We explore all kinds of technologies, starting from programming, electronics ending in the photography sector. A bit for everyone.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Make a Shutter Release Indicator for any camera!

Following my previous post, I have done and tested a little schematic for a indicator whenever the shutter actuates (whenever the shutter is released). Check the demo video here.

So, we know that the CENTER PIN on the hot-shoe is connected to the GROUND whenever the camera takes a picture (when opening and closing the liveview, that doesn't happen). This automatically triggers the flash. There is a little catch that I explained in the previous blog post.


But this schematic is just good enough for successfully indicating a shutter release. 

As I discussed in the previous blog, the camera keeps the CENTER PIN connected to the GROUND until there is no current flowing to the CENTER PIN i.e. the flash is already triggered. That makes the situation a little bit complicated, so to workaround this issue I have put Q1 transistor to pull the current through the LED to the ground whenever the flash is trigger. That way the LED will flash just for few milliseconds. (I think the schematic is understandable, for any questions, leave them in the comments.)

Some schematic notes:

  • The switch in this virtual schematic acts as the flash triggering IC in the camera. There is no switch in the real world.
  • D1 is the LED which indicates the shutter release. You can put a series resistor for current protection, but because that's just 3V and a small pulse, I had no current limiting resistor.
  • R2 is a current limiting resistor for both, the Q2 and when the shutter is released, the R2 is directly connected to GROUND.
  • R1 is a current limiting resistor too.
That's it! You now have a shutter release indicator that could be used for wireless remote triggering!

Camera used: D5200
Software used to create the schematic diagram: Circuit Wizard

See you next time!
- Mitko
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