Why put the PC Sync for strobes and Timecode on the top side of the pentaprism ?

[Pelu2010]

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Hey, 

one thing struck me when I had the SL3 and the SL3-s in hand. Why would you put the Pc sync on the left side of the pentaprism? 

there is enough space down where the HDMi , USBC , Audio in and out ports are. If I recall it this was also the position on my Canon EOS 5Ds xxx. 

Everything would be sealed  under the rubber and not another position to care about. 

This is the one design choice that I don't understand. The other thing is: why could this not be solved with USBC? 

Why the timecode needed a pc sync? 

This is one of the things I don't get. 

Main issue was the timecode > I see that many companies (tentacles) are able to do this with USBC. 

And even more they can sync many devices over their app? 

The iPhone has a Usbc port and is connected to the camera via the app. It could have been solved easily via app and then sync up to 10 Leica's . 

And if you need other cameras with the timecode > Tc out with a USB-C cable to BNC > then you can reach any camera , Arri , Red, Sony etc. 

Why would you put an PC Socket on a camera in 2023-2024 if the camera has a perfect connection to an app? 

THe only thing the camera needs is a tc generator and reader if another camera is the master. 

Any idea? 

I don't mind the function, but it surprises me how it's implemented. 

cheers Peter 

 

Here is a German company that makes devices that sync cameras : 

https://tentaclesync.com

We use these tentacles to sync audio and video on production. 

there a many more devices this is only an example. 

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[Photoworks]

It is a flash sync port that can do timecode sync too.

Works fine for me, I don't even use the cover!

[phojomatic]

Before I handled the camera, I was really baffled by this too. But after about two minutes I forget it was even there. Still, I agree, bc it would be better weathersealed and I'll probably add some tape over the socket cover which I'm sure will immediately fly off (Nikon PC sync covers anyone?).

 

Thanks Photoworks, I didn't realize it was also a PC sync port, so I can see why it would be placed there, although it most likely will knock the left dial if using a cord. A wireless PC sync though, that would work well. 

I've never used a timecode on a dslr style camera project, but I have used GEN-Lock with dedicated video cams in a studio setting (how-to videos)....and in that environment there are a TON of cables everywhere. I guess you can do the same with a SL3/s....but it seems wireless Timecode would be the way to go.

[Photoworks]

30 minutes ago, phojomatic said:

Before I handled the camera, I was really baffled by this too. But after about two minutes I forget it was even there. Still, I agree, bc it would be better weathersealed and I'll probably add some tape over the socket cover which I'm sure will immediately fly off (Nikon PC sync covers anyone?).

 

Thanks Photoworks, I didn't realize it was also a PC sync port, so I can see why it would be placed there, although it most likely will knock the left dial if using a cord. A wireless PC sync though, that would work well. 

I've never used a timecode on a dslr style camera project, but I have used GEN-Lock with dedicated video cams in a studio setting (how-to videos)....and in that environment there are a TON of cables everywhere. I guess you can do the same with a SL3/s....but it seems wireless Timecode would be the way to go.

I find myself working with businesses around Times Square. The wireless space is very saturated and interferes with every wireless mic system.

Time sync JAM before recording is the only way to sync audio in post with a wireless mic.
I have used the Sennheiser AVX set, and that does much better. But radio stations come in and out of your signal.

The flash sync is a bonus, as many wireless systems fail on important jobs. a simple cable save the day.

 

There is very little information on how the timecode works on the SL3, but you can sync in and out.

To sync in you have to have the volume set to MAX. I was using the Deity timecode and it took me some time got get it working.

[Pelu2010]

4 hours ago, Photoworks said:

It is a flash sync port that can do timecode sync too.

Works fine for me, I don't even use the cover!

I know. I was wondering why they put it on the top of the camera and not on the side where all the ports are 

[Pelu2010]

3 hours ago, Photoworks said:

I find myself working with businesses around Times Square. The wireless space is very saturated and interferes with every wireless mic system.

Time sync JAM before recording is the only way to sync audio in post with a wireless mic.
I have used the Sennheiser AVX set, and that does much better. But radio stations come in and out of your signal.

The flash sync is a bonus, as many wireless systems fail on important jobs. a simple cable save the day.

 

There is very little information on how the timecode works on the SL3, but you can sync in and out.

