There are many options available – everything from the free software already included with your camera – to super-charged programs incorporating all your post-production needs into one package. There are even wireless tethering solutions.
Adobe Lightroom
AstroMate v.1.0 AstroMate is a project for automating repeating astrophotography tasks, such as equatorial mount polar alignment and target centering, by integrating existing tools and especially plate solving to the ASCOM telescope control interface.
Adobe Lightroom incorporates tethering functionality in its comprehensive RAW processing and photo management software. The tethering feature is compatible with select Canon, Nikon and Leica digital cameras. Here a list of supported compatible cameras. A few of the many features include importing photos as they are taken and loading them to a selected catalog. Lightroom offers access to many of the camera’s settings directly from computer as well as instant viewing, zooming, rating and tagging of shots. The ultimate benefit is checking focus, lighting and composition in great detail. Available for Windows or Mac. Here are additional details for Lightroom. Do you want to shoot tethered wireless into Lightroom – here’s how.
For a complete list of Lightroom Tethering Support, check Adobe's published list.
Check if your camera is compatibleAstroDSLR
AstroDSLR is digital camera tethering and remote capture application specialised for astrophotography.
AstroDSLR controls ISO, aperture (if lens mounted), shutter speed and BULB exposure length, exposure compensation, metering and focusing modes, white balance, image quality and format. It can preview (optionally using LiveView) or capture and save images to selected folder with any file name prefix, count and time lapse, browse captured images and show them in Finder, zoom and stretch them automatically or manually. It can measure FWHM, HFD and the drift of a selected star to help easier and faster focus and align your equatorial telescope mount. Captured images can be plate-solved using public astrometry.net service or local Astrometry for OS X application.
The built-in INDIGO driver is based on ImageCapture API and, in theory, it can work with almost any Nikon DSLR, Canon EOS DSLR, Sony Alpha DSLR-like or mirrorless camera. Not every feature is supported for every camera (e.g. no LiveView or manual lens drive with older Nikon and all Sony cameras), but it doesn't mean, that such camera can't be used. As far as this application is based on INDIGO framework, it can use many INDIGO or INDI drivers for focusers for astronomical telescopes. The drivers for Shoestring Astronomy FCUSB and USB_Focus V3 controllers are bundled with the application.
Check if your camera is compatibleBackyardEOS & BackyardNIKON
BackyardEOS (for Canon cameras) and BackyardNIKON (for Nikon cameras) was designed and developed for astrophotography. This highly acclaimed software is in use all around the world by thousands of users. Its intuitive user interface caters to the amateur and seasoned astronomers alike. Program your image capture plan and walk away. Backyard allows control of your DSLR camera and deep sky long exposure images all night long.
Built by astrophotographers for astrophotographers.
Check if your camera is compatibleBreeze Systems
Breeze Systems offers a wide range of tethering software options for Canon and Nikon cameras on either a Mac or Windows platform. DSLR Remote Pro, PSRemote and NKRemote offer a full range of robust features including multiple camera tethering and photo-booth software. Available for Windows and Mac computers and compatible with Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras. Software details and camera compatibility can be found at Breeze Systems.
Check if your camera is compatibleCameraRC
Camera RC is a full featured tethering solution for Nikon DSLR cameras including the D4, D800, D600 & D5200. CameraRC provides complete camera control and many features at a very affordable price. Camera RC includes live view mode with re-sizable and floating windows making it easy to compose and capture your images and customize features. Available for Windows and Mac running Windows in Boot Camp. Software details, camera compatibility and a free trial version can be found at RC Camera.
Check if your camera is compatibleCanon EOS Utility
Canon EOS Utility software is available free with Canon cameras and includes many features found in purchased software packages. The EOS Utility is a robust full featured software package that has been continually updated to add new features. Available for Windows and Mac.
You can download the Canon EOS Utility for free from Canon.
Check if your camera is compatibleCapture One Pro
PhaseOne Capture One Pro is a professional RAW converter and image editing software which also includes robust tethering features. It contains all the essential tools and high-end performance in one package to enable you to capture, organize, edit, share and print images in a fast, flexible and efficient workflow. PhaseOne offers users the compatible Capture Pilot, a free app for your iPad or iPhone which integrates remote image viewing & zooming, rating, tagging and more. Capture Pilot works on any iOS device but must be used in conjunction with Capture One Pro 8 or newer. Available for Windows or Mac. Here are additional details for Capture One Pro.
