Does anyone have any experienced with shooting while tethered to a software controller via laptop? It's common with high-end cameras, but I'm more interested in how it can be done towards the lower end of the price spectrum.

For the lower end, canon has software included with many of their cameras, and I believe available for those that it doesn't come with.

I've shot tethered with a Mark II DS and I know that you can as well with a 5D.

How low are we talking here, point and shoot?

Since I haven't actually spent any money on it yet, as low as possible (but no lower). I'm also interested if there's any hacking community for cameras (there was one for Nikon film cameras).

hmmm. I'd do a search and check at photo.net

I shoot tethered with my Canon Rebel 300d. It is slow to the laptop using Capture One Pro as the software. But I believe it is slow because it uses a USB 1 cable. OTherwise it is fine.

Chris

I have Chris Breeze's Downloader and Browser, which I love, but haven't had need for his remote control software. But you can find details on his website:
http://www.breezesys.com/products.htm#dslr

yeah, a ton of lower end cameras are missing this feature, and I wish they would include it.

HOWEVER...you can grab a usb>video in plug, and if your laptop has a video in (if not you can get an adaptor) you can do it that way.

I use Capture One Pro with great success but it is far from the cheapest option, takes 13 seconds to receive a RAW capture from a 5D through a 100ft USB cable.

A good site with heaps of info, especially for point and shoot, is -

www.camerahacker.com (http://www.camerahacker.com)

Also has good info on hacking cameras/cables/photographic devices in general.




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I shoot tethered with canon 1D-mkII via firewire IEEE cable but it never works reliably, freezing my laptop sometimes.... I never try to shoot tethered with my 5D though; I am content with chimping on its big LCD screen.