USB Cables

[Jonbar18]

So, I wanted to work a bit with tethered shooting, maybe try a time-lapse, and look for a remote release cable. I found a free Camera Controller for PC that can do all this. The problem is that the Nikon cable costs a whole $30 which is way to much for a simple cable. I could find a fitting cable at the local computer store for $5. But before I waste my money and risk damaging something, am I right to assume that there's nothing special about the Nikon Cable, and any peripheral cable will work?

[jdepould]

USB is USB, you're not going to damage anything.

[Jonbar18]

That's what I thought. I was just wondering because at $30 I'd expect an adapter or something in there.

[Jonbar18]

Searched around the home, and found an old phone cable that fits. Jon:1 Nikon:0

[ravncat]

If anything, beyond the nikon name - it's possible that your local usb cable is, A a different length, B a different thickness. That would account for the large price difference. It will certainly work for you though.

[John Hendry]

Asuming the USB cable for the Nikon isn't used to deliver power through a special adapter, then USB is USB. There is a difference in the quailty of the wire used in different makes of cable which does have a practical difference in speed, but in real life application, the differences are so small as to be negligible so not really worth the extra cost. A move to USB 3 would make a big jump though, and although USB 3 is backwardly compatible, the plugs are different to USB 1.1 and 2 so an older cable won't work properly with a USB 3 socket. So if the Nikon is using USB 2 or USB 1.1, then go for the less expensive cable.