DIY remote shutter release for DSLRs

[spungletrumpet]

Disclaimer: This project, though factually accurate, is mainly a bit of fun. I suggest you use much better materials if you build one of your own. Also, don't blame me if your camera ends up shagged. (Though you'd have to be an absolute twat to get this wrong, to be honest.)

A mate of mine has just bought a Sony A200. While playing with it the other night I noticed the 3-pin 'remote' socket. Rather than spend 3 quid buying a cabled remote on Amazon, we built one.

You will need:
A piece of wood cut from some Ikea shelves.
An old doorbell.
An old low voltage light switch.
An audio cable from a CDROM drive.
A 3 way connector block.
Bits of wire.
Electrical tape.

Lay the items out on a convenient work surface:

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSC00555.jpg

You will find that, with a little modification, the plug on the end of the CDROM cable will just about fit in the 'remote' socket on the camera. Cut the plug off the other end of the cable and terminate the 3 wires in the connector block.
You should now find some inappropriately large woodscrews and screw the doorbell and the lightswitch to the piece of wood, along with the connector block.
Make sure you have attached some wires to the switches before you mount them. (D'oh!)

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSC00558.jpg

Now for the final wiring details:

The 3 pin connector on the camera is easy to work out. If you short out pins 1 and 2 it has the same effect as pushing down the shutter release button half way.
If you then short pin 3 to the other two pins, the shutter release is activated.

If you are in any doubt, please refer to the detailed wiring diagram below:

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSCN4093.jpg

Right, we're nearly ready to go. Tidy up the wiring with electrical tape, plug it into the camera and give it a test. If it doesn't work then try putting the plug in the camera the other way round. Ours worked first time and was very ergonomic, with comfortable single-handed operation.

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSC00572.jpg

I believe a similar system will work with many other DSLRs, but you might need a different plug for the camera end.

We celebrated our success with a quick trip to a local derelict country house:

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSC00610.jpg

And tested the newly built kit in the tunnels below. :D

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSC00590.jpg

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr311/spungletrumpet/Shutter%20Release%20Project/DSC00594.jpg

[BenCooper]

Bodgetastic :)

[Vivo]

I'm curious. Does the piece of wood HAVE to be from IKEA? I was planning on getting some from B&Q

Please let me know asap. This is clearly more effective and better looking than a £3 ebay jobbie.

[Bunk3r]

for those not wanting to get the tools out you can buy none genuine ones ridiculously cheap http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15816 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15816~r.92395607)
edit: or cheap on ebay as stated above! (was written whilst i wrote mine)

[Winchester]

I bought a Hama one and it broke within a week. I think it would be a lot better if it was made of wood and doorbells. ;)

[SilentMotion]

If you camera has an IR based remote then a lot of universal TV remotes will trigger the shutter. A quick search on google will find which remotes work and with what code/button for your camera. IIRC the cheaper Nikons (ie not D3/D300) all work, and some of the cheaper Canons do (not sure about current gen). Not bad for a pound shop solution though. For those that don't take IR this is a great DIY solution, definitely has a certain amount of ghetto appeal!

These really helps with bulb exposures, as you can just set the camera down, open the shutter and leave it. Without a remote you need to hold the shutter down or buy something to it for you. So far my longest exposure has been 27 minutes

[rookinella]

I think that rocks:p

[styru]

Well done,

I could do with a plasma TV if you are looking for a new project :p

[spungletrumpet]

It doesn't have to be made from Ikea wood, just watch out for splinters in lesser timber products.

I'm now planning a radio controlled version.. Watch this space.. :D

[Oxygen Thief]

That looks so shit and Heath Robinson, that's it's actually ultra-cool.

[BaldOne]

lmao brilliant!!

[Gridnutter]

That looks so shit and Heath Robinson, that's it's actually ultra-cool.

If you like that, you'll love this:

http://www.afrotechmods.com/ :D

[SullZ]

You have too much time on your hands! Good effort tho, pretty retro!

[Mornixuur]

Love it!

[paperbag]

Nice ideas, I had an old Casio IR remote watch that had learner capabilities, so I just went into the local camera shop asked to have a look and then got my watch to learn the code.

But for those that love the more creative gaffer tape approach have a ganders at this website...

http://www.instructables.com/tag/?q=shutter+release&limit%3Atype%3Aid=on&type%3Aid=on&type%3Auser=on&type%3Acomment=on&type%3Agroup=on&type%3AforumTopic=on&sort=none

Ta ta for now

[Shhhh]

that casio watch idea sounds very good. What sort of range did it have?

[23skidoo]

Excellent... will make one asap.... all I need now are some DIY tutorials on how to make a DSLR out of lego and beer...:)

I'd make one mod though and rig one of those 80s musical doorbell ringers to the button... can't beat a bit of Green Sleeves or perhaps the Toreador Song.. I have just that Doorbell.. designed by Friedland don't ya know... aptly named..:)

[Ojay]

Winrar, DIY Job FTW :thumb

[Treadstone]

FWIW Canon and Pentax both have a headphone style connector. From memory I think it is connect "Sleeve" to "tip" to fire and "sleeve" to "ring" to focus. The main thing is finding a suitable button - the perfect one having a lock on it. I ended up re-using an old one and putting a new connector on the end. Bell push (focus) and switch (stays activated for "B" mode) is a useful combo if you can't find anything better.

[spungletrumpet]

Can't believe this thread wasn't deleted years ago - I only posted it as a joke!

Glad people have found it useful. :)

[pirate]

Can't believe this thread wasn't deleted years ago - I only posted it as a joke!

Glad people have found it useful. :)

its good to see what can be done with a bit of thought.


don't you have some modified camera battery that last a ridiculously long time ? i seem to remember Datsun telling me about it.

[spungletrumpet]

don't you have some modified camera battery that last a ridiculously long time ? i seem to remember Datsun telling me about it.

Yes mate - it's just a model racing car battery strapped to my tripod, plugs straight into my little Nikon 4300 and lasts for days.
Best 11 quid I ever spent. :rolleyes:

Maybe I'll do a 'how to' thread for that at some point.

[pirate]

Yes mate - it's just a model racing car battery strapped to my tripod, plugs straight into my little Nikon 4300 and lasts for days.
Best 11 quid I ever spent. :rolleyes:

Maybe I'll do a 'how to' thread for that at some point.

yes deffo,i have an old tamiya sitting under my bed..:thumb

had a go at homemade staedycam a few years back but it didn't go to well :rolleyes:

home made headlamps would be a goodun too.

[pixie-alpha]

This is so full of Win I'm glad it was necroed. :thumb Hmm now where have I stashed my electronic spares bin?

[spungletrumpet]

can i get away with 2 doorbell type switches ?

Totally.

It was just useful to be able to leave the 'half press' activated for a while before pressing the shutter. The autofocus was more reliable that way.

[One Flew East]

All the same, I'm going to continue to save up the three pounds for a remote cable release - after six months I'm almost two thirds of the way to reach the target.
Having said that, would anyone care to view my 1/3 scale model of St Pauls Cathedral lovingly crafted from from gutter scrapings and crow feathers? It doesn't smell that bad, considering.

[spungletrumpet]

would anyone care to view my 1/3 scale model of St Pauls Cathedral lovingly crafted from from gutter scrapings and crow feathers? It doesn't smell that bad, considering.

Sounds wicked, I'd love to see it.
Get the pics up!