Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Neil Folberg on April 09, 2015, 04:13:44 am

Title: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Neil Folberg on April 09, 2015, 04:13:44 am

Hello,

I just tried Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro with Apple Thunderbolt to FW800 adapter (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014, OSX 10.10.2) using Capture One 8.2

It looks like the camera is starting to connect but it never quite gets there. I also just tried it with good old Leaf Capture with the same result.

The Thunderbolt connector heats up a bit, it made me nervous, so I disconnected it. Has anyone done this?

Thanks, Neil

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: gebseng on April 09, 2015, 04:40:51 am

You need to add a firewire repeater with an additional power source, the Thunderbold-Firewire adapter does not provide enough power.

best,

geb

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Neil Folberg on April 09, 2015, 05:29:44 am

Many thanks, Geb, I will try to get hold of one.

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Doug Peterson on April 09, 2015, 09:31:22 am

A thunderbolt hub with a FW port is, IMO preferable since:
- It provides other ports
- It reduces the number of connections by eliminating the [FW-Thunderbolt adapter]

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: barihunk on April 09, 2015, 01:04:04 pm

Quote from: Doug Peterson on April 09, 2015, 09:31:22 am

A thunderbolt hub with a FW port is, IMO preferable since:
- It provides other ports
- It reduces the number of connections by eliminating the [FW-Thunderbolt adapter]

Have you tried any particular hub/dock and which of them work well?

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: JoeKitchen on April 09, 2015, 01:19:13 pm

This is an interesting problem.  

I have the newest version of a Macbook Pro, 15 inch, and, when I got it, I was concerned about the same thing.  I have shoot numerous jobs without a battery in the back and I have never had a problem.  (I have also fooled around with an IQ260 without a battery and had no problem either.)  

Maybe they updated it to provide more power in the latest version?  

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Joe Towner on April 10, 2015, 12:20:32 pm

The power being supplied via the Thunderbolt port will vary between models and build to order options (cpu/ram).  The Belkin TB dock is used by lots of folks.

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Chris Valites on April 14, 2015, 05:26:07 pm

I've personally seen and used the Belkin repeater while tech supporting some folks on location, but we've also always recommended our CI-certified Firewire hubs (https://www.digitalback.com/product/fw400-powered-hub/), too. You'd just need a thunderbolt adapter from the computer to firewire, and you're good togo.

I linked you to the FW400 version above, but we also do sell an 800 version.

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Steve Hendrix on April 16, 2015, 10:59:57 pm

Anthony Festa, our excellent Head of Technical Services, has just published a very informative article on tethering digital backs, concentrating on some of the weak points that get overlooked. He also includes many recommendations. I highly recommend the article.

https://captureintegration.com/tethering-the-weakest-links/


Steve Hendrix
Capture Integration

Title: Re: Tethering Leaf AFi-ii 12 to MacBook Pro Thunderbolt (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
Post by: Neil Folberg on April 17, 2015, 07:50:04 am

Hello Steve,
Thanks for that very informative survey. I know that you have vast experience in these kinds of issues and appreciate your posting.
Best wishes, Neil