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How to adapt the Nikon AR-4 twin cable release to a Nikon D-7000 body ? Macro, micro photographers please weigh in?
Jan 13, 2017 12:58:23   #
olsonsview
 
I have a Nikon PB-4 bellows and an E-1 extension to attach the micro-nikkor AI-s lens and allow the diaphragm to be controlled by one of the twin cables. I would like to use my D-7000 body on the other end of the bellows and release the shutter just after my lens stops down. The cable allows mechanical adjustment to make sure the lens stops down before the camera release trips. But so far I see no adapter to allow me to use the other mechanical cable release to trip the electronic shutter. Anyone have a nice fix for this issue?? I would hate to have to re-invent the photo wheel!

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Jan 13, 2017 15:40:35   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
I adapted a mechanical cable release to a mirrorless camera once.
I made an adapter that attached to the tripod mount thread on the bottom of the body and extended an arm above the shutter button.
The arm had a tapped hole that I could connect the cable release to.
It turns out that a standard 6-32 tapped hole will fit the tapered thread of the cable release well enough to use.
I think I have pictures if you are interested.

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Jan 13, 2017 16:01:31   #
olsonsview
 
A similar thought crossed my mind, and I have a machine shop in my basement, so simple enough to do. But I am hoping there is a cleaner way of solving this problem using nikon parts, preferably, to be aesthetically pleasing. I also wish to make it more adaptable to a wide range of setups. Thanks for the 6-32 idea, I was going to try and cut a tapered thread, not easy, and I do not have a taper tap that small.
What I want is to attach the cable release to an electronic adapter, that I can then use either the Nikon ten pin, or the mini usb.
Thanks, nice ideas!

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Jan 13, 2017 16:14:46   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
olsonsview wrote:
A similar thought crossed my mind, and I have a machine shop in my basement, so simple enough to do. But I am hoping there is a cleaner way of solving this problem using nikon parts, preferably, to be aesthetically pleasing. I also wish to make it more adaptable to a wide range of setups. Thanks for the 6-32 idea, I was going to try and cut a tapered thread, not easy, and I do not have a taper tap that small.
What I want is to attach the cable release to an electronic adapter, that I can then use either the Nikon ten pin, or the mini usb.
Thanks, nice ideas!
A similar thought crossed my mind, and I have a ma... (show quote)


I hadn't thought of the electronic adapter idea.
That should be easy enough using a micro switch.
I may try that with my setup

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Jan 13, 2017 16:18:53   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
olsonsview wrote:
I have a Nikon PB-4 bellows and an E-1 extension to attach the micro-nikkor AI-s lens and allow the diaphragm to be controlled by one of the twin cables. I would like to use my D-7000 body on the other end of the bellows and release the shutter just after my lens stops down. The cable allows mechanical adjustment to make sure the lens stops down before the camera release trips. But so far I see no adapter to allow me to use the other mechanical cable release to trip the electronic shutter. Anyone have a nice fix for this issue?? I would hate to have to re-invent the photo wheel!
I have a Nikon PB-4 bellows and an E-1 extension t... (show quote)


While I don't have those particular items, I'm familiar with twin cable releases and bellows in other systems.

Why don't you just use the old mechanical release cable to stop down the lens, then fire the shutter of the camera using whatever normal release method the D7000 can accommodate... wireless or some type of electronic cable release? It's just a simple two step procedure.

Dual cable releases were always sort of a gimmick. You could accomplish much the same thing with a pair of standard cable releases. But, of course, modern cameras have no means of attaching those old mechanical release cables.

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Jan 13, 2017 17:27:33   #
olsonsview
 
I know I can use two steps, but since I had a twin cable in my box of spares I thought it would be nice to have one step pictures! I intend to do stacking, and that can mean hundreds of snaps. But I may have to resort to the old two step! Thanks, Lou

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Jan 13, 2017 20:40:34   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
olsonsview wrote:
A similar thought crossed my mind, and I have a machine shop in my basement, so simple enough to do. But I am hoping there is a cleaner way of solving this problem using nikon parts, preferably, to be aesthetically pleasing. I also wish to make it more adaptable to a wide range of setups. Thanks for the 6-32 idea, I was going to try and cut a tapered thread, not easy, and I do not have a taper tap that small.
What I want is to attach the cable release to an electronic adapter, that I can then use either the Nikon ten pin, or the mini usb.
Thanks, nice ideas!
A similar thought crossed my mind, and I have a ma... (show quote)

It should be easy enough to make an adapter for one end of your double release to press the button on your electric release. I avoid this issue with my F5 by using PK and/or PN extension tubes in lieu of a bellows. I have 3 digital cameras that accept a mechanical cable release, and use a double cable release with them on a bellows.

