Into the future – part 2

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In the last post we announced that we are indeed actively working on a new version of Sofortbild and why it’s taking us so long. Today we’ll share a few more details about that upcoming version.

Supported Cameras

As outlined in part 1 and elsewhere, Sofortbild relies on a component provided by Nikon to talk to cameras, called an SDK. Sofortbild can only support models for which Nikon provides that component. This means we will be able to support the following models going forward, as only those SDKs are compatible with OS X El Capitan:

ZURFRONT-FINAL-s

  • D3
  • D300/D300S
  • D3S/D3X
  • D4/D4S
  • D5*
  • D500
  • D5000/D5100/D5200/D5300/D5500
  • D600/D610
  • D700
  • D7000/D7100/D7200
  • D750
  • D800/D800E
  • D810/D810A
  • D90
  • Df
  • Nikon 1 V3

This also means that all other/older camera models are no longer supported, even if they used to work in earlier versions of Sofortbild. We are very sorry about this, but there’s simply no other possibility. Read on for potential workarounds.

We may be able to support future Nikon cameras as we did in the past. We’ll share details once new cameras and SDKs become available.

As we keep getting lots of requests: Nikon has never released an SDK for the D3xxx series, so it’s doubtful that this will change in the future. Most likely you’ll always need at least a D5xx series camera.

OS X Compatibility

imagesRight now Sofortbild does not at all work on OS X El Capitan, as of this writing the most recent version of the Mac operating system. Obviously our most important goal is to offer a solution for the latest and greatest OS.

Mac OS X updates have been available free of charge for a several years, and most Macs that were able to run Mac OS X Lion (v 10.8) are still able to run OS X El Capitan today.

These facts and our limited time for implementation and testing mean that going forward Sofortbild will require at least OS X El Capitan (v 10.11.x).

Workarounds

What to do if you can’t run the lastest Mac OS X or you have a camera that’s no longer supported in the upcoming version?

We will try to offer Sofortbild version 1.3.x as direct download, free for everyone. This version works all the way back to Mac OS X Leopard (v 10.6.x) and runs fine on older Macs.

This version will continue to use the old SDKs, so it supports all older camera models including the old legacy supported ones that are listed in the FAQs.

As long as you have a combination of older camera and older Mac, you will be good to go. However, if you have a fairly new camera, you’ll need a modern Mac and likewise, if you have a Mac running El Capitan you need one of the cameras listed above.

Next steps

We still have to figure out a number of things that are now broken since the move to El Capitan and 64-bit. Once most functionality is back, we will most likely do some kind of beta testing, as we don’t have access all supported hardware. We’ll share more details as that approaches.

There will be also at least one more post on the future version soon. Keep checking back…

 
 
* While Nikon has provided an SDK for the D5, it unfortunately is incomplete and does not work. We are hoping for an update soon.

110 Comments for “Into the future – part 2”

Martin

says:

Development transparency is much appreciated guys! Thank you! Do you have a beta channel where one can test pre-release versions? Also if you’re in need of any UI / UX / Design help, let me know!

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Scott Cushman

says:

I’m so glad to hear about the progress! My office has a D300s, D750, D800, D810 and D7000 if you need testers for those cameras.

Reply

says:

Awesome news, Florian. I’ve had to use other software in the mean time but wait with baited breath for this software as it is by far the best. I’d be happy to test with my D810, El Cap (10.111.3), MacBook Pro Retina 2.5Ghz, i7, 16GB Ram, if you need any help.

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josh lapin

says:

Version 1.3 will not see my D90. what am i doing wrong? When i plug the camera in iPhotos opens and wants to download my pics. but for some reason there is no tethering to sofortbild?

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Clint

says:

I’m just getting into tethered shooting and it wasn’t working with my mac. I’m on lightroom 5.7 and frustrated they probably won’t update this software to fix it. I’m looking forward to your software fix so I can tether my D5300 to my mac…

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Julie

says:

Thank you guys! Hope you can resolve the problem very soon. I use the software for my research work and I might be stuck as I updated to El-Capitan on my laptop and the one from work is a new one so El-Capitan already. AAaaahhh, If had known I would have stay on Yosemite on my laptop. I was really getting excited to start working again when I got all the material I needed and now realise that I cannot use my favourite software ;(
That said, I’m happy to run test with the D5200, if that helps. Let me know!

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says:

Thanks, Florian. I’m happy to help test, as we use your app in high-volume production all day, every day. Currently relegated to a D700, but happy to test with a D810 as soon as a beta is ready.

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Chris

says:

I’m so happy, you continue work on a new Version.
If you are interested, i can test with D300 and el Capitan

Reply

Bil Nguyen

says:

Sofortbild is fantastic software.

