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09-09-2006, 06:01 PM - 1 Like   #1
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Cheap Cable Remote for Pentax DSLR

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I have posted this before in another forum, but I thought it might be helpful in here too.
At the local "99 Cent Only" store they have 2.5mm standard headsets for cell and cordless phones. I bought one and it works as a perfect remote. Already has a shutter button built in. (Can't use them as headsets anyway because they sound like crap )

Tools needed: Scissors
Skill level: 0
Time from cutting open the box to attach to camera: 10 Seconds
Function: Flawless (on/off - no half way pressing of course, no auto-focus)
Works on *ist D, DS and DL





09-09-2006, 06:59 PM   #2
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That is brilliant!
09-10-2006, 03:49 PM   #3
roy
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focus button????
09-14-2006, 11:33 PM   #4
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Remote for Pentax DSLR

I did purchase the little Pentax remote for the istD ($30) and it does work well, but I have left it in the other of my two camera bags when I was out and needed one.

This is a great idea...I will get one shortly. Thanks.

09-15-2006, 10:24 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by roy Quote
focus button????
No Focus button. I used it in MF mode only.
09-24-2006, 02:26 PM   #6
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I quit using a cable because the IR remote controls are more portable and cheap.

I use the IR remote control for both my MZ-S and *istD. The Pentax camera straps on these cameras have pockets for the IR remote control.

- Fitz
10-24-2006, 01:51 AM   #7
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Well I tried it with my K100D, but *perhaps* because the hands free plug i used had 3 bands on the connector (the one in this post looked like it had two), the camera would simply shoot as soon as the cable is plugged in, and pressing the mute dosnt do anything

can anyone confirm the exact look of the connector which works?

i might just go IR...

10-24-2006, 09:15 AM   #8
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I made one from plans someone posted with autofocus button, etc.
The K100D uses the 3 band (2 bands + tip) type plug.
If your shutter fires when you plug it in, I'll bet what happened is when you
cut the headset off, you shorted the wires in the end of the cable.
10-24-2006, 11:54 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by leaton Quote
If your shutter fires when you plug it in, I'll bet what happened is when you
cut the headset off, you shorted the wires in the end of the cable.
I'm such a cheap-o that I first tried a headset with the headset still attached, thinking if nothing happened I could always return it. It fired when plugged in. Okay, I sez, so much for taking it back (and getting my $2 back, or whatever it was, I told you I'm cheap ) I'll cut the headset off, that's obviously the problem. No, that's not the problem, it still fires when plugged, and I'm positive nothing's shorted. Oh well. Out $2. Maybe I'll find the diy instructions and make one, luckily it's not a high priority item for me! Next time, I'll ask my dad for advice - he's a retired electrical engineer. He'll set me straight.

Julie
10-25-2006, 03:57 AM   #10
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Oh come on Julie - don't ask your dad, he'll slap you on the back of the head. Simply cut off the mike. How much wire is left! Can you separate what's left?? Is it inserted all the way without the rubber thingy on the camera getting in the way?

Don't ask your dad, he'll pull you out of University and send you to Ottawa instead.
10-25-2006, 09:11 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by JCSullivan Quote
Oh come on Julie - don't ask your dad, he'll slap you on the back of the head. Simply cut off the mike.
Aaaahhhh! That's my problem! I got the wrong kind entirely (it was the only one in the dollar store). The mike and the on/off button are one unit - I can remove the ear piece, but not the mike. It's one of those ones where you clip the doo-hickey to your shirt and talk into your collar, apparently. So unless I tear it to pieces entirely (probably will if I ever have time) there must be some connection being made in there that louses things up. Thanks for the slap on the head!

Julie
11-07-2006, 12:49 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by roy Quote
focus button????
You can set the K100D to AF on remote shutter release. It's in the Custom prefs pane.

Also, here's a cheap dedicated remote release (with AF control and shutter lock) on eBay: Cable release.

Last edited by okto; 11-07-2006 at 02:04 PM.
11-15-2006, 05:52 PM   #13
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i too have got mine working, although not with the phone cable but instead I bought my own parts and made my own.

Turns out the mobile-hands-free had FOUR silver bands, which trips the shutter as soon as its plugged in.

I went to Tandy and bought:
a 2.5mm stereo headphone jack (THREE silver bands), a toggle button (ie enables bulb), a normal button (for AF), and 2m of speaker cable...all up 5 bucks

the three connectors were earth, shutter and AF. I tested out AF but have not wired it up, as the speaker cable I got only had two wires.
12-17-2006, 04:09 AM   #14
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shoey,

Once you're done, could you post up a schematic of the actual connections? Thank you very much Always loved DIY.
12-19-2006, 11:46 PM   #15
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Here's my crude ASCII-art representation of the 2.5mm stereo headphone connector and what each section does for a Pentax dSLR:

-------|-------|-------\
-------|-------|-------/
ground focus shutter

So all you need to do is solder a push button or two between the ground and the other two sections. You might also want to add another rocker switch for the shutter for bulb exposure.
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