Grant Hutchinson

I’m pleased to report that a 20 year old iSight camera still works (in all its 640x480 glory) under macOS Sonoma.

All it takes is a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, a Thunderbolt 2 to FireWire 800 adapter, and a FireWire 800 to FireWire 400 adapter.

#ShittyCameraChallenge
#FireWireForever

Dec 11, 2024 at 5:19pmIvory for iOS
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024

Now to try this same convoluted setup on my M3 MacBook Pro.

#ShittyCameraChallenge #FireWireForever

Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024

No joy in Apple Silicon land. The iSight appears as a FireWire device in System Information, but isn’t recognized as a camera.

#ShittyCameraChallenge #FireWireForever
#BooUrns

Show threadLuke Dorny Dec 11, 2024
@splorp noooooooo!
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024
@Luke Still searching for a possible solution. Might try using a hub rather than a dongle train.
Show threadLuke Dorny Dec 11, 2024
@splorp time for a deep solder dive.
Show threadKarl BaronDec 12, 2024

@splorp Yeah I could get a miniDV Firewire camera working but not the iSight

I also needed to do this https://support.apple.com/en-us/108387

If you can't use your camera or video output device after updating to macOS Sonoma 14.1 - Apple Support

Starting in macOS Sonoma 14.1, cameras and video output devices that don't use modern system extensions won't be available to use unless you restore the legacy settings.

Apple Support
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 12, 2024
@kalleboo Ok, this is good know. I’ll give it a go today.
Show threadThomas BrandDec 11, 2024
@splorp LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE EXCESS NEWTON BATTERY PACKS.
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024
@Eggfreckles I think you mean excess Newton devices.
Show threadAxel HartmannDec 11, 2024
@splorp ... and a stack full of Newtons?!?
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024
@axel_hartmann Yes. A literal stack. And those are just the ones in my office.
Show threadAxel HartmannDec 11, 2024
@splorp - been mulling over a 2000 although I switched to Palms after that somehow less-than-convincing Newton 100 almost 30 years ago...
Show threadAxel HartmannDec 11, 2024
@splorp - what has more Arm cores per inch of height - that stack or a Mac Studio?
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024

@axel_hartmann

Newton Stack: 10.5cm / 4 Cores

Mac Studio: 9.5cm / 10 Cores (M1 Max), 20 Cores (M1 Ultra)

Show threadMadagascar_SkyDec 11, 2024

@splorp

I can't believe that worked. How do you think the data is being sent, are any of the adapters translating data from one type to another? Is macOS interpreting the old standard as is or did you have to do something?

Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024
@Madagascar_Sky I’m not a software or hardware engineer, so I can’t comment on what makes it actually work. Basically, it’s all serial data.
Show threadMadagascar_SkyDec 11, 2024
@splorp
That it ended up working is amazing AND hilarious!
Show threadStories of AppleDec 11, 2024
@splorp I <3 adapters!
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 11, 2024
@storiesofapple +1
Show threadandy dillerDec 11, 2024
@splorp Good to hear, I'm about to give away my original iSight this weekend as I probably never going to use it again. I have a FW 400-800 adapter for it as well.
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 12, 2024
@dillera If only I can get it to work on an Apple Silicon Mac.
Show threadandy dillerDec 12, 2024
@splorp I wasn't aware of that limitation- so you have it working in Sonoma with an x86 Mac only?
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 12, 2024
@dillera So far, yes. Have a couple more things to try on the Silicon Mac, though.
Show threadChristian Kent   𝘊𝘒 :＼﹥Dec 12, 2024
@splorp And Intel silicon.
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 12, 2024
@whophd Only Intel, unfortunately. No Apple silicon.
Show threadChristian Kent   𝘊𝘒 :＼﹥Dec 12, 2024

@splorp *squints*

Did one of us misread?

Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 12, 2024
@whophd Oops. That would be me. Intel *is* silicon as well, of course.
Show threadThomas Vander WalDec 12, 2024
@splorp I still have mine around somewhere. This was and is a great piece of kit.
Show threadGrant HutchinsonDec 12, 2024
@vanderwal I agree. The design is so clever and understated.
Show threadpascodaJul 3, 2025
@MacLemon wie oft bist du da schon drunter getagged worden? ^^. ⬆️