The current versions of Canon’s tethering software packages EOS Utility 2 and EOS Utility 3 (for the 1Dx, 5DMK3 and 7DMk2) and their RAW processor Digital Photo Professional are not compatible with the latest version of Mac OS X 10.10 aka Yosemite. I’ve spoken to several Canon technical representatives and public relations people who are quietly aware of the issue. They report they have no information about when these applications will be updated. The workaround for those who tether is to use Lightroom.
The Problem…
The workaround has a big issue. The two versions of EOS Utility sense when a Canon camera is connected to a Mac’s USB port and automatically launch. A dialog for each of the programs appears indicating its incompatibility.
As soon as they launch and the dialog box is closed by clicking OK or LSK_Button_OK, a conflict with tethering a Canon camera to Lightroom sends the word busy to the viewfinder of the camera.
Workarounds
Sometimes powering off the camera off then on again will allow Lightroom to connect. Sometimes a restart will help. The only real solution is to either delete the Canon software from the Mac so it cannot auto launch or to downgrade back to OS X 10.9 Mavericks.
Concerns
Apple made beta versions of Yosemite available to developers at the World Wide Developers Conference 2014 last June. Public betas were available as a free download beginning on July 30, 2014. It is concerning that a major supplier of professional as well as prosumer and consumer DSLR cameras would not have its software updated before Mac’s much publicized operating system was released. At the minimum, Canon might have been concerned enough to warn it’s customers many of whom make their living shooting tethered, not to upgrade their computers. As it is, Canon acknowledges that there are no updates available to solve the issue at this time as a note under the Drivers & Software section of each camera as shown for my Canon 1Dx.
Canon’s website knows about OS X Yosemite and even detects that it is running on the computer that browses the page. The sad part is they also note that “There is no software [or] utility for the OS version you selected.” Photographers that rely on tethering their Canon cameras either with Canon’s software or with Lightroom have not been well served in this case. That said, Canon will fix the problem and all will be well again.
It’s not Canon’s fault, it’s Apple breaking things again. Time to dump the Mac and go back to Windows – cheaper, faster, more stable.
Not really a choice of many… on top of that.. the betas been out for quite some time.. they could have made it work.
Seriously…Michal? It absolutley is Canons fault for not being more aware of its customer base. Apple and Microsoft develop software, it’s up individual manufacturers to develop drivers for that new OS. Canon has always been slow to react. I have a highend HP business printing machine, guess what.. downloaded the Yosemite drivers yesterday, worked like a charm. Way to go HP! Get off the stick Canon. Oh Yeah Michal, good idea…lets dump Apple (which is the worlds best OS for digital photography) and jump on the defunct Windows 8.1 platform. Also you said, “Windows” and “stable” in the same sentence..duh!… Read more »
Agreed Joe. I’m one of those who shoots tethered in studio for a living and am amazed that Canon would drop the ball like this (amazed but not surprised). And going back to 10.9 is not a simple operation. In fact near impossible in my experience. Fortunately I shoot other camera systems too and can slide over to them but when DSLR is required for a particular job it is a major inconvenience. As was said…at the minimum a statement/warning would have been nice. Something along the lines of: Sorry we suck at keeping up with major software releases of… Read more »
It is now May 2015 and Canon still don’t have firmware for the 5D MK3 to run with Yosemite. I use a card reader as a simple work-a-round.
I am trying to import Raw photos from a card reader into the new Photos on my new iMac with Yosemite 10.10 and it only recognizes the jpegs from my chip, not the Raw files. Any solution?
Totally agree that is ridiculous! Yes, let me dump my freaking Apple bc they have YET AGAIN another freaking problem. Heaven forbid the all mighty Apple might not be so f*****g Almighty! Seriously? WTH! Had I known I would not have bought my new Canon. I can’t download and edit my pics?! Nice Apple! I swear. Focus on your computers and not a watch that can’t be used unless you also carry your phone. Steve would expect more and so do it.
Yes. It is Canon’s fault. Apple made beta copies of Yosemite available to Canon. Canon just failed to make their software capable. It’s all Canon’s fault.
Not necessarily. I’ve been on the beta program before and have seen last minute changes made between versions.
