Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Digital Cameras & Shooting Techniques => Topic started by: bcroslin on February 13, 2008, 11:02:41 am

Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: bcroslin on February 13, 2008, 11:02:41 am
Does anyone have a source for 15ft - 30ft cables for shooting tethered with the 1Ds MKIII? I checked the archives and I didn't see anything.

TIA
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: kkovak on February 13, 2008, 11:20:49 am
Quote
Does anyone have a source for 15ft - 30ft cables for shooting tethered with the 1Ds MKIII? I checked the archives and I didn't see anything.

TIA
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=174562\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Bob,

I researched this a few months back and found that USB cables are limited to just over 15 ft (5 meters) in length.  It is a technical limitation which I honestly did not understand.  As I understood it if you want to go longer you will need a powered USB hub in the middle somewhere.  

I found 15ft USB cables in WalMart, Radio Shack, etc.

Hope this helps.
Ken
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: kaelaria on February 13, 2008, 12:40:21 pm
You could try a USB extender such as this one: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?sc...37&RSKU=4275737 (http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=4275737&RSKU=4275737)
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: skibum187 on February 13, 2008, 02:00:27 pm
You'll start to lose information at anything over 15 feet without a powered hub in between. I had my Epson 9800 hooked up with a 15 cable and a 10ft extension, made some test prints, then removed the extension and printed again. It wasn't a huge difference (sharpness) in the prints, but the difference was there none the less.
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: paul_jones on February 13, 2008, 02:12:42 pm
Quote
Bob,

I researched this a few months back and found that USB cables are limited to just over 15 ft (5 meters) in length.  It is a technical limitation which I honestly did not understand.  As I understood it if you want to go longer you will need a powered USB hub in the middle somewhere. 

I found 15ft USB cables in WalMart, Radio Shack, etc.

Hope this helps.
Ken
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=174570\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


the ush specs say that usb doesnt work over 15feet (5m), but i have tried adding a normal 3m extention and it seems to work fine at full speed.

paul
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: kaelaria on February 13, 2008, 02:27:21 pm
Quote
You'll start to lose information at anything over 15 feet without a powered hub in between. I had my Epson 9800 hooked up with a 15 cable and a 10ft extension, made some test prints, then removed the extension and printed again. It wasn't a huge difference (sharpness) in the prints, but the difference was there none the less.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=174613\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


I'm sorry, but that is complete and utter nonsense.
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: dmward on February 13, 2008, 07:46:18 pm
Quote
I'm sorry, but that is complete and utter nonsense.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=174622\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The distance limitations specified for any electrical signal on cable are based on testing to ensure optimum signal in a "hostile" environment. That's why Cat 5 is limited to 100 meters etc.

If you are careful, it is likely that the signal will go farther than the spec distance, if you are careless, letting the cable lay parallel to a power cord for example, then signal corruption is likely.

I expect, not having been involved in the spec writing, that 15 feet was tested with the USB cable mixed in with power and other cable.  The reason some USB cable have the metal ferrules at one end or the other (for example those that come with some cameras, is to ensure they will deliver a clean signal for the 15 feet.

David
Title: Source for long USB 2 cable for tethering
Post by: kaelaria on February 13, 2008, 07:51:28 pm
USB signal degredation causes a lack of connection, or errors in transmission slowing transfer speeds if any.  It does not magically make a print less sharp.

That's like saying Using a too long DVI cable on your TV makes the picture blurry.

Nonesense.