Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: rogerxnz on September 17, 2026, 01:38:38 am
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I want to connect a We automatic macro rail to a PhaseOne IQ4-150 sensor but I need a cable from the rail unit to the sensor unit to trigger the ES shutter at each step.
Google AI says:
“The WeMacro controller uses a standard 3.5mm jack to trigger camera shutters via a physical cable. Phase One IQ4 digital backs use a 12-pin multiport or can be triggered via their electronic shutter over network interfaces. [1, 2, 3, 4]
* Cable Setup: WeMacro does not sell a proprietary 3.5mm-to-Phase One 12-pin cable directly on their shop. You will need a standard Phase One sync/breakout cable (like a multi-connector to mini-jack adapter) to bridge the 3.5mm shutter extension cable from the WeMacro control box to the camera.”
I think the PhaseOne sync/breakout cable referred to by Google is the one mentioned in a Capture Integration article on firing the electronic shutter on an IQ3-100 but that back has an 8-pin socket and the IQ4-150 has a 12-pin socket.
So, are there any options to electronically trigger the ES on the IQ4-150 yet?
Roger
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Phase one sells the 12-pin multi connector for the IQ4 - Capture Integration store website:
Phase One Multi Conn. to Mini Jack Adapter Cable (12 Pin)
https://digitalback.com/collections/phase-one-accessories/products/phase-one-multi-conn-to-mini-jack-adapter-cable-12-pin
You should be able to pick up the cable anywhere that sells Phase One equipment.
You'll also have to pick up a 3.5mm male to 3.5mm male cable similar to this cable from B&H to connect the phase one multi connect to the WeMacro:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1409621-REG/rode_sc2_3_5mm_trs_patch_cable.html
I have an IQ3, so I use the 8-pin. I have a similar cable hookup, but I use the Cognisys StackShot.
-Ken
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Thank you, Ken!
Your reply is very helpful.
I have not heard of the Cognisys StackShot and I will look into that as well.
The worry I have is whether there is any risk that the triggering from the controller of whatever stacking system I use could damage the IQ4-150 back. I asked PhaseOne about the risk but they fobbed me off with “there are too many systems out there for us to test.”
AI gave me a detailed procedure to test the controller for any current!
So, how did you decide that whatever signal the Cognisys system sent to your IQ3-100 would not harm the back? Or did you just hope for the best?
Roger
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I had no reservations about using the stack shot, as I knew it work with my back. Phase One actually sells a kit so you can adapt, in my case, it to the Actus XL (https://digitalback.com/products/cambo-acxl-985-mounting-kit-for-cognisys-stackshot-on-actus-xl) I also have an Cambo actus-g and phase one recently came out with their own stacking rail (https://digitalback.com/collections/cambo-actus/products/cambo-focus-stacking-rail-for-actus-view-cameras) I have not purchased it, but had a good conversation with Capture Integration about it and it was them that told me about how the cognisys stack shot. The stack shot manual actually explained the wiring configuration, so instead of buying their $200+ cable, I was able to just buy a rca to 3mm cable that plugged right into the phase one multi connect.
I’m not sure how much this info can help you out, but I do know the stack shot works with the phase one backs. I would send a message over to the capture integration crew and ask them about the iq4.
-Ken