I need to obtain Nikon's optional Macintosh serial cable in order to connect my new Coolpix 990 camera to an older Macintosh which doesn't have a USB bus (it's a Power Macintosh 7600 accellerated with a G3 CPU and much more with no PCI slots left open.) The required cable is special because it must plug into the small USB/Serial socket on the camera.

Nikon's manual says that the cable required is a Nikon part # SC-EM3 Serial Cable for Macintosh that can be purchased from a Nikon retailer. I have searched many web sites that sell Nikon Coolpix 990 cameras for such a cable and haven't found one yet. Can't find any mention of it on Nikon's web site either.

Does anyone know where I can purchase one?

Alternatively, I could use a Compact Flash card reader that connects to the Macintosh through the SCSI or Serial bus. However, all card readers that I have seen so far only use a USB or PC parallel port, neither of which I have on my current computer.

Any suggestions would be appreciated (except for buying a new computer.)

-- Haakon Magnussen (haak@home.com), May 21, 2000

Answers

Here's the scsi reader. http://www.d-store.com/d-store/microtech/qs-dpap.html

$200 is a little steep, oh well. See if you can special order the cable direct from nikon, or ask one of the nikon retailers to order it for you.

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), May 23, 2000.

Thanks. That SCSI reader sure seems like the class way to go; it appears to be the fastest way by far to get pictures into the computer. The SCSI Microtech reader also requires a Compact Flash adapter which adds another $12 to the final price. It's tempting; someday I may get one.

I called Nikon's hotline today and they said the SC-EM3 Serial Cable isn't available yet (no wonder I couldn't find it) but will be available after June 1 on their Nikon Outlet web site at:

http://www.nikonoutlet.com/DIProducts.htm

In the mean time I'll just continue downloading pictures onto my Son's computer (which has a USB port) and transfer them to my computer over our ethernet LAN.

-- Haakon Magnussen (haak@home.com), May 23, 2000.