Nikon Hacks Part V

Triggering Nikon Flash

Adapting the Cable

I'm using a serial cable connector and cable to breakout the flash cable, because they are cheap and make very strong physical connections which can be screwed together. The flash cable will still work without Arduino control..

 

Camera side: remove screws from case

  

Unplug the two halves

 

Remove hot-shoe PCB and ID the contacts.

1. Trigger (+3.7)

2. Detect (+5v)

3. Ready(+5v)

4. Quench(+4v)

5. Ground(0v)

 Solder header pins to the PCB contacts

 

Drill holes into the case to allow header pins through

 

Reassemble the case, and Identify the header pins for soldering

 

Solder a serial connector to the header pins which are poking through the case

1. Trigger (+3.7)

2. Detect (+5v)

3. Ready(+5v)

4. Quench(+4v)

5. Ground(0v)

Both ends of the Serial Cable Assembly

N.B. I added some epoxy putty to strengthen and protect the end with the hot-shoe. The Arduino end is soldered and broken out onto a serial PCB which I will use to connect to the Arduino using a ribbon cable. It also has a gender adapter.

I checked for continuity in the connections using my Multimeter and also that the flash is triggered when I make the circuit between Trigger and Ground.

Next: Playing with Arduino code and camera flash.