DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

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rsewards
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DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by rsewards » Mon Mar 05, 2018 12:57 pm

Hi,
I've been using the DSUSB with my Nikon D7000 and BackyardNikon since 2014. In the last month the shutter control has become unreliable (it would work one day, and not work the next day) and it has now stopped working altogether.

The DSUSB test program detects it, and can change the LED, but opening/closing the shutter has no effect on the camera.

Any suggestions? Is there something else I can test?

Regards,
-
Richard Sewards

dpanderson
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Re: DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by dpanderson » Mon Mar 05, 2018 6:39 pm

My guess is that the cables between DSUSB and camera have fatigued and failed. If you look closely near the ends of the cables, can you see any signs of fatigue?
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
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rsewards
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Re: DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by rsewards » Mon Mar 05, 2018 7:31 pm

Thanks for the quick reply. There's no obvious wear visible on the camera end of the cable. The connector still clicks as it fits into the camera, although there is a small amount of play. There's no sign of strain (the insulation is not tearing) on the wire near the connector and jacks.

Is the cable supposed to connect the tip and ring when the shutter is to be opened? With the camera connected but the jack disconnected from the DSUSB, when I short the tip and ring the shutter doesn't open. If it should then this points to the camera end of the cable, or (I hope not) the camera.

Richard

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Re: DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by dpanderson » Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:33 am

Each camera is different, but if you short all three terminals together, that should fire the shutter on most cameras.
FYI: "Focus" or "Wakeup" is done when ring is shorted to shield, "Shutter" is when tip is shorted to shield. Shorting all three together tells it to wake up and fire shutter.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
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rsewards
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Re: DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by rsewards » Fri Mar 09, 2018 4:37 pm

Hi,
I've checked that the camera itself works with a remote control, so that eliminates the camera itself. So the issue is with the DSUSB or the short cable itself. Shorting the tip to shield on the cable has not effect, so that leads me to think it's the cable.

Richard

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Re: DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by dpanderson » Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:33 pm

To be absolutely sure, you will need to short both the tip and the ring to the shield, all at the same time.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
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Re: DSUSB has stopped controlling the shutter on D7000

Post by rsewards » Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:30 pm

Ok, I've tested that. No effect on the camera. Looks like the cable has failed.

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