Olympus Evolt E510 Remote Cable Release

For those unfamiliar with a Remote Cable Release, this device allows a photographer to shoot a picture without touching the camera. Using the remote ensures that the camera does not move during the exposure. This is especially useful for taking macro photographs, photographs with long exposure times or photographs in odd positions.

Olympus sells the E510 remote cable release (RM-UC1) for $56.99. A remote can be yours for the price of the supplied video output cable, an hour of your time and a $2.99 switch from Radio Shack.
These instructions will help you create a remote cable release that supports single shots, continuous shooting and bulb shooting (for timed exposures). This remote does not support the "half" button press for auto-focusing and metering. You'll have to do that on camera.

I have created a new model that does support "half button" press. Check out the Olympus Evolt E510 Remote Cable Release (Version 2 with Auto Focus on Remote).

You will need a decent soldering iron with a pencil thin tip, and a basic level of soldering ability to complete this process. You will probably need a bit of patience as well.

Standard Disclaimer:
Cameras are wonderful things. They are also expensive things. If you are even a small bit afraid that you might damage your shiny new camera, this Instructable is probably not for you. This procedure worked very well for me. As far as I can tell, there's no danger to the camera or the user, but I could be wildly wrong.
Perhaps this Instructable will work for you too. Perhaps it will cause your cat to burst into flames. Use these instructions with care and at your own risk. I assume no responsibility for damage to you, your camera or your cat.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Gather the materials you will need for this project.

For this project you will need:

• The supplied Olympus Video Output cable with 12 pin connector
• A USB cable or similar cable that contains at least three conductors
• A 35mm film canister, pill bottle or similar container to house your cable release
• A Radio Shack Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) Push-On/Push-Off Switch (275-011A) or similar switch
• Flat head screwdriver
• Utility Knife
• Electrical tape
• Small Zip Tie
• Multi Meter (optional)
• Other implements of destruction
• A soldering iron with a thin pencil type tip
• Solder
• Gorilla Glue (or similar polyurethane glue)

Comments

[joyopd]

Hi, I make one nice remote but It don't work.... I'm sure that is made correct way, I measured everything many times(Pins, cables, switches.... everything). I have E-510. Is this remote require some setup on camera or it is just plug&play?

Still can be problem with my connector on camera. But I want to know other possibilities before I start to disassembly my camera.

Thank you for answers.

[txoof]

There should be no setup necessary. To test the cable, simply plug in the in the connector and short pins 11, ground and 3. The camera should snap a picture. If something isn't working, your probably either have a bad cable, connector or there is something wrong with your camera.

Check out the newer version of this instructable too:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Olympus-Evolt-E510-Remote-Cable-Release-Version-2/

[jpopadic]

You've got pins 3 and 4 swapped.  The shutter release is on 4.

[yoshiharra]

I just wanted to pint out that connections illustrated here did not work for me!! I just got a E510 Couple of months earlier. I did figured out that while #11 does actuate the focusing, #4 doesn't release the shutter!! What works is #3 (see attached pictures)! Is this a error on txoof? I just thought this information might help others avoid the grief trying to build it.

[pyronordicman]

According to the end-on view of the cable, the lower row of pins on top of the cable contains pins 1, 3, and 5,rather than 2, 4, and 6.  I confirmed this on my own cable, and pin4 is indeed the shutter trigger.

[mister.keating]

yup, i can confirm this too.

good instructable though. exactly what i was looking for!

cheers.

http://midibounce.com

[txoof]

Thanks for the feedback. I updated all the pages. It now reflects that pin 3 is the proper pin.

[dolulob]

He is right!! PIN3 RELEASES THE SHUTTER!! NOT PIN4 The picture posted above is right!

[txoof]

As far as I know, pin 4 is correct, but perhaps I'm wrong. I don't have a disassembled cable to play with right now, so I can't confirm one way or the other. If anyone else builds this project and can confirm the pin-out, I'd appreciate a comment so I can fix the instructions. Thanks for the comment. I'm glad it worked out for you! Try the V2 remote if you get tired of clicking the button on and off. The V2 button is just as easy to build, you just need to add a few more switches. The hard part is preparing the jack, the switch end is dead easy. I've been using the V2 switch for about 4 months and I love it.

[yoshiharra]

txoof, thanks to you, now I have a remote cable! :) Here is a picture -

[txoof]

By the way, I love the box you used!

[lgwapnitsky]

This will not work on an E500, as it does not have the capability for remote shutter release other than through a remote control (wireless). Does anyone know the code that Olympus uses when their Olympus Studio software is tethered to the camera to trigger the shutter? This would be great to have and try to program into an Arduino.

[gezortenplotz]

A well-written and illustrated instructable for a change. I wish this was for a Canon Powershot. I'd make this a project for sure.

[txoof]

Oh, and thanks for the compliment. It's nice to hear!

[txoof]

Does the PowerShot use a funky cable or a headphone type jack? If it uses a headphone jack, you could just plug one in and start experimenting. If it uses a funky jack, you can probably do something similar to what I've done. I had to hack around testing the connections until I figured out which connectors did what.

[GorillazMiko]

does this work with all cameras? do you think it would work with video cameras too? i have a Flip Video Camera

[txoof]

This is specifically for an Olympus E510. It might work with the E300 and E500 as well, but I haven't tried it out. If your camera supports a remote cable release, you can probably make this work. You'll just need to figure out the pin outs. The switch part is pretty simple.

[kruser495]

mind adding what it does? i have no clue what crap this is.

[shooby]

This attaches to your camera, so that you can take a photograph by pressing the red button. One reason to take a photo this way would be so that you can take a long exposure photograph without moving the camera, which is unavoidable if you press the on-camera shutter.

[kruser495]

you might want to add that before i rate you up. most people wont know what this is.

[shooby]

It's a remote cable release for a specific camera model. Anyone with a moderate knowledge of photography will know what this is.

[GorillazMiko]

dang, this is awesome!