akpteropod Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I'm very new to this group, have been lurking for a just a couple months. You guys all seem so good at photography! Thank you for letting me in!

I would like to ask if anyone here knows how to view what is being seen through your DSLR camera (mine happens to be a Nikon D3100, but I will soon to be upgrading) on a computer, such as a laptop. Yes, I have watched a couple youtube videos on the topic, and can't seem to make it work. I would like to know if anyone here has done it, or has any experience with it. Do I need some bit of software? A special cord? I'm missing some vital piece here that I am not getting.

How this started is that I take a few images of the northern lights up here in Alaska. A friend, who is disabled, can't really stand for a long time at a camera, but really wants to try to take images also. We came up with there has to be a way to set a camera up to be able to view what is being seen through the view screen on a computer. I don't want to control the camera through the computer, just see what the camera sees.

Any ideas?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

See the "Connections" chapter of your D3100 manual, page 115.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You can also search for "tethering" the following google search brings up around 550 hits here on UHH

tethering site:www.uglyhedgehog.com

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Adobe Lightroom allows you to set up a hard wired (USB) connection for tethering your camera to the software. Pros do it all the time. Here's an uber geeky Tony Northrop tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oVOPwGkR8&t=588s

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I had to read thru your post slowly. Now I get it, you are referring to "tethering". I've only tried it twice. Once with a compatible camera, and another time with apparently an incompatible one that "froze" my LapTop. This was some time ago and I am sure newer cameras are more capable for this, as well as newer computer O/S's and software. I am sure others can guide you!

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I used to shoot with a Nikon D7100, and was able to do what you are talking about (tethering) using a usb cable to connect to the computer running QDSLRdashboard software. The software would give full control of the camera and show a live view display on screen.

I also added a Nikon WU-1A WiFi adapter to my D7100, which would allow me to connect QDSLR via WiFi, with a range of easily 75 feet and tether with live view.

https://dslrdashboard.info

If you do not like the WU-1A adapter, you can add a tp-link router as an adapter for about 50.00 or so to get the WiFi capability.

For my Canon with built in WiFi, I use Canon’s utility on my iPhone / iPad to show the live view and control the camera.

If you run software with tethering capability, it should be an easy matter to do what you want using your software on a laptop tethered to the camera.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

If you can connect a HDMI cable to your camera, iPad or laptop you connect to a TV screen and show the photos on a larger screen.

george19

In addition to the other great responses here, yes...tethering. I’ve done it once with Lightroom.

Key issues to think about:

A short cable will be cumbersome

I don’t know how well a 6 foot link will work (power and other losses).

There are mounts and brackets that let you mount the computer next to the camera, and if you could mount that to a sturdy tripod it would be workable.

You say you want to shoot Northern Lights...consider the effects of cold on camera and equipment

Now I have to look at Wi-Fi capability for myself.

Good job trying to help out your friend.

Rineal Loc: Copake NY

I have nothing to add on the technical question - just wanted to say : what a great shot you put up of the Northern Lights!
Richard

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I started a thread on doing that with a Nikon 7500 and SnapBridge.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-557537-1.html

You should be able to do something similar with a D5600 or perhaps a D3500. It requires BT and WiFi and I'm not sure if these two cameras have that.

I just checked the Nikon site. You should be able to do that with a D5600, but not with the D3500, not with SnapBridge.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

In the Sony world there are various free softwares for remote viewing and camera control available on their website. Which one to use varies with the model of Sony camera. Although the User Interface is a bit clunky, With a long USB cord, I can, from a distance, view on my laptop what my cameras is seeing and take the photo when the image is right. I can set up my camera on a tripod close to a perch and allow the birds to become accustomed to it without having to be at the camera myself (Thus not spooking the birds or changing their behavior). Sometimes the birds even land on my camera. With my telephoto zoom, I can get in tight enough to get just a goldfinch's head in the frame.
On a chilly day I can set up my gear outside and sit inside with my laptop where it's warm. It's the ultimate photo blind. I have no problem with a 50 ft USB cord but adding a second 50 ft USB extension is too long (or the extension USB cord is faulty)
It's likely that other manufacturers websites also offer free software downloads that accomplish the same thing (tethering). It's likely that Nikon has downloadable software for your computer that will allow your 3100 to do what my Sonys will do.

Bar Loc: da 'YouPee', eh!

I think this is what our poster has in mind, camera outside and the viewers inside in a heated sunroom. You will need to see if your camera is supported by this http://digicamcontrol.com/