This is a simple tutorial that shows how to expand your camera's capabilities using MediaTek's LinkItOne development board.

View the HD sample Video HERE:

https://www.facebook.com/Just4FunMedia.TK/videos/466908233489325/

For this tutorial you will require:

- A Camera control cable

- 3.5mm male to 2.5mm female adapter

- LinkItOne or other micro controller

- Arduino IDE or a similar compiler

A huge thank you to instructables, autodesk, MediaTek, and Penolopy Bulnick for sending me the Link It One used in this instructable.

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Step 1: Wiring

Plug the adapter into the audio jack on the link it one, then attack the camera control cable. Make sure that your cables are standard stereo. Mono or stereo+ cables will not transfer the signals properly to modern DSLR cameras as they require separate signals to focus and to open/close the shutter. If the focus signal is not sent slightly prior to (and on a different wire than) the shutter signal the shutter will not open.

There are three main types of control plugs. They are standard (2.5mm female), Nikon Modern, and Cannon Modern, all three are pictured above. Most older DSLR's and SLR's use the standard plug but always check your camera to make sure as there are many different connection types.

Step 2: Programming

To keep the programming simple I used prerecorded files at normal exposure times, they are all included in the zip folder above.

To play an audio file on the LinkIt One simply format the SD card and directly place all of the sound files onto it.

Use the code below the trigger the sound file (replace the "001.mp3" with the desired exposure length, and the second delay with the desired time between photos).

NOTE: the first "delay" time MUST be longer than exposure time, otherwise the camera will not close the shutter until the program has finished running.

LAudio.setVolume(3);
LAudio.playFile( storageSD,(char*)"001.mp3"); //Length of exposure in seconds change file name to suit

Serial.println("1 Second Exposure Triggered");

delay(1000); //Length of Exposure

delay(1000); //Delay Between Photos

Use the "void loop()" command to keep the code repeating. If desired you can also add a loop counter to take only a certain number of photos.

Interval Timer Trigger Files.zip
Download

Step 3: Enjoy

So far I have only tested this setup on astrotimelapses with a very basic program. With the LinkItOne's connectivity the possibilities of smart applications are endless, from timelapses that automatically start when the sun begins to set or rise, when the camera enters a certain area (GPS), or even through an SMS message.

Make sure to post your photos, videos, any suggestions for improvement, or questions below.

Have a great day! :-)