How does the infrared triggering method work?

It requires sending two bursts of 16 pulses with correct timing.

What is the cost of cheap remote controls from China?

They are available for around 10$.

Which tool was used to create the casing?

The casing was created using OpenSCAD and printed on a 3D printer.

What protocol describes the RC-1 IR control?

The protocol is described in detail on doc-diy.net.

How many pulses are sent during operation?

Two bursts of 16 pulses each are sent.

Why were unnecessary features disabled in the code?

To save energy on the microcontroller.

Where can the sourcecode for the case be found?

The sourcecode is available on Github and Thingiverse.

What type of battery powers the device?

A Coin Cell Battery CR1220 3V is used.

Does the wire based remote require complex coding?

No, it simply needs a cable with a 2.5 jack connector to shortcut two contacts.

Empower Your Photography: Crafting a DIY Canon IR Remote

Contents hide

1 Summary of DIY Canon IR Remote

1.1 Parts used in the DIY Canon IR Remote:

3 Quick Solutions to Questions related to DIY Canon IR Remote:

Summary of DIY Canon IR Remote

This article details the construction of a DIY infrared remote trigger for Canon SLR cameras. The project replaces expensive commercial remotes by generating specific IR signals using an ATtiny13a microcontroller. It includes instructions on protocol timing, 3D-printed casing design, and energy-efficient software configuration to send two bursts of 16 pulses each.

Parts used in the DIY Canon IR Remote:

Atmel ATtiny13a
Osram SFH409 IR Diode
Battery holder CR1220
Coin Cell Battery CR1220 3V
Push Button
Resistor 15Ω
Micro Slide Switch SK12D07

Hardware components:

Atmel ATtiny13a

CHF 1.25

Osram SFH409 IR Diode

CHF 0.75

Battery holder CR1220

CHF 0.65

Coin Cell Battery CR1220 3V

Push Button

CHF 0.25

Resistor 15Ω

CHF 0.07

Micro Slide Switch SK12D07

CHF 0.28

Hand tools and fabrication machines:

Soldering iron (generic)

3D Printer (generic)

Story

Introduction

Canon SLR cameras have two ways of remote triggering: Either via wire, or via infrared.
A wire based remote trigger is very easy to build, you simply need a cable with a 2.5″ jack connector and shortcut two of the three contacts. More details on blog.dbrgn.ch.
The other method – triggering via infrared – is a bit more challenging. There are a lot of cheap remote controls from China for around 10$, but building your own remote is muc more interesting…
First you need to find out how the protocol for the IR control works. Fortunately there’s a post on doc-diy.net that describes the RC-1 protocol in detail. Summary: Send two bursts of 16 pulses each and get the timing right.

Casing

The casing was created using OpenSCAD and can be printed on a 3D printer. It is based on a Design by Ted Lin. The sourcecode for the case is on Github and Thingiverse.

Software

The Atmel C code for the ATtiny is quite simple. In the main function first the I/O is initialized:

// Set up I/O
DDRB = _BV(PB1) | _BV(PB2) | _BV(PB4); // PB0 is input, PB1/2/4 are output
PORTB = _BV(PB0); // Pull-up for input PB0

Then unnecessary features of the microcontroller are disabled to save energy.
For more detail: DIY Canon IR Remote

Quick Solutions to Questions related to DIY Canon IR Remote:

How does the infrared triggering method work?
It requires sending two bursts of 16 pulses with correct timing.
What is the cost of cheap remote controls from China?
They are available for around 10$.
Which tool was used to create the casing?
The casing was created using OpenSCAD and printed on a 3D printer.
What protocol describes the RC-1 IR control?
The protocol is described in detail on doc-diy.net.
How many pulses are sent during operation?
Two bursts of 16 pulses each are sent.
Why were unnecessary features disabled in the code?
To save energy on the microcontroller.
Where can the sourcecode for the case be found?
The sourcecode is available on Github and Thingiverse.
What type of battery powers the device?
A Coin Cell Battery CR1220 3V is used.
Does the wire based remote require complex coding?
No, it simply needs a cable with a 2.5 jack connector to shortcut two contacts.

About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

Follow Us:
LinkedinTwitter