D800 not tethered
I've had to replace my MBP, and since it's running Yosemite, I've ungraded to 8.0.2.
Now my D800 won't tether at all. I've used two different cords. It also still works on my older MBP.
Doesn't 8.0.2 support D800 tethering?
Now my D800 won't tether at all. I've used two different cords. It also still works on my older MBP.
Doesn't 8.0.2 support D800 tethering?
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D800 tethering should be fine with CO 8.0.2/Yosemite. However, your new MBP could play tricks.
Just a few checks:
- you are sure you run CO Pro, not DB, or 'for Sony'
- you are sure the Nikon provider is enabled (Preferences, Capture tab)
- you are sure you have a descent USB 3 cable; odds are that your older MBP is still a USB 2 machine and that is easier to work with when talking cables0 -
Quite a long shot here but Paul's comment about cables and USB3 really does need thorough checking.
I use a high end Dell Windows notebook with hi-power USB3 ports and a 3mtr cable I bought to attach an external self powered disk drive does not give a consistent connection. Shorter cables do work and are consistent. The long cable works every time when plugged into the machine's USB2 ports.
A Google search quickly discovers a lot of posts about USB3 tethering, many concerning D800 connectivity so it would seem to be a good place to start.
Grant0 -
Well, I'm running Pro, and have since it's original incarnation in 2005.
Nikon is the only provided enabled.
So, I guess I'll check my USB3 cables. Of the three I checked, none of them worked with the D800. However, they did work fine with other USB3 hard drives I hooked up.
Any suggestions of good brand?
~V~0 -
I'm having B&H overnight some 6' Tether Tools USB 3.0 cords, so hopefully those will work. For what they cost, they better. 0 -
Cables are a good place to start, but not likely the only conflict here.
As you are using a MacBook Pro, you are using a system with restricted USB power. With the update to Yosemite the Power Management is changed to accommodate the OS, not changed to accommodate a high power demand item like the D800.
I think it would be best to use an external USB hub that plugs into the wall. This will ensure that Power is not the issue (as it most likely is) and test with the new cables.0 -
I hope the new cables work. As an architectural photographer, having access to an outlet in order to plug in a hub while shooting exteriors is problematic. 0 -
[quote="Vic1" wrote:
I hope the new cables work. As an architectural photographer, having access to an outlet in order to plug in a hub while shooting exteriors is problematic.
I can imagine!
A large portable battery would probably work for power but might look a little incongruous not to mention heavy to transport.
There must be other options that people could propose as a variation on the tethering concept.
Grant0 -
[quote="SFA" wrote:
There must be other options that people could propose as a variation on the tethering concept.
Not that it's perfect, but I simply use a USB/Firewire hub that would typically require a AC/DC plug and (depending on the voltage) connect a cell battery that I found on eBay. Works a charm for a few hours or so depending on size.
Unfortunately there are no longer any simple "one stop" solutions for this as demand is simply too low. There were some solutions but those companies, for reasons of market demand, simply didn't survive.0 -
Longer cords, and higher speed (USB3) makes for a more noise-sensitive connection.
As far as I know, if a USB2 device - a USB2 flash stick might do - is the first to be connected, all USB3 ports on a machine will automatically reconfigure to USB2 speed.
Then connecting the D800 it would be connected at USB2 speed, making for a more reliable connection.
If only I had a Macbook Pro available...
Cheers,
Mogens0 -
Even a 6 foot Tether Tools cord doesn't work. I guess it's off to the store to find a powered USB 3.0 hub.
I wish I knew this was going to be a problem with the MBP. This doesn't make sense.
Is anyone else having issues with this?0 -
Just a simple downgrade to run the USB 3.0 through a powered 2.0 hub, and now it works. I wonder what mac did to make this necessary? 0 -
hi vic1,
- make sure to update your D800's firmware
- check / replace your (nikon) usb3 cable that you plug into the camera
- from my understanding you're MBP is a new machine with a fresh install. if not: uninstall capture1 thoroughly, flush all user caches, repair permissions (i use the maintenance app "mainmenu"), reinstall capture1.
good luck!0 -
[quote="Vic1" wrote:
Just a simple downgrade to run the USB 3.0 through a powered 2.0 hub, and now it works. I wonder what mac did to make this necessary?
My guess would be that they are running USB3 sockets that are extremely sensitive to voltage consistency for some reason.
Over a manufacturing run these or sub-components may be changed as supply and suppliers vary. In which case some machines may have a problem and other no problem despite being, apparently, the same model and spec.
A few minutes ago I stumbled across a Facebook page for a product I bought 2 or 3 years back with the intent of making a library of images portable and browsable by anyone with a smart phone (more or less anyone anyway).
