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Capture Pilot overview

Lily
  • Updated

Capture Pilot is a powerful tool that enables photographers and clients to wirelessly view, rate, and capture images directly from Capture One Pro. Whether you're using an iOS device or a web browser, Capture Pilot enhances collaboration and streamlines the photography workflow. When using the Capture Pilot iOS app with the Camera Control feature, you can also wirelessly adjust and trigger a Phase One XF or 645 DF+ camera and IQ3/2 digital back when it is tethered to a computer running Capture One Pro. All the important capture settings such as aperture value, shutter speed, ISO, metering mode, and file formats are displayed and controlled from an easy-to-use panel in the app.

Watch the following video to learn how to set up Capture Pilot by creating a computer-to-computer network with a MacBook and an iPad:

Connecting an iOS Device to Capture One

To connect your iOS device to Capture One:

  1. Ensure both your computer running Capture One Pro and your iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. In Capture One Pro, navigate to the Capture Pilot tool located at the bottom of the Capture tool tab.
    Pilot_tab.png
  3. Select the Basic tab and enter a name in the Server Name field or use the default document name.
  4. From the Folder menu, choose the folder of images you wish to share.
  5. Optionally, set a password in the Password field to restrict access.
  6. In the Publish To menu, select Mobile or Mobile and Web based on your needs.
  7. Click Start Image Server.
    Start Server Pilot.png
  8. On your iOS device, open the Capture Pilot app and select the server name from the list. Enter the password if prompted.
    mceclip0.png

 

Alternative Connection Methods

If a standard Wi-Fi network isn't available, you can use alternative methods to connect your iOS device:

Internet Sharing on macOS

Note: This may not work on macOS Sonoma and further.

  1. On your Mac, go to System Preferences Sharing and highlight Internet Sharing (do not enable it yet).
  2. Set Share your connection from to Ethernet.
  3. In the To computers using panel, check Wi-Fi.
  4. Click Wi-Fi Options to configure the network name and password.
  5. Enable Internet Sharing and click Start.
  6. On your iOS device, connect to the newly created Wi-Fi network and open the Capture Pilot app to select the server.

Creating a Computer-to-Computer Wi-Fi Network in macOS

Note: This may not work on macOS Sonoma and further.

To create a direct Wi-Fi connection between your Mac and iOS device:

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Create Network.
  2. Name the network and choose a channel (use Wireless Diagnostics to find the best channel).
  3. Click Create. Your Mac will now broadcast a Wi-Fi network.
  4. Connect your iOS device to this network and open the Capture Pilot app to select the server.

Browsing Images on iOS Devices

With Capture Pilot on your iOS device, you can:

  • Adjust thumbnail sizes using the S, M, and L options.
  • Tap thumbnails to view images in full-screen mode.
  • Zoom in up to 200% by pinching the screen.
  • Swipe to navigate between images.
  • Use the pause icon to freeze the current image during tethered shooting.

browsing_images_pilot.png

Adding Color Tags and Star Ratings

To rate and tag images from your iOS device:

  1. In Capture One Pro, go to the Capture Pilot tool and select the Mobile tab.
  2. Enable the Rate images and/or Color tag images options.
  3. On your iOS device, tap the star icon in the bottom toolbar to apply ratings and color tags.

rate_images_pilot.png

Displaying Histograms in Capture Pilot

To view histograms on your iOS device:

  1. Tap an image to open it in full-screen mode.
  2. Press the histogram icon in the bottom toolbar to overlay the histogram.
  3. Drag the histogram to reposition it if necessary.
  4. Tap the histogram to view additional information like camera model, lens, file format, and white balance settings.

histogram_pilot.png

Using Capture Pilot in a Web Browser

Capture Pilot also offers a web interface accessible via any internet-enabled device:

Setting Up Web Access

  1. In Capture One Pro, navigate to the Capture Pilot tool and select the Basic tab.
    web_pilot_3.png
  2. In the Publish To menu, choose Mobile and Web or Web Browser.
  3. Select the Web tab and choose a theme.
    web_pilot_4.png
  4. Enable Rate Images and Color Tag Images as needed.
  5. Click Start Image Server. You may be prompted for your system password.
    web_pilot_5.png
  6. Share the provided URL with clients or team members to grant access.

