Support Tethering med USB-C

Tether Troubleshooting when using USB-C

In order to have trouble-free connection and communication when shooting tethered, with the camera connected to a computer, there are some basic things to keep in mind.

Always follow these steps when shooting tethered

• Step 1: Turn on your computer and login. Keep camera powered off.
• Step 2: Connect your cable at both the camera and computer ports. Protect sensitive data ports by securing each end with a Cable Management Device.
• Step 3: Open tethering software you will use to receive images.
• Step 4: Start tethered capture session in software.
• Step 5: Turn on the camera. Software should detect connected camera.
• Step 6: Set up session with your file naming and saving preferences.  
  Begin shooting to see images appear in software.

Important Camera Settings

• Step 1: Ensure “Sleep Mode” is turned off on your camera: The computer needs to recognize the camera at all times during a tethered shoot. If your camera goes into sleep mode, the computer may not recognize it and cause the tethered connection to drop.
• Step 2: Make sure your camera battery is fully charged: If your camera battery charge is low, you may find that tethering connections drop frequently.
• Step 3: Turn off the USB Power Supply in your camera’s settings: This setting can disrupt image transfer and cause only power to be transferred between the computer can camera.

Power Delivery Via USB-C

Cameras with USB-C ports are often able to power the camera and/or charge the battery of USB. While this is a convenient feature, this can sometimes cause connection issues during tethering. Therefore, we always recommend turning USB Power Delivery / Charging OFF during tethering in order to ensure the most stable connection possible.

Settings by camera

Nikon Cameras

Sony Cameras

FujiFilm Cameras

Hasselblad Cameras

Camera Models that currently do NOT allow you to turn off your power delivery

• Canon R Series
• Nikon: D6, D780, Z6, Z7
• FujiFilm: GFX100, GFX50R, X-A7, X-T200
• Panasonic: DC-GH5, DC-GH5S
• Hasselblad: X2D100C
• Olympus: OMI, OM-DE MI Mk II
• Pentax: K-3lll
• Phase One: XF IQ4
• Sigma: FP, FP-L

How to shoot tethered with cameras that do not have the ability to turn off the power delivery in the camera menu

Cameras with USB-C ports are often able to power the camera and/or charge the battery of USB. While this is a convenient feature, this can sometimes cause connection issues during tethering. Therefore, we always recommend turning USB Power Delivery / Charging OFF during tethering in order to ensure the most stable connection possible. The Canon R-Series (mirrorless) cameras is an example of a camera model do not provide the ability to turn off USB Power / Charging. This limitation is known to cause connection issues on some setups.

While Canon may address this issue in forthcoming firmware updates and/or future camera models, it remains a potential issue for many users. In some cases, it is not an issue that will arise immediately, but can emerge months after the initial use.

As a temporary work-around for this issue, we recommend that Canon R-Series cameras be connected via one of the following methods to avoid the known issue connection issue described above.

TetherPro USB-C to USB-C 9.4m, Straight to Right Angle Cable

With dedicated data transfer and uni-directional throughput of 5 Gbps there are no conflicts with power. Using the TetherPro USB-C to USB-C 31' results in fast and steady connection without the issues talked about above. If your computer has a USB-C port, you would be able to use the cable directly with your computer. If your computer does not have a USB-C port, please see the information below.

USB-A Cable

Power Delivery is not supported over USB-A style connections. Therefore, using the TetherPro USB 3.0 to USB-C cable would prevent the issue described above and will result in a stable and consistent connection. If your computer has a USB-A port, you would be able to use the cable directly with your computer. If your computer does not have a USB-A port, please see the information below.

TetherPro Right Angle Adapter USB 3.0 to USB-C

This approach will convert the computer side of the connection to USB-A and therefore resolve this issue. Please note, the Female Adapter extension cable must be positioned on the computer-side of the connection.

We will use this page to communicate any new best practices and/or updates from Canon regarding this issue. We also recommend checking Canon’s support pages for potential firmware updates that may address this issue in the future.

A few notes to consider in connection to the behavior described above

• Shorter connections are less prone to the known issue described above, so using a shorter cable may avoid the issue in some cases. Users may find that a shorter cable works fine, while a longer cable experiences the behavior described above. In general, we would recommend using the shortest connection possible for the setup.
• Some Canon R-Series camera models use ports that support USB-C 3.1 (Gen 1), so users will not observe a noticeable difference in transfer speed when converting to USB- A 3.0. Other cameras support USB-C 3.1 (Gen 2), so there may be a noticeable difference in transfer speeds when using the USB-A method described above.

Camera & Computer Tether Troubleshooting

If you encounter connection hiccups while tethering your camera, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Certain things can impact your ability to keep a stable connection. Here are a few trouble-shooting steps you can take to solve common issues and get your tethering setup running smoothly.

Step 1: Confirm Software and System Support

It’s crucial to ensure compatibility between your camera model, tethering software, and computer system. Check the manufacturer’s website or user manuals to confirm that your camera model is supported. Additionally, ensure that your tethering software is up to date and compatible with your operating system.

• 1a. Check the manufacturer’s website or user manuals to confirm that your camera model is supported for tethering.
• 1b. Check your software to ensure your camera’s files are supported for image upload and tethered capture.
• 1c. Ensure that your tethering software is up to date and compatible with your operating system. (Operating system updates can interfere with software functions.)

Always use the latest version of your tethering software. Updates often include bug fixes and improved compatibility with new camera models. Visit the software provider’s website or use the built-in update feature to download and install the newest version.

Step 2: Update Camera Firmware

Camera firmware updates can resolve connectivity issues and improve performance. Check the camera manufacturer’s website for any available firmware updates for your camera model and follow the instructions to install them.

Step 4: Establish Connection

When establishing a stable connection while tethering follow these simple steps:

1. Turn on your computer
2. Connect your TetherPro cable to both your camera and computer
3. Secure the cable on both the camera and computer side with proper cable management like the TetherBlock Arca or TetherGuard to prevent accidental disconnection
4. Open your tethering software and start your tethered session
5. Ensure correct file naming and saving settings as directed
6. Turn your camera on and wait for the software to detect it before starting your shoot

A few special notes:

• Nikon, Canon and other users may need to remove a nearly full card from your camera to maintain a connection. Ensure you have set your file naming and folder saving settings to your desired destination(s).
• USB-spec suggests that the longest base cable that should be used for tethered photography is 16ft (5m). Every additional 16ft (5m) you will want to have a TetherBoost Pro Core Controller or Active Extension cable in the line.

Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

• Turn Camera Off
  Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve connectivity issues. Turn off your camera and wait a few moments before turning it back on.
• Avoid Using Adapter Cables, Extension Cables, or Hubs
  While troubleshooting, it’s best to connect your camera directly to the computer without using adapter cables, extension cables, or hubs. These additional components can introduce interference and disrupt the connection.
• Ensure A Secure Connection
  Check that the cable is securely plugged into both the computer and camera ports. Loose connections can cause intermittent connectivity problems.
• Disconnect and Restart Tethering Software
  Close your tethering software and restart it to refresh the connection. Once the software is running, reconnect your camera, turn it on, and attempt to start the tethered session again.

Tether Tools first product introduced in 2008, the Tether Table Aero, has a long, rich history. Crafted out of a need for photographers to have a professional, secure workstation when shooting out in the field or in studio, the Tether Table Aero provides a stable portable tethering platform. Since then, Tether Tools has worked to design and manufacture tools that expand the possibilities of photographers, videographers, and creatives in all fields. It’s why they are here, it’s the beating heart of their business. Tether Tools products are used by creatives across the globe as an essential piece of their workflow and safety on set.