Computers: Connecting via Ethernet or Wireless LAN
The camera can connect to computers either directly or via existing networks using Wi-Fi (built-in wireless LAN) or a third-party Ethernet cable inserted in the camera’s Ethernet connector.
What Ethernet and Wireless LAN Can Do for You
Ethernet and wireless LAN connections can be used for the following tasks:
Uploading Pictures
Existing pictures can be uploaded to the computer. They can also be uploaded automatically as they are taken.
Controlling Cameras Remotely
Installing Camera Control Pro 2 (available separately) or free NX Tether software on a networked computer gives you control over the details of exposure and other camera settings while taking pictures remotely (0Camera Control).
The Wireless Transmitter Utility
Before you will be able to connect to a wireless or Ethernet LAN, you will need to pair the camera with the computer using Nikon’s
- Once the devices are paired, you will be able to connect to the computer from the camera.
The Wireless Transmitter Utility is available for download from the Nikon Download Center. Check the version and system requirements and be sure to download the latest version.
Wireless LAN
The camera can connect to computers either by direct wireless link (Wi-Fi access point mode) or via a wireless router on an existing network, including home networks (Wi-Fi station mode).
Direct Wireless Connection to a Computer (Wi-Fi Access Point Mode )
The camera and computer connect via direct wireless link. The camera acts as a wireless LAN access point, allowing you to connect when working outdoors and in other situations in which the computer is not already connected to a wireless network and eliminating the need for complicated adjustments to settings. The computer cannot connect to the Internet while connected to the camera.
- Before proceeding, check that the Wireless Transmitter Utility (0The Wireless Transmitter Utility) is installed on the computer.
- Confirm that [OFF] is selected for [Wired LAN] in the network menu.
Select [Connect to computer] in the network menu, then highlight [Network settings] and press 2.
Highlight [Create profile] and press J.
Name the new profile.
- To proceed to the next step without changing the default name, press X.
- Whatever name you choose will appear in the network menu [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] list.
- To rename the profile, press J. For information on text entry, see “Text Entry” (0Text Entry). Press X to proceed after entering a name.
Highlight [Direct connection to computer] and press J.
The camera SSID and encryption key will be displayed.
Establish a connection to the camera.
Windows:
- Click the wireless LAN icon in the taskbar.
- Select the SSID displayed by the camera in Step 4.
- When prompted to enter the network security key, enter the encryption key displayed by the camera in Step 4. The computer will initiate a connection to the camera.
macOS:
- Click the wireless LAN icon in the menu bar.
- Select the SSID displayed by the camera in Step 4.
- When prompted to enter the network security key, enter the encryption key displayed by the camera in Step 4. The computer will initiate a connection to the camera.
Start pairing.
When prompted, launch the Wireless Transmitter Utility on the computer.
Select the camera in the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
Select the name displayed by the camera in Step 6 and click [Next].
In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, enter the authentication code displayed by the camera.
The camera will display an authentication code.
Enter the authentication code in the dialog displayed by the Wireless Transmitter Utility and click [Next].
Complete the pairing process.
When the camera displays a message stating that pairing is complete, press J.
In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, click [Next]; you will be prompted to choose a destination folder. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
- A wireless connection will be established between the camera and computer when pairing is complete.
Check the connection.
When a connection is established, the profile name will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
- If the profile name is not displayed in green, connect to the camera via the wireless network list on your computer.
A wireless connection has now been established between the camera and the computer.
Pictures taken with the camera can be uploaded to the computer as described in“Uploading Pictures” (0Uploading Pictures).
For information on controlling the camera from a computer using Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether, see “Camera Control” (0Camera Control).
Connecting to an Existing Network (Wi-Fi Station Mode )
The camera connects to a computer on an existing network (including home networks) via a wireless router. The computer can still connect to the Internet while connected to the camera.
- Before proceeding, check that the Wireless Transmitter Utility (0The Wireless Transmitter Utility) is installed on the computer.