I have never opened the disk that came with my camera. How many people shooting 1dx’s are really using Canon’s software for tethering. This is mostly a non-issue, bordering on click-bait. The list of “sponsors” is longer than the article. I am a long time reader and listener to the podcast. Lets just say, I very much miss Scott Bourne.
Gee Mike… we’e so sorry that our free content offends you. Our partners help fund our writers so we can bring you 100+ free articles a month, 3 podcasts, and 2 hangouts. Kevin is a longtime Canon user and was looking out for other users. The article covers the problem, suggests a workaround, and challenges why a major company couldn’t keep their drivers up to date with 6 months notice. The software does more than tethering… it’s how you update you camera and load shooting profiles. But seeing that’s useless to you, it must benefit no one else. Scott’s still… Read more »
If the title had be why its important to you that you can’t run EOS utility on OSX 10.10 and mentioned camera updates, shooting profiles as well as tethering. I think it would have been much more useful and I would have never commented. I applaud anyone for calling out Canon and Nikon for being sluggish and or not innovating. I own Canon, they can’t even get their website to run reliably on Google Chrome and its been out much longer the 6 months. Perhaps, my remarks, as if often the case didn’t translate well to text. My apologizes if… Read more »
Scott has been posting about once a week. Headlines have to be short, but attention grabbing… we do our best.
No, Mike. It’s not a non issue. Many working photographers with commercial clients (sup as myself) use DPP.
I could not comment on DPP and EOS Utility 2 usability for the 1Dx, 5DMK3 and 7DMk2. However, DPP (3.14.41) and EOS Utility for OS X 10.9 Mavericks work with 5DMK2 on Yosemite.
I have always found Canon slow to update their OEM software to work with OS updates. The point about the Yosemite public beta is well-taken, but you’d think that *someone* on Canon’s software team would be part of the Developer Program with access to the documentation and pre-releases needed to test their drivers and software. From my perspective it’s inexcusable.
Ugh!! i’m so annoyed with canon! I just tried to do this today, noticed the problem and found this article after trying to trouble shoot. I like Lightroom, but it doesn’t allow for live preview/live shooting mode. Is there any other software you would recommend? or do you think canon will eventually release an update?
Ok I need help, please. I have a Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (rather new to the DSLR world) and the only way I knew how to get my images off my camera and onto my iMac was tethering the USB cord and opening EOS Utility. With the update to my Mac to Yosemite, obviously the software is no longer compatible. Are there any other ways to get the images to my computer??? I’ve never used Lightroom before.
Thanks in advance!
Your choices are many. You can use iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom, or Image Capture among others to import your photos. You don’t need Canon software to download from your camera.
I don’t think so. Unless “Modish and Main” is referring to tethering. I interpreted his question to be about how to get photos from his camera to his iMac.
Any other ideas if the video you’re attempting to import tethered from camera into Mac “might be” corrupted. Plays fine on the camera, which shows as connected and the video thumbnail shows but iPhoto (Yosemite) only indicates can’t download but doesn’t give a specific reason why.
I am in the same boat. However, the only thing I have found to be a workaround so far with my EOS Rebel T3 and OS X 10.10 Yosemite, is to use an SD Card adapter to the USB port and then Lightroom can import from there.
I have a 700D and the issues describes as above. I try to connect to the camera via Adobe Bridge and with Yosemite the camera is ‘invisible’ in Bridge. (was not the case with Maverick).
My solution is to put the card in an usb card reader and voila; there it is in Bridge. Not ideal but……
Hans Luitjens has posted a somewhat kludgy workaround for Yosemite users at dpreview.com.
Here’s the link: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54677323
thanks for the valuable info..
I have a Canon 5D MKII and Yosemite. Download EOS Utility version 3.0.1 and intall to fix this isuue.
Tested on two different MacBook Pro’s using two different cameras. Hope this helps.
Strawman, please advise where I should go to get this EOS Utility version 3.0.1 that works on Yosemite. I have used EOS Utility since I purchased my 5D MkIII and I have no idea how at this point to get my RAW images onto my computer. iPhoto uploads as JEPG. I am VERY frustrated at this point with Canon.
You can download EOS Utility 3.0.1 from this link http://www.userdrivers.com/Digital-Camera/Canon-EOS-Utility-3-0-1-for-Mac-OS-X/download/
sorry…didn’t see this post. this is most likely the answer to my above question.
I downloaded this (eeeeke!) hope it works and is truly a Canon download. I’ll let you know what my experience is with it.
That did the trick. Thanks Strawman!
need it to work with lightroom and photoshop CS5…. does anybody can help me?
ty!
I just updated to Yosemite and now cannot download anything from my Rebel T5i. Sees the camera and shows the image but won’t import tethered. Will that utility mentioned above work? Any other ideas. I’m not far north of a beginner. Have never had this problem before. Tethered and photos/videos imported just fine.
Turns out the Utility is still not seeing my Rebel XT but the software listed by STRAWMAN afew posts up does install and run so there’s one step closer.
Thanks, mate!
Canon updated the EOS software (for Mavericks) on Nov. 4th. I downloaded, installed, and it’s working for Yosemite (they have yet to update their Yosemite downloads section).
– On Canon’s site in Drivers and Software, switch the operating system on the drop down menu from “OS X Yosemite v10.10 (Detected)” to “OS X Mavericks v10.9”.
– Under Software select “EOS Utility 3.1.0a for Mac OS X 11/04/14 38.87 MB”
– Download and install
EOS Utility 3 is now working as expected for my 5D Mark III on Yosemite.
I tried that. It says no software for the version you selected.
I was able to work around by inserting card into SD slot on laptop and importing directly. Spoke to a Canon rep who says they’re aware of the problem and woking on an update “out soon” but couldn’t give me an ETA, other than less than 6 months. I downloaded a Canon utility update earlier this week but didn’t include the Rebel in their list of fixes despite the Rebel BEING listed on Apple’s site as compatitable with Yosemite.
download is here:
http://www.userdrivers.com/Digital-Camera/Canon-EOS-Utility-3-0-1-for-Mac-OS-X/download/
This is the same download as Strawman posted above. It works. I can now communicate between my rebel EOS T3i and my Yosemite-laden laptop.
1) Referring to Kevins’ post above, I can’t find “EOS Utility 3.1.0a for Mac OS X 11/04/14 38.87 MB” under Software and Drivers for “OS X Mavericks v10.9″ <-?
2) Why is http://www.userdrivers.com/Digital-Camera/Canon-EOS-Utility-3-0-1-for-Mac-OS-X/download/ not distributed by Canon on the Canon website ?
I am on Yosemite 10.10.1.
I installed EOS Utility 2.14.10a for “OS X Mavericks v10.9”.
EOS Utility 2 works perfectly with my Canon 7D.
Does this mean that the problem was on Yosemite 10.10 and solved on Yosemite 10.10.1?
I shoot tethered at events using a 5D mk2, on Yosemite system, I hope the link provided by Strawman works.
But even if that does, I am screwed for my Canon Selphy CP800 printer, as the driver for that is now out of date! I can no longer print instantly at events, I’m loosing so much money at events now!
Does any one know a work around for that?
STRAWMAN you’re the best!! I have a MacBook Air with Yosemite 10.10.1 and a Canon Rebel T5i that only came with the EU ver. 28.3. I followed Strawman’s link, downloaded, and everything’s working well. Thank you thank you!
I pulled the memory card from my EOS rebel and plugged it into the slot on my HP 2175 all in one printer. Photos loaded up automatically on my yosemite 10.10.1.thru iphoto. Also The old hp program on my old 2175 works just like normal after I switched from my old imac 10.8.4 to my new 21.5 ” 10.10.1 imac. My old photoshop sems to also be quite functional. Via email canon told me tat my rebel was not compatible wit te new computer, but the memory card would work wit a card reader as a work around. thanks to… Read more »
The problem is still not completely solved by Canon and/or Lightroom. I use OS X 10.10.5. The Canon EOS 5Ds is not supported in Lightroom for tethered shooting. Tethered photography with Lightroom does not work. Tethered photography works with Canon EOS Utility 3 and Digital Photo Professional 4, but the photos are not stored on the memory card anymore (as a backup) and it is even not possible to change this in the Canon software. Canon still does not understand the needs of photographers when they make software…
Hi Erik,
I’m sure Lightroom will get tethered support for the 5Ds & 5Dsr cameras soon. I use my 5Dsr with Lightroom by having it auto import from the destination folder set in EOS Utility 3.
