Re: long shutter release cable

[Richard Knoppow <dickburk@ix.netcom.com>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ryuji Suzuki" <rs@silvergrain.org>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 1:02 PM
Subject: long shutter release cable


> I know this has nothing to do with alt, but so is 
> everything
> else I post anyway, so why not?
>
> I'm looking for a long (3 to 5m) mechanical shutter 
> release
> cable and bought an air release cable just to confirm it
> doesn't work. It does not have enough strength to depress 
> the
> shutter buttons of my cameras. Changing camera is not an
> option for this project (Indeed, all but a few of my 
> cameras
> have very heavy shutter release button). Does anyone know 
> a
> good alternative to this air release cable but with more
> strength? Do I need to make one myself from bicycle brake
> wire?
>
> Thanks
>
> Ryuji
 My experience with very long cable releases is that they 
tend to have too much friction and don't work well unless 
kept pretty straight. I've had good luck using shutters with 
flash syncronizers on them as remote releases. The problem 
is that no one makes these any more so you have to find them 
on the used market. At one time there was even a solenoid 
that screwed into the cable release. I think you may be able 
to make a tripper using a relay of some sort by coupling the 
armature to the shutter tripper. That would allow tripping 
at a considerable distance with a small battery box and push 
button.
  The small air release available from Calumet or Freestyle 
does not work on many shutters using the full length of the 
tube supplied. I bought one many years ago and found the 
same thing you have.

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com