- Confirm that [OFF] is selected for [Wired LAN] in the network menu.
Connection to computers beyond the local area network is not supported. You can connect only to computers on the same network.
Select [Connect to computer] in the network menu, then highlight [Network settings] and press 2.
Highlight [Create profile] and press J.
Name the new profile.
- To proceed to the next step without changing the default name, press X.
- Whatever name you choose will appear in the network menu [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] list.
- To rename the profile, press J. For information on text entry, see “Text Entry” (0Text Entry). Press X to proceed after entering a name.
Highlight [Search for Wi-Fi network] and press J.
The camera will search for networks currently active in the vicinity and list them by name (SSID).
To connect without entering an SSID or encryption key, press X in Step 4. Next, highlight one of the following options and press J. After connecting, proceed to Step 7.
Option Description [ Push-button WPS ]For routers that support push-button WPS. Press the WPS button on the router and then press the camera J button to connect. [ PIN-entry WPS ]The camera will display a PIN. Using a computer, enter the PIN on the router. For more information, see the documentation provided with the router. Choose a network.
- Highlight a network SSID and press J.
- The SSIDs containing characters that cannot be entered on the camera will not be displayed.
- The band on which each SSID operates is indicated by an icon.
- Encrypted networks are indicated by a h icon. If the selected network is encrypted (h), you will be prompted to enter the encryption key. If the network is not encrypted, proceed to Step 7.
- If the desired network is not displayed, press X to search again.
Hidden SSIDs
Networks with hidden SSIDs are indicated by blank entries in the network list.
- To connect to a network with a hidden SSID, highlight a blank entry and press J. Next, press J; the camera will prompt you to provide an SSID.
- Enter the network name and press X. Press X again; the camera will now prompt you to enter the encryption key.
Enter the
encryption key .- Press J and enter the encryption key for the wireless router.
- For more information, see the documentation for the wireless router.
- Press X when entry is complete.
Press X again to initiate the connection. A message will be displayed for a few seconds when the connection is established.
Obtain or select an IP address.
- Highlight one of the following options and press J.
Option Description [Obtain automatically] Select this option if the network is configured to supply the IP address automatically. A “configuration complete” message will be displayed once an IP address has been assigned. [Enter manually] Enter the IP address and sub-net mask manually.
- Press J; you will be prompted to enter the IP address.
- Rotate the main command dial to highlight segments.
- Press 4 or 2 to change the highlighted segment and press J to save changes.
- Next, press X; a “configuration complete” message will be displayed. Press X again to display the sub-net mask.
- Press 1 or 3 to edit the sub-net mask and press J; a “configuration complete” message will be displayed.
- Press J to proceed when the “configuration complete” message is displayed.
Start pairing.
When prompted, launch the Wireless Transmitter Utility on the computer.
Select the camera in the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
Select the name displayed by the camera in Step 8 and click [Next].
In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, enter the authentication code displayed by the camera.
The camera will display an authentication code.
Enter the authentication code in the dialog displayed by the Wireless Transmitter Utility and click [Next].
Complete the pairing process.
When the camera displays a message stating that pairing is complete, press J.
In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, click [Next]; you will be prompted to choose a destination folder. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
- A wireless connection will be established between the camera and computer when pairing is complete.
Check the connection.
When a connection is established, the profile name will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
A wireless connection has now been established between the camera and the computer.
Pictures taken with the camera can be uploaded to the computer as described in“Uploading Pictures” (0Uploading Pictures).
For information on controlling the camera from a computer using Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether, see “Camera Control” (0Camera Control).
Ethernet Connections
The camera can connect to computers either directly or via existing networks using a third-party Ethernet cable inserted in the camera’s Ethernet connector.
Connecting an Ethernet Cable
Connect an Ethernet cable to the camera’s Ethernet connector. Do not use force or attempt to insert the connectors at an angle. Connect the other end of the cable to a computer or router.
