Connecting to long usb cable

[Banquo]

I bought a 10M or 30' usb to usb mini cable to connect my camera to laptop but it doesn't work. Is there a maximum length of cable that can be used? as I have a 1M cable that works fine

[astroman133]

The USB 2.0 max length is 5M or 16.5 ft. You can extend beyond that with an USB Active Extension cable. I'm actually surprised that you could find a 10M USB cable.

[s3igell]

No matter what length Cable you Buy, make sure that it isn't "The Cheapest of that Length".  Quality effects the functionality of a USB2 Cable as much as Length.

 

Also, consider using a Powered USB Hub if you use any Cable longer than 6-8ft - most Laptops skimp on the Power Output in order to Conserve Battery Life.

 

When you are looking at longer Cables - longer than 5M - look for ones with an Active Repeater in the middle.  AND then ENSURE that you use a Powered Hub (as that Repeater will take most all the Power supplied by the Laptop).

[Banquo]

Brilliant, thanks for the advice. I'll look into it (and maybe try wireless as I have a 6D) 

[astroman133]

BYE uses the Canon-supplied Software Development Kit (SDK) to communicate with, and control, the camera. So far the SDK has not supported WiFi communication between the camera and 3rd party applications like BYE. In fact, you need to be sure that WiFi is disabled in the camera in order to connect via USB.

 

If you look back through the BYE Forum archives, there was one guy who posted a convoluted process for controlling a camera via WiFi with BYE. If I remember correctly he used another application to do the pairing and setup work and then started up BYE and was able to connect.

 

Also, you should know that some of the major star parties do not allow equipment control via WiFi on their observing fields.

[Banquo]

Thanks astroman133