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Jan 13, 2017 21:11:07   #
olsonsview
 
I was hoping to find some obscure Nikon device that adapts the mechanical release to control the shutter of the D7000 electronic camera. I have been away from photography for over five years now and have no idea what is available out there. I retired from pro photography and needed a time out before my desire to do it as a hobby came back to me. Yes, I may just get one of the short range IR, or cabled triggers sold for the camera and make a new case or adapter for the device to allow the button to be depressed by the cable release pin. At least the rig would be more versatile. Getting another camera body does not appeal to me, I like my D7000. And I no longer need a stable of cameras like in the old days. I just thought someone had already solved this problem for the D7000's series of camera bodies? Thanks for your thoughts, all of you. Any other ideas??

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Jan 14, 2017 01:02:20   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
olsonsview wrote:
I was hoping to find some obscure Nikon device that adapts the mechanical release to control the shutter of the D7000 electronic camera. I have been away from photography for over five years now and have no idea what is available out there. I retired from pro photography and needed a time out before my desire to do it as a hobby came back to me. Yes, I may just get one of the short range IR, or cabled triggers sold for the camera and make a new case or adapter for the device to allow the button to be depressed by the cable release pin. At least the rig would be more versatile. Getting another camera body does not appeal to me, I like my D7000. And I no longer need a stable of cameras like in the old days. I just thought someone had already solved this problem for the D7000's series of camera bodies? Thanks for your thoughts, all of you. Any other ideas??
I was hoping to find some obscure Nikon device tha... (show quote)

Personally, I would prefer to use extension tubes, but you might check out the Nikon AR-10 double release. One end will fit your E ring (with Leica bell adapter), the wired end fits the N2000 and N2020 (and maybe others), but you may be able to adapt it to your camera. I’m not familiar with those cameras or yours, but you can do a Google search and see what type of electric release socket they have. Good luck!

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Jan 14, 2017 09:32:23   #
olsonsview
 
I looked up the AR-10, and it indeed can work, IF, I also purchase a MC-25 and an adapter cord to connect ML-3 to MC-DC-2 connections. That costs about $150 or more total, and adds three electronic components that can fail? Less is more perhaps? I already have an AR-4 twin release(actually the pentax version complete with the Leica bells)and decided to purchase a corded push button release for under $5 shipped from USA. I plan to take it apart, install a micro switch to augment the push button and include a socket for the cable release which I will have to machine. If it works I will let you all know. The nice thing about the later plan is that there is only one electrical device to fail, and it is inexpensive to try. The twin cable release has worked for the past 30 yrs I have owned it, and seems fine for another thirty yrs? I had really hoped to go directly from the mechanical cable release to the Nikon mini Usb port with a Nikon adapter. But I guess that device would not enjoy tons of sales. But thanks to all for some interesting thoughts.

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Jan 14, 2017 09:34:21   #
BebuLamar
 
Well you know that you can do the 2 steps just inconvenient but is reliable. So if you want convenience may be you have to compromise a bit.

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Jan 14, 2017 10:03:24   #
olsonsview
 
You are 100% correct. That may end up as the best plan of action?
I purchased both a cabled release and an infrared release a few minutes ago. I had neither remaining in my junk drawer of photo gadgets left over from my pro days. I will try to machine a yoke to go around one of the push button fobs. It will incorporate enough material robust enough to machine the cable release socket into it. Maybe it will allow me to use the release with or without the twin cable release? I am retired so all this is fun for me. And nice to have a great workshop to bring ideas to life. My wife is a saint to put up with me and my toys!

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