D300 Bulb Issue

[cdnpilot]

I seem to be having an intermittent problem with bulb on my D300. For a couple nights in a row while doing multiple 5 minutes exposures all seems fine (I usually do them in groups of 10). Then, and not at any given time the shutter will close (after a minute or two). I check connections, run test - it is working. Try again - same problem. I disconect the camera in BYN and reopen it - all is fine and it works without a problem. This has happened on a couple of nights. Anyone seen this or thoughts?

[krphotogs]

Camera USB is plugged in directly - not through a hub. Has not happened for a while now. Thanks!

[astroman133]

Without more information I would speculate that the cable is faulty.

 

What version of BYN are you using? Are you using a DSUSB shutter control cable from Shoestring Astronomy? Does the cable work with the DSUSB Cable Test App?

[cdnpilot]

Well just saw a new version came out yesterday - but 2.0. Yes, Shoestring DUSB and tested fine with App.

[admin]

Still, this looks like a bad USB cable or bad USB cable connection.  Make sure the cable is properly seated.

 

Are you using a USB hub?

[krphotogs]

That was my thought - but why does it repeated drop out until I disconnect and re-connect the camera (in the SW not physically). Yes it is on a hub - too many USB goes-into and not enough ports. The LX200 is plugged in on its own - so maybe I will switch that and see. Not a huge problem just a nit....

[astroman133]

Nikon strongly recommends that the camera be directly connected to the PC and NOT connect through a hub.  However, that should apply only to the USB cable and not apply to the Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB cable.

 

It may take an examination of a log file that was created during the execution of an exposure plan where your image duration is terminated prematurely to figure out what is happening.