The Autosave function of Nikon Capture allows files to be transferred directly from the
camera to the computers hard disk via Firewire. As the image is transferred a number of
automatic operations can be performed such as:
- resizing
- colour balancing
- file conversion
- sharpening
- renaming (both prefix, suffix and sequential numbering)
This type of set-up can be useful in the following situations:
- Studio use where the image will appear directly on the computer without the need for
transferring images by compact flash card.
- Industrial use where the images can be automatically renamed according to a project,
job, etc and can be transferred directly to a server computer.
- Journalism where pictures can be transferred directly and immediately to a base station
by Wireless LAN for upload to the wire service/agency/newsdesk, complete with a unique
filename prefix and suffix to identify the photographer and location.
- Scientific use where RAW files must be saved and compact flash cards do not provide
adequate capacity.
However, one concern expressed by users has been the risk of losing images in demanding
situations, should the firewire cable become disconnected. This page gives advice on how
to set up the camera to minimise any risks in such situations.
Hot Connect/Disconnect
The Firewire (1394, iLink) interface is capable of "hot disconnect and
reconnect". This means that if the Firewire cable is accidentally disconnected at any
time, including during image transfer, the connection can be re-established by simply
plugging in again. The same applies if the camera is turned off and on again, for example
for a battery change. Any images that were in the camera buffer memory are lost, but the
connection can be re-established without need to re-start the computer or Nikon Capture.
Keep a CF card in the Camera
If there is a CF card in the camera, then should the Firewire cable become
disconnected, the images will be sent to the CF card instead. With the CF card inserted,
the buffer display count in the viewfinder will change to show the number of images
remaining in the buffer rather than the symbol -E-, allowing the observant user to
immediately spot that the camera is sending images to the CF card rather than the
computer. Wait until the last file has been transferred and then reconnect the firewire
cable. After a second or so, the Autosave function will restart and all subsequent images
will once again be sent directly to the computer.
Use automatic FTP to send files to remote computer
If the destination of the files is to be a remote server which may from time-to-time
become unavailable (for example when using Wireless LAN or in an industrial situation
where a LAN cable might become disconnected) do not try to use this remote server disk as
the folder to which Nikon Capture sends the images, as if the server connection is lost,
Nikon Capture may fail. Instead use a program such as Distribution Manager from
Fotoware™ to move the files from the Nikon Capture Autosave folder to the server by
FTP. This will ensure that the Autosave function keeps working regardless of any back-end
communications issues.
