Tethering Nikon under Ventura - quick dirty fix

[bjoernmklein]

Ever since I updated my Mac to Ventura, tethering my Nikon-Z-cameras doesn't work any more.

Since there are three companies involved fixing this problem (Apple, Adobe and Nikon) it might take a while, until it finally is. Here is my work-around that works without buying new software:

Install Tether-NX from Nikon for free and tether into a folder, that you automatically import with Lightroom.

I know, this is not the elegant solution, we are looking for, but it may be the easiest fix until there are new Updates.

[cmgap]

Thank you very much for posting this work around – while not ideal – it is reasonable.

[AndrewButlerPhotographer]

Sadly I can't get the NX software to do anything other than vaguely recognise my D850 and D810, it knows what the camera is but can't actually control the camera   

[DdeGannes]

Apparently Nikon is holding out for you to utilize their tether application, 

Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 Software Full Version for Nikon DSLR Cameras.

Just my thoughts.

[AndrewButlerPhotographer]

To be honest Nikon aren't pushing the boat out, this is their reply from my support enquiry.

"Sadly, we cannot advise on any solution or troubleshooting, with Lightroom, as they are a 3rd part software, therefore it is their responsibility to ensure compatibility with our products and the subsequent products, they provide compatibility for."

I'd consider CC Pro2 if I could see it was tested and works with Ventura, frankly Nikon's web-sales presence for this product is both vague and outdated with no real mention of what OS it will actually work on.

[AndrewButlerPhotographer]

The CC Pro 2 does actually work! Lightroom can watch a folder too so there is a half-baked solution, unfortunately the process is a bit cranky and nowhere near as usefull as Lightroom tethering was.

I guess my takeaway is that the D850 will tether in Ventura, it's a shame it won't into Lightroom. 

[bjoernmklein]

Alternatively one could use the Wireless Utility to transfer pictures via wifi to a  computer and automatically import them in Lightroom. However LR has trouble copiing them correctly and gives me an error, that it can't do adjustments to the copied RAW-Files - for whatever that's about...

[bjoernmklein]

This wireless solution actually does NOT work properly, because LR starts importing (and copiing) the Files before they are fully transfered, which causes corrupted Files.

[marcelr95297809]

Hello,

iam really shocked that there is no update since October 22 for this. 

iam working with my old macbook now, but always need to rebuilt my workstation before every shooting.

i think thats a very disgraced performance for Adobe, but yes still sucking my money every month for this. Shame on you! 

Would be interesting how many customers Adobe lost in this time, many switched to Capture One. 

thanks 

mArcel

[Maria21807202sr84]

Hi Marcel,
not helpful but money-saving: send a complaint to Adobe (via chat) and tell them that you don't see why you should pay for a not-working software. They accepted my request when I asked them. So I am not paying at the moment (and don't want to until this problem is fixed).
Maria

[AndrewButlerPhotographer]

I got offered two weeks! That equates to about the time that I lose every time I do a shoot at the moment and am unable to tether.

[AndrewButlerPhotographer]

Hi (Again),

Sadly Tether-NX doesnt work with my Nikons (D850 and D810) but Camera Control Pro2 does. I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation why Nikon's often cranky software will tether with Ventura (Capture One does too) but Adobe's won't, but hey?

However Lightroom will auto-import from a watched folder (File>Auto Import...). So the watched folder created for the Nikon import can then be located by Lightroom (File>Auto Import>Auto Import Settings...) As such the Nikon software, I assume similar will work with Tether-NX, will download to a created folder that Lightroom will monitor and then import from automatically.

Now, the beauty of Lightroom, when it was working for us, was that the develop settings could be set to 'same as previous,' This was a huge boon for someone like me shooting a portrait session where I could apply a ballpark preview for the client to see; the recent AI upgrades were particularly useful. As such, each image appearing on screen was close to how it might end up.

For now a shoot specific set of develop settings can be saved in the Presets at the start of a shoot and applied automatically via the Auto Import Settings. It's hardly an eloquent solution but it may help some people out.

For me I would have to buy the Nikon Software that I don't really need but, having become reliant on Lightroom tethering through the years the ongoing lack of it is leading me to start every commission with a sense of loss. 

Small gains.

Hope this helps.

[cmgap]

I tested this today with my 850 and z7II certain that I could overcome the challenge on my M1 laptop and Ventura 13.1. The result is that I will test again tomorrow with Ventura 13.2. Sigh.

[AndrewButlerPhotographer]

Sounds interesting?

[cmgap]

No Joy. The watch folder is the best workaround. Nikon's NX tether wouldn't recognize connect my D850 at all - it did work with the Z7II. Any other testing will replicate what has already been done. Hopefull this thread will be updated when tethering works again!

[bjoernmklein · Accepted solution]

With Lightroom Classic Version 12.2 tethering Nikon Camera seems to work again. On my system the Z6, Z7 an Z6II were recognized. Lightroom crashed after unplugging the cameras. It's not easy to not leave a sarcastic comment on this issue.

[marcelr95297809]

worked a few days...now i dont know why, no more dedection of the d850.

usb conection test with 3 different cables. all fine. 

osx 13.2.1

Lightroom classic 12.2

iam getting depressed with that, i lost so many hours now. 

[bjoernmklein]

I'm also running OSX 13.2.1. Now, there is a LR-Update to 12.2.1- Maybe that helps. My Z7 is still recognized, and tethering doesn't "even" require a restart in rosetta-mode anymore.