You may have read: "Adobe Lightroom Classic can only be connected via USB cable. It's impossible to record wirelessly connected to LRC.” But it's not true. Well, Lightroom Classic doesn't yet support wireless connection to a camera, but there is an option that allows you to easily connect to Lightroom Classic wirelessly without hacking your computer.
In this post I will help tell you how to do this. Well, the answer could be one sentence:"Use any tethering software and point LR's auto-import option to this folder."But I will go deeper and explain and also give you an example of a professional and free wireless tethering software that can do this for you if you don't already have it. I will also give more information on how I shoot tied. So that you can better understand the connected shot if you want the photos to be automatically imported into Lightroom immediately after the shot. I'm not kidding, you can do this very easily. Let's see how.
Sem fio (Wi-Fi) vs. Tethering USB
Filming over a Wi-Fi connection has a few advantages.
- I love it because there is at least 1 cable less on the floor. I hate stepping on them all the time
- Some tethering cables can't be bought in long lengths, but you may want your computer farther from the camera.
- Cable connections are often molded into the camera's main circuit board. Pulling a cable due to a probable event of getting caught in the cables can ruin your session and also result in high repair costs.
Why shoot connected to Lightroom Classic?
There is some tethering software out there, but I prefer to shoot in Lightroom Classic. Why?
In addition to architectural photography, I often do commercial product photo shoots. This is a type of photography where I want to see and know everything about the photo that was taken at the time. Because I use Lightroom Classic in my workflows, I'm most familiar with its system when I need to see if a photo has a burned area, for example. For example, pulling or pushing shadows or highlights can show me how much information was captured in a single exposure of the background. The color saturation sliders make it easier for me to spot an unwanted color cast.
There can be thousands of reasons why you want to make quick edits rather than just a quick glance at a photo right after it's taken. In professional photography, where photographic work is expensive, you need to be sure to deliver the highest quality. Of course I like to check every detail before setting up the scene and closing the studio.
But there's an unfortunate fact: Lightroom Classic does NOT support WI-FI tethering. In this article I will tell you how to do this and we will not hack LRC as it is, instead we will use secondary tethering software to do this.
Lightroom Classic “Auto Import”
Taking pictures with LRC via a WI-FI connection to your camera is very easy. LRC has the option to automatically sync a folder you select. Whatever file goes into this folder, it will appear in LRC within a few seconds (literally just 1-2 seconds).
If you have other tethering software that works wirelessly for you, you can use that. What we're going to do with Lightroom is ask them to keep an eye on that folder and immediately import each photo into our Lightroom catalog without a confirmation window automatically popping up. If you don't have tethering software that works wirelessly with your camera, a little later I'll give you my free working professional tethering software below (no gimmicks, it's really free and works thanks to its developer Zoltán Hubai). However, you can use ANY tethering software that works wirelessly with your camera and send the images to a specific folder on your computer.
So how can we ask LRC to automatically import a photo into our second-hand catalogue? This feature is called automatic folder import in Lightroom. You can find it in the top menu bar.File -> Auto Import.Before proceeding, it's a good idea to check the folder where your tethering software is streaming files from your camera to your computer. The folder you want to sync with Lightroomit must be EMPTYwhen selecting "Settings for automatic import". note that"Enable automatic import"It will be grayed out so it's unclickable until you first configure the auto import settings.
Configure automatic import
When setting up automatic import, you have a few options. The first option is the "Watched Folder". Here you have to show the folder that Lightroom will monitor and if a file gets into this folder, it will without a doubt automatically be synchronized with the catalog. Note that the folder you specify here must be empty when you start the whole maneuver. But LR not only syncs, it also immediately moves the file to another folder (don't ask me why). This is the Move To folder. You can then configure some other things, e.g. For example, keep or rename the name, use a development setting, keep or remove certain metadata, etc.
After clicking OK you can enable auto import and from this second it will be done automatically. So when you shoot with the other app (I use a wireless shutter button tethered to my camera anyway so I don't have to switch windows between the tethering software and Lightroom), the captured image will show up in the gallery and you can edit. them immediately.
IMPORTANT!If your tethering software is configured to only load a smaller file to save bandwidth and be faster, Lightroom will receive and process that downgraded file as well. There may also be times when you want to edit the RAW files, but only a smaller .jpeg file is transferred to your computer. Please keep this in mind and take a look at your settings before editing the files.
What tethering software to use?
So, as you can see above, all we need is a working software that connects to your camera via a WI-FI connection and uploads the captured images to your computer. My favorite option isqDslrPainel.No, I have not received any support from them.Not only free, but gives you many options when taking photos. Available for Windows and Mac. If you shoot with Canon or Nikon, you can connect to your WI-FI compatible camera and shoot connected. BUT what makes me love this software is the special ability to use an external portable router to send WiFi signals. It is possible to use a firmware (called ddserver) that you need to upload to a portable router, the TP-LINK MR3020 or MR3040.
Recording with a portable wireless router
Yes, we're deviating a bit from the original topic, but telling you how to shoot wirelessly with Lightroom Classic is really just one sentence:"Use any tethering software and point LR's auto-import option to this folder."
But I'm really happy to tell you how much I like the workflow itself. I now work with D750s. They are WiFi enabled so I can just connect my computer to them and the qDslrDashboard will trigger connected and all the photos will go straight to Lightroom Classic.BUTThe Wi-Fi connection consumes a lot of battery, and if you want to turn off the camera to save battery, you have to configure the connection many times. The last thing I want to focus on while working is something like that. The developer of qDslrDashboard created a firmware for a kind of portable router (Tp-Link MR3020, 3040) that establishes the WI-FI connection itself. This means that the signals and the WiFi connection are not defined by the camera itself. The portable router requires a power bank and a connection to the camera's tethering port to operate.
why is this good Well, for good reason. The camera battery does not drain when establishing a Wi-Fi connection. And you can turn off the camera at any time, the WiFi connection itself will not be affected. The computer will be connected to the same wireless router all the time without any interruption. As soon as you turn your camera back on, it will receive the data automatically. I'm not sure, but maybe the router is more powerful so you can move your computer further away from the camera if you need to.
All information about uploading the firmware from ddserver to the portable router can be found on the page ofqDslrPainel aqui.
I bought TP-LINK MR3020 v3.0 and wanted to load the firmware on Mac OS. It was a headache for me, but it doesn't have to be for you either. I made an article describing all the steps to make it easier if you buy the same portable router to run ddserver on it. You can read the articleHere.
Problem matching IP address
One more thing to keep in mind. There may be times when you're ready to use WiFi tethering mode for a computer that's already wired to a router, or it might be a WiFi device with the same IP address as your camera or portable WiFi router there (in the case of qDslrDashboard for example ) ready to use to establish a connection. It is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. In this case, you must first configure your WiFi tethering device to a different IP address, otherwise problems may arise.
I really hope that I have helped you. I wish you a lot of fun with the tethered shooting. Enjoy and have a nice day!
FAQs
Can you wirelessly tether to Lightroom? ›
Lightroom allows you to tether directly to it so that it imports images as you shoot. Like many of the best photography tricks, Lightroom tethering is easy once you know how! Get started with our step by step guide below. Tethering can be through a cable or wireless.
Can I use Lightroom Classic without Internet connection? ›You cannot access the Adobe Creative Cloud app while you are not connected to the internet, so you will not be able to sign in to your account, however if you did not sign off you should still be able to boot Lightroom Classic, go to your applications folder on your hdd and double click on the Lightroom Classic badge.
Why is my tethered capture not working? ›Try a different USB cable and USB port.
If you're using a long USB cable or a USB extension, try using a shorter USB cable, removing the USB extension, or using a powered USB hub. Note: Adobe recommends using USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 SuperSpeed cable tethered capture.
You need to go to your settings app and find USB tethering there. It should be in connection and sharing or in tethering and hotspot. You can also use the search option in android settings. Turn on the USB tethering toggle, and your PC should connect to the internet.
