Slave Flash from a Discarded Disposible Camera

This Instructable will show you how to turn the remains of a disposable camera into a slave flash for use with a DSLR camera or any camera with a hot shoe. It uses some off-the-shelf items that are relatively inexpensive and gives you the flexibility to have multiple flashes.

Step 1: Materials

Off-the-Shelf Stuff: 

• Wireless Flash Trigger (Search eBay for "RD616") 
• Receiver with a 1/4" mono jack (typically sold with the trigger)

Tools: 

• drill 
• 3/8" drill bit 
• needle nose pliers 
• soldering iron 
• utility knife 
• small screw driver

Consumables: 

• a used disposible camera body with flash 
• 4" of 22g insulated wire (and something to strip it with) 
• 1/4" panel mount phone jack - solder

Comments

[DIY Micah]

Amazing 'Ible. I do have a question however. Do you need an external flash already or do you only need a camera with a hot shoe to use this set up? (obviously I'd need the other components)

[salpeme]

i wouldn't connect it directly to my camera hot shoe port tho, i measured the voltage in the flash connection and it goes around 320 volts, i dont really know if that is normal, or if all flashed does the same, but im not willing to risk my camera, i would rather to use an wireless cheap shutter nd let it take the risk.

[etw]

don't be too quick to toss the camera if it won't fire. Sometimes when the photoshop removes the film, they do it crudely and destroy the push button mechanism that then will not press the flash switch anymore.

I got 12 camera's from the store. Only one fired and then only one time after pressing the shutter. In the end, all of them worked, if I just pressed the flash contact (the switch that should be pressed by the shutter release).

Ofcourse one can only do that after opening the camera.

If you open the camera without rubber gloves, chances you will get shocked are 99%. Do yourself a favor, wear rubber gloves

[Bad Maxx]

AWESOME! Don't know what else to say, these are my favorite types of projects... (Disposable electronics re-purposed.)
Great Job.

[zack247]

aesome! and i like the pic of the snail, very good pic. digital or film?

[wiredcur]

digital - Nikon D90 with 100mm prime and a 2x Maco Teleconverter - plus the flashes of course  :-)

[zack247]

wow. thats a real good camera. and anything is better than my samsung digimax 101, i got it in (i think) 2004 and i have had it ever since. it eats batteries like they're candy, and it doesn't take the best indoor shots either. but i guess its better than nothing!

[Kasm279]

My Sony DSC-P92 that i got last year takes very good pictures. Its from around 2001 and the batteries last quite a while :) 

[Patented]

Awesome ! I was bored of the only thing people where doing with these disposable camera ; A dumb tazer... But that project is much better ! Thanks !

[zieak]

Great reuse project!