I've recently been working on a cheap intervalometer/remote release for my 40D and 5D. The prototype is up and running, so I decided it was time to share the progress.
The original idea was an intervalometer with the same functionality as a Canon TC-80N3, but for much less dough. It started with an LCD display, but it turns out that the cheap LCD's from eBay don't like the cold (it was about -20 deg C). The screen did not function at all. After a bit of brainstorming I decided to make a bluetooth-controlled unit. A smartphone app can communicate with the intervalometer, negating the need for any physical display or controls on the unit and allowing it to operate in adverse conditions.
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It uses an ATTINY85 microcontroller ($1.50), an HC-06 bluetooth module ($5), and a few other minor parts adding up to less than $5 (CAD - even less in USD). An ATTINY85 was programmed using the Arduino IDE. The camera is isolated from the power supply with an optoisolator (4N35), so there is no possibility of damage to the camera. Shown above it's being powered by a desktop power supply as I don't have a suitable battery holder handy. I'm currently using an Android app called Bluetooth Terminal, which is functional but not very pretty.THIS IS A LOW QUALITY PREVIEW. Please log in to see the good quality stuff.
Most of the components are cheap and readily available on eBay:
- ATTINY85 Microcontroller (programmed, more on that later)
- HC-06 BT Module
- 4N35 Optoisolator
- 3.5mm Jack
- Breadboard (170 tie-point)
- Resistors 100 Ohm x4
- Wires 22 Gauge
- Battery Holder 3x AA
The source code for the microcontroller needs some more work. The microcontroller itself is cheap, but the programmer is a bit more complicated... If anyone is interested then I can discuss that part later.
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Next steps will be:THIS IS A LOW QUALITY PREVIEW. Please log in to see the good quality stuff.
- Adding a battery pack (3x AA battery)
- Making a proper case (and possibly solder onto PCB)
- Looking into better smartphone interfaces
- Improving code and adding features
Thanks for looking! Updates to come.
