Set up tethered capture

Choose a session folder and connect a supported camera over USB.

Film recorded with an earlier version; the written reference is current.

Where it is

Capture · Ctrl+3

Quick overview

Connect a supported camera over USB, then choose it in Capture. Another application holding the camera can prevent a connection.
Set the session name, destination and naming pattern before shooting. Existing names are never overwritten.
The shutter button or Space takes a shot. RAW+JPEG can produce two files; each downloaded photo enters the catalog.
Live view and exposure controls depend on what the camera exposes. Not every camera supports every action.
This film shows setup with no camera attached. It does not demonstrate a successful tether, live view or shutter release.

In this film

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Choose Capture · Ctrl+3This demonstration has no camera attached.
Connect a supported camera over USBClose another application if it is holding the camera.
Choose a session folder and nameReview naming before releasing the shutter.
Camera capabilities varyLive view and exposure controls appear only when supported.
Captured files enter the catalogVerify your files before choosing any option to delete camera copies.

Prepare a session before shooting

Connect a supported camera over USB, choose the camera and review the session folder, name and filename pattern. Close other software holding the camera. Confirm that a test capture reaches the catalog and the intended folder before a longer session.

Live view and exposure controls depend on the camera. This pack shows setup without a camera attached, so it does not claim a tested tethered capture. The reference below explains the controls that become available with supported hardware.

Capture

Shoot tethered over USB.

Cameras: the page lists what is connected; click one to connect. If another program has the camera (a file manager that mounted it), the page says so.
Session: a folder and a name. Files are named from a template with {session} {seq} {seq:N} {date} {time} {model}, keeping the camera's own extension. Existing names are never overwritten.
Shutter (the button, or Space): shoots and downloads every file the camera makes; RAW+JPEG gives two. With the switch on, shots taken on the body are pulled in as well. Each file goes into the catalog at once, becomes current and shows in the filmstrip.
Live view: the camera's preview stream with its size and rate.
Camera controls: every setting the camera exposes, exposure first, as menus, switches, text or sliders. A rejected value reloads the camera's actual one.

Downloads are written to temporary files, flushed and checksummed from disk before they appear. Optionally delete each camera copy only after its verified file is safe.