The camera will save only to the computer when shooting video. For stills click on the PC icon. A dialog opens allowing you to choose to shoot to the card only, the computer only or to both.
It is not very discoverable, nor is it mentioned directly in the EOS software manual. Hope this helps.
Best,
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your reply.
I use the tethered photography mainly for company portrait photography at the company’s location. Every person’s photos go in one subfolder. I could not get it working that Lightroom imports these subfolders automatically. So now I am used to working the the (shitty) Canon software and back home everything goes into Lightroom. It works… And I hope you are right with the expected update.
Now OS X 10.11 is available. I am afraid to upgrade…. First wait for experiences of others if all software we use works….
Best regards,
Erik
Download an older version of the software and then use the latest updater for your OS.
It’s not Canon’s fault, it’s Apple breaking things again. Time to dump the Mac and go back to Windows – cheaper, faster, more stable.
Seriously…Michal? It absolutley is Canons fault for not being more aware of its customer base. Apple and Microsoft develop software, it’s up individual manufacturers to develop drivers for that new OS. Canon has always been slow to react. I have a highend HP business printing machine, guess what.. downloaded the Yosemite drivers yesterday, worked like a charm. Way to go HP! Get off the stick Canon. Oh Yeah Michal, good idea…lets dump Apple (which is the worlds best OS for digital photography) and jump on the defunct Windows 8.1 platform. Also you said, “Windows” and “stable” in the same sentence..duh!… Read more »
Agreed Joe. I’m one of those who shoots tethered in studio for a living and am amazed that Canon would drop the ball like this (amazed but not surprised). And going back to 10.9 is not a simple operation. In fact near impossible in my experience. Fortunately I shoot other camera systems too and can slide over to them but when DSLR is required for a particular job it is a major inconvenience. As was said…at the minimum a statement/warning would have been nice. Something along the lines of: Sorry we suck at keeping up with major software releases of… Read more »
It is now May 2015 and Canon still don’t have firmware for the 5D MK3 to run with Yosemite. I use a card reader as a simple work-a-round.
I am trying to import Raw photos from a card reader into the new Photos on my new iMac with Yosemite 10.10 and it only recognizes the jpegs from my chip, not the Raw files. Any solution?
Totally agree that is ridiculous! Yes, let me dump my freaking Apple bc they have YET AGAIN another freaking problem. Heaven forbid the all mighty Apple might not be so f*****g Almighty! Seriously? WTH! Had I known I would not have bought my new Canon. I can’t download and edit my pics?! Nice Apple! I swear. Focus on your computers and not a watch that can’t be used unless you also carry your phone. Steve would expect more and so do it.
Yes. It is Canon’s fault. Apple made beta copies of Yosemite available to Canon. Canon just failed to make their software capable. It’s all Canon’s fault.
Not necessarily. I’ve been on the beta program before and have seen last minute changes made between versions.
Not really a choice of many… on top of that.. the betas been out for quite some time.. they could have made it work.
I have never opened the disk that came with my camera. How many people shooting 1dx’s are really using Canon’s software for tethering. This is mostly a non-issue, bordering on click-bait. The list of “sponsors” is longer than the article. I am a long time reader and listener to the podcast. Lets just say, I very much miss Scott Bourne.
No, Mike. It’s not a non issue. Many working photographers with commercial clients (sup as myself) use DPP.
Gee Mike… we’e so sorry that our free content offends you. Our partners help fund our writers so we can bring you 100+ free articles a month, 3 podcasts, and 2 hangouts. Kevin is a longtime Canon user and was looking out for other users. The article covers the problem, suggests a workaround, and challenges why a major company couldn’t keep their drivers up to date with 6 months notice. The software does more than tethering… it’s how you update you camera and load shooting profiles. But seeing that’s useless to you, it must benefit no one else. Scott’s still… Read more »
If the title had be why its important to you that you can’t run EOS utility on OSX 10.10 and mentioned camera updates, shooting profiles as well as tethering. I think it would have been much more useful and I would have never commented. I applaud anyone for calling out Canon and Nikon for being sluggish and or not innovating. I own Canon, they can’t even get their website to run reliably on Google Chrome and its been out much longer the 6 months. Perhaps, my remarks, as if often the case didn’t translate well to text. My apologizes if… Read more »
Scott has been posting about once a week. Headlines have to be short, but attention grabbing… we do our best.