Check if your camera is compatibleCapture One Pro Fujifilm
Capture One delivers better, faster, and more creative control. New features includes advanced masking functionality, an even more efficient and intuitive user experience, plug-in compatibility, and much more.Check if your camera is compatibleCapture One Pro Sony
Capture One Pro Sony is a professional RAW converter, rendering precise colors and incredible detail. It contains flexible digital asset management, all the essential adjustment tools and fast, responsive performance in one customizable and integrated solution. Many features are included in the software and its simplicity, intuitive organization and speed provides an array of powerful tools. Available for Windows or Mac. View a complete list of compatible cameras. Here are additional details for Capture One Pro Sony.
Check if your camera is compatibleCascable
Unleash the power of your camera and unlock a powerful mobile workflow for shooting, managing and geotagging your photos — now supporting over one hundred camera models from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony.Check if your camera is compatibleCascable Transfer
With Cascable Transfer, you can wirelessly copy photos to your Photos library, Lightroom catalog, or anywhere else on your Mac. Cascable Transfer supports over 100 WiFi-enabled cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony.Check if your camera is compatibleCase Remote for Case Air Wireless
Case Remote is the app that works in tandem with the Case Air Wireless Tethering System. The Case Air connects and transfers images instantly from your camera to a phone, tablet or computer. Control advanced camera settings including focus points, exposure settings, bracketing, time-lapse, and more. View your images on a larger screen to check critical focus and composition, or use Live View or movie mode for real-time capture to share and collaborate as you create.
Check if your camera is compatibleControlMyCanon
ControlMyCanon is one of the most comprehensive and feature-rich tethering software programs for Windows users working with Canon cameras. Besides all of the standard tethering software features, ControlMyCanon goes above and beyond offering features like loupe view, voice control, white balance calibration, iPad/smartphone integration and many, many other features. The software is extremely reasonably priced and the online training tutorials are superb. Available for Windows computers and compatible Canon cameras. Details, tutorials and software can be downloaded directly from ControlMyCanon.
Check if your camera is compatibleControlMyNikon
ControlMyNikon is one of the most comprehensive and feature-rich tethering software programs for Windows users working with Nikon cameras. Besides all of the standard tethering software features, ControlMyNikon goes above and beyond offering features like loupe view, voice control, white balance calibration, iPad/smartphone integration and many, many other features. The software is extremely reasonably priced and the online training tutorials are superb. Available for Windows computers and compatible Nikon cameras. Details, tutorials and software can be downloaded directly from ControlMyNikon.
Check if your camera is compatibleDarkroom Core
Core Edition is ideal for Emerging Professionals, Portrait, Wedding Photographers & Photographers shooting small to medium events that are seeking an end-to-end photography business solution.
Check if your camera is compatibledarktable
darktable is an open source photography workflow application and RAW developer. A virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers. It manages your digital negatives in a database, lets you view them through a zoomable lighttable and enables you to develop raw images and enhance them. darktable is an open source photography workflow application and RAW developer. A virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers. It manages your digital negatives in a database, lets you view them through a zoomable lighttable and enables you to develop raw images and enhance them.
Check if your camera is compatibledigiCamControl
digiCamControl is a free, open source program that gives you full control over Nikon cameras from your Windows PC. It supports tethering, live view, remote triggering, direct image transfer, controlling multiple cameras simultaneously and even offers you camera control from your tablet or smartphone. digiCamControl has support for almost all Nikon DSLR’s cameras. Software details and camera compatibility can be found at digiCamControl.
Check if your camera is compatibleDSLR Controller
DSLR Controller was the first app to fully control your Canon EOS DSLR from your Android device, with nothing more than a USB cable. No computer or laptop required. All you need is a compatible mobile device, a compatible camera, and a USB cable. If you have Wi-Fi-capable EOS model or a WFT box, it also possible to connect via Wi-Fi.Check if your camera is compatibleDSLR Remote Control
DSLR Remote Control will allow you to remote control and trigger your Canon or Nikon DSLR camera from your phone or tablet with a tethered USB OTG cable, turn your phone or tablet into a DSLR Controller today. See a live preview on your phone or tablet, adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and more. You can even make very small micro focus adjustments for critical work. There are many more tools besides the camera remote control functions. Please check their website for camera specific limitations.Check if your camera is compatibleEntangle
Entangle is a Linux based solution that features camera control as well as automatic download and display of photos as they are shot. It’s available for Debian, FreeBSD, and Fedora, but like all good Linux software, it can be compiled from source. It works with Canon and Nikon cameras. Download it from Entangle.
Check if your camera is compatibleFuji Hyper-Utility Software
Fuji Hyper-Utility Software provides camera control for select Fuji camera models. Additional software details can be found in this Professional Photographers Magazine article. Available for Windows or Mac.
Check if your camera is compatibleFujiFilm Tethered Capture Plug-in for Adobe Lightroom
This software is plug-in software to apply the tethered capture function of Adobe Lightroom to the interchangeable lens camera FUJIFILM X-T1 / X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition. Adobe Lightroom is required. The plugin is available in a standard and pro version.
