Tethering Your Sony a7R IV to Lightroom Classic: A Comprehensive Guide


Tethering your Sony a7R IV (ILCE-7RM4) to Lightroom Classic can significantly streamline your workflow, allowing for real-time viewing of your images on your computer. This setup is particularly beneficial for collaborative shoots, where immediate feedback is crucial. Here's a detailed guide on how to successfully tether your Sony a7R IV (and similar models like the a7R III and a7R V) to Lightroom Classic, based on my experience with a PC running Windows 11 and a laptop running Windows 10.


Prerequisites


1. Lightroom Classic: Ensure you have updated Lightroom Classic to version 13.3 or higher.

2. Sony Camera Firmware: Confirm your Sony camera's firmware is up to date.

3. USB Cable: Use a high-speed USB cable (I recommend a 10 Gbps USB-C cable).


Step-by-Step Instructions


Step 1: Update Lightroom Classic


1. Open Adobe Creative Cloud.

2. Check for updates and install the latest version of Lightroom Classic (version 13.3 or higher).


Most recent fix. Try this next...


If you connect the camera in PC Remote mode, open Device Manager, and see a "Sony Remote Control Camera" under "libusbK USB Devices" then Lightroom Classic's tethering will not work. To fix this situation:

  • right-click "Sony Remote Control Camera"
  • choose "Update Driver"
  • choose "Browse my computer for drivers"
  • choose "Let me pick from an available list of drivers on my computer"
  • choose "MTP USB Device"



Step 2: Configure Your Sony Camera


1. Turn On PC Remote Function:

  - Press the `Menu` button on your camera.

  - Navigate to the "PC Remote Function" menu.

  - Ensure the "PC Remote" option is turned on.


2. Set Connection Method to USB:

  - Within the same "PC Remote Function" menu, set the "PC Remote Cnct Method" to "USB".


3. Set Image Save Destination:

  - Go to the second menu within "PC Remote Function".

  - Set "Still Img. Save Dest." to "PC+Camera".


4. Configure Image Save Format:

  - Set "RAW+J PC Save Img" to "RAW+JPEG". This is crucial because some systems may not transfer images to Lightroom unless both RAW and JPEG are enabled.


Step 3: Prepare Your Computer


1. Uninstall Sony's Imaging Software:

  - Uninstall all Sony Image Edge software from your computer. While this step is optional, it can help prevent potential conflicts.

  

2. Restart Your Computer(optional but recommended).


Step 4: Connect and Tether Your Camera


1. Start Tethered Capture in Lightroom Classic:

  - Open Lightroom Classic.

  - On the PC version, go to the "File" dropdown menu.

  - Hover over "Tethered Capture" and select "Start Tethered Capture".

  - Configure your save options as needed.


2. Connect Your Camera:

  - Restart or Turn on your camera.

  - Connect the USB cable to your camera and computer. It may take a few seconds for Lightroom to detect it initially.


3. Use the Tether Interface:

  - Once the camera is detected, a tethering interface bar will appear in Lightroom.

  - Test the live view by pressing the "Live" button in the tether interface bar.

  - Snap a picture to ensure it transfers into Lightroom correctly.


Troubleshooting Tips


- If Lightroom fails to detect your camera, double-check the USB connection and ensure all settings are correctly configured.

- Make sure both RAW and JPEG options are enabled for saving images to ensure compatibility with Lightroom.

- If you experience any lag or issues with image transfer, restarting your computer can help resolve potential software conflicts.



Final Thoughts


Tethering your Sony a7R IV to Lightroom Classic can transform your photography sessions by providing immediate visual feedback and enabling a smoother workflow. Whether you're working on a PC running Windows 11 or a laptop with Windows 10, following these steps should help you set up a reliable tethered shooting environment. Happy shooting!