By Andrew Hales

Tethering with Capture One

Capture One is a tethering and RAW processing software package designed for use by professional photographers, usually working in a studio. It is often operated by a dedicated digital tech or photographic assistant. It is a complex program, highly customizable and uses lots of jargon and photographic terms in its interface.
But it is the best solution for tethering with non Canon brand cameras. For Canon cameras, DSLR Remote Pro offers a much simpler and easier to use interface.

By tethering the camera to a computer using software, the images can be named with a unique identifier as they are taken, and the images are saved to more stable storage than the memory card in the camera. The images can also be more easily processed into files for Archiving and Access.
Tethering allows the use of Live View to see what the camera sees on the computer monitor, which makes composing easier. It allows the camera to be easily used on a tripod for consistent images, and it allows the operator to focus on object handling and file naming. For proper training in how to use all the features of Capture One, please see the official learning resources: https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/sections/8039132613405-Tutorials.

Basic Capture One Guide:

  1. a new session
    ​a. File -> New Session or ctrl+n

  2. Tether:
    a. Select the Camera
    b. Camera focus Start allows focusing
    c. Camera settings control the camera's exposure, etc
    d. Next, Capture Naming controls how files will be named as they are taken
    e. The Next Capture location is where the files will be saved

  3. Turn on Liveview (round icon with a camera in the middle)

  4. This shows a live video feed of what the camera sees
    a. You can position the object and set focus automatically or manually
    b. Turn on or off a grid and adjust its colour and size
    c. Note, depending on the camera and lighting used, this view will not reflect the colour and exposure of the actual photo when working with flash.

  5. Take a photo, big round button with a thin outline, or ctrl+k

  6. You can use the Adjust panel to adjust the image, including setting the White Balance.

  7. Any adjustments will be applied to all subsequent images.

  8. Export to produce derivatives for Archiving and Access.

Tethering Window:

Live View Window:

Camera Settings

Set mode to M - Manual

  • ISO - 100
    ​Determines how sensitive the sensor is to light. 100 is best for image quality.
     
  • Aperture - F8 is best but can range from F7.1 to F10
    Controls how much light passes through the lens, is a fraction of focal length
    Progresses from widest F2.8 to smallest, F22
    Changes exposure when using flash
    Can affect image quality if too small, e.g  F11, F12 to F22
    Wider apertures reduce depth of field (how much is in focus): F2.8, F3.4, F4, etc
     
  • Shutter Speed: 1/160th
    Length of time the sensor is exposed by the shutter opening
    In fractions of a second
    It can’t be faster than 1/200th when using flash. 1/160th allows for a lag in the trigger.
     
  • White Balance – 5400K
    Colour temperature setting. Approx. 5400 Kelvin is the approx. value for Broncolor Siros lights

It is best to set the aperture to F8 and adjust the image exposure by moving the lights and adjusting their power output.

Image processing with Capture One

The RAW files saved to the computer by tethering with Capture One need to be processed into files for access and archiving. These will vary depending on your organization, but can be done in bulk or in batches using the Export panel.

  • You can set up Recipes for each file type to be produced
  • You can export multiple Recipes at the same time

Before Exporting:

  • Delete any extra images you don’t want to keep
  • Check that the file naming is correct for each object
  • Rename any that need it using the renaming tool
  • Check the White Balance and exposure. Framing is ok, and reshoot any that need it.

Export

  • Export at least once a day at the end of the day
  • Do an export when you’ve finished the photography for the day
  • If any other editing is required, this can be done to the exported images
  • Images can be exported directly to storage locations or exported to the computer and copied to the storage locations.

 

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