RICOH   TRIGGER  &  SYNCHRO

Almost all Ricoh digital cameras can be fired through a triggering device through usb plug.

 

It lets you to set remote release and synchronization of cameras for stereoscopy.

 

Digital cameras exceptions where release is impossible.that I know are the R1, the CX5.

On most of the others the release is done by the Ricoh CA1 release device. On some new models as the CX6 the triggering device is the CA2. The difference between CA1 and CA2 is the plug.

Triggering device

 

It's not a simple signal as with a switch. There are special pulses so a specific feature is required. Ricoh is providing the CA1 remote control and CA2 on some cameras. There are other trades providing other command features and some as a radio command.

 

I have discovered that not only the camera can be activated, but also, it can be stopped the same way.

Herebelow are the pulses (ms for milliseconds).

 

 It must be emphasized that the Ricoh triggering system works fine with several cameras at the same time with the cables connected in parallel. Then synchronization is got between the cameras.

Your own personal release control is easy to make. Look at this Advance shutter releases page.

 

Also, if the camera is stopped, the command will activate it. So in some circumstances, it is convenient to set the shut down of the camera after 5 minutes and save battery.

Plug

 

The plug is an usb micro A for cameras with CA1 device and mini B for CA2 device.

The signal has a plus and a ground connectors

Le signal a une borne plus et une borne masse/moins

 CA1

Remote device with Pololu micro-controller

 

Make your own remote device with a micro-controller is easy. I have done it with a Pololu micro Maestro 6 channel servo controller.

A switch is on channel 0 and the Ricoh plug on the channel 6

Load the programme.

A short impulse on the switch trigger the camera.

Keep the switch on and the camera shot and then shut down.