The idea kind of worked but would have been better for people using iPhones or IPads IF the potential client was prepared to download and install a dedicated app. The alternative was to us WEBDAV in a browser and there are limitations there that made it too challenging to consider for prospective client.
Just recently I discovered that the device now also has an Android app and that seems to work quite well, though not fast enough for my liking. However, at least it works whereas the original concept and App as it has existed for some time in the Apple world has been broken by IOS8. To the point where, from what I understand, iTunes media streaming is failing. I thought media streaming was the whole point about iTunes ....
These types of problems one fully expects in Windows World and I have no doubt that the USB3 issues can be found there far and wide. It's not something the average Joe might expect from Apple though.
I think Drew's earlier observation about a portable battery and a powered hub is worth investigation for people shooting away from mains power sources. However the smaller portable and "emergency" power cells will very likely also deliver variable results so careful selection may be required.
For example I have 2 version of a phone charging device. The larger one (by size and capacity) seems to be a little slower charging than the smaller one and that is also reflected in how well it can power a device with a critical voltage band requirement - in my case an early Raspberry Pi computer. It is not critical for recharging a phone - does the job fine and has at least a 2 full charge capacity - but it may not work quite as well as a power source for an interactive device. The smaller one probably would work - but for only about 2/3rds as long.
That said ... even that may not hold up as the devices age. So research well and choose wisely.
Grant0 -
Hey guys,
Whilst on the topic of tethering cables, I'm looking to move to a USB 3 cable myself. Is the TetherPro USB 3 Active Extension Cable worth getting? Thoughts? (will be working off my 13" Retina Macbook 3).0 -
[quote="NN635355569414293750UL" wrote:
Hey guys,
Whilst on the topic of tethering cables, I'm looking to move to a USB 3 cable myself. Is the TetherPro USB 3 Active Extension Cable worth getting? Thoughts? (will be working off my 13" Retina Macbook 3).
It's a great cable and works well. This is what we use at trade shows when tethering the IQ units via USB.
That said, however, it is not without it's limitations. Having this cable as option A is great but having the less convenient option B in an externally powered USB hub is still suggested to get you out of a jam should one arise.0 -
Drew,
I thought external USB hubs were a no-no when it comes to tethering? From everywhere I've read, it says to plug the cable direct to the computer's ports to avoid interference. Can you recommend a good/reliable USB hub?
I'm currently on a USB 2 cable for tethering in C1, and it's okay, but I'm keen to see how much faster a USB 3 cable would be.0 -
[quote="NN635355569414293750UL" wrote:
Drew,
I thought external USB hubs were a no-no when it comes to tethering? From everywhere I've read, it says to plug the cable direct to the computer's ports to avoid interference.
In an ideal world, your direct USB port has adequate power to facilitate the camera. We no longer live in a perfect world so the slow likelihood of interference is an acceptable alternative to a failing connection.
I would suggest a professional USB solution such as the Lindy line.
http://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-firewire-c4/ ... p7369(with power supply)0 -
I had a few issues for awhile. I now have a much more stable rig.
I do location work too, although usually with strobes so I generally have enough power...but not always. So I have several solutions.
BTW I use a 2 year old 11 inch Mac Book Air on location.
Even with the short supplied cable from Nikon and the flimsy plastic strain-relief that came with the D800 I was having issues especially when I needed to handhold. The very shallow Super high speed [USB3] Micro B port on the camera body isn't very secure. Also the weight of one of the Tether tools MicroB to Full size A Male cable just puts too much strain on the Nikon's USB3 port. Or I should say the cable wobbles especially when hand holding. All it takes is a little wobble to loose connection.
I first solved this issue by buying a Lock Port Duo from Lock Circle - http://www.lockcircle.com. This is a nifty cage device that locks a gold plated adapter into place. The right angle adapter is a Micro B to a full sized USB3 female....FYI... [the other half of the "Duo" is a mini HDMI to full sized HDMI adapter]...
I also use a short 3 foot gold plated USB3 Male to Male cable - one end plugged into the adapter - the other end plugged into a 15 foot Tether Tools gold plated active cable. This then gets plugged into one of two powered hubs:
1st: a rather large Belkin Thunderbolt Express Port Dock. This is set up permanently in the studio.
2nd: a much smaller generic powered USB3 hub for location.
Now it gets interesting. If I am in the studio and I don't mind slower transfer speeds, then I plug in a second active extension cable - this time a 30 foot USB2 active extension cable. Now this throttles everything down to high speed USB2 and it only works if it is the last cable in the mix - [except for the thunderbolt cable].
I have not tried this configuration with the powered USB3 Hub.
