can an M9 be tethered ?

[tlitody]

Can an M9 be tethered to a PC so that whatever you photograph is sent direct to some PC image software?

 

[rxmd]

Sort of.

There is a program called m9tether that will transfer new shots to a connected Windows 7 PC automatically after they are written to the SD card or the built-in RAM disk buffer in the M9. This is more of a file transfer type of thing.

What are you planning to do? You were asking about live view earlier.

 

[tlitody]

I'm thinking of digitising film using a slide copier but the M9 (if I eventually get one) isn't suited to doing that unless it has live view or another possibility is tethering. That way I can check focus and framing immediately.

Just found that there is also some software "Leica Digital Capture" which shipped with the M8 and I guess with the M9 too. Also Capture one pro can do tethering with it I think. Still searching....

Tethering would be useful in the studio for close ups too.

 

[rxmd]

You wouldn't need an M9 for that... Any DSLR with a good enlarging lens will deliver equal or better results with a slide copier, and might well be easier to use - framing, tethering, possibly live view.

From my understanding Leica Digital Capture is really old and not well maintained.

 

[tlitody]

but I don't have any dslr otherwise I would use it and yes it would be a lot easier. Question is should I get an M9 or a dslr? I'm thinking M9 and the ability to use it for film duplication would be nice but not essential, which is why I was asking.

 

[rxmd]

Is this an either-or issue? Why not get both?

If you're ready to drop the money on an M9, dropping an extra 200 quid or so on a used DSLR for slide duplication isn't an issue, and the DSLR has a lot of other uses in macro work etc. too.

 

[tlitody]

yes I know but if I'm going to go through the hassle of digitising film then I want plenty of pixels for printing digitally, but you may have point.

Just checked and capture one pro doesn't do tethered with the M9, so its that freeware you pointed me too as Leica Digital Capture seems not to exist for the M9. A dslr would mak life simple.

 

[tlitody]

Seems that the S2 has software called Image Shuttle which is a tethering program. So they dropped it for the M9 and made it work for the S2 but only if you can get into the S2 owners area to grab it. Sneaky....

 

[Brian Puccio]

Last I checked, the slide dupe thing my girlfriend got for her Canon DSLR needed to use a lens with an extension tube, since the lens need to focus very close -- the slide is held a very short distance away. Something to think of when trying to use your M9.

 

[tlitody]

Last I checked, the slide dupe thing my girlfriend got for her Canon DSLR needed to use a lens with an extension tube, since the lens need to focus very close -- the slide is held a very short distance away. Something to think of when trying to use your M9.

There are special units which screw onto the lens filter 55mm (step rings can be used) and have a built in lens designed for close up on camera lens.
On dslrs there are special units which attach direct to body with a T-mount adapter and have lenses in them designed for purpose.

http://www.kauserinternational.com/Photography/Ohnar/Copier/Ohnar Digital.htm

These units will give better results than flatbed scanners by all accounts. Maybe not quite as good as dedicated film scanners but not far off.