Tech Tip: Connecting the USB 2.0 Mini-B 8-Pin

Bio: Catherine Slye is a fine art photographer and manages all technical support for Tether Tools. Follow her on Instagram at @catslye_photography and online at www.catslye.com.   I talk with all types of photographers from all over. Every photographer wants the same thing — to be able to keep working efficiently, effectively and as creatively as possible. For those of you that shoot with a Nikon, Panasonic LUMIX, Pentax or Sony camera that sports the USB 2.0 Mini-B 8-Pin port you may have experienced a connection issue when attempting to tether. Does the software not recognize the camera? Does your computer give you an error message? Understandably, this can be very frustrating and stand in the way getting work done! The problem is the cable is not completely connecting with the camera. Thankfully the solution is a simple one. Make sure you firmly insert the cable into the port, an extra little push to make sure it’s securely seated for the connection to be made. We even made a video to show how easy it is.   The Nikon cameras that use the USB 2.0 Mini-B 8-Pin includes the D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D7100, D7200, D750 and DF. The Panasonic LUMIX cameras that use the USB 2.0 Mini-B 8-Pin includes the GH3, GH4, GH4R, GX7, GX8, DMC-FZ1, DMC-FZ10, DMC-G70, DMC-LC1, DMC-LC33, DMC-LC40, DMC-LC43, and DMC-LC5. The Sony cameras that use the USB 2.0 Mini-B 8-Pin includes the A700, A850, and A900. The Pentax cameras that use the USB 2.0 Mini-B 8-Pin includes the K-30, K-5II, K-5IIS, K-7, K-R, K-X, K10D, K200D, K20D, and K50.