This C++ library is open source and allows for easy image acquisition from FireWire cameras on OS X.
Unlike the Quicktime or hand-written CIOKit interface, C+FOX provides an easy-to-use and neat interface. You won't need a lot of technical skills to use this library - reading data from a FireWire camera becomes as straightforward as obtaining data from the standard input.
If you want to use FireWire efficiently under Mac OS X, it's essential to understand how it interacts with the lowest layers of this OS. Thankfully, C+FOX assists in simplifying the process so that you don't have to worry about the technicalities.