Make a remote shutter release for your canon digital camera (and some other brands such as Pentax, sony, and some nikons) for about 3 bucks in under 5 minutes, even a 1st grader can do this. This is great for getting the perfect exposure, and enables you to go past the 30 second exposure offered with canon cameras. I use this on my Canon Digital Rebel SLR and it works every time...
Step 1Hands free phone headset $3
First you'll need a "hands free" headset for phones, Make sure it is one of the kinds with a button about 8 inch below the ear piece. And make sure its a 3/32-inch (2.5-mm) plug (like the plug on a pair of Regular headphones, but one size smaller). I took a pic next to a quarter so you can make sure its the right size. Usually anything for Motorola phones should have this
I found one for $3 at a store called Big Lots (its like a step up from the dollar store) and better yet my g/f works there so i got 20% off!
sfa46
Am super glad.Thanks!
once i get the fz100 from an importer, i noticed that the only accesory available here, is the battery replacement. big deception.
i heard that my lumix can be used in bulb mode whith one of this, but i dont find any comercial remote shooter. does this one works with an fz100? it has the 2.5mm jack, for the remote, and also for the microphone, but i don't know how this stuff works. if you answer me "yes", i start right now to build one! sometimes i have to set the ISO to 1600 (over 800 the noise is brutal!).
thanks, and if the shooter works on my lumix, you'll be my new god! :P
Would have been useless for what it was built for i guess, in the end, simply snipped the wires, the speaker made no difference, but the microphone was obviouslyalowing the circuit to be complete constantly, so after removing that, plugging it in and touching the two wires, it worked.
I then just needed to solder the two ends of the wire to two of the points on the switch and it worked a treat! Money well spent, and got me back in to soldering!
For the record, I use a Canon EOS 450D and the plug needed was a 2.5 mm jack with 2 black bands.
Thanks again for the great instructable. Im going to buy another cable and make one for my GF,and possibly see about moding the casing so that it can make the button stay down without holding it.
av
However, you can make a remote shutter release for the S5 IS. I have built one for my S5 IS. You can see a photo and description of my remote release at http://www.flickr.com/photos/29608783@N06/4119413715/.
Most Canon point and shoot cameras, and all modern ones, can use a software enhancement called Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK). It is a free, open-source, non-permanent enhancement to the camera firmware (the program that gives you menus and takes a picture when you press the shutter release button, for example). You do not have to take the camera apart.
To use the remote shutter release, which plugs into the USB port on the camera, you have to install CHDK and select "enable remote" from the appropriate CHDK menu. The CHDK website explains how to do it. Start with the FAQ.
The CHDK website is http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/.
By the way, CHDK does much more than just allow the remote shutter release. Some are full time battery indicator, Raw file, shutter speeds shorter and longer than normal. See the CHDK website for details.
Hi. Are there any pre-built ones by you that are available for purchase for use with my S5 is? I have a neuromuscular problem with my right hand that makes pressing the shutter release button difficult and the resulting photos are quite blurry
Regards
I made one after a few attempts using different branded remotes. I eventually found one with a plug that has 3 layers of black insulation sections. And this one works on my DSLR Canon 400D (Rebel XTi?), though it does take an automatic shot the first time I plug into the camera....fine afterwards. Cooolllll...
Dude your idea was awesome, you saved my trip!! We were planning on hiking inside a lava tube, needless to say there would be total darkness and I realized I needed a remote shutter release at 10 PM the previous night. I jumped on the net, saw your incredibly simple tutorial, went to a dollar shop the first thing in the morning, bought a hands free with 2.5 mm jack meant for Motorola and Nokia, cutoff the ear piece, tried it on camera (Canon Rebel Xsi), didn't work, opened the little black pod like thing that has the switch, cutoff the wires to the mic, put the cover back, tested on the camera and WOOAALLLAAA it worked ......... and I did all this in the car while my wife was driving!! Your idea was soooo simple and wonderful :)
As a tribute to your idea here is a sample pic.
Thanks a tonne.
PS: I recently started astrophotography too. Plz share some pics and ideas with us.