remote or cable for FZ20

[mikejs304]

One of the problems I find with the FZ20 is that you can't use the timer for video recording. Any ideas on how to overcome that problem? My Canon G2 has a remote and the ability to attach a cable release. I wish I could have that flexibility with the FZ20.

[StanStan]

One of the problems I find with the FZ20 is that you can't use the timer for video recording. Any ideas on how to overcome that problem? My Canon G2 has a remote and the ability to attach a cable release. I wish I could have that flexibility with the FZ20.

I made a wired remote and a wireless remote that I posted and many copied.
Look at all the past posts: search 'wired' and 'wireless'.

There are wired remotes on EBAY.

I do not know of any wireless remotes for sale.

If you can solder and have a cheap multimeter you can make your own!!!!

More help- just ask

Stan

[Paladin24]

I bought the Phayee wired remote on Ebay for $15. For an extra $5, they'll include a 40' extension cord. ;)

BTW, the remote button is two-position just like the camera shutter botton.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHAYEE-remote-as-DMW-RS1-for-Panasonic-FZ20-FZ20K-FZ30_W0QQitemZ7546227853QQcategoryZ43443QQcmdZView Item

[JMK]

I made a wired remote and a wireless remote that I posted and many copied.
Look at all the past posts: search 'wired' and 'wireless'.

There are wired remotes on EBAY.

I do not know of any wired remotes for sale.

If you can solder and have a cheap multimeter you can make your own!!!!

More help- just ask

Stan

Stan
Could you post the schematic for the wired remote again. None of the links work in the old threads. I would like to build my own wired remote.

[StanStan]

Stan
Could you post the schematic for the wired remote again. None of the links work in the old threads. I would like to build my own wired remote.

Below is a picture of one of my remotes. Plug and wire from a cell phone hands free attachment. $1 at dollar store. Just make sure it is a FOUR contact plug even though the remote only uses two of the wires out of four. Box if from my wifes ring debris. Two buttons for focus and shutter release.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/at...entid=225&stc=1

Wiring schematic in next post

Stan

[StanStan]

Stan
Could you post the schematic for the wired remote again. None of the links work in the old threads. I would like to build my own wired remote.

Below is thr schmatic:

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5294

Again, if yiu have any questions just ask

Stan

[genece]

Here is stans drawing it helped me make wireless remote.



http://photos.imageevent.com/grc6/toshareonnet/forposting/websize/coil.jpg

[JMK]

Thanks for the schematic. I can figure the rest out. Looks like a simple voltage divider circuit for the A and B buttons. I'm assuming that the A button is shutter release half down (for focus) and the B is shutter release?

Where did you get the wireless receiver and transmitter modules from Genece?

The wireless sounds like a better idea, no wires to trip over when the camera is on the tripod.

[Bill Markwick]

.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/at...entid=225&stc=1

Wiring schematic in next post

Stan

The DCRP returns "invalid attachment" and "file not found". I'd certainly like to make my own wired release, especially since my Panasonic RS-1 has been back-ordered for three months now.

Regards,
Bill

[genece]

Here and if you build it thank Stan as its his Idea. And maybe Stan can clear that up as there is no voltage.. it is a resistance thing. And it seems to make no difference which wire is A or B.

And the wired one can be bought from Peramaal or Phayee.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-CH-RF-RC-Radio-Wireless-Remote-Control-controller_W0QQitemZ5982021796QQcategoryZ1200QQtcZ photoQQcmdZViewItem


Thanks for the schematic. I can figure the rest out. Looks like a simple voltage divider circuit for the A and B buttons. I'm assuming that the A button is shutter release half down (for focus) and the B is shutter release?

Where did you get the wireless receiver and transmitter modules from Genece?

The wireless sounds like a better idea, no wires to trip over when the camera is on the tripod.

[StanStan]

Here is a picture of my wired remote. Previous link did not work!!
Press '1' with first joint of thumb and to focus and end of thumb to release shutter 'x'.

http://static.flickr.com/32/44678717_46d65c90eb_m.jpg

Stan

[StanStan]

This is the wireless remote transceiver:

http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/icon/iconPic_20x20.gif (http://cgi.ebay.com/4-CH-RF-RC-Radio-Wireless-Remote-Control-controller_W0QQitemZ5982021796QQcategoryZ1200QQssP ageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)4 CH RF RC Radio Wireless Remote Control controller (http://cgi.ebay.com/4-CH-RF-RC-Radio-Wireless-Remote-Control-controller_W0QQitemZ5982021796QQcategoryZ1200QQssP ageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) $18.50
http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/bin_15x54.gifColdfusionX Electronics (http://stores.ebay.com/id=58475707?sspagename=L2)

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-CH-RF-RC-Radio-Wireless-Remote-Control-

It did go on auction at a lower price.

http://static.flickr.com/24/44684339_15c4c8fcb9_m.jpg

I put the receiver into a spice can from my wife. Powered by a 9vdc battery,LED power on indicator, Slide on-off switch, 4 conductor plug and wire from a cell-phone hands free adapter: $1 at a dollar store. 39k 2.7k 3k resistors some solder.

