Adapting older wired remote shutter release to newer cameras - KP and K-70

**cdw2000** · 07-13-2021, 06:45 AM - **5 Likes**

For those that own the KP and K-70, finding a 3rd party remote shutter release is a little more difficult since Pentax changed the plug format for these cameras. Earlier Pentax DSLRs use a 3 conductor 2.5mm TRS (tip/ring/sleeve) plug. The KP and K-70 use a 4 conductor 3.25mm TRRS (tip/ring/ring/sleeve) plug.

I discovered this the hard way when I ordered the Pixel RC-201 E3 shutter release cable, thinking it would work with my K-70. Being an electrical engineer and tinkerer, I decided to physically replace the cable/connector on the Pixel remote with a cable that has the proper size and configuration connector. I purchased an inexpensive pre-made cable from Amazon that has the proper connector on one end and bare leads on the other.

After some careful experimentation I was able to determine that the sleeve is ground (or Common), the first ring closest to the sleeve also needs to be connected to Common, the second ring is connected to the focus contact and the tip is connected to the shutter release contact. Putting it all together this works exactly the way it is supposed to and looks like the remote was manufactured this way to begin with.

But for those that aren't tinkerers, this can be accomplished by using a simple 2.5mm female to 3.5mm male adapter like the one shown below. I hope this is helpful to someone.

P.S. If anyone is interested, I can expand on my modification description with more details and even some diagrams and pictures. Just let me know.

Attached Images

Last edited by cdw2000; 07-16-2021 at 07:12 PM. Reason: Removed reference to K1 ii and K3iii. They have the original plug.

Not a Number · 07-13-2021, 09:18 AM

Options are always nice.

All you need is an off the shelf 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio adapter. Even though the plug on the remote for the KP and K-70 has four poles only three are used and a normal 3 pole (stereo) adapter works fine.

KP and shutter release - PentaxForums.com
Headphone Terminal K-3 and K-70 - PentaxForums.com
Remote control adaptor? - PentaxForums.com

shyrsio · 07-13-2021, 09:20 AM

Well done there! I had no idea there were these differences on the plugs. Please do explain!

**cdw2000** · 07-13-2021, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Options are always nice.

All you need is an off the shelf 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio adapter. Even though the plug on the remote for the KP and K-70 has four poles only three are used and a normal 3 pole (stereo) adapter works fine.

KP and shutter release - PentaxForums.com
Headphone Terminal K-3 and K-70 - PentaxForums.com
Remote control adaptor? - PentaxForums.com

Yup. Looks like this has been covered in detail already. Looks like I re-invented the wheel. I guess I should have done a forum search first.

stevebrot · 07-13-2021, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by cdw2000

Yup. Looks like this has been covered in detail already. Looks like I re-invented the wheel. I guess I should have done a forum search first.

I had to chuckle. We field inquiries about wired remotes for the K-70 and KP every so often, despite the existing resources. Your thread is an interesting twist.

Steve

**ramseybuckeye** · 07-13-2021, 01:51 PM

The JJC MA-PK1 is still available on ebay, looks like it's up to $9 nw.

mtkeller · 07-16-2021, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by cdw2000

(and probably the K-1 ii and K-3 iii) now use a 4 conductor 3.25mm TRRS (tip/ring/ring/sleeve) plug.

Incorrect. The K-1 ii and K-3 iii use what the rest (other than KP and K-70) used, the CS-205.

**cdw2000** · 07-16-2021, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't sure about the K-1 ii and K-3 ii. I removed the reference to them in my original post.

07-13-2021, 06:45 AM - 5 Likes	#1
cdw2000 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: New Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 244	Adapting older wired remote shutter release to newer cameras - KP and K-70 For those that own the KP and K-70, finding a 3rd party remote shutter release is a little more difficult since Pentax changed the plug format for these cameras. Earlier Pentax DSLRs use a 3 conductor 2.5mm TRS (tip/ring/sleeve) plug. The KP and K-70 use a 4 conductor 3.25mm TRRS (tip/ring/ring/sleeve) plug. I discovered this the hard way when I ordered the Pixel RC-201 E3 shutter release cable, thinking it would work with my K-70. Being an electrical engineer and tinkerer, I decided to physically replace the cable/connector on the Pixel remote with a cable that has the proper size and configuration connector. I purchased an inexpensive pre-made cable from Amazon that has the proper connector on one end and bare leads on the other. After some careful experimentation I was able to determine that the sleeve is ground (or Common), the first ring closest to the sleeve also needs to be connected to Common, the second ring is connected to the focus contact and the tip is connected to the shutter release contact. Putting it all together this works exactly the way it is supposed to and looks like the remote was manufactured this way to begin with. But for those that aren't tinkerers, this can be accomplished by using a simple 2.5mm female to 3.5mm male adapter like the one shown below. I hope this is helpful to someone. P.S. If anyone is interested, I can expand on my modification description with more details and even some diagrams and pictures. Just let me know. Attached Images Last edited by cdw2000; 07-16-2021 at 07:12 PM. Reason: Removed reference to K1 ii and K3iii. They have the original plug.

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07-13-2021, 09:18 AM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Options are always nice. All you need is an off the shelf 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio adapter. Even though the plug on the remote for the KP and K-70 has four poles only three are used and a normal 3 pole (stereo) adapter works fine. KP and shutter release - PentaxForums.com Headphone Terminal K-3 and K-70 - PentaxForums.com Remote control adaptor? - PentaxForums.com

07-13-2021, 09:20 AM	#3
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	Well done there! I had no idea there were these differences on the plugs. Please do explain!

07-13-2021, 10:43 AM	#4
cdw2000 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: New Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 244 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Options are always nice. All you need is an off the shelf 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio adapter. Even though the plug on the remote for the KP and K-70 has four poles only three are used and a normal 3 pole (stereo) adapter works fine. KP and shutter release - PentaxForums.com Headphone Terminal K-3 and K-70 - PentaxForums.com Remote control adaptor? - PentaxForums.com Yup. Looks like this has been covered in detail already. Looks like I re-invented the wheel. I guess I should have done a forum search first.

07-13-2021, 12:02 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by cdw2000 Yup. Looks like this has been covered in detail already. Looks like I re-invented the wheel. I guess I should have done a forum search first. I had to chuckle. We field inquiries about wired remotes for the K-70 and KP every so often, despite the existing resources. Your thread is an interesting twist. Steve

07-13-2021, 01:51 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	The JJC MA-PK1 is still available on ebay, looks like it's up to $9 nw.

07-16-2021, 05:29 PM	#7
mtkeller Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Sioux City, IA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Originally posted by cdw2000 (and probably the K-1 ii and K-3 iii) now use a 4 conductor 3.25mm TRRS (tip/ring/ring/sleeve) plug. Incorrect. The K-1 ii and K-3 iii use what the rest (other than KP and K-70) used, the CS-205.

07-16-2021, 07:13 PM	#8
cdw2000 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: New Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 244 Original Poster	Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't sure about the K-1 ii and K-3 ii. I removed the reference to them in my original post.