pinout of remote shutter plugs

simons-photography · 01-01-2009, 02:05 PM

as far as I know the pentax remote socket takes a standard 3 channel mini headphone jack like the ones that often come with compact cameras for stereo audio and composite video output. as I have such a cable I can plug it in and have 3 phono plugs one the end that I can pug into a button pad (I have all the components so its free to make).

but what is the pinout of the plug ? I'd assume that there is a common (earth) and that each of the 3 chanels is a button focus and shutter and... ?

any ideas anyone ?

noblepa · 01-01-2009, 03:31 PM

I just measured mine with an ohm meter.

There are three contacts, in order: the tip, the middle and the shaft.

The shaft is common.

The middle is half-press for auto-focus

The tip is full-press to activate the shutter.

IOW, the switch shorts the connection between the shaft and the middle to simulate a half-press of the shutter release, which triggers auto-focus and SR.

The switch shorts the connection between the shaft and the tip to trip the shutter and capture the image.

There have been plans and write-ups on various sites about how to make your own wired remote. It is fairly easy. I was going to do it myself, until I found one of the cheap remotes on ebay. I think that I paid about $7 or $8 for the one I got, incuding shipping. I decided it wasn't worth it to make my own.

Oh, and yes, you are right. Its a standard 2.5mm stereo plug, as used in headphones.

Paul Noble

simons-photography · 01-01-2009, 03:44 PM

thanks well theres also the option of having a timer on it etc or a circuit to generate regular pulses

noblepa · 01-01-2009, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by simons-photography

thanks well theres also the option of having a timer on it etc or a circuit to generate regular pulses

That's very true. Plus, there's the fun of building something yourself, instead of always just buying what you need.

It shouldn't be too difficult to hook your camera up to a motion-detector, using this information. I'm sure that there are many things you could come up with to build some sort of custom trigger.

Have fun!

pop4 · 01-01-2009, 11:53 PM

I made a thread about a DIY remote shutter release, you can find it here

And here is a diagram showing how I had it wired. I forget which of the contacts is which, so it's best to test things out before soldering everything together, but one is the common, one is for AF, and on is for shutter, all on a common 2.5mm stereo jack:

**jbinpg** · 01-02-2009, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by pop4

I made a thread about a DIY remote shutter release, you can find it here

And here is a diagram showing how I had it wired. I forget which of the contacts is which, so it's best to test things out before soldering everything together, but one is the common, one is for AF, and on is for shutter, all on a common 2.5mm stereo jack:

I have made two of these remotes using this circuit diagram for my K20D. Both work flawlessly. I used a SPST for the Bulb switch. If you shoot in cold climates (< 5C), consider looking for more flexible cable with cold weather rating. Note that the one huge advantage over the dealer supplied cable is that you can make it as long as you want.

Jack

Sharkonwheels · 01-03-2009, 01:56 AM

If it is indeed just a 3.5mm headphone jack, zip over to Radio Shack, and get a headphone extension for like $7-8 or so. I think they sell up to 25 or 50ft versions.

T

ihatethetv · 01-03-2009, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by Sharkonwheels

If it is indeed just a 3.5mm headphone jack, zip over to Radio Shack, and get a headphone extension for like $7-8 or so. I think they sell up to 25 or 50ft versions.

T

All Electronics | Electronic and Electro-Mechanical Parts and Supplies at Discount Prices is where I get stuff like this. Much cheaper and often better quality than ratshack.

-G

Blue · 01-03-2009, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Sharkonwheels

If it is indeed just a 3.5mm headphone jack, zip over to Radio Shack, and get a headphone extension for like $7-8 or so. I think they sell up to 25 or 50ft versions.

T

Its a 2.5mm . . .

eclipsed450 · 01-07-2009, 05:04 PM

thanks for this thread guys, got some spare parts together and fancied one up over the weekend, black is focus, red is shutter, switch is shutter in bulb mode. fits great in my big hands and is light as a feather...cable is an old phone cord, which isn't soft, but isn't too tough either, just right, and around 8' long i think...

**LeoTaylor** · 01-08-2009, 01:21 PM

Having built a few cable extenders and computer controlled shutter releases I'll add a few comments.

Blue is correct: the plug is 2.5mm. AKA 3/32 inch, Micro (not Mini), and 2 channel plus common (not 3 channel).

Radio Shack sometimes has an extender in stock but it is a curly cord. I had to make my own long straight cord for photographing birds with a camera by a feeder and me behind a tree.

If you are going to use computer control and don't need half-pressed shutter, you still need a three conductor plug. Leave the middle contact open, the camera got upset when I inserted a plug with two contacts permanently connected.

I had a hard time finding the male and female connectors I needed locally, had to order them.

Right angle plus are nice since the cords usually are not going straight left.

Watch out for plugs that lack enough space between the pin and barrel. I had a lot of intermittent operation until I found the barrel would strike the body before the pin snapped in. I was able to fix it by cutting some of the rubber back so the plug could go in far enough to, "click".

