Trying to connect Nikon D800E and DSUSB

[ClassicNikonF]

Hi Guylain, 

 

Just downloaded and installed Beta02 but having basic "Camera not found" problem.  Using Nikon D800E and Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB.  Checked everything and am stumped.  Here's the checklist:

 

1). Camera is on

2). Camera mode set to Manual, focus to Manual

3). Shutter speed set to Bulb

4). Connection with D800 via DSUSB checked with DSUSBcheck.exe and all functions confirmed.

5). Battery is full

6). Camera firmware is up-to-date with A1.10/B1.10

7)  Using Windows 8.1 Pro

 

Hmm, am I missing something really basic?  Do I need to install a license key?  Thanks for your help!

 

Bob

[admin]

Hi Bob,

 

Do you have the D800 or D800E?

 

The D800E is *NOT* support as Nikon does not have a Software Development Kit (SDK) for this model.  See support models in the thread.

 

Regards,

[admin]

Hi Bob,

 

Do you have the D800 or D800E?

 

The D800E is *NOT* support as Nikon does not have a Software Development Kit (SDK) for this model.  See support models in the thread.

 

Regards,

 

Correction, the D800E has an SDK.

 

Let me check a few things.

 

In the meantime, remove the memory card and try again.

 

Regards,

[admin]

Please install "Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package", the link is below.  It may help.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555

 

I may have to install it as part of the normal install, it looks like the latest Nikon SDK requires it.

 

Keep me posted,

 

 

[admin]

Hi Guylain, 

 

Just downloaded and installed Beta02 but having basic "Camera not found" problem.  Using Nikon D800E and Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB.  Checked everything and am stumped.  Here's the checklist:

 

1). Camera is on

2). Camera mode set to Manual, focus to Manual

3). Shutter speed set to Bulb

4). Connection with D800 via DSUSB checked with DSUSBcheck.exe and all functions confirmed.

5). Battery is full

6). Camera firmware is up-to-date with A1.10/B1.10

7)  Using Windows 8.1 Pro

 

Hmm, am I missing something really basic?  Do I need to install a license key?  Thanks for your help!

 

Bob

 

Hi Bob, me again.

 

I see no mention in your steps above regarding the regular camera supplied USB cable.  You are connecting both cables, right?  The camera supplied USB cable -AND- the DSUSB cable?

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Yikes, no.  I've not seen anywhere in my hours of reading where both cables are needed.  Kind of a surprise actually as it means the 10' extension I got for the DSUSB is useless.  OK, I'll try it and the C++ package and report back.  Thanks

 

Bob

[admin]

Yikes, no.  I've not seen anywhere in my hours of reading where both cables are needed.  Kind of a surprise actually as it means the 10' extension I got for the DSUSB is useless.  OK, I'll try it and the C++ package and report back.  Thanks

 

Bob

 

Then that is the root cause.

 

The DSUSB cable is ONLY for bulb.  The camera USB cable is for everything else.

 

You are the first one connecting a D800E

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Well, I'm screwed.  I'm running a Surface Pro 2 with only 1 USB 3.0 port.  If I have to use 2 USB cables and I can't use a USB hub, I'm dead in the water if I want to use my SP2 (and I do since it's my travel computer).  Thanks

 

Bob

[admin]

Well, I'm screwed.  I'm running a Surface Pro 2 with only 1 USB 3.0 port.  If I have to use 2 USB cables and I can't use a USB hub, I'm dead in the water if I want to use my SP2 (and I do since it's my travel computer).  Thanks

 

Bob

 

The DSUSB cable is a serial cable, nothing more... and that cable connects to the SHUTTER port on your camera, not the normal USB connector port.  It is meant to open and close the shutter only... and that is the only thing is was design for and the only thing it can do.

 

Get yourself a 2.0 USB powered hub and you will be fine... something like this

 

Regards,

 

 

[primeclash]

Please install "Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package", the link is below.  It may help.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555

 

I may have to install it as part of the normal install, it looks like the latest Nikon SDK requires it.

 

 

 

I discovered this issue when I re-installed W8.1 on a new SSD. I should have mentioned that it might need to be part of the install. Mea culpa. But it doesn't simply fail to connect; there are multiple warning dialogs.

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Hey Guylain, OK, much joy here!  Your troubleshooting guide said remove any hubs - so that's why I thought I was screwed.  Anyway, I had one of these as part of my SP2 travel kit:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-4-Port-Compact-Built--Cable/dp/B00B7FOQCK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1402689907&sr=8-4&keywords=anker+usb+hub

 

Connected everything up and, Houston, I have a connection.    The connection log says you need the following information:

 

Device (D800E) Module (Type0006) found!

 

Anything else you need or is there anything you want me to test out?  Nice to know I'm the first D800E, finally 1st in something 

 

BTW, did NOT install the C++ package

 

Bob

[admin]

Hey Guylain, OK, much joy here!  Your troubleshooting guide said remove any hubs - so that's why I thought I was screwed.  Anyway, I had one of these as part of my SP2 travel kit:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-4-Port-Compact-Built--Cable/dp/B00B7FOQCK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1402689907&sr=8-4&keywords=anker+usb+hub

 

Connected everything up and, Houston, I have a connection.    The connection log says you need the following information:

 

Device (D800E) Module (Type0006) found!

 

Anything else you need or is there anything you want me to test out?  Nice to know I'm the first D800E, finally 1st in something 

 

BTW, did NOT install the C++ package

 

Bob

 

The C++ is only for some models I believe.