I have always found Canon slow to update their OEM software to work with OS updates. The point about the Yosemite public beta is well-taken, but you’d think that *someone* on Canon’s software team would be part of the Developer Program with access to the documentation and pre-releases needed to test their drivers and software. From my perspective it’s inexcusable.
Ok I need help, please. I have a Canon EOS Rebel SL1 (rather new to the DSLR world) and the only way I knew how to get my images off my camera and onto my iMac was tethering the USB cord and opening EOS Utility. With the update to my Mac to Yosemite, obviously the software is no longer compatible. Are there any other ways to get the images to my computer??? I’ve never used Lightroom before.
Thanks in advance!
I am in the same boat. However, the only thing I have found to be a workaround so far with my EOS Rebel T3 and OS X 10.10 Yosemite, is to use an SD Card adapter to the USB port and then Lightroom can import from there.
Your choices are many. You can use iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom, or Image Capture among others to import your photos. You don’t need Canon software to download from your camera.
Any other ideas if the video you’re attempting to import tethered from camera into Mac “might be” corrupted. Plays fine on the camera, which shows as connected and the video thumbnail shows but iPhoto (Yosemite) only indicates can’t download but doesn’t give a specific reason why.
I don’t think so. Unless “Modish and Main” is referring to tethering. I interpreted his question to be about how to get photos from his camera to his iMac.
Ugh!! i’m so annoyed with canon! I just tried to do this today, noticed the problem and found this article after trying to trouble shoot. I like Lightroom, but it doesn’t allow for live preview/live shooting mode. Is there any other software you would recommend? or do you think canon will eventually release an update?
I have a 700D and the issues describes as above. I try to connect to the camera via Adobe Bridge and with Yosemite the camera is ‘invisible’ in Bridge. (was not the case with Maverick).
My solution is to put the card in an usb card reader and voila; there it is in Bridge. Not ideal but……
I have a Canon 5D MKII and Yosemite. Download EOS Utility version 3.0.1 and intall to fix this isuue.
Tested on two different MacBook Pro’s using two different cameras. Hope this helps.
Strawman, please advise where I should go to get this EOS Utility version 3.0.1 that works on Yosemite. I have used EOS Utility since I purchased my 5D MkIII and I have no idea how at this point to get my RAW images onto my computer. iPhoto uploads as JEPG. I am VERY frustrated at this point with Canon.
You can download EOS Utility 3.0.1 from this link http://www.userdrivers.com/Digital-Camera/Canon-EOS-Utility-3-0-1-for-Mac-OS-X/download/
I downloaded this (eeeeke!) hope it works and is truly a Canon download. I’ll let you know what my experience is with it.
sorry…didn’t see this post. this is most likely the answer to my above question.
That did the trick. Thanks Strawman!
thanks for the valuable info..
I could not comment on DPP and EOS Utility 2 usability for the 1Dx, 5DMK3 and 7DMk2. However, DPP (3.14.41) and EOS Utility for OS X 10.9 Mavericks work with 5DMK2 on Yosemite.
need it to work with lightroom and photoshop CS5…. does anybody can help me?
ty!
I just updated to Yosemite and now cannot download anything from my Rebel T5i. Sees the camera and shows the image but won’t import tethered. Will that utility mentioned above work? Any other ideas. I’m not far north of a beginner. Have never had this problem before. Tethered and photos/videos imported just fine.
Turns out the Utility is still not seeing my Rebel XT but the software listed by STRAWMAN afew posts up does install and run so there’s one step closer.
Thanks, mate!
I was able to work around by inserting card into SD slot on laptop and importing directly. Spoke to a Canon rep who says they’re aware of the problem and woking on an update “out soon” but couldn’t give me an ETA, other than less than 6 months. I downloaded a Canon utility update earlier this week but didn’t include the Rebel in their list of fixes despite the Rebel BEING listed on Apple’s site as compatitable with Yosemite.