Once I figured this stuff out my cables worked fine.

eclipsed450 · 01-08-2009, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by LeoTaylor

Blue is correct: the plug is 2.5mm. AKA 3/32 inch, Micro (not Mini), and 2 channel plus common (not 3 channel).

I didn't have a 2.5, so i picked up one, i just got a stereo 2.5 jack..although it's a TIGHT squeeze even with the THIN wires i used..anyone who has used phone wire knows it's VERY thin, but it works and I'm satisfied...

Originally posted by LeoTaylor

Radio Shack sometimes has an extender in stock but it is a curly cord. I had to make my own long straight cord for photographing birds with a camera by a feeder and me behind a tree.

That's a great idea...i have a 50' phone cord laying around, may need to hack it up to be an extender for bird shots...thanks!!

Originally posted by LeoTaylor

Right angle plus are nice since the cords usually are not going straight left.

Yes!! the right angle is so nice, I'm glad i went with it...

Classvino · 01-08-2009, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by eclipsed450

That's a great idea...i have a 50' phone cord laying around, may need to hack it up to be an extender for bird shots...thanks!!

Dont hack up the phone extension - make a couple converters,,, a pair of 2.5mm stereo jacks (1 male, 1 female - you'd be getting them to make the extension anyway) and a couple of RJ11 or RJ12 jacks (one of each sex, or 2 female depending on the extension you have) and a few inches of phone cable...

Suggestion - if you're using RJ12 phone cable (6 conductor) double up on the wires - meaning you'll have 2 wires each connected to the tip and rings on the 2.5mm jack - better signal, less possibility of failure.

These would allow you to use any length phone extension...

superjohn · 02-03-2009, 02:47 AM

I just built one using parts i recycled and it works beautifully!

Cost: $0

Thanks.

kenyee · 02-03-2009, 07:59 AM

any idea if the signal goes the other way?
I.e., if the camera is focusing, does it short the middle and common?
Wondering if it's an easy way to connect an AF assist lamp...

01-01-2009, 02:05 PM	#1
simons-photography Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northamptonshire - England Photos: Gallery Posts: 496	pinout of remote shutter plugs as far as I know the pentax remote socket takes a standard 3 channel mini headphone jack like the ones that often come with compact cameras for stereo audio and composite video output. as I have such a cable I can plug it in and have 3 phono plugs one the end that I can pug into a button pad (I have all the components so its free to make). but what is the pinout of the plug ? I'd assume that there is a common (earth) and that each of the 3 chanels is a button focus and shutter and... ? any ideas anyone ?

01-01-2009, 03:31 PM	#2
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Pin-Outs for wired remote shutter release I just measured mine with an ohm meter. There are three contacts, in order: the tip, the middle and the shaft. The shaft is common. The middle is half-press for auto-focus The tip is full-press to activate the shutter. IOW, the switch shorts the connection between the shaft and the middle to simulate a half-press of the shutter release, which triggers auto-focus and SR. The switch shorts the connection between the shaft and the tip to trip the shutter and capture the image. There have been plans and write-ups on various sites about how to make your own wired remote. It is fairly easy. I was going to do it myself, until I found one of the cheap remotes on ebay. I think that I paid about $7 or $8 for the one I got, incuding shipping. I decided it wasn't worth it to make my own. Oh, and yes, you are right. Its a standard 2.5mm stereo plug, as used in headphones. Paul Noble

01-01-2009, 10:45 PM	#4
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Pinouts Originally posted by simons-photography thanks well theres also the option of having a timer on it etc or a circuit to generate regular pulses That's very true. Plus, there's the fun of building something yourself, instead of always just buying what you need. It shouldn't be too difficult to hook your camera up to a motion-detector, using this information. I'm sure that there are many things you could come up with to build some sort of custom trigger. Have fun!

01-07-2009, 05:04 PM	#10
eclipsed450 Guest	thanks for this thread guys, got some spare parts together and fancied one up over the weekend, black is focus, red is shutter, switch is shutter in bulb mode. fits great in my big hands and is light as a feather...cable is an old phone cord, which isn't soft, but isn't too tough either, just right, and around 8' long i think... Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Flashwave 2 as a remote shutter release	joshnl	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	0	07-27-2010 04:50 PM
Where would the remote shutter plug in to the K-x	joodiespost	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	12	07-07-2010 05:53 PM
Remote shutter release on ZX-60	noahpurdy	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	5	03-03-2010 08:19 AM
K-m remote shutter release	modizzy	Pentax DSLR Discussion	0	12-22-2009 06:03 AM
Remote shutter release for K100D	smf	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	2	02-06-2009 11:37 AM

01-01-2009, 03:44 PM	#3
simons-photography Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northamptonshire - England Photos: Gallery Posts: 496 Original Poster	thanks well theres also the option of having a timer on it etc or a circuit to generate regular pulses

