DIY housings- Working on waterproof buttons

Hello there, my names Ross and i am a surf photographer and i have had a housing shell for my camera built out of 2mm aluminum sheet metal, i will be triggering my cameras shutter with a remote shutter cable inside a Pistol grip, however, i cant come up with any ideas on how to push the button on the remote which is fixed in position inside the pistol grip which is a 40mm diameter aluminum pole, sealed on the bottom... i was thinking of using an Ikelite control gland and using the ikelite control shaft to push the button on the remote but if i use this, i would need to find a way to spring load the shaft to push it back out after i push it in... Does any body have any ideas??? ALL IDEAS ARE WELCOME!!

Hello there, my names Ross and i am a surf photographer and i have had a housing shell for my camera built out of 2mm aluminum sheet metal, i will be triggering my cameras shutter with a remote shutter cable inside a Pistol grip, however, i cant come up with any ideas on how to push the button on the remote which is fixed in position inside the pistol grip which is a 40mm diameter aluminum pole, sealed on the bottom... i was thinking of using an Ikelite control gland and using the ikelite control shaft to push the button on the remote but if i use this, i would need to find a way to spring load the shaft to push it back out after i push it in... Does any body have any ideas??? ALL IDEAS ARE WELCOME!!

Hello Ross,

Here is an idea for you. Make your pistol grip out of acrylic, then embed a magnetic reed switch inside the acrylic. A sliding thumb-activated button with a magnet inside would close your switch when you slide the magnet over the reed switch.

I have used this setup on home made strobes and it works perfectly.

There are magnetic reed switches that are normally closed or normally open; you would choose the right one for your application.

Good luck,

Barry

www.bareports.com

www.keywordworkflow.com

Hello Ross,

 

Here is an idea for you. Make your pistol grip out of acrylic, then embed a magnetic reed switch inside the acrylic. A sliding thumb-activated button with a magnet inside would close your switch when you slide the magnet over the reed switch.

 

I have used this setup on home made strobes and it works perfectly.

 

There are magnetic reed switches that are normally closed or normally open; you would choose the right one for your application.

 

Good luck,

Barry

 

www.bareports.com

www.keywordworkflow.com

Hello Barry,

Thanks for the reply! this sounds like a good idea! however, the pistol grip is detachable from the housing so i can attach a Pole grip, to get a much higher angle while shooting surfing and to make a long pole grip out of acrylic could prove fatal to my camera, also, could this switch work in 3 stages? Neutral> autofocus> sutter release...

thanks!

Ross.