DIY shutter/focus cable from a computer mouse

M_D_K · 10-25-2019, 06:42 PM - **2 Likes**

My biggest problem with most available remote cables is that you have a half-press to focus and full press to release the shutter using the same button. This means you have to go thru the focus part to get to the shutter. My mouse concept has 2 buttons, one for focus, and one for shutter. I can focus once, then shoot bunches of shots without disabling or changing the focus.

I got the pinout from HERE. Same pinout as the Canon remote.

I tore it apart and found the two microswitches associated with the mouse buttons, cut the circuit board traces connecting to them, and soldered my cord with a 3.5mm stereo plug to them. Voilà! A two button remote.

If you are a slight bit competent at soldering, it's super easy and cheap.

**DamienW** · 10-25-2019, 07:13 PM - **1 Like**

That is a cracker of an idea!

**grog85361** · 10-25-2019, 09:05 PM

Good idea and cleanly executed. Well done!

**StiffLegged** · 10-26-2019, 01:16 AM

How about converting the mouse wheel to zoom in Live View? That would be handy if it was possible!

**BigMackCam** · 10-26-2019, 04:36 AM

What a creative idea - I like it! Especially nice for tethered shooting from a desk...

**TedH42** · 10-26-2019, 10:59 AM

Very nice, useful hack. Thanks.

BrianR · 10-27-2019, 06:14 PM

Nice! My first dslr remote was also a DIY two button job. It was made from a pair of switches from a computer case (power & reset), a block of wood and a bunch of electrical tape. Yours looks far more polished

.

nanhi · 10-27-2019, 07:57 PM

Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping.

**BigMackCam** · 10-28-2019, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by nanhi

Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping.

Because it's fun, interesting, inventive, useful and a good example of re-purposing?

slartibartfast01 · 10-28-2019, 12:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by nanhi

Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping.

Have you found one with two buttons?

veato · 10-28-2019, 04:11 AM

Very clever, I like it!

M_D_K · 10-28-2019, 04:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by nanhi

Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping.

I did that. Still cannot find one with two separate buttons... so I made my own.

ben.p · 10-28-2019, 09:54 AM

Nice idea ! Congratulations

nanhi · 10-28-2019, 11:44 AM

Hi BigMacCam and SlartibatFart01 here is the DIY circuit from an old Smart Phone headphone with mic. It will auto focus, fire the shutter and also do a "B" shutter for the amount of time you choose.
I made a better one using my Film Film Camera Wired Remote F with an additional female pin to fire my electronic Film Pentaxes. So its originality is maintained when ever needed.
Please see the DIY Photos on my Dropbox A/c - Login - Dropbox

Wasp · 10-28-2019, 11:57 AM

Some great info in this thread. Thanks to all!

10-25-2019, 06:42 PM - 2 Likes	#1
M_D_K Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: North Carolina Posts: 85	DIY shutter/focus cable from a computer mouse My biggest problem with most available remote cables is that you have a half-press to focus and full press to release the shutter using the same button. This means you have to go thru the focus part to get to the shutter. My mouse concept has 2 buttons, one for focus, and one for shutter. I can focus once, then shoot bunches of shots without disabling or changing the focus. I got the pinout from HERE. Same pinout as the Canon remote. I tore it apart and found the two microswitches associated with the mouse buttons, cut the circuit board traces connecting to them, and soldered my cord with a 3.5mm stereo plug to them. Voilà! A two button remote. If you are a slight bit competent at soldering, it's super easy and cheap.

10-27-2019, 06:14 PM	#7
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Nice! My first dslr remote was also a DIY two button job. It was made from a pair of switches from a computer case (power & reset), a block of wood and a bunch of electrical tape. Yours looks far more polished.

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10-25-2019, 07:13 PM - 1 Like	#2
DamienW Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 847	That is a cracker of an idea!

10-25-2019, 09:05 PM	#3
grog85361 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 893	Good idea and cleanly executed. Well done!

10-26-2019, 01:16 AM	#4
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,617	How about converting the mouse wheel to zoom in Live View? That would be handy if it was possible!

10-26-2019, 04:36 AM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	What a creative idea - I like it! Especially nice for tethered shooting from a desk...

10-26-2019, 10:59 AM	#6
TedH42 F/8 & Somewhere Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,412	Very nice, useful hack. Thanks.

10-27-2019, 07:57 PM	#8
nanhi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangalore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 469	Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping.

10-28-2019, 12:30 AM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by nanhi Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping. Because it's fun, interesting, inventive, useful and a good example of re-purposing?

10-28-2019, 12:35 AM - 1 Like	#10
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by nanhi Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping. Have you found one with two buttons?

10-28-2019, 04:11 AM	#11
veato Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nottingham Posts: 543	Very clever, I like it!

10-28-2019, 04:33 AM - 1 Like	#12
M_D_K Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: North Carolina Posts: 85 Original Poster	Originally posted by nanhi Why bother when Evil Bay can get you one for US $ 2 to 4 with Free shipping. I did that. Still cannot find one with two separate buttons... so I made my own.

10-28-2019, 09:54 AM	#13
ben.p Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 145	Nice idea ! Congratulations

10-28-2019, 11:44 AM	#14
nanhi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangalore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 469	Hi BigMacCam and SlartibatFart01 here is the DIY circuit from an old Smart Phone headphone with mic. It will auto focus, fire the shutter and also do a "B" shutter for the amount of time you choose. I made a better one using my Film Film Camera Wired Remote F with an additional female pin to fire my electronic Film Pentaxes. So its originality is maintained when ever needed. Please see the DIY Photos on my Dropbox A/c - Login - Dropbox

10-28-2019, 11:57 AM	#15
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,660	Some great info in this thread. Thanks to all!