Check if your camera is compatibleFUJIFILM X Acquire
Once connecting a compatible X Series or GFX camera to a Mac or PC, the FUJIFILM X Acquire software enables users to transfer images taken with the camera to the Mac or PC and save them in a specified folder. It also supports backup/restore of camera settings via USB cable. The software can be downloaded from the FUJIFILM website for free.
Check if your camera is compatibleHelicon Remote
Helicon Remote allows you to tether your Canon or Nikon DSLR camera to a computer or a mobile device and automates focus (DoF) bracketing, exposure bracketing (HDR), and time lapse photography.Check if your camera is compatibleKuuvik Capture 3
Kuuvik Capture is a Canon tethering solution featuring multiple innovative tools including Multi-Point Live View, Dual (RAW and processed) Histogram and focus peaking. Kuuvik Capture provides complete camera control capabilities as well HDR, intervalometer and time lapse with mirror lock-up control as well as Wi-Fi support. The software provides a friendly user interface and a free eBook is available as a learning resource. Currently available for Mac on the Mac App Store and compatible with many Canon DSLR cameras; software details and camera compatibility can be found at the Kuuvik Capture web site.
Check if your camera is compatibleLightroom Plugin for Hasselblad
This plug-in for Lightroom enables highly efficient tethered shooting capability and makes the Hasselblad and Lightroom combination the perfect choice for photographers adding a Hasselblad to their DSLR. Photographers will now have full camera control with capture options from both Lightroom and their H4D, including full remote camera control and capture from Phocus Mobile through iPhone and iPad.
Check if your camera is compatibleLumix Tether
Lumix Tether is tethering software for the Panasonic GH5, GH5S, and G9. It is produced by Panasonic and is available from their website.
Check if your camera is compatibleMacroDSLR
MacroDSLR is a digital camera tethering and remote capture application specialised for a macro or time-lapse photography.
MacroDSLR controls ISO, aperture (if lens mounted), shutter speed, exposure compensation, metering and focusing modes, white balance, image quality and format and BULB exposure length. It can preview (with LiveView for some cameras) or capture and save images to selected folder with any file name prefix, count and time lapse, browse captured images and show them in Finder, zoom and stretch them automatically or manually. It can also drive camera lens or external focuser controller for defined number of steps or milliseconds for each frame or rewind to the initial position.
The built-in INDIGO driver is based on ImageCapture API and, in theory, it can work with almost any Nikon DSLR, Canon EOS DSLR, Sony Alpha DSLR-like or mirrorless camera. Not every feature is supported for every camera (e.g. no LiveView or manual lens drive with older Nikon and all Sony cameras), but it doesn't mean, that such camera can't be used. As far as this application is based on INDIGO framework, it can use many INDIGO or INDI drivers for focusers for astronomical telescopes which can be easily adapted to control manual focus lenses or macro rails. The drivers for Shoestring Astronomy FCUSB and USB_Focus V3 controllers are bundled with the application.
Check if your camera is compatibleNikon Camera Control Pro 2
Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 does not come with Nikon cameras, but is a full-feature tethering software package allowing full control of all compatible camera’s settings. Available for Windows or Mac. Here are additional details for Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 and Nikon compatible cameras.
Check if your camera is compatibleOlympus Capture
Olympus Capture is a tethering application which connects compatible Olympus DSLR cameras to a computer for a professional studio or location photography experience. Olympus Capture features control of shutter release, camera settings, and transfer of photos either from the camera itself or the tethered computer. Available for Windows or Mac here. Here are additional details for Olympus Capture.
Check if your camera is compatibleON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 is the ultimate photo editor and raw processor. It includes powerful Lightroom® and Photoshop® like features with fast photo management, hundreds of customizable photo effects, fast and beautiful HDR, panos, masking and selection tools, layers, and much more — all in one app. ON1 Photo RAW is the only photo app where photographers have a voice in what we build and how we build it via the Photo RAW Project.
Check if your camera is compatiblePentax Tethered Capture Plug-in for Adobe Lightroom
The software plug-in enhances the tethered capture capabilities of the PENTAX 645Z camera by enabling files to easily be uploaded into Adobe Lightroom during a studio session, where they can readily be viewed, shared and edited.
The PENTAX Tethered Capture Plug-in for Adobe Lightroom is an easy-to-install, powerful and streamlined tethering solution that allows any photographer to manage their own workflow from capture to output.
Check if your camera is compatiblePhocus
Phocus is an free software package designed for Hasselblad cameras. Phocus software provides all the power, performance and advanced tools that photographers desire in an easy-to-use and attractive working environment, making even the largest files simple to handle. Besides the more common tethering features, Phocus offers scene calibration, moire removal and camera configuration to name a few. There is also Phocus Mobile which integrates an iPad or iPhone into the workflow and Phocus Quick for one touch image preview. Here are additional details for Phocus.
