Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter. Does it work with Studio Max?

[Ladd]

Having just jumped to a Mac Studio Max from a 2009 Mac Pro, I have a number of external devices/enclosures that have Firewire 800 connections. Will an Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter allow me to occaisionally connect and use these devices to my new Studio Max?

 

[AlteMac]

There is no TB3/4 to Firewire adapter I know of. I have successfully connected an old Nikon LS4000 scanner that is Firewire 400 via this combination: Connect a FW400 - FW800 adapter/cable to scanner. Then Apple FW800 - TB2 adapter. Then Apple TB2 - TB3 adapter to TB port on Studio. There is no way of course that this will run any faster than its weakest link, which is FW400, but it does connect and the scanner works. I have not tried it connected to a USBC port and I don't have access to it right now to figure that out.

 

[Ladd]

You have confirmed my suspicion that I would need multiple adapters to connect my older devices. Given the cost of the devices (and/or replacing them) coupled with their infrequent use, a couple of adapters looks like the way to go.

 

[joevt]

I have not tried it connected to a USBC port and I don't have access to it right now to figure that out.

Both the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and the Apple Thunderbolt 1 to FireWire Adapter are Thunderbolt devices so they cannot work from a USB-C port that does not support Thunderbolt.

 

[haralds]

Daisy-chaining Thunderbolt adapters to the Thunderbolt ports does work.

 

[Ladd]

FWIW: my new Firewire 800 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter connected to my new Thunderbolt 2-to-Thunderbolt 3 adapter works fine allowing a Firewire 800 external drive case to connect to the Studio Max Thunderbolt 4 port.