Camera
Remote
Control

wireless, no moving parts - take pictures automatically!
devices to remotely control camera shutters for remote photography.

:: options ::

Shutter Control :: Zoom Control :: Camcorder Control :: Wired control & RICOH USB :: Intervalometer

Click on the flowchart to help you choose which device meets your needs!

Click on the bottom row of the Flow Chart to read more about that device,
You also need to read what cameras are compatible with gentled
There are other options available

the 4g gentled

gentled SHUTTER
 (for stills cameras) BUY ME!

gentled shutter is our basic solution to trigger digital stills cameras with IR capability. It can be triggered directly from a standard Radio Control (RC) system, or by any switch contact via the "blue wire". Weighs only 3 grams if you don't want the blue wire and cut it off! 
Features are:
continuous operation: This allows multiple pictures to be taken if the RC servo control is held down. This is useful if you want the camera to keep taking pictures automatically approximately every 5 seconds.
servo threshold: This used to be 1.5mS (stick center position). This has been changed to 1.6mS to make the device easier to use with a center biased stick (and trim control) and to provide cleaner operation generally.
switch operation: This is an extra blue wire to the device which if shorted to black triggers the gentled . This allows the device to be triggered with either a RC servo, OR any device that can short two wires together.
repeat operation: When enabled this makes the gentled trigger the camera every 25seconds even if no trigger is received. This option is enabled by shorting the switch's blue wire to black at power-up.

gentled ZOOM 
  (for stills cameras) BUY ME!

3g gentled zoom (top) &  the 4g gentled

Looking just like the standard shutter gentled, minus the blue wire, the zoom option allows control of the zoom via another channel on the servo controller. Weighs only 3grams! This channel is center biased (like a standard RC control stick) and pushing the stick in either direction will zoom in and out. The gentled zoom is available for CANON, OLYMPUS, MINOLTA, SAMSUNG and PENTAX cameras.

Note: To control shutter and zoom you will need to purchase two gentleds. Also note that the Pentax zoom doesn't give full control of the zoom, but is limited by the camera to three pre-set focal lengths, for the extremes and center of the lens on the camera.

gentled videoREC, videoZOOM and PHOTO 
  (for camcorders) BUY ME!

3g gentled zoom (top) &  the 4g gentled

Looking just like the standard shutter and zoom gentled, these are specially designed for Camcorders:

• There is no concept of continuous operation or repeat operation with a Camcorder.
• To give maximum security against false triggering the trigger to start or stop recording must be held in place for 250mS. This gives added security against telemetry noise accidentally activating the Camcorder.
• Some more recent camcorders allow the use of the PHOTO (high resolution still image capture) feature without setting the camera to stills mode. Use gentled photo to give you complete flexibility of your Camcorder.

gentled for Camcorders is available for CANON, SONY, PANASONIC, AIPTEK, JVC and SANYO Camcorders.

Note: To control shutter, zoom, and/or photo  you will need to purchase more than one gentled. 
Also note that these devices will NOT operate the respective manufacturer's stills cameras.

gentled LANC (for Sony camcorders) BUY ME!

6g gentled lanc  including 25cm cables

Using 2 ports on a RC receiver this one device allows control of REC, PHOTO, and progressive ZOOM (the more you push the joy-stick - the faster the zoom) via a Sony Camcorders LANC port:

• 16 speed ZOOM control.
• To give maximum security against false triggering the trigger to start or stop recording must be held in place for 250mS. This gives added security against telemetry noise accidentally activating the Camcorder.
• Also allows cameras that have gone to sleep to be woken remotely.
• Comes with a standard 2.5mm jack to suit many camcorders directly. Alternately a cable adaptor can be used where the LANC audio and video are on a common A/V plug.

gentled LANC is available for Sony camcorders. It allows similar functionality to the RM-1BP remote but via a RC system.

We also stock an adapter to change the 2.5mm jack on this device to the 10pin A/V connector used for LANC on some camcorder models. As well as allowing gentled LANC to connect to the camera, three phono/RCA plugs allow access to the video and audio on this AV connector.

lightweight gentled focus can control cameras  with electrical focus  and shutter release

gentled FOCUS and SWITCH for cameras with electrical contacts
  a wired alternative...  BUY ME!

FOCUS: As well as our IR offering many cameras also have electrical contacts where focus and shutter can be controlled. gentled focus allows independent control of focus and shutter on these cameras via one RC channel. A complete solution allowing four logical operating modes, with physical connection to most dSLR contacts via the supplied plug (selected when ordering). The unit can achieve focus and shutter control with a simple pushbutton or with a joy-stick control. The unit can also act as a simple intervalometer, both with a RC system and on it's own. Two LED lamps give feedback on exactly what state the switch is in.

For more information on operation there is a Quick Start and User Manual.

Seven connection options are available for (left to right) Canon 3pin and Nikon 10pin proprietary connectors (called the PRO), Panasonic Jack (you cannot use the video output with this remote control), Olympus A/V port on the E-P1 which looks the same as the Nikon 8 pin, generic 2.5mm stereo jack connector, and a 3 pin connection - similar to a RC servo - for general use. Why search for the correct plug for your camera when we have them all pre-fitted to the gentled focus? 

