DIY wired camera remote
A short video about making a wired remote control for my Sony and Fuji cameras.
Why make one when you can find them all over the web for 10 bucks?
Because cheap wired remotes are bulky and don't use proper microswitches, and usually have non removable cables. I have a bunch of remotes in my drawers, wired and wireless, but I wanted to make my own tiny one, with a replaceable cable, and no battery.
And because it's a small project that could make for a fun little video :)
Sony and Fuji cameras, and I believe Canon, use a very simple method with a standard stereo jack, one contact for focus, and a second for shutter, contrary to some others that actually use the same pole and different resistor values for both functions, so this one is the easiest to make as it requires only a switch (in this case a dual action microswitch) and a 2.5mm stereo jack connector.
Sony and Fuji work slightly differently, at least for the cameras I own, where the Fuji requires only one contact or the other to be grounded, while the Sony requires both contacts activated for the shutter. The jack connector needs both contacts bridged together to trigger the shutter on the Sony camera.
Engraved a small super simple PCB, and for the first time tried my hand at hot air soldering…
…which gave me some trouble. And that flat little switch ended up being way too sensitive to heat.