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Canon EOS 300d / 350d DIY Remote Shutter Release
** See disclaimer at the end of this page **
This page was originally written over a year ago and shelved until now. Why? See a bit later on ;-)
This page details how you can construct a wired remote shutter release any Canon EOS camera that uses
a 2.5mm jack plug. This work came about after I aquired a 300d as a spare body to the 10d. I had already
bought the timed remote for the 10d (TC-80N3) and I wanted to be able to use this with the 300d or to
construct a rudimentary alternative. Both were achieved, but this page details the simple DIY alternative.
The 300d uses a 2.5mm stereo jack plug for it's remote release. The operation is identical to the Minolta
release detailed here.
Looking at the jack plug we have:-
where
C is the common connector
P is the pre-focus connector
S is the shutter release connector
So, to take a photo, we initially need to short pins C & P which will initiate focus and metering
etc. We then need to short pins P, C & S to release the shutter. It was noted during development that
shorting just pins C & S would also release the shutter.
The bits I used were as follows:-
2 push to make buttons
1 miniature toggle or slide switch *optional*
a suitable length of 3 or 4 core audio cable (twin screened is sufficient)
1 35mm plastic film cannister to house the unit (no DAT tape box this time around)
For a change, I actually purchased all the bits (with the exception of the film case) new, so actually
know what the build cost is.... a grand total of £3.45.
Given that the genuine article costs around £15 (UK) or $13 (US) and non Canon remotes can be bought
from eBay (user: wenatrado) for only £6, I'm not convinced the effort is actually worth it, however
it does lay the foundation for a much more interesting
project.
The circuit (for what it is) is presented here:
The optional switch (S1) is there to save holding the shutter release
button (B2) in all the time when taking Bulb exposures. It can be omitted
if you like.
For those that would like the shutter to be released only on the pressing
of both buttons, the circuit can be varied slightly (note the new order
of the 2.5mm jack connecters):-
Here, for the shutter to release, B1 (or S1) must first be closed before
B2 will operate.
The finished article looks like this:-
No doubt a sub miniature version can be constructed, but I was interested
in seeing just how little this could cost by using shop bought components
and a readily available 'free' case.
Note
Definition of Common - this is my definition as during development,
it was noted that if the pins P & S are connected, the shutter will
fire. To comply with the way that the TC-80N3 works, the above circuit
requires both buttons to be pressed before the shutter will operate.
Disclaimer
Neither myself, www.devilgas.com, my family, my friends, my pets or my
leach farm take any responsibility whatsoever for any damage caused to
anything or anyone by duplicating what I've done. If you feel confident
in not destroying your expensive digital imaging equipment by trying
this little ditty, that's your choice and not mine.
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