4g gentled switch can control anything requiring a switch contact

SWITCH: We also supply a general purpose servo "switch". This can connect your RC receiver to a camera or ancillary equipment , providing a single general purpose switch transistor for remote control.

The device is the same size as a standard gentled but has a red LED indicating operating and a small 3pin connector, providing access to the RC battery and a open collector transistor output driving up to 100mA in the circuit you want to control.

The device comes with three operating modes which allow two devices to be connected to the same channel and give various switching configurations.

9g gentled chdk comes complete with USB connector

gentled CHDK and CHDK2
  for Canon cameras...  BUY ME!

gentled chdk is for controlling cameras compatible with the CHDK firmware enhancement. It allows the camera to be remotely triggered by a standard Radio Control (RC) system. A minor enhancement is added to the camera via the SD card, which enables operation of this device as well as many other creative possibilities for remote photographers.

Read the special CHDK introduction, details of the Scripts available, and the product documentation to find out how easy it is to enable your Canon camera for remote control and many other features. 9grams (1/3oz) including ~250mm (~10") cables and all connectors.

gentled chdk  is the basic model allowing control of camera one function  - normally the shutter - from one RC receiver channel. gentled chdk2 is an advanced solution using 2 RC receiver channels, and allowing 6 different commands to be sent to the camera which can be programmed via the CHDK Scripts to control many functions (e,g, Shutter, zoom, EV, focus etc). 

9g gentled ricoh comes complete with USB connector

gentled RICOH
  for Ricoh cameras...  BUY ME!

gentled ricoh is for controlling cameras compatible with the Ricoh CA-1 wired remote control. It is designed to be operated by a standard Radio Control (RC) system or by shorting the "blue wire", in exactly the same way as the standard gentled SHUTTER. A real lightweight solution at 9grams (1/3oz) including ~250mm (~10") cables and both connectors.

Additionally the unit can be used as a simple intervalometer, triggering the camera every 10 seconds.

Another advantage of this device is it allows the user to remotely power on or wake-up the camera which can be used to save power in remote applications. 

gentled SERIAL
  for Nikon cameras...  BUY ME!

8g gentled serial comes complete with Nikon connector

gentled serial is for controlling Nikon cameras compatible with the Nikon MC-EU1, but with the standard  gentled "servo" and "blue wire" interface at a fraction of the weight and cost of the Nikon MC-EU1. As well as remote triggering the unit can also be used as a simple intervalometer. Compatible with Nikon Coolpix 880, 885, 990, 995, 4300, 4500, 5000, 5400, 5700, 8700.

Although some of these cameras are getting elderly, cameras like the Coolpix 4300 offer 4Mpixel, >250g, and exchangeable lenses (including a full fisheye at reasonable cost second hand), a unique combination that is useful to aerial photographers and others. Finish your rig off with a simple shutter release based on the gentled serial. Read The Manual .

Considering the Nikon Cable itself weighs over 100g, the gentled serial including cable weighs an amazing 8g. Once again gentled means lightweight!  

18g gentled auto is a miniature camera and camcorder  intervalometer

gentled AUTO  and gentled autoFINGER
  Simple intervalometer solutions BUY ME!

So you just want to trigger the camera at regular intervals, either for a simple lightweight rig, or for some other application like time lapse photography. Available for cameras and Camcorders with infra-red as well as a mechanical version for any camera!

gentled auto is what you want for IR applications. Completely self contained, with built in on-off switch and battery this unit gets you any delay between  2seconds and 30minutes in three ranges. 18grams (0.6oz) and only 38x28x18mm (1.5"x1.1"x0.7"). Runs for 500000 camera triggers on one cell!

Available for all IR Camera and also for the PHOTO button on Camcorders. More details and pictures. 

2g gentled autoFINGER intervalometer for  cameras without IR

gentled autoFINGER allows you to make an intervalometer by adding a standard servo and a battery to this tiny 2gram device. The servo will "nod" and trigger the shutter between every 2 and 30 seconds. 

Here is an example of how this device can be used.

 
gentled JUMP 
  Another intervalometer solution BUY ME!

Looks identical to the AUTO above, but instead of an ON-OFF switch it has a mono 2.5mm jack socket which can be used to switch the unit on and off via an external switch, a relay, a mouth switch, etc. Options are available for timing functionality the same as gentled AUTO, or for a burst triggering mode where as many as 5 IR bursts are sent per second. Contact us to discuss your requirements and what's available.

gentled DUO option, makes two devices into one package

 gentled OPTIONS 
  Customise for your needs...  BUY US!

In addition to the joy-switch to modify your RC transmitter, we also offer the gentled DUO, packaging two devices in one for ease of mounting. Shown right here, located above a standard SHUTTER for comparison.

gentleds together, old and  new, below a "stereo"	cable release gentled can be used in a Microlight

Shutter options for the gentled

As well as the ordinary shutter release, we also offer a number of specials including the gentled stereo for triggering two cameras simultaneously. This greatly simplifies making stereo images from digital cameras.

On the left is a gentled with 10m cable, switch, and 12V supply in the middle. This was built for use in a microlight, where the standard IR control was difficult to use and too far away from the camera.

These options involve catering for your exact cabling needs, so they are built to order. 

If you want to control more than one manufacturers camera with one gentled read this.

Email    directly for a quote on any of these applications. Many things are possible!
  

Gentles Limited
Registered in Edinburgh 
No: SC288909