DIY cable release and serial cable for Canon Digital Rebel

While DSLR prices are dropping, the prices for accessories are not, so the folks over at Make have come up with a way to make a cable release and serial-port cable out of electronics you might already have laying around. The cable release, which helps to prevent camera-shake during long-exposures, requires a 2.5-mm stereo phone plug, some flexible wire and a switch. The serial-port cable, which allows you to make "bulb" exposures with the Remote Capture software included with the camera, requires a few more parts and some coding knowledge, but the reward could be well worth the effort for astrophotographers or people who want more cred at the next Maker Faire.

[Via Make: Blog]

[lettcco @ Jun 12th 2006 6:32AM]

isn't there some internal software you can set so it will take time-elapsed snaps at set interval? I think if my canon IS S2 can do that, no doubt a DSLR can too..

[Jason @ Jun 12th 2006 8:32AM]

Nothing built into the camera, but you can use the bundled Canon software to take pictures from your computer (including automated time-lapses) assuming of course you tether the camera to the computer.

[Nick Hawkins @ Jun 12th 2006 9:07AM]

Or you can use DSLR remote Pro: http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm

And if you need a remote shutter cable, you can always take a Nokia headset with a button to hang up the phone and cut up the top of the part.

[Wayne @ Jun 12th 2006 9:18AM]

Neither the dRebel or the dRebel XT have a time lapse function that I have found.

But my Canon G3 does. It's a little strange but it's just the way it is.

I used it for this picture: http://www.deviantart.com/view/11794545/

I've already hacked together my own cable release (I've got it wired with audio plugs so I can make it as long as I need), but the serial port version seems a little pointless to me at the moment.

If I'm going to use software for time-lapse photos, why not use the usb cable and Canon software?

[Rob @ Jun 12th 2006 10:54AM]

For astrophotographers, have a look at DSLRFocus
http://www.dslrfocus.com/

It's main function is to help with focusing, but for long exposure stuff it can also control the bulb setting with a custom cable (similar to this one).

Circuit diagrams are available on the support page of the website, for both Parallel and Serial versions (useful if you have your telescope controlled via the serial port already)

[Chad @ Jun 12th 2006 10:56AM]

Why not just use the usb cord/Remote Capture software for the PC side, and buy a $10 3rd party remote from ebay?

[Taylor @ Jun 12th 2006 1:55PM]

The digital rebel does up to 30 second exposures on its own, but any more and you have to set it to "bulb" mode, which in it's simplest form means holding down the shutter for 30 seconds, using a remote cable with a toggle switch, or doing all this serial port business.

It does not, however, take multiple single exposures at set time intervals, as some people suggested when they said "time elapsed".

Personally, i just hacked up a TI-89 calculator link cable to make my shutter release cable oh-so long ago.
-Taylor

[Leo @ Jun 12th 2006 1:58PM]

I bought a $10 ebay remote and use a USB cable - and I don't need to make a cable, or have a computer nearby...

works for me!