To sync in you have to have the volume set to MAX. I was using the Deity timecode and it took me some time got get it working.

That’s why I wrote that it could have been done with the usbc port. Tc is not pc Port proprietary…. 
we can have tc and flash sync via usbc. 
Just as a cable that addresses the features. 

[Photoworks]

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30 minutes ago, Pelu2010 said:

That’s why I wrote that it could have been done with the usbc port. Tc is not pc Port proprietary…. 
we can have tc and flash sync via usbc. 
Just as a cable that addresses the features. 

I am sure there was a technical limitation to it, either space or placement inside the housing, something that you or I are not knowledgeable about.

 

[phojomatic]

1 hour ago, Pelu2010 said:

That’s why I wrote that it could have been done with the usbc port. Tc is not pc Port proprietary…. 
we can have tc and flash sync via usbc. 
Just as a cable that addresses the features. 

That’s interesting. If time code could use USB-C, then multiple usb ports would have worked like the Nikon z8 has…even if Nikon didn’t exactly say what the second port should do. But with Nikon buying red, that could certainly open up using time code on the z8. 
 

[Stuart Richardson]

For the PC port at least, I think it is better to have an original port than a USB C implementation. PC is an old standard and most studio photographers have sync cables. Having another easy to lose adapter that you have to use and buy separately to make it work seems counterproductive to me. As for the location, that is another matter. I don't have the SL3 so I have not experienced it in action. Personally, I think it is great they included a PC sync port. When you need it, you need it. I agree with Photoworks that there are situations when it can be useful. Honestly, it can also be nice to just not mess around with wireless. In a setup where you are locked down, a cable just gives perfect sync every time, no batteries to worry about, no menus, settings etc. It just works.

[Pelu2010]

16 hours ago, phojomatic said:

That’s interesting. If time code could use USB-C, then multiple usb ports would have worked like the Nikon z8 has…even if Nikon didn’t exactly say what the second port should do. But with Nikon buying red, that could certainly open up using time code on the z8. 
 

You can have a look at www.tentacles.de

you will see that there are many cables that all lead into usb-c. 

[Pelu2010]

4 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

For the PC port at least, I think it is better to have an original port than a USB C implementation. PC is an old standard and most studio photographers have sync cables. Having another easy to lose adapter that you have to use and buy separately to make it work seems counterproductive to me. As for the location, that is another matter. I don't have the SL3 so I have not experienced it in action. Personally, I think it is great they included a PC sync port. When you need it, you need it. I agree with Photoworks that there are situations when it can be useful. Honestly, it can also be nice to just not mess around with wireless. In a setup where you are locked down, a cable just gives perfect sync every time, no batteries to worry about, no menus, settings etc. It just works.

I don’t find it negative that the pc port is back. But it’s position is strange. 

[Photoworks]

1 hour ago, Pelu2010 said:

You can have a look at www.tentacles.de

you will see that there are many cables that all lead into usb-c. 

there is one, and it is not for a camera, it is for AudioDevices.

There is a Micro USB port for Sony Cameras, the same one Sony uses for Cable release.

[Pelu2010]

1 minute ago, Photoworks said:

there is one, and it is not for a camera, it is for AudioDevices.

There is a Micro USB port for Sony Cameras, the same one Sony uses for Cable release.

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[Photoworks]

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[Photoworks]

Deity make one too

https://shop.deitymic.com/collections/timecode/products/c21?_gl=1*6uh61l*_gcl_au*NDg0NTM0MTI0LjE3MzIyOTE1OTY.*_ga*MTk4NDg4MDg0LjE3MTM4ODQ2NTA.*_ga_0N0NTXFHGW*MTczNzQ3Mzk5NS4xNC4xLjE3Mzc0NzQwMzEuMjQuMC4xMjYzNTYyOTEw

 

Dedicated to the DJI OSMO

 

as you see it is not that simple.

the PC sync is the smallest port that is free when you do video, and it is free for flash when you do photos.

[BernardC]

3 hours ago, Photoworks said:

the PC sync is the smallest port that is free when you do video, and it is free for flash when you do photos.

I vote for this answer 😀. The PC sync terminal is free when you are shooting video, unlike the USB port which can be used for SSD storage. A quick web search shows that most timecode vendors offer a PC cable.