Can I run Lightroom Classic without Creative Cloud? ›Lightroom cannot be downloaded and does not run without the Creative Cloud app.
Why do people still use Lightroom Classic? ›Pros of Using Lightroom Classic
Because your images are stored on your computer or hard drive, you can expand your storage without paying monthly fees. You can also work offline as needed. Plus, you can create your own shortcuts and speed up your workflow in Lightroom as needed.
How does sync work in Lightroom Classic? To sync Lightroom Classic photos with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom apps, the photographs must be in synced collections or in All Synced Photographs collection. Photos within a synced collection are automatically available in Lightroom on your desktop, mobile, and web.
How do I sync Lightroom Classic to another computer? ›- Step 1: Backup Lightroom Catalog. ...
- Step 2: Install Lightroom on New Computer. ...
- Step 3: Migrate Photo Library to New Computer. ...
- Transfer Catalog to New Computer. ...
- Step 5: Reconnect Any Missing Folders. ...
- Step 6: Reinstall Lightroom Presets.
To sync an existing collection, open the Collections panel and click the checkbox to the left of a collection to add a double-pointed sync icon. Once photos are synced, the thumbnails will display a sync icon in the upper right.
What is the difference between Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Lightroom Classic? ›What are the differences between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic? Lightroom is the new cloud-based photo service that works across desktop, mobile, and web. Lightroom Classic is the desktop-focused digital photography product.
How can I improve my tethering? ›
- Go into Settings (usually the gear icon on your homescreen) > Hotspot and Tethering.
- Enable the WiFi hotspot. ...
- Tap on the three dots for more options at the top of the screen for more options.
Navigate to Settings > Wireless & networks >Tethering & portable hotspot > Portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Choose Configure Wi-Fi hotspot to set a name, security setting, and password for your hotspot, then tap Save.
Why is Lightroom not tethering? ›Tethered Capture in Lightroom is not necessarily compatible with every single camera so you should check here to see if your camera is compatible first. If you find that it is not working, be sure that your camera is actually supported via LR for this feature. I'm using my Canon 5D Mark III and it is compatible.
Is Bluetooth tethering better than hotspot? ›...
Which is better, tethering or hotspot?
| Tethering | Hotspot |
|---|---|
| For the long-term connection, it is used. | This connection is for the short term. |
If your plans has data limitations, any Personal Hotspot usage time will come out of your monthly allowance. If you're on an Unlimited data deal, you can tether your phone as much as you want with no extra cost.
Can you tether through Bluetooth? ›You can use Bluetooth tethering on your Android to connect with your computer or another phone wirelessly. If you set up a hotspot with your mobile provider, you can even use your phone's internet on your computer!
Can I use Wi-Fi as USB tethering? ›You can use your phone's mobile data to connect another phone, tablet, or computer to the internet. Sharing a connection this way is called tethering or using a hotspot. Some phones can share Wi-Fi connection by tethering. Most Android phones can share mobile data by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.
How can I connect USB through Wi-Fi? ›- Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run.
- Type \\ IP address of the router (default is 192.168.0.1)
- Example- \\192.168.0.1.
- Click OK.
- If you are prompted to enter a Username and Password, enter the credentials that you use to log in to the router's web-based configuration utility.
We use USB tethering when we need to establish a connection for a longer time. We only use the mobile hotspot when we need to establish a short-term connection between the devices.
Can you still download Lightroom Classic? ›You can download your app from the Creative Cloud website. If prompted, sign in to your Adobe account, then click either Download or Install for your app. For more information, see Download your Creative Cloud apps.
Do I have to use the cloud with Lightroom? ›
Lightroom is not designed to work only locally. You would not have access to Adobe Sensei, for example, which is used to search for images based on content. If you don't want to store your images in the cloud, then Lightroom is not for you. You could indeed better switch to Lightroom Classic in that case.
Can you use Lightroom Classic on a laptop? ›This means, for example, that you can use Lightroom on a desktop and laptop computer, or on a computer at home and another at work, with everything automatically at your fingertips. For example, in Lightroom on one of your computers, add a photo to your photo library and edit it by applying a black and white preset.
