USB Cable for tethering?

[lightstand]

I need to get a back up USB cable for shooting tethered with Canon's 1Ds3 and I was hoping someone could recommend a quality third party brand? Links would be absolutely awesome if possible. thanks jeff

[David McCaughan]

Hi,
We use a 24" left angled "pig tail" at the camera clipped the the tripod. Break-away style.

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-2mbl01-72.html

and a 16' active extension to the computer.

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-usb-014.html   (old picture, the ones we got are more modern looking)

We've never had a problem, but we keep three sets since we often have two camera/computer setups. The "active" cable is more reliable and allows them to be used in series when it is impossible to get the computer near the camera.

We've also talked about getting a break-away pig tail for the computer as well but have not as of yet. For macbooks and macbook pros either:

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-aar04t-16.html
or
http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-usb2-0.5-aa-ext.html

Good luck, nice site by the way.
Dave

[lightstand]

Hi David, Thank you very much for your help & the compliment. The 90 degree angle is a great idea!

thanks,

jeff

[mcfoto]

Hi,
We use a 24" left angled "pig tail" at the camera clipped the the tripod. Break-away style.

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-2mbl01-72.html

and a 16' active extension to the computer.

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-usb-014.html   (old picture, the ones we got are more modern looking)

We've never had a problem, but we keep three sets since we often have two camera/computer setups. The "active" cable is more reliable and allows them to be used in series when it is impossible to get the computer near the camera.

We've also talked about getting a break-away pig tail for the computer as well but have not as of yet. For macbooks and macbook pros either:

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-aar04t-16.html
or
http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-usb2-0.5-aa-ext.html

Good luck, nice site by the way.
Dave
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Hi David
Thanks for this. On the other post I meant to say 1Ds MKIII. I bought a 16' (5m) active extension cable here in Sydney yesterday, it looks like the same thing. I want to get 8 meters from the camera to the computer. Have you had any slow down rate with the extension? I will test mine today.
Thanks Denis

[David McCaughan]

Denis-
We have never noticed any slow down, but we shoot interiors so speed is not our highest priority. A tiny bit of extra error correction in the transmission but I doubt it would be even measurable. We've used two together plus the long usb cable that came with the camera without a problem.
Good luck with your shoot.
Dave

[Hank]

Break-away style.
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Break-away is good.  Cameras make a terrible sound on concrete floors when someone trips on the cord.  As they will.  If you don't do it yourself, you can guarantee visitors or clients will.

[marcwilson]

Hi guys,

These length for cables are just what I am looking for to tether 5d to laptop.

A few questions.

To get say the 8 meters in length: A 5 meter active extension and normal 3 meter usb is the best way?

For say just 5 metres in length: ??

And finally...I get the concept of break away but what do I need to get it..or are the cables meantioned here break away versions?

Thanks for the help,

Marc

[David McCaughan]

Hi Marc,

The combination of 5M active and 3M regular will work fine. The "active" part of the extension is really just a one port hub that helps retime the data and basically clean it up so that it can go another 5 meters. So as long as you have one every 5 meters or so you should be fine, factors might include the quality and age of the cable and quality of the port inside the computer.

I don't know of any special break-away usb cables, I was just referring to the idea of using a short cable loosely secured to the tripod so that if I, or someone else, trips on the cord it would unplug instead of pulling over the camera or harming the usb port on the camera. We use the plastic clips that come on Bogen tripods and booms.

Dave

[Dennishh]

We use the smallest stick on wire holders used for computer cable management. These can be gotten in black at Micro center http://fasteningsystems.com/wire_management.html#abcs  I have two going in different directions on my RRS bracket. If the cord gets pulled they hold or break off. These are allot easier to use than the Canon USB retention device.