firewire enabled digital cameras - do they exist? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sandeep · 11-12-2003, 12:15 AM

I'm in the market for a digital camera, but so far in my limited research, it seems that most of these cameras connect via USB 1.1

I know for jpegs that should be sufficient, but I'd love to be able to take advantage of my firewire card, because I know how fast the transfer rate is with firewire as opposed to USB 1

Do any of you all have digital cameras which interface with firewire, or am I just talking nonsense here?

(ps, any input on what cameras I should be looking at would be appriciated as well, especially if you already use that one. At the moment, I'm leaning towards a Canon, but that isn't at all concrete yet)

TwoToTango · 11-12-2003, 06:48 AM

The pro end of the market has some
digital backs with IEEE 1394 connectivity.
Something like the Phase One H20 comes
to mind. I'm not sure what the street price
is... something under $20,000, I think. And
you'll need a camera to go with it.

But I haven't seen a consumer-grade digicam
with 1394. You might look at the Nikon D2H --
it has 802.11b wireless capability.

Or maybe look for a multi-format memory
card reader that plugs into your 'puter over
1394.

But I've been happy (shooting an Olympus
E-10) with USB, FWIW.

sandeep · 11-12-2003, 11:05 AM

Well at least I can confirm that I'm just not terrible at Googling.

Thanks for the insight.

R_one · 11-12-2003, 03:22 PM

A very good place to check out is Digital Photography Preview

They have a buyers guide on the left there that will let you search for cameras with firewire. You'll see they don't come close to $20,000

sandeep · 11-12-2003, 05:56 PM

Thanks R_one, but after checking that out, it's still quite a bit more than I wanted to spend on my first digital camera. I just wanted to take advantage of the firewire (which I'm really impressed with).

That site is definitley going in the bookmarks. It'll come in handy for sure. Thanks

Vanquish · 11-12-2003, 06:27 PM

Look into a USB 2.0 Camera, they should be out now, and it would be faster then 400mb/s firewire anyway (the new 800mb/s firewire is a different story

) Good luck.

sandeep · 11-12-2003, 08:33 PM

I'd rather use firewire than USB 2.0, I don't want to get into a firewire vs usb debate, but I'd rather use the FW

But, if lower end cameras are coming out capable of USB 2.0 transfers, well that would be a step up from the usb 1.1 available now.

I was planning on buying one around christmas time, but if I hear of some USB 2 cameras coming out next year, I don't have a problem with waiting.

charliex · 11-12-2003, 11:12 PM

most usb 2.0 cameras are really "usb 1.1" since usb 2.0 is the new revision which includes all speeds.

confusing isn't it, usb hi speed is what you'd look for, to make it worse not everyone uses the usb hi speed and just calls it usb 2.0, but then the low speed usb also call it usb 2.0. when usb 3.0 comes along itll be crazy, then we will have usb extra high or something

but anyway in your cost range just use a firewire CF reader, you wont get the speed of firewire since the speed bottleneck is the CF card itself.

smiling_bob · 11-13-2003, 12:00 AM

You will definately want to get a card reader. There is no point connecting your camera directly to your computer, all it will do is waste your batteries. Card readers are available in USB 2.0 and Firewire, both are fast, but you will be limited by the speed of the memory card. I have a USB 1.1 card reader and it takes only a couple of minutes to transfer a full 256 meg Memory Stick Pro. I recommend you pick up a USB reader because they're typically $20, and the firewire ones are more expensive, like I said, you are limited by the speed of the card, so you won't notice a difference between USB 2.0 and firewire.

sandeep · 11-13-2003, 12:33 AM

I didn't take into account the limitations of the card.

Thanks for the tips about the card reader guys. The point about it just draining the battery when xfering from cam to pc is quite valid.

I love the input you get around here.

I think I'm more at ease about this now, because I didn't realize the whole memory card reader option was available.

and charliex, confusing yes, but i follow you. thanks for the break down.

11-12-2003, 12:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	firewire enabled digital cameras - do they exist? I'm in the market for a digital camera, but so far in my limited research, it seems that most of these cameras connect via USB 1.1 I know for jpegs that should be sufficient, but I'd love to be able to take advantage of my firewire card, because I know how fast the transfer rate is with firewire as opposed to USB 1 Do any of you all have digital cameras which interface with firewire, or am I just talking nonsense here? (ps, any input on what cameras I should be looking at would be appriciated as well, especially if you already use that one. At the moment, I'm leaning towards a Canon, but that isn't at all concrete yet)

11-12-2003, 06:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
TwoToTango Psycho	The pro end of the market has some digital backs with IEEE 1394 connectivity. Something like the Phase One H20 comes to mind. I'm not sure what the street price is... something under $20,000, I think. And you'll need a camera to go with it. But I haven't seen a consumer-grade digicam with 1394. You might look at the Nikon D2H -- it has 802.11b wireless capability. Or maybe look for a multi-format memory card reader that plugs into your 'puter over 1394. But I've been happy (shooting an Olympus E-10) with USB, FWIW.

11-12-2003, 11:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	Well at least I can confirm that I'm just not terrible at Googling. Thanks for the insight.

11-12-2003, 03:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
R_one Crazy	A very good place to check out is Digital Photography Preview They have a buyers guide on the left there that will let you search for cameras with firewire. You'll see they don't come close to $20,000

11-12-2003, 05:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	Thanks R_one, but after checking that out, it's still quite a bit more than I wanted to spend on my first digital camera. I just wanted to take advantage of the firewire (which I'm really impressed with). That site is definitley going in the bookmarks. It'll come in handy for sure. Thanks

11-12-2003, 06:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Vanquish Insane Location: Truro, Nova Scotia	Look into a USB 2.0 Camera, they should be out now, and it would be faster then 400mb/s firewire anyway (the new 800mb/s firewire is a different story ) Good luck.

11-12-2003, 08:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	I'd rather use firewire than USB 2.0, I don't want to get into a firewire vs usb debate, but I'd rather use the FW But, if lower end cameras are coming out capable of USB 2.0 transfers, well that would be a step up from the usb 1.1 available now. I was planning on buying one around christmas time, but if I hear of some USB 2 cameras coming out next year, I don't have a problem with waiting.

11-12-2003, 11:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
charliex Junkie Location: North Hollywood	most usb 2.0 cameras are really "usb 1.1" since usb 2.0 is the new revision which includes all speeds. confusing isn't it, usb hi speed is what you'd look for, to make it worse not everyone uses the usb hi speed and just calls it usb 2.0, but then the low speed usb also call it usb 2.0. when usb 3.0 comes along itll be crazy, then we will have usb extra high or something but anyway in your cost range just use a firewire CF reader, you wont get the speed of firewire since the speed bottleneck is the CF card itself.

11-13-2003, 12:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
smiling_bob Upright Location: Phoenix, AZ	You will definately want to get a card reader. There is no point connecting your camera directly to your computer, all it will do is waste your batteries. Card readers are available in USB 2.0 and Firewire, both are fast, but you will be limited by the speed of the memory card. I have a USB 1.1 card reader and it takes only a couple of minutes to transfer a full 256 meg Memory Stick Pro. I recommend you pick up a USB reader because they're typically $20, and the firewire ones are more expensive, like I said, you are limited by the speed of the card, so you won't notice a difference between USB 2.0 and firewire.

11-13-2003, 12:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	I didn't take into account the limitations of the card. Thanks for the tips about the card reader guys. The point about it just draining the battery when xfering from cam to pc is quite valid. I love the input you get around here. I think I'm more at ease about this now, because I didn't realize the whole memory card reader option was available. and charliex, confusing yes, but i follow you. thanks for the break down.