01-01-2009, 11:53 PM	#5
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	I made a thread about a DIY remote shutter release, you can find it here And here is a diagram showing how I had it wired. I forget which of the contacts is which, so it's best to test things out before soldering everything together, but one is the common, one is for AF, and on is for shutter, all on a common 2.5mm stereo jack:

01-02-2009, 12:10 AM	#6
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Originally posted by pop4 I made a thread about a DIY remote shutter release, you can find it here And here is a diagram showing how I had it wired. I forget which of the contacts is which, so it's best to test things out before soldering everything together, but one is the common, one is for AF, and on is for shutter, all on a common 2.5mm stereo jack: I have made two of these remotes using this circuit diagram for my K20D. Both work flawlessly. I used a SPST for the Bulb switch. If you shoot in cold climates (< 5C), consider looking for more flexible cable with cold weather rating. Note that the one huge advantage over the dealer supplied cable is that you can make it as long as you want. Jack

01-03-2009, 01:56 AM	#7
Sharkonwheels Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA Posts: 132	If it is indeed just a 3.5mm headphone jack, zip over to Radio Shack, and get a headphone extension for like $7-8 or so. I think they sell up to 25 or 50ft versions. T

01-03-2009, 01:10 PM	#8
ihatethetv New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 9	Originally posted by Sharkonwheels If it is indeed just a 3.5mm headphone jack, zip over to Radio Shack, and get a headphone extension for like $7-8 or so. I think they sell up to 25 or 50ft versions. T All Electronics \| Electronic and Electro-Mechanical Parts and Supplies at Discount Prices is where I get stuff like this. Much cheaper and often better quality than ratshack. -G

01-03-2009, 01:24 PM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Sharkonwheels If it is indeed just a 3.5mm headphone jack, zip over to Radio Shack, and get a headphone extension for like $7-8 or so. I think they sell up to 25 or 50ft versions. T Its a 2.5mm . . .

01-08-2009, 01:21 PM	#11
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	Having built a few cable extenders and computer controlled shutter releases I'll add a few comments. Blue is correct: the plug is 2.5mm. AKA 3/32 inch, Micro (not Mini), and 2 channel plus common (not 3 channel). Radio Shack sometimes has an extender in stock but it is a curly cord. I had to make my own long straight cord for photographing birds with a camera by a feeder and me behind a tree. If you are going to use computer control and don't need half-pressed shutter, you still need a three conductor plug. Leave the middle contact open, the camera got upset when I inserted a plug with two contacts permanently connected. I had a hard time finding the male and female connectors I needed locally, had to order them. Right angle plus are nice since the cords usually are not going straight left. Watch out for plugs that lack enough space between the pin and barrel. I had a lot of intermittent operation until I found the barrel would strike the body before the pin snapped in. I was able to fix it by cutting some of the rubber back so the plug could go in far enough to, "click". Once I figured this stuff out my cables worked fine.

01-08-2009, 01:45 PM	#12
eclipsed450 Guest	Originally posted by LeoTaylor Blue is correct: the plug is 2.5mm. AKA 3/32 inch, Micro (not Mini), and 2 channel plus common (not 3 channel). I didn't have a 2.5, so i picked up one, i just got a stereo 2.5 jack..although it's a TIGHT squeeze even with the THIN wires i used..anyone who has used phone wire knows it's VERY thin, but it works and I'm satisfied... Originally posted by LeoTaylor Radio Shack sometimes has an extender in stock but it is a curly cord. I had to make my own long straight cord for photographing birds with a camera by a feeder and me behind a tree. That's a great idea...i have a 50' phone cord laying around, may need to hack it up to be an extender for bird shots...thanks!! Originally posted by LeoTaylor Right angle plus are nice since the cords usually are not going straight left. Yes!! the right angle is so nice, I'm glad i went with it...

01-08-2009, 02:21 PM	#13
Classvino Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 132	Originally posted by eclipsed450 That's a great idea...i have a 50' phone cord laying around, may need to hack it up to be an extender for bird shots...thanks!! Dont hack up the phone extension - make a couple converters,,, a pair of 2.5mm stereo jacks (1 male, 1 female - you'd be getting them to make the extension anyway) and a couple of RJ11 or RJ12 jacks (one of each sex, or 2 female depending on the extension you have) and a few inches of phone cable... Suggestion - if you're using RJ12 phone cable (6 conductor) double up on the wires - meaning you'll have 2 wires each connected to the tip and rings on the 2.5mm jack - better signal, less possibility of failure. These would allow you to use any length phone extension...

02-03-2009, 02:47 AM	#14
superjohn New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, West Australia Posts: 3	I just built one using parts i recycled and it works beautifully! Cost: $0 Thanks.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-03-2009, 07:59 AM	#15
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	any idea if the signal goes the other way? I.e., if the camera is focusing, does it short the middle and common? Wondering if it's an easy way to connect an AF assist lamp...