Should I delete old Lightroom catalogs? ›Today's Question: Can (or should) old Lightroom Classic catalog files be deleted? Tim's Quick Answer: Yes, I do think that older catalog files should be deleted to avoid confusion and clutter, and to some extent to free up hard drive space.
Do most photographers use Lightroom? ›82% of the photographers in a recent poll on the popular Shotkit.com site use either Lightroom (58%) or Photoshop (22%) or both for their editing. That means a whole lot of photographers use Photoshop and/or Camera Raw as their main editing tool, and to me, that is a big surprise.
What are the disadvantages of Adobe Lightroom? ›Cons: No layers or blend modes. Minimal graphic design elements like adding text elements or making advanced collages. Limited editing options.
How do I sync Lightroom Classic with my phone? ›Access your synced collections on mobile
Open Lightroom on a mobile device. If you're not already signed in, tap Sign in and enter the same Adobe ID you used to sign in on your computer. The collections synced from Lightroom Classic on your desktop appear as albums in the Lightroom app on your mobile device.
Lightroom Classic syncs only one catalog at a time. And since Lightroom Classic on two different computers uses two different catalogs, you cannot sync catalogs between Lightroom Classic on two different computers.
How many catalogs can you sync with Lightroom? ›You can sync only one catalog between Lightroom on your desktop and Lightroom for mobile. Therefore, if you want to sync another Lightroom catalog in place of the current catalog, you must delete the current catalog of synced photos.
How many computers can I have Lightroom Classic on? ›You can activate and remain signed in to the app(s) on up to two computers.
How do I access my Lightroom catalog from another computer? ›To move a catalog between a Windows computer and a Mac, copy your catalog, . lrcat-data, preview, and image files from the original computer onto an external drive. Then, attach the drive to the second computer and copy the files to the desired location on the second computer.
How do I use Lightroom across devices? ›
Add photos to Lightroom on your computer and include them in an album. The originals are automatically uploaded to the Adobe cloud at full resolution. Switch to Lightroom on your mobile device, and you'll see the same album you made in Lightroom on your computer with the same photos.
What is the difference between a collection and smart collection in Lightroom Classic? ›The main difference is that Collections group pictures together based on any number of criteria. Meanwhile, Smart Collections follow user-defined attributes. Creating Smart Collections depend on how you filter your images.
How do I sync Lightroom automatically? ›Once we have selected multiple images in our catalog, the bottom right panel button of Lightroom has changed (we still have the Reset button). Now, we have the options for Sync or Auto Sync. To enable Auto Sync, flip up the switch next to Sync. Once you flip up the switch, the Auto Sync Button will appear.
Can smart collections be synced to Lightroom? ›Lightroom Classic only synchronizes photos that are in a Collection. There is no way to synchronize photos from a Folder, Collection Set or Smart Collection (at least without a workaround). You can only synchronize the photos in one Catalog.
Is Lightroom Classic faster than CC? ›Imports are also faster using Lightroom CC, but accessing cloud-stored files can slow things down. Lightroom Classic, however, is still the reigning champ when it comes to features. Classic also offers more customization for import and export settings — though the ability to export TIFFs help catch CC up a bit.
Should I use both Lightroom and Lightroom Classic? ›You should be using BOTH Lightroom CC and Lightroom CC Classic! When used together correctly, you can FINALLY sync and edit your photos ANYWHERE, including on your mobile devices!
Is Lightroom Classic better than Photoshop? ›On a high level, Lightroom is the best tool to manage and process the thousands of photos that live on your devices. Photoshop specializes in greater control to achieve more expansive edits that will help you make a few images look flawless.
Is hotspot as good as Wi-Fi? ›Wifi provides high speed as compared to a hotspot in the case of multiple users. The hotspot offers a lower speed than wifi in the case of many users. Wifi services are provided by the local area Internet service provider. Whereas the hotspot services are largely provided by cellular or phone corporations.
