Remote timer for DSLR - Possible to split to two or more cameras?

titchard · 10 Oct 2010 at 20:47

Hi,

Pretty much as title, I am about to purchase a Remote timer for interval and time lapse photography - however I have access to a number of Canon DSLRs at the same time and thought it would be excellent to be able to run them simultaneously.

Remote Timer

This is the remote I am looking at - would it be possible to just use a jack splitter and run the cables to two or more different cameras? Or am I over simplifying it?

Hope you guys can answer my question

Thanks in advance,

Rich

titchard · 11 Oct 2010 at 15:24

No ideas guys?

The remote timer is powered - so I imagine that it will be able to deliver a single to more than more camera, I just want to see if anyone has tried it and can confirm my theory before I try

Rich

Stuff · 11 Oct 2010 at 15:32

Sounds like it should work in theory, but whether it does or not is another matter

Zogger · 11 Oct 2010 at 15:36

Interesting idea - which cameras though as there are two different types of release connection thingy?
Interestingly the ebay page you linked has pictures of both types - I'm assuming the one that you will actually get from that auction is the 'jack' type as you've mentioned, which seems to match the list of cameras they've included..
Otherwise I'm not much use because I have no idea

. Sounds like it would work in theory as they're pretty standard cables..

edit: funny I wrote that in theory line before seeing the post above

titchard · 11 Oct 2010 at 15:57

The two cameras I have to hand are a 350D and a 1000D - so both the same make, just think it can be split, roughly £5-10 worth of cables from ******s or somewhere similar.

Think I will have to just try it - I need the remote timer anyway, so having the a go with the cables is no big task.

Rich

lord filbuster · 13 Oct 2010 at 17:22

The timer is powered, but it doesn't send any power to the camera, it merely bridges an internal circuit. You could end up buggering one, or both of them if you split it, if the internal circuitry is different, and possibly even if it is the same circuit. Probably a fairly remote (sorry) chance of that happening though. Personally, i wouldn't risk it.

FreeStream · 14 Oct 2010 at 08:25

I'd imagine with a careful set of transistors the correct signal could be pointed in the right direction.

There are many guides around on how to build your own remote release so it's possible, but only if you know what yours doing

DampCat · 14 Oct 2010 at 10:14

Yes, you can.

You can either butcher a bunch of existing remotes from ebay, or use a laptop and a program called DSLR Remote Pro Multi-Camera.

Butchering the wires is easy enough, all the release does is bridge the gap in connectors. There are a couple of guides online if you look around. I take no responsibility if you balls it up though.

Be aware, that all cameras (even identical ones) transmit the shutter release signal at different speeds (apparently all within 1-5ms though) so something to bear in mind.

Btw, this is basically how they filmed those awesome spinning shots in The Matrix. 600 DSLRs mounted in a spiral around the subject and fired within 5ms of eachother.