Ethernet Network Profiles
Before proceeding, check that an Ethernet cable is connected to the camera and the Wireless Transmitter Utility (0The Wireless Transmitter Utility) is installed on the computer.
Select [ON] for [Wired LAN] in the network menu.
Select [Connect to computer] in the network menu, then highlight [Network settings] and press 2.
Highlight [Create profile] and press J.
Name the new profile.
- To proceed to the next step without changing the default name, press X.
- Whatever name you choose will appear in the network menu [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] list.
- To rename the profile, press J. For information on text entry, see “Text Entry” (0Text Entry). Press X to proceed after entering a name.
Obtain or select an IP address.
- Highlight one of the following options and press J.
Option Description [Obtain automatically] Select this option if the network is configured to supply the IP address automatically. A “configuration complete” message will be displayed once an IP address has been assigned. [Enter manually] Enter the IP address and sub-net mask manually.
- Press J; you will be prompted to enter the IP address.
- Rotate the main command dial to highlight segments.
- Press 4 or 2 to change the highlighted segment and press J to save changes.
- Next, press X; a “configuration complete” message will be displayed. Press X again to display the sub-net mask.
- Press 1 or 3 to edit the sub-net mask and press J; a “configuration complete” message will be displayed.
- Press J to proceed when the “configuration complete” message is displayed.
Start pairing.
When prompted, launch the Wireless Transmitter Utility on the computer.
Select the camera in the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
Select the name displayed by the camera in Step 6 and click [Next].
In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, enter the authentication code displayed by the camera.
The camera will display an authentication code.
Enter the authentication code in the dialog displayed by the Wireless Transmitter Utility and click [Next].
Complete the pairing process.
When the camera displays a message stating that pairing is complete, press J.
In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, click [Next]; you will be prompted to choose a destination folder. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
- A connection will be established between the camera and computer when pairing is complete.
Check the connection.
When a connection is established, the profile name will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
A connection has now been established between the camera and the computer.
Pictures taken with the camera can be uploaded to the computer as described in“Uploading Pictures” (0Uploading Pictures).
For information on controlling the camera from a computer using Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether, see “Camera Control” (0Camera Control).
Uploading Pictures
Pictures can be selected for upload during playback. They can also be uploaded automatically as they are taken.
Before uploading pictures, connect the camera and computer via Ethernet or a wireless network. Connect using a host profile selected via the network menu [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] list.
When a connection is established, the profile name will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
By default, pictures are uploaded to the following folders:
- Windows: \Users\(user name)\Pictures\Wireless Transmitter Utility
- macOS: /Users/(user name)/Pictures/Wireless Transmitter Utility
The destination folder can be selected using the Wireless Transmitter Utility. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
Caution: Wi-Fi Access Point Mode
Select a host profile and enable camera Wi-Fi before connecting.
TCP port 15740 and UDP port 5353 are used for connections to computers. File transfer may be blocked if the server firewall is not configured to allow access to these ports.
Selecting Pictures for Upload
Select [Picture transfer] for [Connect to computer] > [Connection type] in the network menu.
Press the K button on the camera and select full-frame or thumbnail playback.
Select a picture and press the i button.
Highlight [
Select for upload to computer ] or [Select for priority upload to computer ] and press J.- Selecting [Select for upload to computer] displays a white “upload” icon and pictures will be uploaded in the specified order. Pictures with this marking will be added to the end of the upload queue and will not begin uploading until all other pictures have uploaded.
- Selecting [Select for priority upload to computer] displays a white “priority upload” icon, and pictures selected for priority upload will begin uploading immediately even if pictures marked for upload already are in the upload queue.
- Upload will begin when a connection is established.
- Repeat Steps 3–4 to upload additional pictures.
- Repeat Steps 3–4 to remove upload marking from selected pictures.
- To remove upload marking from all pictures, select [Connect to computer] > [Options] > [Deselect all?] in the network menu.
