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Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Started Nov 4, 2013 | Discussions
ap356 Forum Member • Posts: 67
Fuji X100s microphone adapter
10

Hello all,

For those of you who shoot video, you may have been wanting to use an external mic. For the X100s, Fuji sells the MIC-ST1 microphone with an adaptor that plugs into the camera's USB port. I believe the adapter is the same as used on the X100 and some of the other X cameras.

Since I already have a Sennheiser MKE 400, I really did not want to buy the Fuji mic just to get the adapter. The adapter is not sold on its own. I actually tried getting one from Fuji directly ("Hello, I lost the adapter for my MIC-ST1, can I get a replacement?"), but no dice.

I decided to try and make one. I managed to find an ebay listing for blank E6 connectors (the proprietary Fuji USB connector, also used by Nikon and other cameras), so I ordered those along with a couple of 3.5mm female jacks. I used four strands of an Ethernet cable for wiring.

The first step was to figure out which pins need to connect to the 3.5mm jack. The E6 plug has eight pins plus ground (the metal outer part of the plug). A standard USB connection uses four pins, so there four potential candidate pins for the left and right audio channels. To find them, I first used a volt meter to identify the four USB pins. Since the pins are so tiny I had to use a small strand of wire to be able to touch any of them individually. Then I soldered a wire onto each of the four unused pins, and identified the two L and R pins by trial and error. I just held the wires onto the 3.5mm plug of the MKE 400 while looking at the camera's mic level meter. I couldn't quite get it to work. Eventually I realized that two ground connections are needed, one to the outer casing and another to one of the pins.

I had a lot of trouble actually soldering the connector. I melted the first one horribly, and the second one broke because I bent it too much during assembly. By the third try, I had managed to get four good connections onto the microscopic pins of the E6 connector. Soldering to the 3.5mm jack was easy, since its contacts are nice and big. Put on the casing and heat shrink tubing, and its done!

If any of you are adventurous enough to try and make your own, I will post up the pinout that I established. The part cost for this is under $10. I would also be happy to make one for you for a small fee since I still have a few E6 connectors left.

As far as I know, the microphone in the Fuji MIC-ST1 kit actually has a 2.5mm connector, and comes with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor, and a 3.5mm to E6 adaptor. This seems like a better solution to me, not only because you can use it with the microphone(s) that you already own, but also because it reduces the number of connections.

My DIY Fuji X100s microphone adapter

My X100s with the Sennheiser MKE 400 mounted and connected!

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fujifilm X100S
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thangtn3 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Hi,

could you post the pin out for the microphone adapter that you made.  You can email to me if it's easier ttnguyen101@hotmail.com

Hate to buy another microphone since I already have a zoom and wireless lapel mics.

Thanks a bunch.

Thangtn3

OP ap356 Forum Member • Posts: 67
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Here you go.

Note that the connectors are super tiny. It will test your soldering abilities.

For the plugs, I used these. Make sure you get the right ones - this is not a standard micro or mini USB plug.

I used four of the eight strands from an ethernet cable for wire, which worked well.

thangtn3 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Thanks a bunch.  I think I'll need to put on my reading glasses (hate to admit it) and find my soldering stick.

ilpostino New Member • Posts: 13
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

I have the same problem/question with my Fujifilm X20 and I asume I am looking for the same adapter. Do you sell these adapters or interested in selling me one?

OP ap356 Forum Member • Posts: 67
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

I have built and sold a couple already. $25 plus shipping. Send me a private message if you would like to buy one.

ilpostino New Member • Posts: 13
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

I have sendt you a message.

ilpostino New Member • Posts: 13
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

I used this turotial and managed to make an adapter on my own. I just hope the internal mic inside the camera is disabled when I connect my Røde mic with the new adapter.

thangtn3 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Paterfamilias2004 is selling the adapter for $15 on e bay. You can search under Fuji USB Adapter to 3.5mm female stereo audio to find it. Order ed mine should be here in a couple of days.

Thang

ilpostino New Member • Posts: 13
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Thanks. I want to try again to make it myself before I order.

Mezius New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Great solution! Could you sell similar adapter for me?

thangtn3 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

go to e bay and get one for $2.70 search 2.5mm male to 3.5mm Female earphone audio adapter cable.

gmeddy New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Would the "New Protector GoPro 3.5mm Mic Adapter Cable Wire External for Gopro Hero3 Camera" on ebay work? Or is it a different USB plug?

I'm guessing it's probably a different USB plug, thus the need for all this fussing around.

Why on earth do companies not just stick to one format of plug??!!

velvetRumour New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Hellohello,
I'll soon buy a fuji x100s and would be very interested in getting an adapter, so i can use my own microphones.
Would you build up another one for me?
if you're interested, please write me an email: marius.bickhardt@gmx.de! I'd be very thankful!
What do you think of the price in total (including a ship to Germany)?
thanks in advance!
vR

OP ap356 Forum Member • Posts: 67
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Hi guys,

I am looking at finding a supplier to get these adapters built. It will still be a little while before I have them, but if you are interested please let me know. I don't know what the cost will be yet, but I don't expect it to change too much. The difference is that they will be professionally built, as opposed to my not-great soldering skills.

If you have already contacted me via PM I will let you know when they are ready.

ilpostino New Member • Posts: 13
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

I have tried to make one myself but I guess my soldering scills are worse than yours  ;P

inogami New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

hi,

will this work on an X10?

ilpostino New Member • Posts: 13
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

These adapters are now on sale on eBay. I tried to solder this stuff myself but i obviously have to update my skills. 
I ordered it yesterday but I can give a feedback after receiving them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222082876757?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

norbox New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

Can this be used to send audio from a mixer instead of microphone? Is there an equivalent one perhaps? If is mic/usb converter should work for audio signal isn't it?

zammykoo New Member • Posts: 5
Re: Fuji X100s microphone adapter

I know this post is 2 years old but I'm looking for an adapter for a recently acquired x100s. Are there any more of these adapters out there for sale? If not I was thinking of making one.

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