Is there a remote control shutter release for a Nikkormat FT3?

GaryFlorida · Apr 6, 2015

It would be nice for some bird photography to be able to set the camera there and walk a short distance away and fire it remotely when the subject comes into the frame. Is there such a thing?

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 6, 2015

There is a 5m cable and a 10m one. Generic stuff with a pneumatic release.
Still made by Kaiser and others it seems:

http://shop.silverprint.co.uk/Kaiser-Pneumatic-Remote-Release-5m-6143/product/31418/6143/

You'll have to search for one in your country.

Les Sarile · Apr 6, 2015

There was such a thing sold by Spiratone but I have never found one yet.

GaryFlorida · Apr 6, 2015

Les Sarile said:
There was such a thing sold by Spiratone but I have never found one yet.

haha.. man that is awesome. 30 bucks back then what would that be equal to now? There has got to be a simple rf actuated solenoid that screws on to the shutter release with a cable release fitting.

I'm willing to buy chinese for this application, if nikon never made such a thing which to me is inconceivable considering the dithering array of accessories those guys made for the F series over the decades.

I can't imagine that nobody at a product development meeting never said "Ok how about this? A remote control shutter release for wildlife photography and clandestine shots". Of course it would have been said in Japanese but still.

The cool thing about his product above is that it is actually tripped by a whistle. A bulb of air that goes through a reed or something and makes a whistle of the right frequency to trip the shutter. Haha. What if the birds realized the frequency and started intentionally tripping the shutter before they came into view to thwart the photographers (me) grandiose plans. Good stuff.

John Koehrer · Apr 6, 2015

There was also an after market dingus similar to the Spiratone that was radio operated. Can you say a bit larger & you had to put the receiver somewhere.

Chan Tran · Apr 6, 2015

Remember the Nikkormat which didn't bear the name Nikon didn't have motor drive. But all the Nikon SLRs have motor drive and thus one can have an electrical remote.

GaryFlorida · Apr 6, 2015

Chan Tran said:
Remember the Nikkormat which didn't bear the name Nikon didn't have motor drive. But all the Nikon SLRs have motor drive and thus one can have an electrical remote.

Ya I thought of that. I have an F2 also but I was wanting to get rid of most of my cameras and just narrow it down to a few and switch from camera collecting to actually doing photography. Camera collecting/accumulating is exhausting and emotionally draining. I love my Nikkormat and I am committed to making it work. I must find a universal screw in remote RF shutter release, besides then I can use it for all my cameras also. It must exist.

AgX · Apr 6, 2015

There were more simple releases than that Spiratone one (first time I learn about it). Those were driven by a solenoid too, but controlled via electrical cable and plain key switch.
My sample makes quite an inpact...

I'd thus prefer the pneumatic one.

Arklatexian · Apr 7, 2015

I think the pneumatic one is probably much easier on your shutter. Some of the old after-market self timers and maybe solenoids (sp) could and did damage shutters if not carefully adjusted. I have used a pneumatic release and you can use just enough pressure to trip your shutter and they are used by some in bird photography....Regards!

PentaxBronica · Apr 7, 2015

I'd just buy a new pneumatic one. You can buy extension hoses if you need more length.

Be careful buying used as rubber does deteriorate with age, I nearly bought one in a junk shop but realised that it was wheezing air through the cracks in the bulb rather than pushing the plunger out of the end!

That said, it depends on the bird. I had a chaffinch land within a couple of metres of me last week, he showed no sign of moving as I brought the camera up, focussed, and pressed the shutter. Unfortunately the Canon FX I was testing needs more attention as the shutter curtains aren't moving evenly...

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 7, 2015

At times, the simpler of the solutions is the better one.

Anyway, thank you for the add, Les.
I, like others above, didn't know that device.
It seems to have been a forefather to the modern wireless systems.

Les Sarile · Apr 7, 2015

You are welcome Ricardo.

BTW, there are infrared remote controls available for the motorized/electronic bodies such as the one I got for my Yashica FR. This Contax Infrared Controller consists of a transmitter/receiver pair and made for the Contax RTS as well as the Yashica FR series. Given that it is just a magnetic switch closure, likely adaptable for others that just need a normally open switch closure.

I believe I have seen something similar for others too - Pentax, Nikon, etc.

AgX · Apr 8, 2015

AgX said:
There were more simple releases than that Spiratone one (first time I learn about it).
Those were driven by a solenoid too, but controlled via electrical cable and plain key switch.
My sample makes quite an inpact...

As stated above, the extension of the push rod should be carefully adjusted: from shortest position untill it just trips the camera release.

The mechanical shock such apparatus likely delivers may be coped with by inserting an extension cable between camera and solenoid, and then fixing the solenoid at a leg of the tripod, maybe with some padding.

I never came across such extension cable, but some DIY on a long surplus cable release should do the the job.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 9, 2015

GaryFlorida said:
It would be nice for some bird photography to be able to set the camera there and walk a short distance away and fire it remotely when the subject comes into the frame. Is there such a thing?

as far as I know long-distance wireless options only exist for DSLRs

John Koehrer · Apr 9, 2015

So. Why not use a wireless system to run an RC servo?
If the receiver is closing an electronic switch, use it to close a solid state relay and drive a linear servo.

The hardware's available for very reasonable money, mail order or your local brick & mortar hobby/electronics shop.
Yeah, Radio Shack's gone. Get the electronics from Digi-Key. Servo from the hobby store.

Les Sarile · Apr 9, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
as far as I know long-distance wireless options only exist for DSLRs

Ad in 1958 Modern Photog for a radio remote control up to a mile away . . .

AgX · Apr 9, 2015

John Koehrer said:
So. Why not use a wireless system to run an RC servo?
If the receiver is closing an electronic switch, use it to close a solid state relay and drive a linear servo.

A servo instead of that solenoid? Good idea.

Is there a remote control shutter release for a Nikkormat FT3?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency