Lion 13 inch MacBook Air 1.7Ghz i5 4GB 256 GB iPhone 4s 32GB
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 05:30 PM	#3
Attonine macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK	I've never paid much attention to tethered shooting other than knowing my camera works. But I'm surprised by the Aperture list. I would have thought that there would have been some of the more traditional studio cameras included, Hasselblad, Leica S2 (or M9 even), some of the digital backs, Leaf etc. To the OP, it looks like pretty much any Nikon or Canon DSLR, including discontinued and entry models are a very safe bet!
	0

Nov 7, 2012, 01:45 PM	#7
ytk macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2010	If you don't need really high resolution (i.e. above 1920x1080) then you could just use a webcam. In terms of simplicity and cost, it'll beat out any DSLR solution hands down. Remember that all DSLR cameras will need external power, but webcams are generally bus powered. Also, if whiteboards mean this is in a classroom setting, consider the annoyance factor of the shutter going off every time you take a picture.
	1


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