As the use of video chats, conferences, and even live streaming surge during these times, so has the need for webcams. Many laptops already have built-in cameras as well as some monitors but those might not even be able to compare to the camera on your smartphone’s face. What if you already have a powerful dedicated pro or amateur camera at home? If you have one of a handful of Panasonic LUMIX cameras, all you really need is this new beta software that will let you experience a clutter-free live streaming interface when using your camera as a webcam.
Panasonic isn’t actually the first to come up with this idea and is, in fact, just the latest to join that bandwagon. Canon fired the first shot back in April with its EOS Webcam Utility and Fujifilm followed suit last month. What makes Panasonic’s version a bit different, however, is that it isn’t a completely new functionality but builds on its already existing LUMIX Tether software.
In this video I show how to use the software from Promote Systems with the Panasonic Lumix GH4 to take photos while tethered to your PC or Mac. Check out the software. USB Tether was designed from the ground up in cooperation with Panasonic in order to be fully compatible with LUMIX DMC-GH4 / DMC-GX8 cameras. With USB Tether for LUMIX, you will be able to release the shutter on your LUMIX DMC-GH4 / DMC-GX8 cameras from your computer or laptop, see or set camera settings, such as shutter speed, aperture or ISO. Panasonic’s LUMIX Tether for Streaming is still considered to be in Beta and is only available for Windows 10. It is also compatible with a small number of LUMIX cameras, namely the DC-GH5, DC. PANASONIC LUMIX GH4 Body 4K Mirrorless Camera, 16 Megapixels, 3 Inch Touch LCD, DMC-GH4KBODY (USA Black) 4.6 out of 5 stars 195. 99 $999.99 $999.99. Get it as soon as Thu, Dec 10. FREE Shipping by Amazon. Arrives before Christmas. Other options New and used from $624.99. With the free download of Lumix Tether which you can get with Lumix G9 camera ownership, you can control the camera, use Live View and move images to your computer in a snap via a USB cord. I shoot to a folder on my desktop and link Adobe Bridge to that folder. When an image is photographed, you can see it almost immediately. Lumix G9 on set.
LUMIX Tether, as the name suggests, allows owners of a select number of Panasonic’s cameras to control and take still photos on their computer. It shows a live view of what the camera sees as well as some GUI controls for accessing the camera’s settings. Those GUI panels, however, are a hindrance and distraction when streaming live which is what this new software is for.
Panasonic Lumix Gh4 Amazon
To put it simply, all that the LIVE VIEW mode for the new LUMIX Tether for Streaming does is to remove those panels and graphic items, showing only the live camera feed on the screen. This, presumably, is also what streaming or video chat software will see, giving the illusion that you’re using a high-end webcam. You can still, however, show that UI if you need to.
Panasonic’s LUMIX Tether for Streaming is still considered to be in Beta and is only available for Windows 10. It is also compatible with a small number of LUMIX cameras, namely the DC-GH5, DC-G9, DC-GH5S, DC-S1, DC-S1R, and DC-S1H. You’ll also have to connect via a USB cable, of course, so you’ll still have to prepare a convenient and unobtrusive way to position your camera.
From the ‘Best of Mark Toal’
Controlling your camera from your computer has been around for a while, but it has recently become available for the Panasonic Lumix GH4. New tethering software that’s available fromPromote Control Systemsallows you to control you camera from either a Mac OS or Windows computer and then automatically import the files to a folder on the computer’s desktop as you shoot.
Panasonic Lumix Dmc Gh4
There are many uses for this approach when you’re shooting product photos, portraits, school or sports photography. Nothing beats seeing your images immediately on a large screen in situations where you are shooing lots of images and want to make sure they are sharp and properly exposed. For professionals or aspiring pros, it’s also useful if you have a client that wants to see the photos as you shoot.
To see how easy it is to set up the Lumix GH4 take a look at the above video clip showing how to use the inexpensive ($49) software from Promote Control Systems and a USB cable. Tip: Use a USB 3.0 port (and cable) on your computer for faster file transfers.