Canon Wired Remote

My first Instructable - how to make a wired remote for your Canon Digital Rebel or similar digital cameras!

Step 1: Parts

Here's a list of parts you will need for this project:

-Film Canister: This will serve as the body for the controller, after all, it is going to be used for taking pictures!
-Two-Way Switch: I had an old electronics kit from RadioShack that I took it from.
- 2 Submini Pushbutton Momentary Contact Switches: Purchased at RadioShack for about 3 bucks. Only pieces I had to buy.
-3/32" Stereo Jack Plug: I'll discuss this in the next step.
-Three Identical Lengths of Copper Wire: However long you want the cord to be.
-Meter w/ Continuity Test: Will come in handy when making connections later.

And then, some basic parts:

-Wire Cutter/Stripper
-Utility Knife or Scissors
-Soldering Iron and Stand
-Rosin Core Solder
-Heat Shrink Tubing
-Drill with Small Bits (I used a 3/16" bit to drill holes for the pushbutton switches)
-Electrical Tape

Comments

[unai]

What about for 2 cameras, to trigger them simultaneously? I can try but Im afraid of breaking anything... would it work to take one wire from 1st camera and connect to the rest of the pins as related here?

Thank you!

[nuckthebuck]

it would be a nicer cut using an electric dremel witha cutting tool on it. nice smoother cuts.
my recomendation

[tavo_123]

Thanks, now i made myself one of this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tavocr/4985717294/

[jjmgryphon]

 Made one for myself (love using it to take star trail photo's) and my friends wife saw it and had me make her one so she could take self pics without using the timer.  Love making these things.  Thanks.

[zomie]

great article...I posted this up over at: http://macroreverse.com/2009/06/20/diy-remote-shutter-releases/

[mas9779]

if your cutting off one of the leads to the 2way switch, would a simple on off switch work.

[llondon]

(removed by author or community request)

[loki95531]

If not for this site I wouldn't have a clue how to do this either but I am going to try now that I learned how to solder thing together. I also agree with the rest of your comment.

[jhuebsch]

This site has a great wiring diagram and is how I first heard of this easy DIY http://cline-company.com/blog/?p=20
I put mine in an altoids gum tin.

[loki95531]

Would you be so kind as to put a link to a site that doesn't hurt the eyes to look at. That Pink is brutal. Other than that great description on how to wire it up . Even easier than the one above for me to figure out. Definitely going to try this version.

[Vautikos]

Anyone know if this would work on the Powershot G10?

[ebs16]

looks awesome, but good luck explaining this to airport security!

[txoof]

I built something like this for my Olympus and have flown with it dozens of times. The TSA folks are at least smart enough to see that it has no batteries, no high density "explosive" or any other nonsense attached to it. I built mine inside something similar to an altoids tin (but made of plastic) so it can be easily opened. This way, if I am ever questioned, it should take about 2 seconds for any competent investigator to realize that there isn't anything even powered inside the box.

[Brennn10]

That is so true! It looks so much like a bomb detonator.

[Derin]

what if it really was?and btw you can just put it in your underwear they wouldnt look there

[Mikie-z]

5$ says you wont get past air port security if its in your underpants, or even shoved 5in. up your rear. Ive been taken aside many of times for having random metal things on me and the metal detecting baton they use is verry accurate and strong.

[Derin]

no no i mean they wont find it if they require your luggage to be passed thru an xray machine

[Mikie-z]

Oh maybe

[guitar75]

I built one of these a few months ago and use it all of the time. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewatts/2281384052/

[murc]

I made this a while ago, only to notice that i couldn't use it on my 20D since it has a different remote connection... should have checked before i made it, i know =]

Anybody have a spare 20D remote connector lying around?

[akaeon182]

yeah i was getting ready to start this and then went to look at the connectors on the camera and yep its the wrong one.

[frollard]

Great little package: Perhaps tying a knot in the cable around a choke (ferrite core) inside of the canister would reduce possibility of EMI and add some strain protection for when it gets jerked out of your hand - it will happen eventually. You described the circuit well enough - fire up paint and make a circuit diagram so we can see what switches go to what...

[videokid842]

There ya go, I added a couple of schematics for you guys. Enjoy! =]

Oh, and I don't really have a problem with EMI...even if there was some, it probably wouldn't cause any malfunctions with the control.

[dodo101]

[http://idata.over-blog.com/0/04/95/79//IMG_9205.jpg MY CABLE]

[dodo101]

Just for info, I've tried with this 4-connector cable and THE LAST RING (not the tip) doesn't affect anything. So if you have a connector like this one, IT'S OK ! Just don't use the last ring (white cable and no isolator cable).

[deth2all]

i like the option of a switch to keep the shutter on indefinitely, mine doesnt have that, i have to hold the button down +1

http://www.instructables.com/id/Remote-shutter-trigger-for-Canon-Cameras/

[Weissensteinburg]

http://www.instructables.com/contest/photomonth/

Make sure you add it to the photojojo contest!

[Full Frontal Graphic]

I'm voting this one, plusing and favoriting it.

[dodo101]

Hi, thanks a lot for the instructions, I've been looking for this since a few moment. I have a question, do you know how should I do with this cable,... ?

[videokid842]

Hmmm....well my cable had 3 separated metal contact bands on the jack, and yours has four...you'll probably still be able to use it, you'll just have to plug it in to the camera to see which wires focus and which close the shutter. Once you figure that out, you should be able to complete the project using those connections.

[joejoerowley]

Cool! Looks Great!