Shown with my FZ20>62/55 s-d ring>TCON 17>77/72 s-d ring>72mm Hama hood with
tridod adapter and quick release.
.
I "Velcro" the receiver to the tripod

Stan

[Bill Markwick]

Thanks to StanStan's schematic and advice, I successfully made a wired remote for the FZ20. Couldn't find a handsfree headset at a dollar store, so I <gasp> paid $10 for an el cheapo at Radio Shack. The RS-1 is $30 from Panasonic, so that's okay.

The box is a two-AA batteryholder, enclosed type. To extend the headset cable, I chose a very light, flexible audio cable from the junkbox.

The junkbox also supplied the resistors. I didn't have 3K and 2K, so I subbed 3K3 and 2K2 without a problem. I assumed it was a ballpark circuit and not high-precision.

This is going to make the wildlife photos *much* easier.

I also trained a chipmunk to press the buttons whenever he sees something interesting, so I can sit back with a beer.

Okay, I lied about the chipmunk, but the remote is just grand! Thanks, Stan.

Regards,
Bill

[StanStan]

Thanks to StanStan's schematic and advice, I successfully made a wired remote for the FZ20. Couldn't find a handsfree headset at a dollar store, so I <gasp> paid $10 for an el cheapo at Radio Shack. The RS-1 is $30 from Panasonic, so that's okay.
Thanks, Stan.

Bill

Should have asked for one. Bought 5 last time. [$5]
Glad it worked.
Have you made both the wired one and the wireless model?
Stan

[Bill Markwick]

Should have asked for one. Bought 5 last time. [$5]
Glad it worked.
Have you made both the wired one and the wireless model?
Stan

I'm sure I'll find a $1 headset right away now that I don't need one. :)

I only made the wired version. With its 15-foot cable, it should do me for a while. But that wireless version does sound intriguing...

Regards,
Bill

[mikejs304]

Thanks to all of you for the responses, but I can't figure out why Panasonic or some other enterprising company hasn't offered a wireless remote for this camera. Stan's remote looks fine, but many of us are not that handy that we can build it.

[StanStan]

Thanks to all of you for the responses, but I can't figure out why Panasonic or some other enterprising company hasn't offered a wireless remote for this camera. Stan's remote looks fine, but many of us are not that handy that we can build it.

Mike: I owned a machine design company for many years and had to consider the expected volume of the product. For a FZxx wireless control I would have to find the correct transceiver and get a second source or have it designed and manufactured. Then marketing costs have to be considered. Panasonic must feel they could not produce it for a decent profit. Only some off shore small company would have any chance of making a profit. Is Phayee listening? I am sure some have looked into the possibility but none has emerged.

I also wonder if it is patentable.

Was fun to make a wireless shutter control in a few hours!

Stan

[mikejs304]

As a former JHS Principal,I'm not familiar with marketing problems, just discipline problems. Thanks for the info. I thinkthat if Panasonic and/or Phayee knew there was enough of a demand for a remote, they might offer one. How about marketing yours?

[StanStan]

As a former JHS Principal,I'm not familiar with marketing problems, just discipline problems. Thanks for the info. I thinkthat if Panasonic and/or Phayee knew there was enough of a demand for a remote, they might offer one. How about marketing yours?

What my previous post said is that a company must see a potential profit. That is the free enterprise system. If I were to do It, I also would have to find a second source for the transceiver. Where? Too expensive for the USA. How to project volume? I think maybe 10 made their own. Would need at least a thousand to even think of it.

A poster designed, contracted with suppliers, and marketed a lens adapter for the FZ20.
I understand it is a great one. Now the FZ30 does not need the adapter. Did he have a prospect for a profit? Yes. Did he mke up his start up costs?? Now sales of the FZ20 are dwindling. For myself I would not go into a product as complex as a wireless remote unless I had committed sales with a reputable reseller. EBAY is just too iffy.

It is just too complex, expensive to start with a limited market. I thought of this and just put the sketch on the net and with that and a little help some did make their own.

Stan

[JMK]

I built the wired remote for my FZ30 and it worked perfectly. I found the plug at the dollar store and the rest of the stuff I had laying around in my electronic junk collection.
Here is a cleaned up version of Stans Schematic for the wired remote.

:) Thanks Stan:)

[StanStan]

I built the wired remote for my FZ30 and it worked perfectly. I found the plug at the dollar store and the rest of the stuff I had laying around in my electronic junk collection.
Here is a cleaned up version of Stans Schematic for the wired remote.

:) Thanks Stan:)

Looks Nice. I just hope it works as well {ha ha]

Stan

[controltheweb]

Lots of small businesses (most?) started out as a hobby or seemingly very low volume idea. It's easy to make a web site promoting something. There are lots of entrepreneurial types looking for a project. Particularly among youth.

There should be a website encouraging entrepreneurial types to try out small projects like this (giving product ideas and ways to reach their market) -- it's a good way to learn, and eventually learning turns into a successful project and business(es).