For those of you with FireWire Woes

[David Grover]

The Procentre in London has just started stocking a new cable from Lindy.

FW800, 5m with an active repeater...

http://www.lindy.co.uk/xxl/32918.html

They always had one with FW400 which was very reliable and nice to see they have added a FW800.

I guess here you could use the patented Nick T method.  Run this cable to your camera stand, and then plug in a lighter weight cable to your H camera.

I think they sell for about £50.

Please mention my name when ordering so I get my comission.

Pro Centre - +44 (0) 207 490 3122

D

[H3dfan]

I have been using the short "imagebank800" cable combined with a cheap Firewire800 with repeater for ages. No forces on the connection with the back and works perfect.

[David Grover]

I have been using the short "imagebank800" cable combined with a cheap Firewire800 with repeater for ages. No forces on the connection with the back and works perfect.

Seems like the right way to go!

[yongsikshin]

Hi, David. Whassup!

Does this FW cable need external power source? Or can you just plug it like any other normal extension cables?
Is it stable enough?

Best regards,

Yong.

[David Grover]

No external power source needed. 

To be honest I am not 100% sure how it works, but their older FW400 cable with built in repeater always worked very well.

I had it running with another 5m granite cable and it seemed to be fine.

D

[Andy Johnson-Laird]

I checked the Lindy USA site and they don't have this same cable, unfortunately.
The closest they come is a 4.5m FW 400 extender that you can see at http://www.lindy-usa.com/45m-firewire-active-extension-cable/32908.html

Fancy starting an export business, David?

Regards
Andy

[David Grover]

Yes!  How many would you like? 

[rsmphoto]

I checked the Lindy USA site and they don't have this same cable, unfortunately.
The closest they come is a 4.5m FW 400 extender that you can see at http://www.lindy-usa.com/45m-firewire-active-extension-cable/32908.html

Fancy starting an export business, David?

Regards
Andy

I sent the US distributors an email recently and they expect them in stock in mid-April in the US - $85.00

[Andy Johnson-Laird]

Thanks Richard.
David: Ixnay the export business. Boy that was short-lived.

A.

[David Grover]

I'll cancel the Maserati order.

[rsmphoto]

No external power source needed. 

To be honest I am not 100% sure how it works, but their older FW400 cable with built in repeater always worked very well.

I had it running with another 5m granite cable and it seemed to be fine.

D

David, I'm going to query Lindy-US about how this works. I'm pretty sure my issue with FW has to do with low FW800 power from my unibody MBP, so I want to understand what this cable actually does to cure this problem. Would be great if it works! Thanks for the info.

Richard

[Andy Johnson-Laird]

I'll cancel the Maserati order.

Whoof. That's a relief. I thought you were going to have to cancel the Phase One back order too. 

[robertpoll]

I'd be pretty sure it works the same way as the 400 one - in which case it won't help if you're not getting enough power. The repeater at the far end of the cable is powered from the firewire so obviously you'll have a bit less power for downstream devices. Sounds like you might need a powered repeater.

That said, I've used the 400 version on the older MBP without problem - do the newer MBP supply less power, or could you just have a dodgy one..?

..rob

[rsmphoto]

Indeed. That's just what the Lindy folks have told me. It's powered from the FW800 power pin on the MacBook Pro. C'est la vie!

[David Grover]

Hi Richard,

However...

I have just hooked up the Lindy plus a 10 Metre Granite and I could shoot fine tethered.... so it must be doing something!