Tethered shooting with a Phaseone back to iMac ? problems??

Permanently deleted user

• May 10, 2018 10:17

Hi All

Having recently bought a shiny new iMac with a 27 inch 5K screen I wanted to take advantage of this and change from shooting tethered to my old late 2011 MacBook pro to the new iMac.
I've started using my D850 this way and it works a treat but I really want to get my Hasselblad 503cw/Phaseone H25 hooked up as I still think the H25 images have something over the D850. The problem I've run into is the Firewire connection issue with the new iMac.
While talking to someone in the trade (a Phaseone dealer) regarding ways to resolve this, it was suggested that shooting tethered (using a phase one back) to the iMac is not recommended due to problems (missed shots etc) ????
Is there any truth in this ? as I don't want to waste a load of cash on expensive hubs to resolve the connection issue if I'm going to run into a load more problems!
I find it hard to believe a top of the range iMac can't perform as well as a MacBook Pro !

Cheers
Saul

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  Benjamin Liddle

  • May 10, 2018 16:28

  Yes, there'll likely be an issue with this as the H25 relies on the FireWire connection for power. Assuming that your new iMac doesn't have native FireWire (400 or 800) ports, it would be necessary to convert from Thunderbolt to FW to connect the camera. The problem with this is that the Thunderbolt spec doesn't provide the same power that the FireWire spec did, so it would be necessary to introduce more power into the line somewhere. The Apple Thunderbolt to FW800 adapter does not do this.
  
  It is entirely possible that this setup will connect and work fine; however in my experience (both here at Phase One and as a tech) this connection is unreliable and will disconnect at the worst possible time due to the relatively lower power output of that adapter. Using a powered dock such as those made by OWC and Belkin will allow the Thunderbolt to FW800 conversion to take place, but also provide full power to the FW port (these hubs plug into the wall and are typically drawing a full 12v). This is recommended, and given the sedentary nature of the iMac it should fit into your workflow without issue. You'd then simply adapt from FW800 to FW400 (by dongle or by cable) to the camera and you'll be off to the races.

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  Permanently deleted user

  • May 10, 2018 17:58

  Hi Ben
  
  Thanks for the reply. I already use a Lindy Firewire 800 repeater for the MacBook Pro, so I presume I can use that inline to solve the power issue with the iMac. Sounds like the person I spoke to was talking about issues related to power but I did mention I use the repeater.
  One of the docks you mention might still be a better/neater option than daisy chaining all those cables & adaptors !
  FW400 to FW800 - Repeater - FW800 - FW800 to TB - TB to TB3 🤓
  
  Makes you wonder how much profit Apple makes from selling adaptors! their TB to TB3 adaptor is around £50 !!
  
  Cheers
  Saul

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  Benjamin Liddle

  • May 10, 2018 18:17

  FW400 to FW800 - Repeater - FW800 - FW800 to TB - TB to TB3 🤓

  
  
  🤓 is right!
  
  All things considered though, if it's working on the MBP with USBC/TB3 it should work on the iMac. That being said, with that number of protocol conversions going on anything is possible. The repeater is definitely introducing enough power to the camera. My concern would be, primarily the length of FW800 cable between the Lindy repeater and the FW800/TB adapter. This is the weak link, so to speak- definitely keep that under 15'/3m if possible.

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  Permanently deleted user

  • May 10, 2018 21:07

  Thanks Ben
  
  I might just go for one of those hubs, less to go wrong and not much more than buying those crazy expensive Thunderbolt adaptors!
  
  Cheers
  Saul

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