 

No hub... in your case it's your only alternative given you only have 1 port on your computer.  Just try to not overload it with unnecessary devices.

 

I'll use the information above to make sure I register all supported functions for the D800E.  I may need to send you a new download link next week.

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Definitely know not to add anything else to the hub particularly since it is unpowered. 

 

Anyway, was looking at the Beta 02 status grid and footnote *3 for the D800 caught my eye.  So I fired up Beta02 and in the Capture Plan Center punched into Line 1, Exposures=4, Bulb, Aperture=4, Duration=1, ISO 100, and Pause=1.  Clicked Start Capture and got 4 images of my den just fine.  Then I add the same into Line2 and shot again.  Got 8 new images of my den just fine.

 

Do I need a more complicated exposure or shooting plan to make this bug show up?

[admin]

Anyway, was looking at the Beta 02 status grid and footnote *3 for the D800 caught my eye.  So I fired up Beta02 and in the Capture Plan Center punched into Line 1, Exposures=4, Bulb, Aperture=4, Duration=1, ISO 100, and Pause=1.  Clicked Start Capture and got 4 images of my den just fine.  Then I add the same into Line2 and shot again.  Got 8 new images of my den just fine.

 

Do I need a more complicated exposure or shooting plan to make this bug show up?

 

That footnote should not apply to you since you are using a serial cable for BULB with your D800E.

 

I will update the grid.

 

So I think you are good to go as-is

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Yee ha!    That's great news.  Thanks for all your help!  I'll keep a watch in case you need to send a new download link next week. 

 

Bob

[admin]

Yee ha!    That's great news.  Thanks for all your help!  I'll keep a watch in case you need to send a new download link next week. 

 

Bob

 

The D800E has live view, right?  If this is the case I need to register live view for that model... so yes a new download link next week

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Yes, it has Live View

[ClassicNikonF]

Hi Guylain,

 

As I'm playing with this Beta02, I've noticed a few things.  Maybe they're bugs or maybe "features" or as intended:

 

1). In Setting -> Advanced Settings, you have EOS Utility Check. 

2). In Settings, I changed the location of ...\BackyardTEMP to ...\BackyardNIKON\BackyardTEMP and saved.  However, when I exit from BYN, a log file continues to save in ...\BackyardTEMP\Logs

3). If I'm using BYN in a non-astronomy application, can I leave camera focus mode to AF?

 

 

Is posting here the correct way to report bugs?

 

Thanks,

Bob

 

 

 

[admin]

Hi Guylain,

 

As I'm playing with this Beta02, I've noticed a few things.  Maybe they're bugs or maybe "features" or as intended:

 

1). In Setting -> Advanced Settings, you have EOS Utility Check. 

2). In Settings, I changed the location of ...\BackyardTEMP to ...\BackyardNIKON\BackyardTEMP and saved.  However, when I exit from BYN, a log file continues to save in ...\BackyardTEMP\Logs

3). If I'm using BYN in a non-astronomy application, can I leave camera focus mode to AF?

 

 

Is posting here the correct way to report bugs?

 

Thanks,

Bob

 

 

 

Hi Bob,

 

1) Yes, I need to remove that.

2) That is a bug, thanks for reporting it.

3) Yes.

 

This is the right place to report bugs.

 

Thank you,

 

 

[admin]

Yes, it has Live View

 

Send me and email to support@binaryrivers.com and I'll send you a download link to try live view on your D800E.

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

done!  thanks,  Bob

[ClassicNikonF]

OK, got the download and installed it.  While I'm getting ready to test it, let me ask you a stupid question.  There's 10 pins in that remote connector for the D800.  Why isn't it possible to do more than just control the Bulb shutter control.  Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to be educated. 

 

As always, thanks for your help!

 

Bob

[admin]

OK, got the download and installed it.  While I'm getting ready to test it, let me ask you a stupid question.  There's 10 pins in that remote connector for the D800.  Why isn't it possible to do more than just control the Bulb shutter control.  Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to be educated. 

 

As always, thanks for your help!

 

Bob

Because that cable is a straight serial cable. The Nikon SDK has no clue it exist.

[ClassicNikonF]

Hi Guylain,

 

Had a few moments to try Live View.  It appears to work.  As an AP neophyte, some of the UI is a little obtuse and I'm still trying to work through and understand the Live View menu options and controls.  For now, it's working and I have nothing to report.

 

Just to be clear, there is no software control of the focusing mechanism on the camera?  

 

Thanks,

Bob

[admin]

Just to be clear, there is no software control of the focusing mechanism on the camera?

 

That is correct... but if you have an ASCOM compliant focuser you can use it.

 

If you have questions about functionality you can also visit the BackyardEOS forum.  Most functions are the same

 

Regards,

 

 

[ClassicNikonF]

Gotcha, understand.  I was already headed to the BYE forums to get some deep immersion.  Thanks

 

Bob

[astroman133]

Bob,

 

I am not a Nikon owner, but with the Canon cameras you can adjust focus from BYE when you have a lens attached.  However, with the camera attached to a telescope, at prime focus, you must use the telescope's focuser to make that adjustment.  If the focuser allows computer control and there is an ASCOM driver for it, then you can use BYE or BYN's ASCOM Focuser tool to adjust the focuser.

[ClassicNikonF]

Hi Rick,

 

Thanks for your input.  It's greatly appreciated as I'm doing my best to process all this new info and pick up a new "skillset". 

 

Bob