Check if your camera is compatiblePK_Tether
PK_Tether is a free tethering software for Pentax cameras and Windows users. Set parameters like shutter, aperture, ISO and file format as well as shutter release. Available for Windows and compatible Pentax DSLR cameras. Details and the software can be downloaded directly from PK_Tether.
Check if your camera is compatiblepkTriggerCord
Remote control (tethering) Linux (x86, arm), Windows, Android software for Pentax DSLR cameras.
Supports:
- Pentax K-x
- Pentax K10D (Samsung GX-10)
- Pentax K20D (Samsung GX-20)
- Pentax K200D
- Pentax K-7
- Pentax K-r
- Pentax K-5
- Pentax K-m / K2000
- Pentax K-30
- Pentax K-01
- Pentax K-5 II / K-5 IIs
- Pentax K-50
- Pentax K-3 / K-3 II
Promote Systems USB Tether for Lumix
Promote Systems USB Tether for Lumix for Panasonic Lumix cameras. USB Tether was designed from the ground up in cooperation with Panasonic for complete camera control such as shutter release, aperture, shutter and ISO control as well as image transfer and Lightroom integration. Available for Windows and Mac. Software details, camera compatibility and download can be found in the Tether Tools Store.
Check if your camera is compatibleSamsung Remote Studio
Tethering support for the Samsung NX1
Check if your camera is compatibleSmart Shooter 4
Smart Shooter is a comprehensive tethering software for Canon and Nikon cameras allowing full camera control from Mac or PC. Aimed at both the professional and amateur photographer, some key features include: full control of camera settings, Live View display including overlay mode, connect and control of multiple cameras simultaneously, ability to run scripts, bulb shooting with timed exposure and many more. Available for Mac or Windows. Software details and supported cameras available at Smart Shooter.
Note: The Nikon D3xxx range of cameras (including the D3000, D3100, D3200, and D3300) have limited capabilities during tethered operation. In particular, liveview is not possible with the D3000 and D3100, and although liveview is possible with the D3200 and D3300, it is not possible to zoom the liveview image or drive the focus motor. We recommend avoiding this range of cameras if more advanced tethering features are required.
Check if your camera is compatibleSofortBild
SofortBild is a free tethering software for Mac users working with Nikon cameras. This robust and reliable software features full control of many camera settings, bracketing, time lapse intervals and instant image review. Sofortbild even supports LiveView with compatible cameras. Simple settings to import into Apple’s Aperture and iPhoto (auto import into Adobe Lightroom is provided by setting up Lightroom’s watch folder feature). Available for Mac computers and compatible Nikon cameras. Details and the software can be downloaded directly from Sofortbild.
Check if your camera is compatibleSony Imaging Edge
Imaging Edge is a combination of three different applications. The three programs come bundled together in a single installer which is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. The three different programs, Remote, Viewer, and Edit are built in a way that allows photographers to shoot with a tethered setup and then seamlessly progress to culling and then editing the shots.
Check if your camera is compatibleTetherPro
Via TetherPro: TetherPro was one of the first software applications dedicated to camera tethering. Starting life as a Nikon-only product, it has grown to include Canon and most other Digital SLR cameras. Our ethos is to supply the features our customers want – and with that TetherPro has grown into a feature-rich tethering powerhouse.
Astrophotography Stacking Software Mac
At its heart is a robust, yet simple, “Accept, Reject, Maybe” tagging system. Built upon this is a sophisticated Rule System that allows you to set up almost any workflow, be it sending Accepted images to your favourite editing package, moving Maybe images to a separate folder, deleting the Rejects, the options are endless. Coupled to this is what has to be the most powerful Renaming System in tethering history – You will be able to taylor TetherPro to your existing workflow, or set up a new one within minutes.
You can either hand-hold your camera and shoot normally, or use our built-in Remote Control to adjust the camera and take your shots. Image Review is catered for in either Windowed, Full-Screen or Separate Monitor mode – with Live-View having a dedicated window or screen as required.
We know the importance of your photographs, and Image Security is paramount in TetherPro. Images are securely handled at all times with a duplicate image system, but also backed-up to a separate location or device for added reassurance if desired.
We are confident that TetherPro will already meet your needs... But remember, we specialise in making software for you – if you need a special feature why not speak to us?
Astro Photography Tool Tutorial
For more details and the full feature-set visit our website.
Full Software details available at TetherPro.
Astrophotography Software Programs
Check if your camera is compatibleDo you have a favorite tethering software not currently listed above? Let us know.