I haven’t used it for many years, but a new project has arrived and with it the need to time-lapse, so I am excited to see there will be a new release of Sofortbild.

A feature that I haven’t found anywhere is tethered shooting on a schedule. For example, time-lapse of a backyard sunrise to sunset for 6 months. (Time-lapse that excluds night time.)

If there was an iOS version of Sofortbild, we could time-lapse out the window with all the old iPhones, iPads, and iTouches available.

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Philippos Slicher

says:

Will test a d5100 and d7200 if needed! Cheers to you guys, love the app and can’t wait for it to be back 🙂

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Luke Tassoi

says:

I am willing to beta test the Nikon D610. Nothing supports this body and it’s killing me! 🙁

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Laurent

says:

D800 and the app dont see my camera, is it logical ? config : mbAIR, D800, and soforbild, what can I do to make it works ? thank you

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Jason

says:

Any news? If there are no plans to revive this, it might be time to make some sort of announcement and get it off of the App store.

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Florian

says:

In addition to the models mentioned initially, the D500 will also be supported. In theory also the D5, but unfortunately the SDK from Nikon is not working right now.

Reply

says:

Florian,

Any update of the status of the new version or beta. We have a busy art department and shoot 500+ products a year (3,100+ images this year and counting). We would be happy to test a beta using our D7000.

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Florian

says:

Please check the new beta!

Reply

says:

If this is not the place to post beta testing results, please advise.

Brief test of the current beta (shows as 1.5b5 (93), with Nikon D90 and MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), running latest Mac OS X (10.11.6):

Able to connect! The few basic functions I tried are all OK! More testing later, but so far THANKS!

P. S. Would be nice to be able to get “Live View” window to go full screen.

Bill Halberstadt

Reply

Florian

says:

Thanks for the feedback so far! Re sharing results, we have built feedback functionality into the app for your convenience.

This release is about getting the app to work, new features later.

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Luke T

says:

How can I beta test this? Nikon d610

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Florian

says:

Can you please outline your exact setup (Mac, OS) and the steps you are performing to make it work?

We do have at least one report of success with the D610 on OS X 10.11.6.

says:

Just downloaded and installed it, got it all set up and ran some test shots. So far so good. Thanks!! We are about to get going on our busy cycle so this is the perfect time for us to test this. Thank you.

Reply

Florian

says:

It’s the perfect time to test!

Reply

says:

Florian,

Wanted to leave some feedback.

2,352 images taken (800+ products) since downloading the beta with no noticeable issues. I think we had the machine lock once, but it also runs syncing software for our web image library so that may have been the culprit.

From a user’s perspective it runs exactly like the previous version which is a VERY good thing as we love this app and it has been an essential part of our workflow for at least 6 years.

Our setup:
D7000
27″ iMac (Late 2009) 3GHZ C2D (4GB RAM)
Running OSX 10.11.6
All shots captured to network drive via Sofortbild. High Res JPEG (no RAW).

This machine is used to shoot products and sync web images to a web server. No other applications run on it.

Florian

says:

Thank you very much for the feedback, that’s great to hear. Unfortunately there are still a few users with issues, so it’s not yet time to call it a release. We’ll keep you posted on the progress.

Cheers,

f l o r i a n

Kurt Lang

says:

Woo-hoo! Just saw there was a 1.5 El Capitan beta and immediately downloaded it. Works perfectly on our 2011 (mid 2010 model) Mac Pro under 10.11.6 using a Nikon D800. No more booting into Yosemite to take tethered shots!

Reply

r short

says:

It (1.5 beta 6) recognizes my 810 and will control the camera (can take photos) but the photos won’t show in viewer and are not importing into the folder. Using a MacBook Pro Retina 2012 running El Capitan 11.6. My 600 works great…. I can’t help but think its something on the 810….

Reply

Florian

says:

Thanks for the feedback! We have heard that before, so we are aware. Unfortunately we don’t (yet) know a good solution. Complicated to explain, but in brief, it’s absolutely not easy to work with that Nikon SDK on modern macOS. We’ll try our best.

Reply

UdaySutaria

says:

Hello Florian, I’m Fan of SOFORTBILD app. Its really easy to use. Eagerly waiting for the updated version. I’d like to know approx when it will be available for OS X El Capitan.

Reply

Florian

says:

Honestly, we don’t know yet. Our time for the project is extremely limited and we still have users with problems using the new version.

Reply

Raffaele

says:

HI, it is the same for me.
I have Nikon D810 FW 1.11 and MacBook Pro retina 13-inch Late 2013 i7, 16Gb.
It is possible control the camera but I don’t see the picture in my MacBook.
Many Thanks

Reply

Florian

says:

Can you please try again with the new version 1.5 beta 7 available at http://www.sofortbildapp.com/beta/ ?

