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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

LEMO connector - using the wrong way can cause a short and kill the camera

You mean this link ?

Michael Ou said:
Coming from live music and theater, I'm quite familiar with the various beefy cable connectors that are in use, such as Socaplex, stage pin, DMX (XLR of many varieties), Cam-lok and Posi-lok to name a few. All range from beefy to monstrous, but as I make the crossover to digital cinema I am introduced to a curious new plug that I am not familiar with: The LEMO. To those in the know, no need to read any further.
After reading of some possible catastrophic failure attributed to a very few unfortunate incidents of cable malfunction, I decided to familiarize myself with this little connector, and it's possible shortcomings (no pun intended).
Instead of breaking down the connector and naming all it's parts, I'll just post the important part and link to an animation found in the LEMO site wonderfully illustrating how it's ingenious little locking mechanism works. There are three little animations to click: "Connection system", "Absolute security" and "Disengagement".

http://www.lemo.com/PUSH/push.asp

After understanding how this connection system works, I can now see how problems can develop. Such as, if someone new to this plug tries to work with it. Also many of the owner/operators here rent their gear and I can just see a rental client or their cousin, yanking at what he/she believes to be part of the plug, but not quite grasping what's called the "outer release sleeve", the proper way to unlock the connector, causing the friction lock (collet) to dig in and breech the insulation resulting in the short that kills your camera. SHUDDER!!!!
With that said, and understanding how the mechanism works, the LEMO really is quite a clever bit of engineering, perfectly designed to resist accidental unplugging, but its NOT idiot-proof!

​Happy and SAFE shooting!
Click to expand...


Umm.... Where did you read about that "problem" ?
 
Stuart English said:
You mean this link ?

Umm.... Where did you read about that "problem" ?
Click to expand...

The problem is not with the connector, but with how people might try to use it without understanding how it worked.

One Scarlet owner complained that he'd had trouble with the power connector, and now saw that he just didn't know how to use it.
 
My experience with the Swiss connectors

My experience with the Swiss connectors

I personally don't care much for LEMO or Fisher. I think they are overpriced, complicated for ordering, and in a very limited supply most of the time. I dread every time I order for 25 years now.
I go with Hirose- they are half price- much better designed and can be bought everywhere in abundance. They are metal, keyed and locking. You can't spin the key because it's one piece with the shell.
Sorry Lemo, you are cute and maybe in the 50's even advanced, but now it's the 21st century.. Little harsh I know, but having to deal with it for so long-it's frustrating..:001_tt2:
 
Well as you can't actually pull the LEMO connector out of the camera unless you release the outer sleeve I fail to understand how "using the wrong way can cause a short and kill the camera". i.e. let's be careful in our postings and avoid creating any FUD? (If you have link to a report that there was a problem, can you please e-mail me that at stuart@red.com)

Appreciate it.


The latch release mechanism on a LEMO is very simple. Pinch the barrel between your fingers and pull away from the camera body.
 
Stuart - I was just quoting from that thread. Can I change the title of this thread?
 
Not sure a thread title can be changed Les. Maybe a moderator can advise. In any case it'll drop out of "headline" stage if we don't post anymore.

Cheers.
 
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