What I have tried is using the short 3 foot male to male cable into the 30 foot active USB2 cable. This has generally provided a lightweight and flexible solution while on location. I am not too worried about needing the slightly faster USB3 speeds when on location.
I have one question though. Why all the attitude? Not Cool!0 -
Excellent post, Grant, I believe it will help a lot of Nikon USB3 shooters! 😄
Your question at the end speaks for itself. 😉0 -
Thank you for the kind words Paul,
I should mention that the Lock Port is made and fitted for a few different Camera Brands and camera models. It can also be purchased in a front or rear port configuration.
http://www.lockcircle.com
I purchased the hardware in a rear port configuration. The problem is that I am a right eye shooter. What I found is that the new cable position gets disturbed from my cheek. I solved this by buying another adapter from Fast Tech.
https://www.fasttech.com
USB M-F Left Angled / SKU: 1022101
This moves the cable much closer to the camera body and away from my cheek.
I went through all the same frustrations trying to solve the connection issues. I purchased a new USB3 capable laptop. I bought Tether Tool cables. I even had trouble finding the somewhat rare male to male cable to connect the Lock Port to the Extension cable.
I must say that it feels great to finally have a rock solid connection.
Stay Cool0 -
Quote from the Apple link above.
"Does USB 3 offer more power than USB 2 ("High-Speed USB")?
Yes, USB 3 devices can use up to 900mA of power (compared to 500mA used by USB 2 devices). You'll need to use a USB 3 cable to use the 900mA of power available. USB 2 cables don't support 900mA."
You would think USB3 would be better not worse than USB2 as it is supposed to be able to supply more power.0 -
[quote="sizzlingbadger" wrote:
Quote from the Apple link above.
"Does USB 3 offer more power than USB 2 ("High-Speed USB")?
Yes, USB 3 devices can use up to 900mA of power (compared to 500mA used by USB 2 devices). You'll need to use a USB 3 cable to use the 900mA of power available. USB 2 cables don't support 900mA."
You would think USB3 would be better not worse than USB2 as it is supposed to be able to supply more power.
The potential output power is, for tethering purposes, not very significant afaik other than there needs to be enough capacity to support whatever demands are made by whatever devices are attached.
Voltage availability and stability, on the other hand, is usually significant.
Grant0 -
Another issue is that with the latest firmware upgrade Nikon went to protocol USB3 v 3.1 while MAC has remained on version 3.0.
Now we have two different languages trying to communicate with each other and no real translator.
The two are having trouble talking to each other and it is power related...not Capture One related...0 -
[quote="mli20" wrote:
USB 3.1 is backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.
Cheers,
Mogens
Mogens,
Whilst the specification may provide for that claim in principle it is still up to the many component manufacturers and their programmers to deliver something that works according to the specs. That assumes that the specs have not accidentally missed some important factor that had not been thought about or had been thought about but rejected for consideration.
Saying something should deliver something and pass a specification test is one thing. Then ensuring that all the components in a chain and from different sources can actually can work together with the reliability expected "in the field" is something else.
It's always "interesting" to follow new developments to market and see how they work out.
Grant0 -
Grant, GK said that USB 3 and 3.1 are incompatible. The documentation at usb.org says otherwise. End of story.
Cheers,
Mogens0 -
[quote="mli20" wrote:
Grant, GK said that USB 3 and 3.1 are incompatible. The documentation at usb.org says otherwise. End of story.
Cheers,
Mogens
Too many Grants!
I don't think that GK was saying they are completely incompatible; rather that ensuring that they are compatible in a real deployment may be something that is not yet enjoying a complete success story.
Some technical observations in an article I found via Google.
http://www.arrowdevices.com/blog/usb-31 ... omparison/
I don't understand the details (I'm not a developer let alone a USB specialist) but there are enough observations in there to have generate a few thoughts about the possibility that it may be a while before interworking stability can be assumed at close to 100% effectiveness.
Grant0 -
No I said different languages...I did not say incompatible.
The different language is all about power requirements .
If you connect to a full sized box plugged in you should not have issues.
Apple has created the problem with battery operated or I should say battery powered laptops. Apple wants to give the impression that their devices work longer on battery power. So they restrict power consumption / hence the problem......
I just tried the USB2 [ high Speed ] active extension cable with my Mac Book Air on Battery Power.
So Lock Port - 3 foot gold plated male to male cable - 30 foot gold plated USB2 active extension cable.
NO Problem at all. Works great. Rock Solid.
Stay Cool0 -
Since power distribution is negotiated between usb-connected devices, I believe there is no way of telling if a perceived power problem has its root in hardware or in software. It can be either.
Cheers,
Mogens0
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