I’m trying to get into HDR photography, which usually requires some very long exposure shots. The best way to do this is with a tripod and a shutter release. I got the tripod off Craigslist, but the shuuter release was too expensive for me, so I set off to make my own.

Step 1 – Materials & Tools

To keep this on the cheap, I kept it minimal. The most expensive item was the hands-free phone kit; on sale for $10. Check the comments. One was found at a dollar store. $1!

1x Hands-free cell phone kit IMPORTANT: The DSLRs take a 3/32″ stereo plug. See the picture for details.
2x Momentary buttons (two colors)
1x Mini micro switch
1x Enclosure, for me a wonderfully ironic 35mm film canister

Plus:

• Extra Wire
• Tape
• Tools:
• Drill & bits
• Soldering iron and solder
• Wire stripping tools

Step 2 – Break open the mic

Be destructive, but gentle

You may not get the same model kit, so some experimentation is required. Inside the microphone box was a tiny circuit board hooked to 4 wires. I plugged in the kit to my camera for testing. Don’t worry, there’ s no current in these wires. I took my knife and shorted various combinations and observed the results. I found that two are ground wires, and the other two have functions:

Red: focus
White: shutter
Copper: ground
Blue: ground

By connecting the Red to a ground, the camera focused. Wonderful news.We will now make button to do this work for us.

Step 3- Solder up the connections

Using the diagram below from Roger Cline, Assemble and solder your buttons and switch. Test it often to avoid mistakes. When you’re done, protect from short circuits with some tape.

Step 4 – Make an enclosure

Here I used an empty 35mm film can from the girlfriend. I used the recycle symbol on the bottom to perfectly align my three controls and poked holes for drilling. Then using a similar bit to the one recommended on the button packaging, I drilled 3 holes.

Step 5 – Mount stuff

This may be the trickiest step. Maneuver the three controls toward their respective spots. A long pair of needle-nosed pliers help out a lot. Also, the switch has a little groove that the washer uses to stay straight. You’ll have to see it. It can be tricky. Tighten them all down and you’re set. Test again of course.

Step 6 – Test and troubleshoot

So this step is kind of unnecessary if your buttons work.But if they don’t work, don’t fret. Be very patient, take it apart, and test your soldering again. That’s always where it fails.

Also when you coil all the extra cable into the canister, use a bit of tape to keep the complicated end of your project inside the can.

Below is a picture of the shutter release in action!

by eagleapexon Mar 13, 2007

DIY Shutter Release for your Canon DSLR

by cline&company

Here is a very simple diagram for a DIY Shutter Release for your Canon DSLR. See Chris’s Link in the comments section for Pentax instructions.

What you’ll need.

(1) One – 3/32” Stereo Audio Plug (MUST BE STEREO, NOT MONO)
(2) One – Small Toggle Switch
(3) Two – Momentary Switches (SET TO OPEN)
(4) Wire – Small Gauge Insulated wire w/ at least 3 insulated wires within the main outer insulation. (I used 20’ basic telephone wire and only used 3 of the 4 wires in it.) (length depends on how long you would like your shutter release to reach.)
(5) Wire – Small gauge scrap wire, for wiring switches
(6) One – Project housing or Something to mount your switches on

Wiring

The long end that comes out of the bottom of the Audio Plug is where your ground wire (black) needs to be soldered. This wire will go to each of your switches as shown in my diagram.

The audio plug will have 2 small areas for your last 2 wires. The area nearest the plug, is the area where the Auto Focus wire (green) will need to be soldered. The other end will go to one of your Momentary switches.

Next the small area next to the ground tab and below the auto focus area is where you’ll solder the Shutter Release wire (red). This wire will go to both the Toggle switch (blub lock/release) and also the last momentary switch(single release).

Lastly, attach all your switches to a small project housing and you are finished.

It is a pretty simple project and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes from start to finish. I think I have about 8 bucks wrapped up in mine and it works like a dream.