Web Viewing Modes

  • Capture Pilot Classic: Displays a contact sheet of thumbnails. Click on any thumbnail to view the image in full-screen.
  • Full-Screen Mode: Shows a single image with options to rate and tag. A filmstrip of thumbnails appears at the bottom.
    web_pilot_8.png

Making Adjustments in Capture Pilot

View Histogram and Exposure Data

Press the Histogram icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen (on an iOS device) to view or remove a floating, movable histogram. In addition to the brightness range, exposure information (where supported) is also displayed.

Add Color Tags and Star Ratings

Tap any thumbnail to view a full-screen image. Press the Star icon in the bottom toolbar of the Capture Pilot display on your iOS device. A window will appear where you can apply both color and star ratings.

Adjust White Balance

You can adjust and update the white balance on captured images wirelessly using your iOS device in combination with a Phase One IQ3/2-series system camera, or when tethered with other supported camera systems.

  1. Tap any thumbnail to view a full-screen image.
  2. Press the Eye-Dropper icon in the bottom toolbar.
  3. A circular sight with cross-hairs will appear. Drag it to an area that should be white or neutral grey. The sight becomes active (turns orange) when dragged.
  4. Lift your finger to apply the correction.

Change Exposure Settings and Trigger Capture

On an iOS device, press the Camera icon in the bottom-left corner of the Capture Pilot display. A floating window will appear with exposure controls.

  • Adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO: Long press the respective number to open a menu of settings, or swipe the virtual dial next to it.
  • Trigger the shutter: Press the Shutter button. The image will be saved directly to your designated Capture One folder.

Remote Shooting with Capture Pilot

Capture Pilot allows for remote camera control, enhancing flexibility during shoots. In addition to browsing and rating images served by Capture One Pro via a computer, the Capture Pilot iOS app offers wireless remote control, image browsing, and geotagging with Phase One and A-series IQ3/2 system cameras using Wi-Fi. Wireless streaming of live view is also possible in conjunction with Phase One and the Alpa A-series IQ3 100/50MP and IQ250 models. In addition, by adopting the Alpa smart device holder, an iOS device can be directly mounted to the A-series camera and used as an electronic viewfinder. With Phase One IQ3/2 based system cameras, you can capture images, validate exposure and composition, and adjust ISO, exposure compensation, shutter speed, and aperture value wireless from your iOS device. Camera Control is automatically enabled when a Phase One IQ3 digital back is connected to Capture Pilot and is optionally available as an in-app purchase for other camera models (please be sure to check compatibility first). Only the aforementioned cameras can be operated directly using an iOS device, however, some other camera models from Phase One, Leaf, Canon and Nikon can still be controlled remotely, provided that those are tethered to a Mac or Windows computer running Capture One Pro (version 6.2 or later). Please note that Camera Control has limited functionality with the A-series models due to their manual, mechanical features.

Phase One IQ3/2 System Cameras

  • Wireless access via local network or ad-hoc mode.
  • Adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation remotely.
  • Stream live view images and update white balance (IQ3 100/50MP and IQ250 models).
  • Remotely release the shutter and confirm focus, composition, and exposure.
  • Geotag images in real-time or post-shoot.

A-Series System Cameras

  • Wireless access using ad-hoc mode or local network.
  • Stream live view images (IQ3 100/50MP and IQ250 models).
  • Confirm focus, composition, and exposure remotely.
  • Identify current Rodenstock lens selection.
  • Geotag images in real-time or post-shoot.

Supported Phase One, Leaf, Canon, and Nikon Models

  • Wireless access via local network or ad-hoc mode when tethered to a computer running Capture One Pro.
  • Adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation remotely.
  • Remotely release the shutter and update white balance.
  • Confirm focus, composition, and exposure remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Capture Pilot?

Capture Pilot is an application that allows photographers and clients to wirelessly view, rate, and capture images directly from Capture One Pro using iOS devices or web browsers.

How do I connect my iOS device to Capture One?

Ensure both your computer and iOS device are on the same Wi-Fi network. In Capture One Pro, set up the Capture Pilot server and connect to it via the Capture Pilot app on your iOS device.

Can I use Capture Pilot without a Wi-Fi network?

Yes, you can create a computer-to-computer network or use internet sharing on macOS to establish a connection between your Mac and iOS device.

Is it possible to control my camera remotely with Capture Pilot?

Yes, Capture Pilot allows remote camera control for supported Phase One, Leaf, Canon, and Nikon models when tethered to a computer running Capture One Pro.

Can clients view images without installing the app?

Yes, clients can access images via a web browser using the Capture Pilot web function, which offers both Classic and Full-Screen viewing modes.

 

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