Pentax preps 645D remote tethering software
posted Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 6:21 PM EDT
Shortly after Pentax launched its impressive Pentax 645D medium format SLR, the company stated that it was working on creating software that would allow 645D owners to shoot with their camera tethered to their computer. It's a capability that earlier Pentax SLR models up to the K20D offered, but one that has since been absent from the company's newer products.
Rumors swirled for a while, but then the mention of 645D tethering was removed from Pentax's site. When we spoke to Pentax's John Carlson at the Consumer Electronics Show, we asked about the status of development, and learned that the software was still planned for release.
Today, the software has been officially announced. Planned to ship from March 2012, the Pentax 645D tethering software will be priced at around US$200, and available in both Japanese and English languages. It will simultaneously allow capture to the camera's internal SD card, and transfer to an attached Windows or MacOS computer, including remote shutter release capability. It isn't yet clear if other settings can be controlled remotely.
Unfortunately for users of the company's other cameras, we have to report that the software will work only with the 645D, which is something of a shame. Still, it's great to hear that 645D owners, at least, will have an official solution in the near future. Those shooting with other models may well find them supported by the third-party PK_Tether application.
Press Release
Pentax Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation Announces Pentax 645D Image Transmitter Software
DENVER, CO. (February 7, 2012)…PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION announced the PENTAX IMAGE Transmitter exclusive software for the transfer and saving of images taken with the PENTAX 645D medium-format digital SLR
camera to a personal computer. The transmitter software is equipped to automatically transfer 645D images from camera to PC via USB cable.
Overview of the software:
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Available in CD-ROM format
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Transfer recorded images to a designated file on a personal computer
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Records the images simultaneously on an SD memory card installed in the camera
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The camera’s shutter may be remotely released using the personal computer
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Available in Japanese and English
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Operating manual included on the CD-ROM
The transmitter software will be available in March 2012 for $199.95 USD on www.pentaxwebstore.com.
NOTE: The camera’s firmware must be updated to the latest version in order to use this software. The latest firmware is contained in the CD-ROM. With the Windows version, Microsoft’s .NET Framework 4 software must be installed on a personal computer in advance.
System requirements
Windows version
OS Microsoft Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit)
With a 64-bit system, the software operates as a 32-bit application.
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo processor or later (Intel Core i5 processor or later recommended)
Memory 2GB or greater (3GB or greater recommended)
HDD More than 1GB of available disk space (additional space required for image storage)
Others USB 2.0 port
.NET Framework 4 software
Macintosh version
OS Mac OS X 10.6 / 10.7
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo processor or later (Intel Core i5 processor or later recommended)
Not compatible with PowerPC processors
Memory 2GB or greater
HDD More than 1GB of available disk space (additional space required for image storage)
Others USB 2.0 port
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
NET Framework is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Macintosh and MacOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
World-renowned for pushing camera durability, size, color, and design to the limit, PENTAX is a leader in the production of adventure ready digital cameras, weather-resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For more than 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of adventurous consumers and businesses. With new headquarters in Denver, Colorado, PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION is a subsidiary of PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. effective October 1, 2011. Additional details may be found here: www.pentaximaging.com/news
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