Support

How do I get my camera sending to SelectPad?

Tap the sliders at the top right to open Photographer Settings, then Camera Connections › Add Camera Connection. Choose how the camera connects, set a username and password, and tap Save and Use. Then open Camera Setup Guide (in Camera Connections, or in Help): it shows exactly what to type into the camera, and walks through the camera's FTP menu step by step.

Which cameras work?

Any camera that can send JPEGs by plain FTP over Wi-Fi. SelectPad has been tested with a Canon EOS R5 Mark II. Other makers call the setting different things, for example "FTP upload" on Nikon or "FTP Transfer Func." on Sony, but the values you enter are the same.

Wi-Fi router or the camera's own Wi-Fi: which should I use?

Either works. A Wi-Fi router you bring, such as a travel router, works the same at every shoot and doesn't need internet. The camera's own Wi-Fi needs no extra equipment, but the iPad joins the camera's network for the shoot. Each router gives the iPad its own address, so check the address in the Camera Setup Guide at each new place and save a setting for each place in the camera.

Can I use venue Wi-Fi, or the iPad's Personal Hotspot?

Usually not. Venue, hotel and public Wi-Fi often stop devices on it from reaching each other, so the camera and the iPad can both show connected and photos still never arrive. Personal Hotspot isn't built for a camera and the iPad to reach each other either. Use your own router, or the camera's own Wi-Fi.

The camera is set up but nothing arrives.

Keep SelectPad open on screen: iPadOS pauses receiving while it's in the background. Check that the camera and the iPad are on the same network, and that the server address, port, username and password in the camera match the Camera Setup Guide exactly. If the camera only offers FTPS or SFTP, choose plain FTP; SelectPad doesn't support those. The guide's "If nothing arrives" section covers the rest.

I shoot RAW + JPEG. What should the camera send?

Set the camera to send the JPEGs only. SelectPad shows JPEGs, and sending RAW files as well would only slow the transfer. Your RAW files can still get the client's stars: see the next question.

How do I get the stars into Photo Mechanic?

Stars are written inside each JPEG, the way Photo Mechanic writes them, and Lightroom and Bridge read them too. Copy the session's folder to your computer and open it: the stars are already there.

For RAW files, go to Photographer Settings › Selections & Export, pick the minimum stars and tap Export Sidecars for RAW Files. Copy the .XMP files into the folder with the RAW files; each is named like its photo, so IMG_0001.XMP goes with IMG_0001.CR3. An .XMP file already there is replaced.

Does writing stars change my photos?

Only the photo's information changes; the image itself is never altered. SelectPad checks each edit before it replaces the file, and keeps the file's size and date.

Can my client delete photos or change settings?

No. The client can browse, zoom, sort and star, and nothing else. Deleting photos, camera connections, exports and storage are in Photographer Settings. To keep it private, turn on Require Device Authentication, and Face ID or the iPad passcode is needed to open it.

Where are my photos stored?

Each session has a folder of original photos, named as the camera named them, in the Files app under On My iPad › SelectPad. In Photographer Settings › Photo Storage you can open the current session's folder, or choose another folder for new sessions, iCloud Drive included.

Does SelectPad need the internet or an account?

No. SelectPad works on your local network only: no internet, no cloud service and no account.

Can I try it without a camera?

Yes. In Photographer Settings › Help, tap Try with Sample Photos at the bottom. Sample photos made on the iPad arrive every few seconds, so you can try browsing, stars and exports.