Today I am taking a look at the TetherPro USB 2.0 to Micro-B 5-Pin from Tether Tools. Ever tried to shoot in a studio environment while your client is constantly wanting to see the results while your shooting? If you are not shooting tethered then this could be a problem seeing you will have your client breathing in your neck and this will ultimate make you loose your concetration. The solution for this is to shoot tethered.
Tethering Software
Seeing Adobe Lightroom still doenst support tethered shooting wit a Sony A7 series cameras, not to mention my Sony A7III (at least not native) I had to look to other solutions. Now I started using Capture One Pro from Phase One (the Capture One Express Sony wont allow you to shoot tethered unless you upgrade to the Pro version), I must say its a totally different program then Lightroom but I sometimes get the feeling that Capture One Pro gives me more accurate raw data to work with.
But lets stick to the topic, like I stated before I use the tether cable with my Sony A7III using Capture One Pro to shoot tethered. Yes I know I could use the USB-C to USB-C / USB3 tot USB-C cable instead of the cable reviewed here, but when I received the USB2 cable I was still shooting with the Sony A7II which uses a Micro-B 5pin connector 🙂
What are the benefits of shooting tethered?
You wont need to shoot images to your memory card in side of your camera, when you shoot tethered all images taken will be transferred to you laptop and/or desktop setup. This makes it easier to show the results real-time directly on a other display as well. Which will keep you client of your back so you can concentrate on your work while your client can easily track your work while your shooting without being in the way.
The other pro is that all your images are being transferred to your laptop and/or desktop setup making it easier for you as a photographer to see a more detailed result than if you were checking the back of you camera’s tiny little screen.
Besides the transfer take no longer then a second to pop up on my screen so I can view the picture right away. I can even apply a style (like a preset in Lightroom) automatically right after the image is transferred from the camera to my desktop or laptop. This saves me a lot of time.
Heres a shot of me doing product shots for up and coming review…
As you can see I use a JerkStopper as well, this makes sure that the cable doesn’t wobble out of my camera seeing the connection of a Micro-B 5 pin isn’t that great. Using the JerkStopper solves that problem and makes working with the Tether Tools cable a breeze.
Here’s a shot of the Jerkstopper up close, easy to install.
But there are also loads of different ways manage your Tether Tools cables, checkout the following link over at Tether Tools or better yet checkout the video.
The JerkStopper secures the cable on both the camera and computer. The JerkStopper removes stress and strain from the cable and device making sure the plug stays in and prevents cable or equipment damage. Once installed, the camera support’s quick disconnect enables future tethering set-up in seconds. Use the JerkStopper with any standard A/C power adapter cord, sync cable, HDMI, USB or FireWire. Supports cable diameters from 3.5mm to 8.5mm.
The JerkStopper is a versatile and inexpensive tool and can prevent potentially equipment damage. If you are using a tether cable without a JerkStopper I would highly recommend you get one now. If you planning to start shooting tethered then I would advise you to get the Starter Tethering Kit from Tether Tools.
The Starter Tethering Kit includes:
– 1x TetherPro Cable 15′
– 1x JerkStopper Camera Support
– 1x JerkStopper USB Support
– 1x Tether Tools Cable Organization Case (Standard)
– 1x Package JerkStopper ProTab Cable Ties – Small (10 strips)
This product was provided by Frank Doorhof who represents Tether Tools here in The Netherlands.
Buy the Tether Tools Starter Tethering kit