Nikon F5 and Photo Secretary

[Marvin]

I was reading about the Photo Secretary in the Nikon System Handbook and was wondering if any one still uses it. I don't have a cable and was wondering if they are still available. Could this be run on an XP based computer or is the software to old. Just wondering if other F5 users still have this up and running.
Marvin

 

[Chan Tran]

Yes I use the photo secretary software with a Windows based system. It was designed for Windows 95 but run fine on Windows XP. There is only one problem when running on Windows XP that the setup program couldn't make the short cut on the start menu so you would have to do it yourself. Otherwise it's fine. I bought the Nikon cable but there were some third party cable available. I don't think either the software nor the cable is available any more. If you can find the cable then shoot me a message or email.

 

[Bearman]

Yes, it works on XP and WIN 7. Trick is finding the patch cord.

Rockwell as some details on it (scroll down this page: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/f5/users-guide.htm)
See also: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/NikonF5/accessories/PhotoSecretary/index.htm

I use the MV-1 data reader for the F5/F6 which downloads EXIF data from the camera to a mem card. The MV-1 on eBay typically $70-85.

 

[Chan Tran]

Since I don't care much for the shooting data so the MV-1 doesn't work for me. I use the photo secretary mostly for custom settings. Oh, your computer must have a serial port to use it though. I have not tried a usb to serial converter so I don't know if it would work.

 

[Marvin]

Thanks for all the information. A quick search on ebay did not show any MC-33 cables so I guess that would be the hard part. Someone may still have copies of the software laying around. I am a Network Technician so sometimes I have to make up special cables for equipment but I don't know if you could find the connectors or the pinout.

 

[Chan Tran]

Thanks for all the information. A quick search on ebay did not show any MC-33 cables so I guess that would be the hard part. Someone may still have copies of the software laying around. I am a Network Technician so sometimes I have to make up special cables for equipment but I don't know if you could find the connectors or the pinout.

I thought I downloaded the schematic diagram for a homemade cable somewhere but I couldn't find it now. It requires an active circuit and not simply wires and connectors.
On this webpage there is a cable designed for the F100 but I think it would work with the F5 too.
http://www.schneordesign.com/Avi/F100/