Hans Luitjens has posted a somewhat kludgy workaround for Yosemite users at dpreview.com.
Here’s the link: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54677323
Canon updated the EOS software (for Mavericks) on Nov. 4th. I downloaded, installed, and it’s working for Yosemite (they have yet to update their Yosemite downloads section).
– On Canon’s site in Drivers and Software, switch the operating system on the drop down menu from “OS X Yosemite v10.10 (Detected)” to “OS X Mavericks v10.9”.
– Under Software select “EOS Utility 3.1.0a for Mac OS X 11/04/14 38.87 MB”
– Download and install
EOS Utility 3 is now working as expected for my 5D Mark III on Yosemite.
I tried that. It says no software for the version you selected.
I am on Yosemite 10.10.1.
I installed EOS Utility 2.14.10a for “OS X Mavericks v10.9”.
EOS Utility 2 works perfectly with my Canon 7D.
Does this mean that the problem was on Yosemite 10.10 and solved on Yosemite 10.10.1?
I shoot tethered at events using a 5D mk2, on Yosemite system, I hope the link provided by Strawman works.
But even if that does, I am screwed for my Canon Selphy CP800 printer, as the driver for that is now out of date! I can no longer print instantly at events, I’m loosing so much money at events now!
Does any one know a work around for that?
1) Referring to Kevins’ post above, I can’t find “EOS Utility 3.1.0a for Mac OS X 11/04/14 38.87 MB” under Software and Drivers for “OS X Mavericks v10.9″ <-?
2) Why is http://www.userdrivers.com/Digital-Camera/Canon-EOS-Utility-3-0-1-for-Mac-OS-X/download/ not distributed by Canon on the Canon website ?
download is here:
http://www.userdrivers.com/Digital-Camera/Canon-EOS-Utility-3-0-1-for-Mac-OS-X/download/
This is the same download as Strawman posted above. It works. I can now communicate between my rebel EOS T3i and my Yosemite-laden laptop.
The problem is still not completely solved by Canon and/or Lightroom. I use OS X 10.10.5. The Canon EOS 5Ds is not supported in Lightroom for tethered shooting. Tethered photography with Lightroom does not work. Tethered photography works with Canon EOS Utility 3 and Digital Photo Professional 4, but the photos are not stored on the memory card anymore (as a backup) and it is even not possible to change this in the Canon software. Canon still does not understand the needs of photographers when they make software…
Hi Erik,
I’m sure Lightroom will get tethered support for the 5Ds & 5Dsr cameras soon. I use my 5Dsr with Lightroom by having it auto import from the destination folder set in EOS Utility 3.
The camera will save only to the computer when shooting video. For stills click on the PC icon. A dialog opens allowing you to choose to shoot to the card only, the computer only or to both.
It is not very discoverable, nor is it mentioned directly in the EOS software manual. Hope this helps.
Best,
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your reply.
I use the tethered photography mainly for company portrait photography at the company’s location. Every person’s photos go in one subfolder. I could not get it working that Lightroom imports these subfolders automatically. So now I am used to working the the (shitty) Canon software and back home everything goes into Lightroom. It works… And I hope you are right with the expected update.
Now OS X 10.11 is available. I am afraid to upgrade…. First wait for experiences of others if all software we use works….
Best regards,
Erik
STRAWMAN you’re the best!! I have a MacBook Air with Yosemite 10.10.1 and a Canon Rebel T5i that only came with the EU ver. 28.3. I followed Strawman’s link, downloaded, and everything’s working well. Thank you thank you!
Download an older version of the software and then use the latest updater for your OS.
I pulled the memory card from my EOS rebel and plugged it into the slot on my HP 2175 all in one printer. Photos loaded up automatically on my yosemite 10.10.1.thru iphoto. Also The old hp program on my old 2175 works just like normal after I switched from my old imac 10.8.4 to my new 21.5 ” 10.10.1 imac. My old photoshop sems to also be quite functional. Via email canon told me tat my rebel was not compatible wit te new computer, but the memory card would work wit a card reader as a work around. thanks to… Read more »