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Sorry for the video quality, but the slr was tied up :)

Finally finished the universal IR camera shutter release device.

The requirements were:

1. Remotely trigger the camera to take 3 photos in a row using a switch on the transmitter.

2. A solution that doesnt involve a physical connection to the camera, as my shutter release port on my Nikon is taken up with a GPS geotagger cable.

3. A universal trigger that will work with most cameras that have IR shutter releases.

What I put together:

An Arduino Uno based MCU that has specific libraries by Sebastian Setz for IR communication for cameras.

A super simple code. Involving nothing more than a shutterNow(); to trigger the shutter and delays for inbetween shots.

One of the best things is that this system is almost universal, it works with the following:

Canon

Olympus

Pentax

Minolta

Sony

Now getting the arduino to take pictures via an IR connection to the camera is easy.

The next part was triggering the arduino using the RC Transmitter. No easy feat unless you get a RelaySwitch from DIYDrones. It converts the signal from the RX to a simple on off relay.

Details are here: https://store.diydrones.com/ServoSwitch_V10_p/br-0007-01.htm

If you own an APM1 you could set up channel 7 to switch the relay then just substitute the relayswitch for that.

The reason I havent used my APM1 is cause I plan on using an APM2 and they no longer have a relay on-board.

Below is my code:

Each time I flick a switch or push a button on the tx the camera takes 3 photos. Job done. AF is integral.

#include <multiCameraIrControl.h>
 
const int buttonPin = 2;
int buttonState = 0;

Nikon D5000(9);
 
void setup(){
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
}
 
void loop(){
  buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);
  if (buttonState == HIGH) {     
    // turn LED on:    
      
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  D5000.shutterNow();
  delay(800);
  D5000.shutterNow();
  delay(800);
  D5000.shutterNow();
  delay(800);
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  delay(1000);
  }
  else {
    // turn LED off:
    digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  }
 }

Below is the library you need:

Arduino multiCameraControl Library

http://sebastian.setz.name/arduino/my-libraries/multi-Camera-IR-Control

If you want to use this on an aircraft or multirotor, just use the arduino pro mini instead of the uno.

The Mini is 35mm x 18mm, small enough to swallow... Also you can power the board via the RX, so no extra wires.

Just a small box plugged into your RX and facing your camera.

Hopefully this helps someone like it helped me.

G:)

UPDATE

Theres no need for the relay switch! Thanks to Greg for the idea and code!

Just plug the signal cable from the RX directly into pin 2 of the arduino.

#include <multiCameraIrControl.h>
 
const int buttonPin = 2;
unsigned long buttonState;

Nikon D5000(9);
 
void setup(){
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
   Serial.begin(9600);
}
 
void loop(){
  buttonState = pulseIn(buttonPin, HIGH);
  Serial.println(buttonState);
if(buttonState < 1500){
 
    // turn LED on and take 3 photos:    
      
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  D5000.shutterNow();
  delay(800);
  D5000.shutterNow();
  delay(800);
  D5000.shutterNow();
  delay(800);
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  delay(1000);
  }
  else {
    // turn LED off:
    digitalWrite(13, LOW);
    
  } 
}

Project completed using Arduino Pro Mini

A little bit of heat shrink around the board and we're in business :)