Canon 7d Tethering LR3 problem

[idoteech]

I am hoping someone can help me out. I just purchased Lightroom 3. I plugged in my 7d to my macbook pro and started LR. It worked fine for the first couple of shoots. Then it started blinking red/busy and wouldn't work until I unplugged it from the computer. I REALLY need to tether this weekend. Any suggestions?
Mods: Please feel free to move if I'm not in the right forum. Thanks!

[ziggy53]

I moved this to the Digital Darkroom Gear forum because I suspect that this is more related to the computer and drivers and communication with the computer. Hopefully someone here can help you sort it out.

If it turns out to be camera specific I'll move the thread back to Cameras.

[pathfinder]

If it worked for a while and then failed, I would have a strong suspicion that the connecting USB cable got jiggled and broke momentary contact, or that the USB cable was defective in some way, or had a short or electrical defect that is intermittent. No pro video shooter would use a cable that does not screw securely into the electronics. USB cables do not provide certainty of connectivity.

I would try a different USB cable and make certain there was no tension or movement of the cable and see if that doesn't help.

If it worked for a while, then I would think the MBP had all the drivers and software it needed. MBPs are pretty resourceful.

When one is busy shooting, it is easy to jiggle the USB cable without noticing it - DAMHIK :wave

[idoteech]

After much more research I found one guy who had the same thing happened with his 7d. He said that it is truly busy and that if you wait 3-5 min, it will work. He said the more you have on the card, the longer it takes the camera and computer to communicate. This sorta makes sent bc when I first started with an empty card it worked fine. After a few sessions it started with the busy signal. Does this make any sense? I haven't had a chance to try it with a clean CF card, but I will hopefully by tomorrow. A couple more pieces of info: I am shooting large jpeg using Alien Bees strobes.

[DeVerm]

Use EOS utility instead for tethered shooting. It works fantastic, especially when you enable live view and do the "manual" focus from the laptop (can zoom in while focussing !) It will also transfer every shot to the laptop so you can import them into LR right after shooting.

I use the EOS utility preview or even DPP to look at the photo's while shooting and import into LR after the shoot.

ciao!
Nick.

[idoteech]

Well today was my huge Easter mini session. I tethered into LR3 and as long as I didn't keep a large amount of data on the CF card it worked great. I had 21 sessions in 8.5 hrs and other than a couple of stubborn kids and a few worn out bunnies, it was a huge success. :)