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H3Dll-39MS - Firewire connection via USB? The future of FireWire?

D

dinarius

New Member
Firstly, having done a search of this forum, I'm surprised that the future of FireWire hasn't received any discussion. Basically, as far as I can see, it's dead in the water. Laptop manufacturers such as DELL have stopped including it. Apple appear to be going the same way. I have no idea how the H5 will connect. Does anyone? As far as I know, Phaseone offers both Firewire AND USB connectivity.

Which brings me to my question.........

Can I connect my H3Dll-39ms using a Firewire/USB2 (or USB3?) male/female cable?

If I can't, it looks like I'm stuck with my three year old DELL laptop, it's card slot and one of these.... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839158010

Thanks.

D.

ps. The scrolling Welcome to the Hasselblad User Forum is INCREDIBLY annoying and totally unnecessary.
 
I agree. I had to have a Firewire port added to my new PC especially, and only for my H4. Doesn't work..connects to Phocus, but then shuts off in Phocus. Tried a new cable..no joy. The connections in the Device Manager show that the Firewire is connected to the camera, but there is no communication with Phocus. Phocus or Firewire problem? I don't know. But, I do wish that we had a USB 2.0/3.0 option rather than Firewire, at least I know that my USB port is working because I can test it with other USB devices. I don't have any other Firewire devices to test the port on. Just my 0.02p.

Regards

David
 
Firewire has been discussed in other places but you are right to be concerned that there is little information from computer manufacturers. I can tell you that the Thunderbolt to Firewire converter made by Apple works, based on reports from other Hasselblad users. Some PC laptops are now coming through with Thunderbolt fitted and hopefully somebody will be able to say that the Apple converter also works with these.
For reasons that I don't understand USB does not seem to be a practical option, I do know that the power supplied over USB is insufficient whereas power over Thunderbolt is OK.
All manufacturers of cameras and the many other peripherals that fit computers would like to see a very clear lead to the way that computer interfaces are heading. Medium format camera users are not the only people suffering these problems.
 
Hi Douglas,

Thanks for the reply.

Can you give me an example of a PC laptop with Firewire?

Many thanks.

D.
 
As far as I know, Phase One does not have USB connectivity ... it is discussed/promised, but not available that I know of.

The new MacBook Pro features USB and Thunderbolt connectivity ... whether the power is sufficient to work with these Firewire 800 cameras via the mentioned Thunderbolt-FW converter remains to be seen.

If and when I upgrade my laptop and possibly my tower to something new, I will most likely just keep my current 15" MacBook pro and wipe it clean, and re-install Phocus and Lightroom/Photoshop only to use for location tethering.

I'd rather have a 13" MacBook AIR or iPad for all the remaining junk anyway.

-Marc
 
I have a Dell Precision 4600. It, and I believe the newer 4700, has 4 pin firewire built in, and an Express card slot, which I use with a Firewire 800 adaptor. In this way I connect directly with my H4D-50 and download to the hard drive. the computer is a bit heavy - about 3kgs - but other than that it's very good. It has a 15.6 inch display.

All the best.

Richard Naismith
 
I'd double check the effect of using a FW800 to 400 cord verses 800 to 800 ... I found little difference in tethered transfer speed with my H2F/39 MS, and now a H4D/60.

This is using a Mac tower 2X3 GHz Quad-Core with a ATI Radeon HD 5770 Graphics Card.

-Marc
 
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