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petercrane · 12-24-2009, 05:44 PM

A quick, easy & cost effective smooth shutter release which might be a good idea for anyone too lazy to actually buy the remote.

All you need is a pair of headphones to suit the Pentax's 2.5mm jack (The headphone end is a smaller version of the standard 3.5mm jack and is usually found on mobile devices). If you don't already own a pair, go to your local phone store/supermarket and pick a pair up for >$5.

Ok. Now if you plug the headphones in 1/3 of the way you'll be able to autofocus. A bit further and you'll be able to take a shot. You'll quickly find yourself taking a photos a lot smoother than if you were using the shutter button.

Unfortunately it can't possibly be as smooth as a genuine remote, but can be a good way to save money if you're someone like me who only ever needs a remote once in lifetime

If anyone has any better ideas, or a way to improve on my solution I'd be happy to hear about it.

(Tested on K-7. Feel free to test on other models with a 2.5mm jack)

GerryL · 12-24-2009, 06:30 PM

Plugging the jack uses force and it can still cause movement on the camera no matter how small.
The better alternative is to cut off the speakers from the headphone and expose the 4 wires (2 per line).
One of those 2 lines is the common ground, you can actually splice these 2 because it is connected to the base of the jack.
You can then just touch one of the other wires to this common ground to focus, then touch the other wire to this common ground to take the shot.
If you open up the wire insulation, you will see what I mean.
Just test which of the wires (apart from the common ground) is the contact for the focus and which wire takes the shot itself.

petercrane · 12-24-2009, 06:37 PM

Wow. Really great idea. I'll try giving that a shot now.

petercrane · 12-25-2009, 09:43 AM

I fiddled around with it all and got it taking shots and autofocusing by touching wires. Thanks a lot for your advice

flyer · 12-25-2009, 05:27 PM

Now, you just need to buy two microswitches and an enclosure and you're all set up.

kkoether · 12-26-2009, 08:23 AM

DIY trigger release

Homemade Remote Trigger

GerryL · 12-26-2009, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by flyer

Now, you just need to buy two microswitches and an enclosure and you're all set up.

Haha..He wanted it easy that's why i didn't suggest this.

12-24-2009, 05:44 PM	#1
petercrane Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 87	DIY Pentax Smooth Shutter Release A quick, easy & cost effective smooth shutter release which might be a good idea for anyone too lazy to actually buy the remote. All you need is a pair of headphones to suit the Pentax's 2.5mm jack (The headphone end is a smaller version of the standard 3.5mm jack and is usually found on mobile devices). If you don't already own a pair, go to your local phone store/supermarket and pick a pair up for >$5. Ok. Now if you plug the headphones in 1/3 of the way you'll be able to autofocus. A bit further and you'll be able to take a shot. You'll quickly find yourself taking a photos a lot smoother than if you were using the shutter button. Unfortunately it can't possibly be as smooth as a genuine remote, but can be a good way to save money if you're someone like me who only ever needs a remote once in lifetime If anyone has any better ideas, or a way to improve on my solution I'd be happy to hear about it. (Tested on K-7. Feel free to test on other models with a 2.5mm jack)

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12-24-2009, 06:30 PM	#2
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Plugging the jack uses force and it can still cause movement on the camera no matter how small. The better alternative is to cut off the speakers from the headphone and expose the 4 wires (2 per line). One of those 2 lines is the common ground, you can actually splice these 2 because it is connected to the base of the jack. You can then just touch one of the other wires to this common ground to focus, then touch the other wire to this common ground to take the shot. If you open up the wire insulation, you will see what I mean. Just test which of the wires (apart from the common ground) is the contact for the focus and which wire takes the shot itself.

12-24-2009, 06:37 PM	#3
petercrane Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 87 Original Poster	Wow. Really great idea. I'll try giving that a shot now.

12-25-2009, 09:43 AM	#4
petercrane Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 87 Original Poster	I fiddled around with it all and got it taking shots and autofocusing by touching wires. Thanks a lot for your advice

12-25-2009, 05:27 PM	#5
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Now, you just need to buy two microswitches and an enclosure and you're all set up.

12-26-2009, 08:23 AM	#6
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	DIY trigger release Homemade Remote Trigger

12-26-2009, 04:42 PM	#7
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by flyer Now, you just need to buy two microswitches and an enclosure and you're all set up. Haha..He wanted it easy that's why i didn't suggest this.

DIY Pentax Smooth Shutter Release

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