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Camera Shutter Release Cable Extension Kit
We've had our share of photography cables, dead mouse included. We even had a flash TTL extension cord.
This project from Brian Carey - whom you may remember from the camera stock project - is not a typical cable, but more of an extension cord. The nice thing about it is that it lays out the basics for almost any cable work.
I’ve got a few photo projects in mind where I won’t be able to be at the camera when I want to take the shot. So what will I do? Well, I could buy one of those wireless remote control shutter release units? There are some cheap units on the market but I suspect their reliability may be questionable. I could take the plunge and spend a few more dollars and get something good, and maybe I will in the future, but for now I’ve decided to make this kit. This will get me by.
With this kit the shutter release is connected to the camera, it is not wireless! I can operate the camera from 40’ or 12 meters away. You may be able to extend further, but this is the maximum distance in which I tested it.
What You'll Need:
- Two shutter release cables
- Two extension cables
- Two male and one female TRS (tip, ring, sleeve - aka, phone plug) connectors
I have a Canon 50D and I had bought a couple of cheap shutter release cables with the Canon N3 plug on eBay and I used one of those for this kit.
Build The Extension Cable
I cut this cable into two pieces and used both ends. I soldered a male TRS connector to the cable leading from the hand unit and I soldered a female plug to the piece of the cable which connects to the camera. I call this cable the patch cable. I also purchased two 20’, 6 meter extension cables. The jacks have to be at least three conductors. I used 1/8" or 3.5 mm. Of course the extension cables you choose have to have the same type of connectors.
You could use 3/32", 2.5-mm phone plugs like those used on some EOS Digital Rebel cameras and use one of those shutter release cables! I haven’t tried this but it should work. Or you could use a mouse to trigger your camera with a mouse. All those variations share the same principles.
Below you'll find the connector pinouts. Shown at top the N3 connector on the side of the camera.
You should use a multimeter to ensure you have the same pin configuration on your female plug (not shown here). I plugged the male into the female and verified the connections, tip to tip, ring to ring and sleeve (common) to sleeve (common).
The Final Kit
The final kit consists of the hand controller with a male TRS connector, extension cables with a female TRS connector on one end and a male on the other and a patch cable with a female TRS connector on one end and a Canon N3 connector on the other.
Of course there’s no reason why this couldn’t be adapted for Nikon, 4/3’s or any other camera system.
You may be able use a cable release designed for another camera for this project. I used one I had for an older Minolta autofocus SLR. I simply cut off the plug, traced out the connections and soldered on a male TRS connector! These cables can be used without the extensions as well.
The only suggestion I would make at this point is that you turn your camera off when connecting and disconnecting. I found as I was adding the extension or remote with the camera on the shutter was firing. This shouldn’t cause a problem with the camera but I thought it would be easier on the camera if I turned it off first.
Three Last Notes
Please be careful when using a soldering pencil, they can cause serious burns. Also be careful and be sure to wear safety glasses.
If you love hacking cables you'll love this all pin outs site, which is all about pinouts (and I mean this in the most honest way possible)
If you liked this project, you may want to pay a visit to Brian's portfolio. He has some remarkable photography to back up his tech skills.
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Comments
Length of Cable
I made a similar kit but instead of using pre-made extenstion cables I purchased a spool of 100ft 4 strand solid copper telephone wire and 1ea 10 ft extension cable with the 1/4 male & female jacks on it. I cut the 10ft cable and reconnected the 5ft pieces onto each end of the 100ft spool. The end result was a 110ft extension cable for my DSLR. It worked great and allowed me to position the camera exactly where i wanted it and stay away from my subject of photography (squirrels).
I'd suspect that I could plug in a lot more wire than that ...but I honestly don't see the need for anything over 110 ft for my needs (at this time).
As for the wireless kits.... some of the really cheap ones are ...really cheap... but there have been some very good success stories.... Check out the Strobist group over at flickr. They have had some great reviews on some of the wireless kits out there.
length of cable
Hey Issac that is a great idea. The reason I used the extensions I did was because I can buy 20' extensions at a local discount store for $2. I was out on a shoot the other night and it worked great. Thanks for the info on the wireless units!
You Should Sell These
For those of us that aren't electronically inclined it would be great if you made and sold these. I would be interested in two 20' extensions.
Release Me!
I have been using Hama remotes. I have to admit they are not 100 percent reliable but they were pretty cheap and I carry 2, so if one goes down, I can easily swap for the spare. I've even set cameras up indoors and released the shutter from outside, through closed windows.
re: Hama remotes
Hi David,
Thanks for this input. I agree that somtimes remote switches work best, and for most of the times caryying a spare will do the trick.
With that, there are two main advantages I see for a cable solution: the first is that it never fails. (ok, never is a bit too strong, but very rarely), and if you are going to take the image of your life, you want to make sure everything goes right. The second adv. as I see it is that you are almost not limited in length.
I do agree, however, that remotes has their benefits, like no wires to trip on and the freedom to move around.
You say you need two of the
You say you need two of the controls when it seems you should only need one? (I've only skimmed the article so far)
my other question is are there an side-effects of not wiring it correctly? like if you say mixed up the pins, will the camera blow up(exaggeration)?
great article though, thanks! perfect idea.
parts
Hi Jacob, you only need one control.
You shouldn't damage the camera if you cross up your wires. These are merely contact closures and not voltages are present. But that being said I would verify my connections are correct after I assembled the connections.
Brian
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