Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer - General Chat - CHDK Forum
supplierdeeply
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 ... 9   Go Down

Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer

  • 88 Replies
  • 36795 Views
*

Offline Aristoc

  • **
  • 52
Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« on: 30 / April / 2008, 13:56:16 »
Advertisements
Hi

I know a photographer in a wheelchair and his hands are too shaky to press the shutter on a digital camera. I am looking for a remote control or very large electric button that can be attached to the camera and used to trigger the shutter.

I don't have electrical experience so I am looking for an easy one. I don't even know if I have to do any modifications to the camera itself...do I have to upload some special software ?  or do I just plug the new switch in  ?
 
So far I have the following cameras to try but his wife could get another one if its easier (just point and shoot not dSLR's ):
 
Canon A85
Canon G9
Canon

As long as I can attach a video out from the camera to the mini DVD player.

He also can't see very well so I have attached a tiny portable DVD player to the Canon G9 with a male to male 3.5mm type stereo wire and I can see everything on the DVD screen

Can you link me or direct me into a spot that explains how I can make a remote for any of the above cameras or any other cheap or used  point and shoot camera?

Thanks so much in advance ..ill try reading/searching myself also.

Aristoc

Picasa Web Albums - P - WheelchairPhotog

Here is an example of a switch size that would be perfect...I only need ONE switch for triggering.

http://www.iltsource.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/switches1.jpg


« Last Edit: 30 / April / 2008, 14:01:44 by Aristoc »
Logged
*

Offline BB

  • ***
  • 164
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #1 on: 30 / April / 2008, 14:28:34 »
Hi Aristoc,

It's Bill again (from DPForum)... The list of cameras currently supported:

    *  A450, Fw: 1.00d
    * A460, Fw: 1.00d
    * A550, Fw: 1.00c
    * A560, Fw: 1.00a
    * A570, Fw: 1.00e, 1.01a
    * A610, Fw: 1.00e, 1.00f, (1.00d with CHDK version for 1.00e)
    * A620, Fw: 1.00f ( 1.00e is not compatible. You must upgrade to 1.00f first (see here))
    * A630, Fw: 1.00c
    * A640, Fw: 1.00b
    * A650 IS, Fw: 1.00d
    * A700, Fw: 1.00b
    * A710 IS, Fw: 1.00a
    * A720 IS, Fw: 1.00c
    * S2 IS, Fw: 1.00e, 1.00f, 1.00g, (1.00i with CHDK version for 1.00g)
    * S3 IS, Fw: 1.00a
    * S5 IS, Fw: 1.01a 1.01b
    * G7, Fw: 1.00e, 1.00g, 1.00i, 1.00j
    * SD450 (IXUS55), Fw: 1.00b, 1.00c, 1.00d
    * SD500 (IXUS700), Fw: 1.01a, 1.01b
    * SD630 (IXUS65), Fw: 1.01a
    * SD700 (IXUS800), Fw: 1.00b, 1.01b, (1.01a with CHDK version for 1.01b)
    * SD800 (IXUS850), Fw: 1.00e, (1.00d with CHDK version for 1.00e)
    * SD850 (IXUS950), Fw: 1.00c
    * SD870 (IXUS860), Fw: 1.00c
    * SD1000 (IXUS70), Fw: 1.01b, 1.02a, (1.01a with CHDK version for 1.01b)
    * TX-1, Fw: 1.00g, 1.01b

Unless there is something needed (like a hot shoe for flash), starting with a A570IS or A720IS (both should be available for well less than $200) would give you a great platform to experiment with. Cameras are light, small, and (relatively) cheap to replace.

The G9 will probably be supported here too--but that is probably a few weeks to a couple of months from happening (porting, sw writing, support, etc.--is all volunteer / open source here -- so it just take somebody with the ability and time to step up and do the porting).

In the Search Box for this Forum, just type "remote USB" and you will get a good list of threads/posts to start reading through.

There is also a forum called "Script Writing" where you can find debugged and uBasic programs under development and lots of discussions of people looking and offering help.

I just a newbie here too--so my "donation" is to try and help other new users here.

Take care,
-Bill
Logged
*

Offline PhyrePhoX

  • *****
  • 2254
  • make RAW not WAR
    • PhyreWorX
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #2 on: 30 / April / 2008, 14:33:11 »
hi,

building an usb remote is really simple. browse this thread building usb-remote-cable for lots of examples, circuit designs and more. basically you need about a 3V battery, a USB cable (one end fitting into the usb port of the camera), some small wires, a switch and a convenient housing/shell/case.
Unfortunately your cameras arent capable of loading CHDK (thus they cannot use remote shutter), at least not now.
the a85 will never be supported since it is imcompatible with CHDKs architecture. The G9 is VERY likely to be supported very soon, bookmark this thread:
Any developers interested in working on CHDK firmware for the G9 ?
No point in trying to build the remote if CHDK isnt ported yet. As soon as this is done you have to do a lot of reading on CHDK first, then the remote shutter. In the end, everything is very simple.
Use the wiki ( CHDK - CHDK Wiki ) and also this is very useful:
CHDK End-User's Guide

regards, PhoX

edit: BB was first, but i provided the links :p
Logged
*

Offline BB

  • ***
  • 164
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #3 on: 30 / April / 2008, 16:02:30 »
Quote from: PhyrePhoX on 30 / April / 2008, 14:33:11
edit: BB was first, but i provided the links :p

But I was the first to tell Aristoc about CHDK on the DPRview Canon Forum and provided him (her?) the links to the Wiki and this forum... So there!  :P :lol

Have fun!  8)
-Bill
Logged
*

Offline Aristoc

  • **
  • 52
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #4 on: 30 / April / 2008, 16:32:07 »
Thanks to both of you !! :-*    :-*

Do you think I would be able to use one of the switches such as in the pictures in my first post . The green or yellow buttons ? Instead of one from radio shack ?

I am very very interested in making a remote but I am afraid that I might get bogged down in doing that and it might not work for me since this is all brand new to me. So I might prefer the mechanical one from Bill instead.  I will give it a try though.


« Last Edit: 30 / April / 2008, 16:42:50 by Aristoc »
Logged
*

Offline PhyrePhoX

  • *****
  • 2254
  • make RAW not WAR
    • PhyreWorX
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #5 on: 30 / April / 2008, 16:46:46 »
any button will do it. just as long as it is a device that connects two wires when you press on it and disconnects them when you let go of it :D
look like buzzers from a gameshow :)

edit: reminds me of this: http://www.85qm.de/up/BigRedButton.swf
« Last Edit: 30 / April / 2008, 16:48:58 by PhyrePhoX »
Logged
*

Offline Aristoc

  • **
  • 52
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #6 on: 30 / April / 2008, 17:25:24 »
Quote from: PhyrePhoX on 30 / April / 2008, 16:46:46
***edit***
look like buzzers from a gameshow :)

edit: reminds me of this: http://www.85qm.de/up/BigRedButton.swf

That can drive someone crazy ..but funny  :blink:

It looks like USB remotes need batteries.
Logged
*

Offline vine

  • ***
  • 124
  • A560
    • my chdk page
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #7 on: 30 / April / 2008, 17:30:35 »
Big red button reminds me of Shutdown the Internet :)
I haven't built my remote yet, but from what I have read it is really easy (I have somewhat of an electric engineering background, although you don't need one for something as simple as that)

*EDIT
What I couldn't find thus far is if the shutter is triggered on the ascending or descending signal flank. Could someone provide this information?
« Last Edit: 30 / April / 2008, 17:35:57 by vine »
Logged
my photo map

my chdk page with tutorials, scripts and more

>> finally back from vacation (was a bit longer than intended) <<
*

Offline Aristoc

  • **
  • 52
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #8 on: 30 / April / 2008, 17:37:24 »
Thats funny stuff.

I found a A450 in stock at a nearby store...... ::)  This might be an option if it can be done.
Logged
*

Offline BB

  • ***
  • 164
Re: Need remote shutter release for wheelchair photographer
« Reply #9 on: 30 / April / 2008, 17:59:59 »
I believe, since this is all uBasic program controlled--you can make the "Button" do anything you want (within the limits of On/Off button and possibly some rough timing where you could distinguish between 1 and 5 seconds type thing)...

-Bill
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 ... 9   Go Up
« previous next »
 

Related Topics
SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal