MC-EU1 remote protocol, PalmOS remote for Coolpix

[Jordan Robbins]

Hi Mark, just for future notice is it possible to buy the serial cable adapters without the digisnap? I tried to initially purchase it from harbortronics when I was setting my palm up... but I was told in an email that the reduced price was only for digisnap customers only and that you would be losing money otherwise.

-Jordan

We have serial cable adapters for the Coolpix cameras for $22 at
http://www.harbortronics.com

-Jordan

Does anyone know if RadioShack (or anyone else) makes a USB to
Serial adapter? If so, I would think that we could use the USB
cable that came with our cameras instead of buying the Nikon serial
cable (well, my CP5700 came with a USB cable.) Granted, that would
mean there are 3 adapters between the Nikon USB cable and the Palm
HotSync cable (if that's the route you are going), but it might be
a lil' cheaper

Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor

--
-Jordan, CP5700

--
Harbortronics... home of the DigiSnap!

--
-Jordan, CP5700

 

[Mark Roberts]

Now that we have them custom manufactured, we have loads in stock, and can sell them to anyone!

-Jordan

We have serial cable adapters for the Coolpix cameras for $22 at
http://www.harbortronics.com

-Jordan

Does anyone know if RadioShack (or anyone else) makes a USB to
Serial adapter? If so, I would think that we could use the USB
cable that came with our cameras instead of buying the Nikon serial
cable (well, my CP5700 came with a USB cable.) Granted, that would
mean there are 3 adapters between the Nikon USB cable and the Palm
HotSync cable (if that's the route you are going), but it might be
a lil' cheaper

Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor

--
-Jordan, CP5700

--
Harbortronics... home of the DigiSnap!

--
-Jordan, CP5700

--
Harbortronics... home of the DigiSnap!

 

[Jordan Robbins]

Cool, thanks for the info... I will keep that in mind for future notice.

-Jordan

-Jordan

We have serial cable adapters for the Coolpix cameras for $22 at
http://www.harbortronics.com

-Jordan

Does anyone know if RadioShack (or anyone else) makes a USB to
Serial adapter? If so, I would think that we could use the USB
cable that came with our cameras instead of buying the Nikon serial
cable (well, my CP5700 came with a USB cable.) Granted, that would
mean there are 3 adapters between the Nikon USB cable and the Palm
HotSync cable (if that's the route you are going), but it might be
a lil' cheaper

Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor

--
-Jordan, CP5700

--
Harbortronics... home of the DigiSnap!

--
-Jordan, CP5700

--
Harbortronics... home of the DigiSnap!

--
-Jordan, CP5700

 

[Ralph D Harris]

Any experience with the newer Digisnap devices and the newer Coolpix Cameras (2000+) ?

Also has any one tried using the CoolRemote software with these devices and the Palm and/or Handspring PDA's?

Any reports regarding using them with IR controlling technology?
--
Ralph D Harris

 

[Bud Guinn]

Any experience with the newer Digisnap devices and the newer
Coolpix Cameras (2000+) ?

Also has any one tried using the CoolRemote software with these
devices and the Palm and/or Handspring PDA's?

Any reports regarding using them with IR controlling technology?
--
Ralph D Harris

Ralph,

I have the 2200 and the 5700 digisnap products. I'm pleased with both. I keep the 5700 hooked to the camera all of the time...I love it.

I mainly use it for astrophotography....I was using the little canon cable that they sell with it.

Recently I made a timing circuit that allows me to take multiple (100's if I want) exposures, and I can vary it from 3sec to 5min and it just keeps on snapping.

I have also made a little infrared adapter that works quite well....I started designing the circuit but then found a little kit on-line for about 12bucks and used it. I am now in the process of just taking the timer and ir board and fitting them to gether into one little case. The circuitry was pretty straightforward.

The nice thing about the digisnap 5700 is that it allows you to hook up to the remote with a 3/32 stereo plug.......one push for focus and one for take picture. So you can hook up whatever you want to the jack to trigger it. I was thinking of a motion sensor for capturing things.....like water falling into a cup.....a wild animal walking past the sensor....etc. For greater distances a very simple rf receiver/transmitter could be made to trigger.
Hope the above is helpful.

warmest regards,

--
bud guinn....FCAS charter member
Hummingbird hunter/gatherer
sony fd91, nikon 5700
http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/root
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=340
DPReview, PBase supporter

 

[Ralph D Harris]

Any experience with the newer Digisnap devices and the newer
Coolpix Cameras (2000+) ?

Also has any one tried using the CoolRemote software with these
devices and the Palm and/or Handspring PDA's?

Any reports regarding using them with IR controlling technology?
--
Ralph D Harris

Ralph,

I have the 2200 and the 5700 digisnap products. I'm pleased with
both. I keep the 5700 hooked to the camera all of the time...I
love it.
I mainly use it for astrophotography....I was using the little
canon cable that they sell with it.
Recently I made a timing circuit that allows me to take multiple
(100's if I want) exposures, and I can vary it from 3sec to 5min
and it just keeps on snapping.
I have also made a little infrared adapter that works quite
well....I started designing the circuit but then found a little kit
on-line for about 12bucks and used it. I am now in the process of
just taking the timer and ir board and fitting them to gether into
one little case. The circuitry was pretty straightforward.
The nice thing about the digisnap 5700 is that it allows you to
hook up to the remote with a 3/32 stereo plug.......one push for
focus and one for take picture. So you can hook up whatever you
want to the jack to trigger it. I was thinking of a motion sensor
for capturing things.....like water falling into a cup.....a wild
animal walking past the sensor....etc. For greater distances a
very simple rf receiver/transmitter could be made to trigger.
Hope the above is helpful.

warmest regards,

--
bud guinn....FCAS charter member
Hummingbird hunter/gatherer
sony fd91, nikon 5700
http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/root
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=340
DPReview, PBase supporter

--
Dear Bud;

Thank you for the useful info! I have a few additonal questions for you , please

1) I am using a CP 5000 and 950. Do I need separate serial cables for each, and are either of them supplied with the purchased unit?

2) I have recently purchased an older Hand held Remote Control (?brand). It consists of a transmiiter and a receiver unit, operates with FM Radio signals (frequency27.145 MHz), with a range of 40 meters, and output signals via a Tripod screw. Any suggestions for use with a Digisnap? And which one?
3) Can I upgrade H/W and/or S/W if I started with, say, the 2100?
4) Would you share the source of your "12 Buck Kit", please?
Thanks
Ralph D Harris

 

[Philippe Roger]

--
Dear Bud;
Thank you for the useful info! I have a few additonal questions for
you , please
1) I am using a CP 5000 and 950. Do I need separate serial cables
for each, and are either of them supplied with the purchased unit?

For a PalmOS PDA hook-up, you may want to take a look at this post:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1007&message=5989545

Yes, you would need 2 different cables. The 5000 will take the SC-EW3, like all Coolpix since the 990. That cable is not supplied with any camera, since they have a USB cable instead. [Vladimir's site points to a method to convert the USB cable to a dual-purpose USB or serial cable, eliminating the need for an SC-EW3]. The CP950 takes the SC-EW2 (it has a different connector on the camera side), which is supplied with the camera AFAIK.

2) I have recently purchased an older Hand held Remote Control
(?brand). It consists of a transmiiter and a receiver unit,
operates with FM Radio signals (frequency27.145 MHz), with a range
of 40 meters, and output signals via a Tripod screw. Any
suggestions for use with a Digisnap? And which one?
3) Can I upgrade H/W and/or S/W if I started with, say, the 2100?
4) Would you share the source of your "12 Buck Kit", please?
Thanks
Ralph D Harris

I can't help you with any of that...

Cheers,
Philippe

 

[Bud Guinn]

Dear Bud;
Thank you for the useful info! I have a few additonal questions for
you , please
1) I am using a CP 5000 and 950. Do I need separate serial cables
for each, and are either of them supplied with the purchased unit?
2) I have recently purchased an older Hand held Remote Control
(?brand). It consists of a transmiiter and a receiver unit,
operates with FM Radio signals (frequency27.145 MHz), with a range
of 40 meters, and output signals via a Tripod screw. Any
suggestions for use with a Digisnap? And which one?
3) Can I upgrade H/W and/or S/W if I started with, say, the 2100?
4) Would you share the source of your "12 Buck Kit", please?
Thanks
Ralph D Harris

Ralph,

If you use the digisnap 5000 control and the little canon cable it would be all you need for a remote control.
http://www.harbortronics.com/digimain.htm
this then allow the hookup of the timer circuit or the little IR trigger.

I would think that your little RF transmitter and receiver should work.....you only need the remote to be able to ground two pins with the Digisnap.

Harbortronics also sells the little serial cable you need....I just ordered one for my 5700....I'd like to try a few of the different programs out there as well as with my Palm Pilot. When you get serious with harbortronics.....give them a call and tell them exactly what you want to do....they will recommend which cables will be necessary for the two cameras....I'm not sure which cables are used for those cameras.

Here is the address of the kits store....bunch of stuff
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/elec/ck1600.htm

also check these guys out....just hit the kits tab on the right....they also have practically anything electronic and jobber.
http://www.allcorp.com/

There is also another little device on the market that I only just recently heard of.......it seems to do everything...including the IR remote.
http://www.dellaenterprises.com/index.htm

You really have a lot of options to choose from.

