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Calling All Agents: Kilometers Long Remote Camera Shutter Trigger
While this is not the first shutter release cable project that was featured here (we had a vanilla shutter release cable and a mouse one before) it is definitely the first to feature a walkie-talkie, and the first to beat the 3 meters range.
As a kid I was fascinated by walkie-talkies. Mind you this was way before the days of twitting-via-your-iPhone-while-getting-your-kids-picture-in-mail-and-SMSing-your-boss-that-you-are-going-to-miss-the-meeting-cause-your-stuck-in-traffic days.
The mere concept that I can talk to a friend hundreds of meters away... And do it with a Spiderman looking device...
Now, would it be nice if the same distant magic could apply to triggering your camera? Sure, you can do this with a pair of pocket wizards, but not for that distance and not for this price. Marco Jetti pulled this off. Read on for the full story.
Marco Jetti needed a gizmo to take photographs of animals. And he wanted to do his while he was not around. Go figure them nature photographers.
So Marco, who is not an engineer, created this simple scheme for triggering a camera using your PTT walkie talkie.
I am not an electronic wizard, but any board that has less than 10 components looks easy-to-make to me.
There is only one thing keeping this design from hitting a full "10" perfect score, the fact that it has half a second lag from pressing the remote trigger till the camera actually fires.
Head over to the full set and instructions by Marco Jetti.
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Comments
what an idea!!!
I am ever impressed with the ingenuity displayed by the camera community and this is a prime example of why. This is also a good reason why I love the internet; 20 years ago info like this would not have gone far, and if it did, not very fast. Just looking at the comments to the main thread makes me glad I only had to live my early and mid childhood without the internet.
I can think of several instances where this might come in handy, even with the half second delay that it has.
Great stuff!!!
re: internet era & photography community
Eric,
I could not agree more. I think that what we're seeing here is a change in the photography community paradigm.
Once, a long time ago there was a buzz about special techniques, lighting schemes and such. A lot of great photogs kept their secrets close to the chest, and you had to either take a workshop (the easy way) or get a job as an apprentice.
I think they do it cuz they are really good people inside, but also becuase it is a new business model where you can improve your business by having an online presence.
Today a lot of photogs are sharing what ever knowledge they have to build a strong photography community. People like Chase Jarvis, David Hobby, David X Tejada, all share they vast knowledge and experience.
I've seen this before here
I've seen this before here http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-9318-9775 not to steal Marco Jetti's thunder I'm actually just mentioning it because there is a portion that refers to how in the U.S. the F.C.C. says it is illegal to use GMRS and FRS radios in such a way. Not that many people will care but just for a heads up and to be carefull with these devices.
re: FCC
Thanks for the link, anon. I was glad to discover Rob's site, as his extensive review on this technique.Through that link I found out you can buy kits of this device (120$ sounds a bit to much, but if you're really cahllenged with a solder and can not find a soldering friend ....As for a license, I guess this will be a personal thing, as was the extension to the GI flash trigger range.
Remote Trigger Delay
I am not an expert, but I've built something like this before, using a transmitter and receiver from a model remote-controlled tank. Mine had a delay of about 1/15th second because the receiver used a mechanical relay (as this one does) to trigger the camera/flash. If someone can design an electronic (transistor) trigger/switch to replace the mechanical relay I think the delay will be essentially eliminated.
legality and tiggering times
Two things: first legality. Yeah, technically, as described, it violates the letter of the law. GMRS and FRS are for voice communication between humans, not remote control. Fortunately, the law is always behind on the technology. Just buy a third radio, hand it to a volunteer, and tell them to stand there. Then when you want to take a picture, say "Boo". Suddenly, you're legal again. 47CFR95 is basically a mess and ought to be re-written some day. :-) Meanwhile, the delay is most likely coming from the so-called "privacy tones" feature. Just turn them off and your response time should go down into the milliseconds - small relays typically switch in under 25 mSec.
that stuff is dope! this
that stuff is dope! this page is a goldmine for real heads. i need to try more of your diy tutorials very soon.
walkie Talkie trigger
This link shows a similar trigger though used a relay on the speaker leads.
These particular radios had a confirmation beep , the beep having enough power to trigger the relay - might eliminate that delay from this device.
http://photos.bahneman.com/tricks/article.php/diy_super_long_range_rf_re...
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