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995 Shutter Release: Build a Remote Shutter Release for the Nikon Coolpix 995 This page describes a remote shutter release adapter developed by Judd Spittler for the Nikon Coolpix 995 digital camera. This same approach could also be used for other, similar Nikon Coolpix cameras.
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| The "Spittler Adapter" is shown
mounted on a Coolpix 995. Since I only have one digital camera, this
picture was taken using two mirrors placed at an angle to one another.
Unfortunately, the optical quality of the mirrors was not that great, so the
picture shows a lot of ghosting. Sorry! It may not be easy to see, but the strap goes over the top of the adapter and then wraps under the tripod mount. |
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| In simple terms, the adapter is an
inverted cup which is strapped over the entire power/mode switch and shutter
release assembly. The "closed" side of the cup has a threaded opening
into which a standard threaded shutter release cable can be attached. The strap was purchased at a camping store. My only modification was to melt a small hole in it (with a soldering iron) so that the shutter release cable can be threaded through it. The strap can be adjusted in length for an exact fit. I found that once the strap length has been adjusted, the unit can be simply slid on and off the camera/tripod mount without further adjustment. |
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| The top side of the adapter has a
threaded fitting which is used to attach a conventional shutter release
cable. (Normally this assembly is wrapped in electrical tape, for
purposes which will be described later.) The black piece is a plastic disk into which a hole has been drilled allowing the threaded fitting to peak through. |
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| A close-up of the "camera side" of
the adapter shows the 5/8" long section of 3/4" PVC schedule 40 pipe, which
has been reamed out, as required, to fit over the power/mode switch and
shutter release button on top of the camera. The metal fitting is an adapter
marketed to allow a conventional shutter release cable to mount to a Nikon F
type camera. This part was purchased at a camera store for about $4.
This part comes threaded on the other side to accept the shutter release
cable. (The threads seen in this picture are not being used in
our application.) The metal adapter is held in place within the PVC pipe using glue from a hot glue gun. |
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| In order to avoid scratching the
top of the shutter release button, a blue vinyl "end-cap" (cut to length)
was set inside the large threaded end of the metal fitting. Since this
end-cap is not otherwise permanently attached, the assembly is wrapped in
electrical tape to keep the end-cap from falling out. I oriented the end-cap so that the open end is facing the camera, though it would probably work either way. The vinyl end-cap is optional, though it probably does help protect the shutter release from cosmetic damage. It is possible that a cylindrical pencil eraser could also perform this function, though care should be taken to ensure that the shutter release "poker" doesn't make a hole in it. |
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| A bottom view shows the cup assembly wrapped in electrical tape to retain the vinyl cap. Notice how the tape has slack in it, in order to avoid interference with the camera's power/mode switch. |  |
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| This top view shows the electrical
tape applied. I used a hole punch on the electrical tape before I applied it, in order to be able to tape over the hole for the threaded fitting. |
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| OK, so how do you keep the metal
fitting in place while filling the assembly with hot glue? Here is how I did it: 1) I taped the black plastic disk to the PVC pipe so that it was properly centered. 2) I screwed the remote shutter release cable in to the fitting, then attached a large weight to it to keep everything properly oriented. 3) Apply the glue from the hot glue gun. The photo is looking downward at the adapter cup which is sitting on a suspended piece of perforated angle iron. A conventional shutter release cable has been screwed into the metal fitting and a wrench has been attached to add weight. (I know, the picture is kind of confusing, but I was in a hurry to finish the web page.) |
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| Another ugly "two-mirror shot"
showing how the strap holds the cup over the shutter release assembly. It is not obvious from the photo, but the strap runs under the mounting plate of the tripod head. |
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| OK, what is the bad news? I rotated the lens around so that I could take this shot showing the back of the camera. Although I am generally happy with the "Spittler Adapter", it is not perfect. Here are some issues: 1) The camera must be turned on before attaching the adapter, since it covers the entire power switch. 2) The strap covers a few of the back-side buttons, and the thumb-wheel often gets turned in the process of attaching and removing the adapter. The good news is that these functions can be adjusted with the strap in place. (Just not conveniently.) |
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Questions or comments? e-mail me: judd2@juddspittler.com
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