I have the digisnap 2200....it works as advertised but doesn't exactly fit the bill for my astrophotography....I want something that can be changed quickly on settings....it needs to be programmed with the computer. With the combination of the digisnap 5700 (5000 in your case) I can hook my little timing circuit to it and immediately program it from 2 sec. to 5 min. and I don't have to hook up to the little serial connector. It seems a bit delicate to me....whereas the digisnap control (5700) is as rugged and tough as can be. The 5700 is kept on the camera at all times....my preference...it is not required. If I need a quick remote, then I just hook up the little cable and shoot away.

I hope this is helpful.

regards,
--
bud guinn....FCAS charter member
Hummingbird hunter/gatherer
sony fd91, nikon 5700
http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/root
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=340
DPReview, PBase supporter

 

[Bud Guinn]

Philippe, thanks for the additional information. I have been wanting to hookup to my Palm 5 to see how well it would work...I've ordered the serial cable....now need to order the palm cable....

thanks again

--
bud guinn....FCAS charter member
Hummingbird hunter/gatherer
sony fd91, nikon 5700
http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/root
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=340
DPReview, PBase supporter

 

[Todd Taylor]

For those of you who'd like to use the nifty Palm app, but don't have a Palm Pilot, I've found a few places to get them relatively cheaply. Since the Nikon remote is $100 for the CP 5700, I figure it's probably worth investing in a Palm Pilot and the cables for about the same price... and you now have a PDA as well!

I just purchased a Palm m515 from Overstock.com for about $160. I have a Palm III, but I wanted something with a rechargeable battery. Granted, the m515 is way more than you'd need to do this remote thingy, but the price was right. The following stores have low priced Palm Pilots... some as low as $40:

Overstock.com's Palm Store:
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=STATICPAGE&PAGE_ID=931

The Palm Factory Outlet:

http://store.palmone.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1179667&clickid=mainnav_outlet_txt

Then there is always eBay

 

[Sully192906]

When using remote cord MC-EU1 and shooting in RAW mode on the 5700 with bracketing, after the first exposure the remote will not let me take the successive bracketing shots until it has written the first image to the Flash Card. But when not using the remote cord, I can pop off all three bracket shots and then of course wait for eternity to write to Flash card before taking another shot. Anyone else having this problem. If so, does Nikon know about this.

 

[Bud Guinn]

Hey guys....I bought the little null modem for my Palm V that is just sitting around....hooked it up and it works great with the Coolremote software
http://vyskocil.free.fr/coolcom/
It works pretty slick....just thought I'd try it.

My Palm was set up for my Mac...I wanted to use it on my new Toshiba laptop....so I had to get new software from Palm...it was free....needed new drivers for XP pro.....it was free from Palm. I think that is great....I've had it for years.....it seems when I quit the sales deal...all of that stuff went into a corner....now it has some use.

--
bud guinn....FCAS charter member
Hummingbird hunter/gatherer
sony fd91, nikon 5700
http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/root
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=340
DPReview, PBase supporter

 

[Todd Taylor]

Does anyone know if this remote software will work on a Palm Tungsten? Or is that a whole new OS?

 

[cafr]

Hello,

it has been a while since this post has been updated so i don't know if anyone will be reading and answering it but if they do, can you answer these questions:

1. Do you know if the Palm Zire 21 will work with the Harbortronics DigiSnap 2500 with all the right cables and such?

2. Do you think the Zire 21 can control the DigiSnap 2500 IR?

3. How far can the remote IR work with the DS2500?

4. gimmie some ideas on how you have used the DS2500.

any info will be kind of you.

Think that is all for now.

Thanks,
sean

 

[JoeG24]

Wouldn't they work too?

 

[cafr]

I think they would work. I don't see how it wouldn't if the palm had a termainal program (like "online") and the correct cables.

Wouldn't they work too?

--
ciao

 

[Skit]

Ditto

As per subject..

TIA

Sid

Yahoo 4500 Community:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nikon-4500/
Cryptome.org:
http://cryptome.org/

 

[zdai]

It will work if you install "LdSerLib.prc" on your Tungsten. This "Load Serial Library" function will allow newer Palms to run older palm applications. A google search will point you to a number of websites from where you can download that file.

 

[Bill Creech]

zdai,

Wow you may get the award for reviving the oldest thread.
You replied to a question from 02Dec2003! Cool.

I still have my Palm Tungsten T|X but non of my current coolpix will work with the serial command protocol of the MC-EU1 except my CP-990 that I have in storage along with my DigiSnap 2000. But good to know if you still use the older CoolPix Cameras.

It will work if you install "LdSerLib.prc" on your Tungsten. This
"Load Serial Library" function will allow newer Palms to run older
palm applications. A google search will point you to a number of
websites from where you can download that file.
--

Cheers, Bill Creech
--
Bill Creech
Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA. USA
http://www.pbase.com/billcreech (pbase supporter)
http://www.pbase.com/billcreech/cameras (my Camera Info)
FCAS Member #90

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