How can I speed up my Bluetooth tethering? ›- Remove the Obstacles. ...
- Keep Devices Close to Each Other. ...
- Ensure That Devices Are Within the Bluetooth Range. ...
- Connect Only Two Devices, Turn Off the Others. ...
- Turn Off Background Apps. ...
- Don't Transfer Too Many Files Together. ...
- Try Resetting Your Devices Often. ...
- Keep Your Devices Up to Date.
Many mobile networks now prevent users from tethering their devices to their mobile data network connected device. Some networks charge extra for this functionality. By using a proxy server on your mobile network connected device you can work around these restrictions.
Why tethering is not working? ›
If your hotspot won't work, ensure the internet works and you're entering the right password. You can also try disabling battery saver or low power mode or restarting your phone's Wi-Fi. If your phone's hotspot still won't work, then tethering or turning the phone on and off might help.
How do I tether to Lightroom Classic? ›- Connect a supported camera to your computer and open Lightroom Classic.
- Choose File > Tethered Capture > Start Tethered Capture.
- In the Tethered Capture Settings dialog box, specify how you want to import the photos: ...
- Click OK to start the photo-capture session.
The program's tethering capabilities are generally far beyond those of Lightroom, especially in terms of stability, which is why photographers who are working on large sets with creative teams generally prefer working with Capture One, especially so everyone can quickly see shots as they are taken along with basic ...
Can you use Lightroom without syncing? ›Lightroom is not designed to work only locally. You would not have access to Adobe Sensei, for example, which is used to search for images based on content. If you don't want to store your images in the cloud, then Lightroom is not for you.
How do I transfer photos from my computer to my phone using Lightroom? ›Access your synced collections on mobile
Open Lightroom on a mobile device. If you're not already signed in, tap Sign in and enter the same Adobe ID you used to sign in on your computer. The collections synced from Lightroom Classic on your desktop appear as albums in the Lightroom app on your mobile device.
In order to tether your Sony Alpha series camera to Lightroom, you need to download Smart Shooter 4. Once set up, Smart Shooter will only need to run in the background while you use Lightroom Classic to maximize your workflow.
Can I transfer Lightroom from one computer to another? ›To move a catalog between a Windows computer and a Mac, copy your catalog, . lrcat-data, preview, and image files from the original computer onto an external drive. Then, attach the drive to the second computer and copy the files to the desired location on the second computer.
How many computers can I install Lightroom Classic on? ›You can activate and remain signed in to the app(s) on up to two computers.
What is the difference between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic? ›What are the differences between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic? Lightroom is the new cloud-based photo service that works across desktop, mobile, and web. Lightroom Classic is the desktop-focused digital photography product.
Can I access my Lightroom photos from my phone? ›Your photos and any changes you make to them in Lightroom automatically sync through the Cloud and appear in Lightroom on your computer and your iOS and Android phones and tablets.
Why is Lightroom not detecting my camera? ›
Turn off the camera and the computer.
Disconnect the camera from the computer. Quit Lightroom Classic and restart the computer. Open Lightroom Classic. Reconnect the camera.
Using Lightroom CC and Lightroom Mobile you can shoot tethered to Lightroom and have your shots automatically sync to Lightroom Mobile via Creative Sync and those shots will be on all your devices as well as the web simultaneously.
What is the main advantage of using capture one over Lightroom when tethering? ›The program's tethering capabilities are generally far beyond those of Lightroom, especially in terms of stability, which is why photographers who are working on large sets with creative teams generally prefer working with Capture One, especially so everyone can quickly see shots as they are taken along with basic ...
How do I sync Lightroom Classic to two computers? ›Lightroom Classic syncs only one catalog at a time. And since Lightroom Classic on two different computers uses two different catalogs, you cannot sync catalogs between Lightroom Classic on two different computers.
Can I have Lightroom on two devices? ›If you want to use Lightroom on more than 2 computers, that's fine—you can install the app on as many computers as you want. If you want to sign in on a new computer and you're already signed in on 2 other computers, you'll need to log out of Creative Cloud on one of your computers first.