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Homemade Nikon coolpix cable release
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For some unspeakable reason, Nikon coolpix 995 digital cameras have 'B' setting but no way to mount a standard cable release. There are several designs for homemade cable release brackets on the web (try google 'nikon coolpix homemade cable release bracket'). My design here is simple because it requires no tool at all (e.g. no drilling).

The trick is to find the right metal strip with holes on it. Figure 1 shows all the materials needed for the project, mostly from the Home Depot (UPC bar code):

1. 12" cable release, $6.99

2. A #8-32 nut. They are $0.83 a dozen but we only need one. The cable release needs to be able to screw into the nut. (030699185115)

3. Strap tie. This is initially a flat strip with several holes. The one shown in Figure 1 has already been bent. $0.42 (044315667909)

4. Metal glue. $3.94. We only need a drop. (022078453243)

Figure 1. Materials
Figure 1. Materials
Construction is easy:

1. bend the strap tie into the shape shown, so that a big hole coincides with the camera tripod thread, and a small hole is over the camera shutter button.

2. Glue the nut to the underside of the small hole. (Figure 2)

3. put a small piece of plastic on the camera shutter button to protect it from the direct punch of the cable release.

Figure 2. The cable release bracket
Figure 2. The cable release bracket
Figure 3 shows the homemade cable release bracket in action with a Nikon coolpix 995 camera, on top of a tripod.

Figure 3. The setup
Figure 3. The setup

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All images by Jerry Xiaojin Zhu unless noted otherwise. Feel free to use them for your personal enjoyment. For other usage please contact the author at jerryzhu@gmail.com