Hi, with electronics I am obviously a complete novice at best. How do I use a Picaxe to trigger a camera shutter via the remote shutter port? As I understand it the Picaxe outputs are pins that can be switched between high and low voltage. This isn't what's needed at the cable--what's needed, I think, is to open or close the circuit between two contact areas on the cable jack. How's this done? I am trying to use the Picaxe as an intervalometer--to automatically control the timing between photos. Thanks!
Use camera remote shutter cable with Picaxe
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fernando_g
Senior Member
The way I did it, on my Sony DSC717 Cybershot, I opened up the remote and soldered a pair of very fine wires in parallel to the shutter button. I brought them outside with a small connector, and I wired a relay contact.
The relay coil was controlled by logic.
Back on those days, I had to use four or five CD4000 logic blocks. Nowadays, I would use a Picaxe 08M2.
The relay coil was controlled by logic.
Back on those days, I had to use four or five CD4000 logic blocks. Nowadays, I would use a Picaxe 08M2.
Fernando_g, thanks for the reply. I have a remote cord that has in it the required resistors (it's a Lumix camera)--there is no button. So I think I would use the same approach, with the relay contact. I have used a latching relay for another Picaxe project, but I think that in this case I would use a momentary relay. No sure what type that would be, but will look around....
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?26768-High-speed-photography
May help, I an not familiar with with lumix and how the shutter operates. I will try and had closer look tomorrow
May help, I an not familiar with with lumix and how the shutter operates. I will try and had closer look tomorrow
westaust55
Moderator
In this thread:
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?26768-High-speed-photography&highlight=Shutter
It appears that option couplers were used to control the camera shutter etc
In this thread there is discussion on using transistors:
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?21397-Using-PICAXE-pin-as-a-switch&highlight=Shutter
That requires the PICAXE and camera have a common ground (0 Volt) for the signal reference.
These schemes are alternatives to a relay contact.
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?26768-High-speed-photography&highlight=Shutter
It appears that option couplers were used to control the camera shutter etc
In this thread there is discussion on using transistors:
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?21397-Using-PICAXE-pin-as-a-switch&highlight=Shutter
That requires the PICAXE and camera have a common ground (0 Volt) for the signal reference.
These schemes are alternatives to a relay contact.
scrap the botch of drawing you have there.
I have just sat at my laptop and the first website I went to after google'ing "lumix camera shutter connector" I got this
http://www.doc-diy.net/photo/remote_pinout/
the ring closest to the housing is +v which goes to a 2k2 resistor, then a 2k9 and then 39k (resistor ladder) which loops back to the second ring which is 0v. focus is activated by shorting the 39k resistor to 0v using an opto/transistor/relay, and the camera is fired by short to 0v from the junction of the 2k2 and 2k9 to 0v.
I will try and get something drawn up, but I am meant to be going to sleep
I have just sat at my laptop and the first website I went to after google'ing "lumix camera shutter connector" I got this
http://www.doc-diy.net/photo/remote_pinout/
the ring closest to the housing is +v which goes to a 2k2 resistor, then a 2k9 and then 39k (resistor ladder) which loops back to the second ring which is 0v. focus is activated by shorting the 39k resistor to 0v using an opto/transistor/relay, and the camera is fired by short to 0v from the junction of the 2k2 and 2k9 to 0v.
I will try and get something drawn up, but I am meant to be going to sleep
There is a very clear circuit on the main page, just replace the switches for chosen drive arrangement. If you use opto isolators you need to take note of the polarity of the output side of the device.
I take it you have cut the wire to the remote you have, of have you opened the main unit. which ever the case just use a multi meter to check which wire is connected to which pole of the jack.
I take it you have cut the wire to the remote you have, of have you opened the main unit. which ever the case just use a multi meter to check which wire is connected to which pole of the jack.
here, a quick drawing.
its actually very easy to modify the system from the thread that I posted earlier to run this system, heck the mods could be done I cable with no changes to the hardware that's already there.
FYI that device has an interval meter and control over shutter duration when the camera is used in bulb mode along with the standard shutter timer, that was the last update that it received.
its actually very easy to modify the system from the thread that I posted earlier to run this system, heck the mods could be done I cable with no changes to the hardware that's already there.
FYI that device has an interval meter and control over shutter duration when the camera is used in bulb mode along with the standard shutter timer, that was the last update that it received.
Attachments
Also note that if the picaxe holds the trigger signal on for too long, it may make the camera continuously shoot photos (like motor-drive).
Most cameras have the option to enable or disable this 'auto drive' feature.
Just make sure the picaxe code triggers the relay or transistor for about 50-100ms or so.
Triggering for too short a duration might not even trigger the camera at all, something you will need to play with as you develop your code.
best of luck.
Most cameras have the option to enable or disable this 'auto drive' feature.
Just make sure the picaxe code triggers the relay or transistor for about 50-100ms or so.
Triggering for too short a duration might not even trigger the camera at all, something you will need to play with as you develop your code.
best of luck.
i have just finish my project for a intervallometer for my olympus E-410, using an old 08m lying around.
It works perfectly and for closing the contacts ( two of them as the olympus only fires if focus is closed ) i use a 4066 quad single pole, single throw analog switch.
I Find the suggestion in this very useful forum ...
If you need help ask... ;-)
It works perfectly and for closing the contacts ( two of them as the olympus only fires if focus is closed ) i use a 4066 quad single pole, single throw analog switch.
I Find the suggestion in this very useful forum ...
If you need help ask... ;-)