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02-05-2021, 07:50 AM - 1 Like   #1
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Pentax K-70 and Skywatcher StarAdventurer (and derivatives)

I have just purchased a SkyWatcher StarAdventurer 2i to enhance my astrophotography. I already have a remote timer and, of course, the K-70 has lots of timer options built in which I had intended to use.. However the StarAdventurer can control the camera plus the camera/StarAdventurer combination can then be controlled from an App over WiFi.

Whilst owners of Canon, Nikon and Sony etc. are generally well catered for by device manufacturers, Skywatcher appear to have forgotten us Pentax owners. Therefore there is no connect cable available for Pentax.

I did a bit of research, looking at the wiring diagrams for Canon cameras and Pentax cameras. I realised that the early Canon cameras had effectively the same signals on the tip, ring and sleeve of the remote plug. Ok so the Pentax is actually tip, ring, ring, sleeve but the Internet advice is that the sleeve and adjacent ring should be shorted together making them one for the correct operation of the Pentax shutter anyway.

Therefore the only difference is that the Canon is a 2.5mm plug and the Pentax is a 3.5mm plug. I purchased the Skywatcher Canon R1C Cable and a 2.5mm to 3.5mm stereo adaptor (Stereo because it naturally shorts together the sleeve and adjacent ring) and IT WORKS! I now have a Skywatcher StarAdventurer controlling a Pentax camera!

I should add that in the settings menu on the camera you need to manually set the input port to Remote Control as it does not auto-detect with this cable.


Posting this here for future reference for someone. I

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02-05-2021, 08:19 AM   #2
Dan
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Brilliant! Thanks for posting.
02-05-2021, 02:22 PM   #3
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Very thoughtful .
02-05-2021, 06:56 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by mlines Quote
Therefore the only difference is that the Canon is a 2.5mm plug and the Pentax is a 3.5mm plug.
I'm glad it is working for you and surprised that SkyWalker does not list your Pentax K-70 as supported. It is pretty well-known that Pentax and many models of Canon cameras share a common simple plug logic. FWIW, the required plug is actually 3.5mm TRRS (four conductors instead of the three pictured).* That is probably why the camera did not auto-dectect. That said, if it works, it works!

I am looking forward to seeing your astro posts!


Steve

* The question of compatible plugs for the K-70 and KP has been discussed at length here. If I have time, I will find the one that provides the easiest solution.

04-03-2022, 07:48 AM   #5
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What settings is the OP using in camera? I have the same gear, except I'm trying this cable:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/851851-REG/Beachtek_SC25_SC25_3_5mm_t...981&

As a test, the SA 2i App is set to 5 exposure seconds, 4 second interval, 10 exposures. When it runs, I get 10 second exposures, the 4 second interval works, it stops at 5 exposures total. I believe 10 seconds is the minimum in bulb mode on camera. Noise reduction on K-70 is off, using bulb mode, tried both bulb mode option 1 and 2, external input devices is set to cable release.

Hoping for some input from someone that has successfully used the SA 2i Wifi App and the K-70 or is familiar with signals and external cables. Any help appreciated.

Thanks
04-03-2022, 09:55 AM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ho_agie Quote
What settings is the OP using in camera? I have the same gear, except I'm trying this cable:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/851851-REG/Beachtek_SC25_SC25_3_5mm_t...981&

As a test, the SA 2i App is set to 5 exposure seconds, 4 second interval, 10 exposures. When it runs, I get 10 second exposures, the 4 second interval works, it stops at 5 exposures total. I believe 10 seconds is the minimum in bulb mode on camera. Noise reduction on K-70 is off, using bulb mode, tried both bulb mode option 1 and 2, external input devices is set to cable release.

Hoping for some input from someone that has successfully used the SA 2i Wifi App and the K-70 or is familiar with signals and external cables. Any help appreciated.

Thanks
I no longer have the SA 2i.

However I seem to recall that the times are cumulative. So to get a 5 second exposure followed by a 4 second interval you need to set a 5 second exposure and a 9 second interval
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