Reply

Raffaele

says:

I tried the new version 1.5b7 but is the same.
I see the camera data in my MacBook but I don’t see the pictures.
MacOS version 10.12.1
Thanks
Regards

Florian

says:

Thanks for the feedback, and sorry it doesn’t work, still. Sorry for not remembering: what camera model are you using?
You can press the capture button in the UI and the camera captures, but the image never shows up in Sofortbild? Do you see the spinner in the lower right of the window spinning? Does it stop eventually, or continue spinning forever?

says:

Florian , How can I get a key to test the beta version on D7100 ? I just bought my Imac and sadly found that the sofort bild I downloaded from Itunes does not work with El Capitan . I am a youtuber and record my videos remotelly … now I have no option , can zou lease help me ?

Reply

Rachel

says:

If only the activation codes for the beta version were recognised! Disappointed as I really would have loved to test this with a D800.

Reply

Florian

says:

Please retry downloading a code.

Reply

Rachel

says:

Florian! You are awesome. Thank you. 🙂 The activation code has worked – I can’t wait to start playing around with the app. I have some physical limitations and this app has the potential to really help the quality and quantity of my work. I’m very much looking forward to trying everything out! Thank you again 🙂

Reply

Robert

says:

Unfortunately, the activation code for the BETA version always gives me an error – even when I press on Buy License, i get re-directed to the BETA page where I can download a new *.pdf containing a different activation code, but no matter how often I try – it is always incorrect. Any way I can get the program started?

Reply

Florian

says:

Sorry, the codes did run out. I just entered new ones. Please retry.

Cheers,

f l o r i a n

Reply

Thom

says:

Thank you for the New Codes! – Just after an initial play -It’s working!!!! Thanks – However:- I can’t control the settings of the camera whilst the LV is selected… is this deliberate? Nor can I fire the Shutter when LV is selected, LV disables all controls on the Camera and the Computer.. but does give crisp real time images! Which is great! Thanks & Keep up the good work!

D800 & macbook pro – late2013 16gb graphics top of the range card etc…

Reply

Florian

says:

Thanks for the feedback! It’s not intentional, but that’s how the naive version of the Live View works right now. Unfortunately Nikon cameras are very inflexible in this area. Once we have the 1.5 final out of the door, we will look into improving Live View.

Reply

Rob

says:

Hi Florian,

I have just tried the activation code from http://www.sofortbildapp.com/beta/ and it is invalid.

I am looking forward to using the app with children with physical disabilities – they can control a Mac with various bluetooth software and thus control a camera!

Many thanks

Rob

Reply

Florian

says:

Sorry Rob, ran out of codes. New ones available now, please try again.

Please also let me know if Sofortbild works for your needs.

Cheers,

f l o r i a n

Reply

Michael

says:

Hi Florian,

Trying to open Sofortbild today and and error message is coming up:
“This beta version of Sofortbild has expired”

I tried downloaded again from the beta page but the same error appears – is there a new version available?

Cheers,

Michael

Reply

Bill

says:

Downloaded the beta – no problem. Unzipped – no problem. Ran application. Opens, but not functional. No menu choices, nothing in the app works. Can’t even close it without doing Force Quit. Running 10.12.6 on a MacBook Pro Retina. Will be happy to try whatever you suggest and report back.

Bill

Reply

Florian

says:

Hi Bill,

not sure what happened, never heard that before. Didn’t you see the sheet to enter the activation code?

Cheers,

f l o r i a n

Reply

Michael Holden

says:

activation code
infinity of numbers
how can we run out

Reply

Florian

says:

Hi Michael,

thanks for your reminder.

This is a public beta test. We want to keep an eye of people downloading and using the app vs. people providing valuable feedback for the product they’re using for free.

New codes are available now. Thanks for testing and providing feedback.

Cheers,

f l o r i a n

Reply

says:

Stoked to test this. Using with a D810. So far my test shows app looks fine but when I capture no images appears on the screen. I need to dig a little further in as it may be something wrong in my camera settings. It’s late in the studio so that could be the problem. Ha!

Reply

Florian

says:

Ti Timm, please let us know how things go. We get continued reports of sporadic problems, but so far no clue what the problem could be, as the very same setup (macOS and camera model) works for other users. And we can’t possibly test all combinations, constrained by time and money. Cheers, Florian

Reply

roberto salazar

says:

Running Sofortbild on MacOS High Sierra. Camera is D5100. It’s recognized but Sofortbild does not show the what the camera is seeing, in other words, it does not show on computer the image until you’ve taken the shot. I thought it’s suppose to show the view on the computer. Another issue is Live View is not working on Sofortbild.

Reply

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