The [Filtered playback] item in the playback i menu can be used to display only pictures that meet chosen criteria (0Filtered Playback). The pictures can then all be selected for upload by highlighting [Select all for computer upload] in the i menu and pressing J.
Uploading Photos as They Are Taken
To upload new photos as they are taken, select [ON] for [Connect to computer] > [Options] > [
- Upload begins only after the photo has been recorded to the memory card. Be sure a memory card is inserted in the camera.
- Videos are not uploaded automatically. They must instead be uploaded manually from the playback display.
The Upload Icon
Upload status is indicated by the upload icon.
- W (white): Upload
This icon appears on pictures with the following upload status. The pictures will be sent in the order in which they were taken or selected for update.
- Marked for auto upload,
- Selected with [Select for upload to computer], or
- Filtered with a “select all for upload” option.
- s (white): Priority upload
- This icon appears on pictures selected with [Select for priority upload to computer]. Pictures marked with this icon will be uploaded before pictures marked W (“upload”).
- X (green): Uploading
- Upload in progress.
- Y (blue): Uploaded
- Upload complete.
The [Connect to Computer] Upload Status Display
The [Connect to computer] display shows the following:
Status: The status of the connection to the host. The profile name is displayed in green when a connection is established.
While files are being transferred, the status display shows “Now uploading” preceded by the name of the file being sent. Errors are also displayed here.
- Signal strength: Ethernet connections are shown by d. When the camera is connected to a wireless network, the icon instead shows the wireless signal strength.
- Band: When connecting wirelessly in Wi-Fi station mode, the radio frequency band of the connected SSID network is displayed.
- Pictures/time remaining: The number of pictures remaining and the time needed to send them. The time remaining is an estimate only.
Wireless transmission may be interrupted if the signal is lost. Upload of pictures with upload marking can be resumed by turning the camera off and then on again once the signal has been re-established.
Do not remove the memory card or disconnect the Ethernet cable during upload.
Voice memos will be included when the associated pictures are transmitted. They cannot, however, be uploaded separately.
The camera saves transfer marking when turned off and resumes upload when next turned on.
Camera Control
The camera can be controlled from a computer running
- You will still need to insert a memory card when filming videos.
- Note that the camera standby timer does not expire in camera control mode.
Before using Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether, connect the camera and computer via Ethernet or a wireless LAN. Connect using a host profile selected via the network menu [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] list.
When a connection is established, the profile name will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
Select [Camera control] for [Connect to computer] > [Connection type] in the network menu.
Launch the copy of Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether installed on the host computer.
Control the camera using Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether.
For information on taking pictures using Camera Control Pro 2 or NX Tether, see the online help or other documentation for the software in question.
The [Connect to Computer] Camera Control Display
The [Connect to computer] display shows the following:
- Status: The status of the connection to the host. The profile name is displayed in green when a connection is established. Errors are also displayed here (0Troubleshooting Wireless LAN and Ethernet Connections).
- Signal strength: Ethernet connections are shown by d. When the camera is connected to a wireless network, the icon instead shows the wireless signal strength.
- Band: When connecting wirelessly in Wi-Fi station mode, the radio frequency band of the connected SSID network is displayed.
Loss of signal while the camera is connected to a wireless network may disrupt the connection to the computer. If the camera network indicator flashes amber, select [End current connection] for [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] in the network menu before connecting to the network again. When the signal is re-established, the camera will reconnect to the computer and resume upload of any pictures that have yet to be transferred. Note that upload cannot be resumed if you turn the camera off before transfer is complete.
Do not disconnect the Ethernet cable during upload or while the camera is on.
Response may slow on wireless networks.
TCP port 15740 and UDP port 5353 are used for connections to computers. File transfer may be blocked if the server firewall is not configured to allow access to these ports.
Ending the Connection to the Computer
You can end the connection by:
- turning the camera off,
- selecting [End current connection] for [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] in the network menu, or
- connecting to a smart device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.