With the release of Capture One 16.6.3, we’re introducing wireless tethering for LUMIX S1RII, S1II, and S1IIE cameras. A milestone which was made possible through a close collaboration between our engineering team and Panasonic. One of the key people behind this development is Henrik Jessen, Principal Software Engineer at Capture One. Henrik has been with the company for seven years and plays a crucial role in our camera support team—handling file support, color science, lenses, and tethering. He was deeply involved in planning and designing the wireless tethering implementation from day one. Below is our conversation with Henrik about how it all came together.
What is Tethering and Why It Matters to Photographers
Tethering means connecting a camera to a computer or an iPad while shooting. Most commonly, this allows the images to transfer immediately from the camera to the device, so you can review, adjust, and even share them in real-time. It’s a key part of studio photography workflows. Tethering can also enable Live View and remote control of camera settings—especially helpful when the camera is mounted out of reach.
The Challenges of Wireless Tethering and How We Solved Them
We all use WiFi daily, so it’s easy to forget how complex wireless communication actually is. Compared to USB, the main challenges are speed and reliability.
While we can’t match USB speeds over WiFi right now, for many photographers that’s not critical—especially when typical image transfer delays are around 3–6 seconds, depending on your WiFi setup and camera settings. Not long ago, these kinds of delays were the standard for USB tethered performance.
But reliability is where things get tricky. Photographers move around during a shoot, and that can weaken or block the WiFi signal. We put a lot of effort into testing disconnect and reconnect scenarios to make sure Capture One and the camera handle those transitions smoothly.
Collaborating with Panasonic to Build Wireless Tethering for LUMIX
The project had two phases: first, USB tethering; then, wireless over WiFi.
Generally, Panasonic shared camera specifications and insights, while we brought deep knowledge of real-world tethering workflows. For this wireless implementation, it was a true joint effort—Panasonic developed firmware while we worked on Capture One in parallel. We exchanged incremental builds, test results, questions, and feedback continuously throughout development.
What Makes the LUMIX S1 Series Unique for Wireless Tethering
Panasonic created a brand-new tethering protocol for wireless, incorporating enhanced encryption and data security. That’s important across the board in today’s IT landscape, but it also added complexity. Developing secure features demands a different mindset and stricter procedures to make sure we get it right.
Inside Our Tethering Test Setup at Capture One
Capture One runs on Mac, Windows, and iOS—and we support tethering for over 150 cameras, many of which offer both USB and wireless connections. That creates a huge web of combinations to validate.
Fortunately, most of our tethering logic is in a separated software component that works across platforms, so we develop once and integrate everywhere.
I mostly work on a Mac, but I have a Windows PC on my desk too, plus access to various computers, iPads, cables, and network gear. And yes, we have a big cabinet full of cameras. Our Test Team runs broader test plans for releases, but I like to test by using Capture One like a real photographer—walking around, shooting, checking results. That kind of hands-on approach always gives valuable insights.
Unexpected Discoveries from Building Wireless Tethering
With our experience building tethering, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Usually, we can get the basic functionality working quickly. But then comes the long, detailed work of finding edge cases, improving reliability, and polishing everything to production quality. That phase takes focus and resilience—but that’s where the real value is.
How Wireless Tethering Transforms the LUMIX Shooting Experience
Different photographers will benefit in different ways, but the key is flexibility. Wireless is ideal for situations where you need mobility more than sheer speed.
Here’s a personal example: I was recently photographing my 1-year-old niece. With a toddler running around, wireless tethering made a world of difference—it let me stay agile while still reviewing shots on my laptop.
Cross-Team Collaboration at Capture One: Making Tethering Happen
There were three main teams involved:
- Our Strategic Partnerships Team, who handled the collaboration with Panasonic, coordinated goals, and kept the process aligned.
- The Camera Support Engineering Team (aka the RAW Team), which I’m part of. We had two engineers focused on LUMIX tethering—myself and Nathan Galmiche. You can also hear from Nathan in our Instagram interview, where he talks about the project from his point of view. You can find it below.
- And the Test Team, who defined and ran acceptance tests before release.
A Message to Photographers Trying Wireless Tethering for the First Time
We know this has been a highly requested feature, and I’m really happy we’re now delivering it. I hope this gives LUMIX users more freedom and new ways to shoot—and makes your workflow just a little bit easier.
Try Wireless Tethering for LUMIX and More – Now on Desktop and Mobile with Capture One
Whether you’re using a LUMIX S1RII, S1II, or S1IIE—make sure your firmware is up to date and
Download the latest version of Capture One 16.6.3
Panasonic user? You can also claim an exclusive 3-month free trial of Capture One, perfect even if your camera doesn’t support tethering.
Get the 3-months trial offer here
Using a different camera? Capture One supports tethering for over 150 models, including wireless options.
Check if your camera is compatible here
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