Creating a wireless manual camera shutter release

Help & Support Robot Parts
1

I have wanted to create a wireless manual camera shutter release for some time now. Basically a tool that allows me to take pictures remotely with a manual film camera. The only problem is that no one makes them! So I wanted to create a small robot to do just that. There are shutter releases, that can ‘extend’ the shutter button (the button that snaps the picture). One is pictured below courtesy of glaringnotebook.com

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk233/wfarid777/geekaug6.jpg

As you can when you press the button a small rod appears out of the tip. I want a linear actuator to press the shutter release (so my hand doesnt have to) and then quickly depress it. It also has to be controlled through a wireless remote. It has to have enough torq and speed to simulate a quick thumb press. Its really important that as soon as I want to take a picture I can, and there is no lag in the mechanics.

I was looking at the “Firgelli Technologies PQ12 Actuator 20mm, 30:1, 12V” but I wasn’t sure if that actuator would fit my specifications. Any thoughts and suggestions? Also what other components would I need to make this possible?

For those of you who aren’t too familiar with manual film cameras, the shutter release gets screwed into the shutter button of a manual camera (all manual cameras have them). Below is an diagram of the intended setup:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk233/wfarid777/CameraSetup.jpg

2

from further research and input you are right in saying that a solenoid would do that job much better than anything else. Now I just need to figure out the pressure needed to depress my shutter button.

3

Hi wfarid,

Welcome to the RobotShop Forum. Did you consider using solenoids? These travel a short distance when current is applied and are great for depressing buttons. You would not need any complex circuitry (just a button to allow current to flow, and when released, the solenoid would return to its original position). A PQ12 would certainly do the job if you need two way motion and specific distances.

Hope this helps,