i'm attempting to make a pressure switch that will trigger DSLR, need remote advice

C

Cllmj

Messages
9
Edit My Images
Yes
i'm want to make a pressure switch/pad, that will trigger the shutter release on a dslr when pressure is applied.
i've pretty much got the switch part down after doing some research, how to make it and everything.

i need some advice on connecting the switch to the camera to allow it to operate.
has anybody ever tried this before?

will i need to connect the wires from the pressure switch to a remote shutter release? and then that into the camera itself?
if that is right, how exactly would i go about doing that and what kind of remote would i use?

any advice anybody can offer is greatly appreciated!
thanks.
 
If you have made the pressure switch then you probably have two wires to play with which when connected and the pad is pressed create a circuit - right.

If so, then I'd buy a cheap remote release off eBay, take apart the remote and connect your pad wires to the switch element of the remote.

So basically, your pad is now a giant switch.

Somebody probably has a more elegant way, but it's a start.
 
Yep, pretty much as MikeyB said. Cheap chinese cable release off of Amazon or Ebay is the easiest way - pretty much essential if you've got a Canon with one of their proprietary connectors. If your camera uses a standard jack plug or similar then you can source a suitable plug from Maplin or similar.
 
yeah there will be 2 wires coming from the switch. and my camera takes a standard jack-plug.
so if i connect the wires to the remote switch on the inside, this will remove the need to press the switch on the actual remote? making it no longer a switch and allowing the current will pass right through the remote?

sounds simple enough, hopefully it is when i come to do it!
thanks guys.
 
also, will connecting the wires to the remote switch involve soldering or something like that? and will it render the remote useless afterwards apart from when using it with the pad?
and do you know whether it's possible to use a wireless remote? would it work in the same way, or is it not possible?
sorry about all the questions, haha
 
Last edited:
It's not quite as easy as metioned, the remotes are 2 stage switches, 3 wires, 1st stage for focus, 2nd for shutter, most cameras require the focus to be connected BEFORE the shutter in order to take a picture ;)
 
Islander said:
What type of camera do you have?
Click to expand...

i'll probably use my old Nikon d40. it's for an exhibition (my final show, i'm an art student), so if i can get this working it'll be set up like an installation type piece.


PaulJC said:
It's not quite as easy as metioned, the remotes are 2 stage switches, 3 wires, 1st stage for focus, 2nd for shutter, most cameras require the focus to be connected BEFORE the shutter in order to take a picture ;)
Click to expand...

oh really? how easy will it be to sort that out, will i be able to tell one wire from the other?
and what do i do with the 3rd wire?
 
Last edited:
Whats the application for? is a pressure pad really the best thing? (e.g. suitable for the weight etc)
 
A quick search says that the D40 doesn't support cable release only IR remote control so that could be a problem for you.

As far as the 2 stage press goes, If you're concerned about the camera focusing then set it to manual and prefocus - the shutter release will work just fine as a single stage release IF your camera actually supports a cable release. :)
 
PaulJC said:
Whats the application for? is a pressure pad really the best thing? (e.g. suitable for the weight etc)
Click to expand...


yeah, well the idea is that the person will need to use force to trigger the switch, perhaps by hitting it or something like that.
i was planning on using sponge or something in the middle of the switch so that a person would have to use a bit of effort to get the plates to meet, and then they'd spring back apart and it could be done again
 
Last edited:
Islander said:
A quick search says that the D40 doesn't support cable release only IR remote control so that could be a problem for you.

As far as the 2 stage press goes, If you're concerned about the camera focusing then set it to manual and prefocus - the shutter release will work just fine as a single stage release IF your camera actually supports a cable release. :)
Click to expand...


ah, yeah i have been trying to search for some that i could possibly use with not much luck. i know that Nikon only make the IR remotes that are compatible with D40, but i was hoping there might be some kind of universal type remote with a standard jack-plug that would work? i don't have a lot of experience with using release cables/remotes, so i'm not that clued up on them, hence all the questions, haha.
i don't suppose the same set-up is possible with the IR remote type?

i guess i could just use another camera if there was no way around it.
 
Last edited:
Using force to set off a pressure pad?! Again, what is the actual application, other things could be far more quitable (sound, movement, light, heat, you name it) How big is your budget?
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I'd use something like a d90 if you have it and get a cheap chinese trigger, set the camera fairly wide angle, hyperfocal distance to focus so the whole shots in focus and you're good to go

Jake
Click to expand...

cheers for the tip. i don't have a D90, but i have a Canon that i could use to do the same thing!
 
PaulJC said:
Using force to set off a pressure pad?! Again, what is the actual application, other things could be far more quitable (sound, movement, light, heat, you name it) How big is your budget?
Click to expand...



Sorry, i wasn't very clear.
the idea is to capture the person using the set-up, their facial expressions/reactions, when they're at the point of exerting all their force behind trying to trigger the switch.
Hopefully catching the weird expressions people pull when they're straining or attempting to put their strength into doing something.

So none of the other types of switch would be appropriate i don't think.
My budget isn't huge, the switch, if the many examples of home-made ones on the internet are correct, can be made from pretty basic materials (wire, aluminum foil, card, sponge) and then i need a remote release to plug it into the camera. that is only if the instructions online are correct, i won't know until i try i guess.
 
Last edited:
you can't do it with a D40, it doesn't have an external trigger input, and the infrared remote sensor turns itself off after 30 seconds. Simply no way to do it with that camera I'm afraid :(

very easy to do with a higher spec camera though, one with a remote control port
 
itsdavedotnet said:
you can't do it with a D40, it doesn't have an external trigger input, and the infrared remote sensor turns itself off after 30 seconds. Simply no way to do it with that camera I'm afraid :(

very easy to do with a higher spec camera though, one with a remote control port
Click to expand...


Ah okay. no worries, i'll use a different one then. Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top