TransWikia.com

What DIY methods exist to trigger a Lumix G3 without touching the camera?

Photography Asked on July 26, 2020

I have a Panasconic Lumix DMC-G3 with a 175 mm lens which I need to trigger without touching the camera to reduce camera shake1.

I know of the following ways to take a photo without touching the camera, however at the moment I cannot use any of those:

  1. Cable release: A device that you plug into your camera with a button that releases the camera shutter.
    • I don’t own a cable release for this camera.
  2. Intervalometer: A cable releases with the possibility to set up timers, e.g. for timelapses.
    • I don’t own an intervalometer for this camera.
  3. Remote Release: Similar to cable releases, but they are not plugged into the camera and work via infrared.
    • I don’t own a remote release for this camera.
  4. Smartphone App: Many (modern) cameras have built-in WiFi or Bluetooth which allows you to take a photo and sometimes even change settings using a smartphone app.
    • This camera has no WiFi or Bluetooth
  5. PC software: Some cameras can be tethered to a PC (usually using a cable) and can be controlled and fired with some software.
  6. Camera self-timer: Most cameras have a self-timer (e.g. 2 or 10 seconds).
    • I experienced that this can still cause camera shake when using a telephoto lens, about 3/4 of the images were shaky taken this way1.

Are there any DIY methods than those described above to take a photo without touching the camera?


1: My other question contains more information on the problem at hand: I’m trying to photograph comet C/2020 F3 (Neowise) by stacking images, but the results are too shaky.

2 Answers

The self-timer should work. If the camera is still shaking after 2 seconds, even with a big telephoto, you need a stronger tripod. Another choice is to use a separate card as a shutter. Set the camera for a 10 second exposure and hold a piece of cardboard in front of the lens. Trigger the shutter, wait 8 seconds, and take the card away.

Correct answer by Ross Millikan on July 26, 2020

Panasonic do have an application to help with this if your camera supports WiFi. It's called imageapp and is available for free from Play Store. You can remotely control the camera with this e.g. set shutter speed/exposure/zoom/focus/ISO etc. I've managed remote control from 20 metres. There are no hidden extras that you need to pay for. It works really well IMHO.

Answered by MiguelH on July 26, 2020

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP