DSUSB cable alternative - tested and works in BackyardNIKON

[SteveRosenow]

I have improved upon a design that is over on CloudyNights, and I am pleased to announce that this does work in BackyardNIKON. 

I may consider taking orders for this - and I find it to be much more ergonomically friendly in design, as opposed to the Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB kit - as it's all one-piece.

A test in BackyardNIKON had full functionality and BULB exposure is done via the "Serial 1" connection in the drop-down dialog.

Saved $90 - Homebrew USB cable for remote USB shutter operation - Nikon D5100 by Loowit Imaging - Steve Rosenow, Photographer, on Flickr

[SteveRosenow]

I feel the need to clarify a few things.

First, I have had a few people ask me for the link to these over eBay through PM and in this thread.

I have refrained from posting the link on eBay as I would rather accept payment through PayPal personally for four reasons.

 

1.)
Payment through PayPal directly expedites the process and allows me to cull the parts list immediately so that I can order the required components, thus getting the ball rolling in a quick and expedient manner so that those who purchase these from me direct, don't experience any delay that they don't need to. I would rather work to serve you quick, fast, and with a personal touch without the need for a 'middle-man' agent such as eBay. In a previous post in this thread, I alluded to a two-to-three week processing and delivery time. That is mostly due to the fact that most of my components come from electronics vendors in Asia (I unfortunately have not been able to find the USB cord I use through domestic suppliers), which arrive through ePacket, and that takes up the bulk of the duration. 

2.)
I have been selling on eBay for less than a year (listings of mostly items around the house that I no longer need), whereas I've been an eBay user for the last 14 years as a buyer. eBay policies and guidelines have changed in the last several years which have put a serious disadvantage to new sellers. The first and biggest disadvantage being the withholding of PayPal funds for up to 21 days while a new seller establishes a 'track record' of 25 positive 'sales'. Until you reach that '25' threshold, your funds from paying on eBay are withheld from me for up to two and a half weeks, which means you don't get the product until after I've received receipt of funds - which could take more than a month or so. With that being said, it is difficult to achieve that as I have found, because the key factor to achieve that magic '25' number is that all the buyers have to leave a feedback. I've successfully sold on eBay 16 separate times, and only ten of those sixteen have seen the buyer leave me feedback. 

3.)
eBay charges a listing fee and a final value fee, which is  15% of the total value of the listing. That eats into what little money I make from these. 

4.) 

eBay has widely known discrepancies in the shipping cost calculators with which they use to determine the final shipping costs of any given item. I found this out the hard way in December of last year. I had placed a listing on eBay of a Meade LX3/2080 fork mount and drive base that I no longer needed. Within a day of listing I received a bid from a buyer in Russia, who ended up also being the winning bid when the auction closed at the end of the week. eBay's shipping calculator had calculated international shipping through USPS to be just shy of $72, which was based on the weight and the size of the package I had selected. When all was said and done, I ended up paying almost $130 - the overage was an out-of-pocket expense that I care not to repeat. 

 

++

 

When you opt to buy these direct, rest assured you will be treated with the utmost in care and attention. I have been a member of the amateur astronomy community for about the last three years (although a practicing astronomer for the last 15). I am an 'astro-geek' (for the lack of a better term!) just like the rest of us. I actually own and operate a private observatory located in Shelton, Washington that is a subsidiary of my photography business, and I have produced images that have been broadcast throughout the Pacific Northwest region of the United States on the Seattle ABC affiliate. My last photo that hit the air, was a photo of Comet C/2012 S1 ISON taken approximately a week before its fiery date with death via perihelion.  I've also had photos run on the homepage of Spaceweather.com, as well.

 

I am doing this not only out of a love for astronomy, but a desire to see a viable alternative to Nikon DSLR imaging that doesn't require someone to spend a small fortune. The biggest reason is simplicity and a lack of available alternatives. 

 

When you purchase these and after I've finished assembly (which is done through high quality components and a desire to get it right the first time), I run each cable through the current BackyardNIKON's beta, which is Beta 01c. The testing runs for a few hours and includes a complete run through collecting and gathering the lights and darks under BULB exposure settings.

 

I've also been a hired telescope repair facility. As I am writing this, I am wrapping up the repair and diagnoses on two Meade LX5/2080 motor driver boards for an individual in Indiana. 

 

I hope this clears up any misconceptions and puts those who seek interest in these at ease. My goal is to serve the Nikonians out there in the astronomy community with a viable, working alternative at lower cost for those on a limited budget. I enjoy doing this, and one of my loves is working with electronics, and all things telescope related. 

 

 

 

 

[primeclash]

I began the dispute process with PayPal on or about Dec 12. On the 13th Mr. Rosenow said (via PayPal) that he would be 'heading to the post office this week.' He updated PayPal indicating a shipment via USPS (no tracking number however). This shipment was on Dec 19th if I recall correctly. However I have yet to receive anything. Even with holiday stress on the postal service I would have expected to have received the cable by now. I intend to move forward with the dispute and I have until Jan 1 to do so.

 

I wish I had better news to report. I should have just made my own ..

 

 

[SteveRosenow]

This is a heads up post that I have two to three orders shipping out on Monday. Those whose orders are shipped will receive an e-mail confirmation notice addressed to the e-mail address registered with the PayPal transaction. 

To those who have experienced delays in the last week in orders I apologize for them. In the middle of last week I experienced an extremely painful muscle sprain in my lower back while doing some heavy yard work around the house, which led to doctor's orders requiring I rest for a while. This interfered with the completion of two orders for the MC-DC2 cable order. Those orders have been completed and will ship.

As always, I am eager to build these for the Nikon community and appreciate those who've asked me to build them for their cameras. I look forward to more opportunities to build more, and to get the word out that Nikon can be a force to be reckoned with in the astrophotography community!

[Johnnyaardvark]

Hi Steve and all,

 

PM sent... guess this post answers part of my question re: does this work with a D5000. Great that it would.

 

Are you still making these and would you ship to the UK?

 

Also, out of interest does the other functionality e.g. live view support for help with focussing etc work while using this modified cable?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Steve

[astroman133]

Steve's cable is only for BULB exposures.  All other functionality...LiveView frame and focus is via the other USB cable.

[SteveRosenow]

UPDATE:

A total of six more orders have shipped on Thursday afternoon. Those who have placed an order have received a PM or an e-mail directly from me with a tracking number or a US CN-22 Customs form #. If there is anyone I have left out of the e-mail chain, I apologize! 

I am also now pleased to announce that I am including free shipping. A check of my inventory also tells me that in one week I will have one surplus cable. I ordered too many components and I don't like to keep excess stock, so when this cable is completed and tested, the person who orders it won't be subject to the three-week turnaround time!

It's truly been a treat doing this and I look forward to building many more of these! 

-Steve

[SteveRosenow]

Steve's cable is only for BULB exposures.  All other functionality...LiveView frame and focus is via the other USB cable.

Yes, indeed this is correct. 

[cicsprog]

Yes I have been communicating with him. Just not getting a response.

[SUNJiaLin]

Hi Steve,

I'm also interested in the details, I have a D90.

Thanks in advance,

Didier

[mathgui]

Hi Steve,

Sent you a PM as well.  Thanks.

Ron

[SteveRosenow]

Proud to announce my first order for these cables ships out either tomorrow or Monday.

Components seem to be arriving faster now that I've ordered more than one of them from the same warehouse.

Open to taking more, by the way! 

[cicsprog]

Several people sent me private posts on NOT receiving their cable from this guy.  At this point I would recommend that no one else send this person any funds since he doesn't deliver.

[s3igell]

A rather straight-forward Google Search shows that Steve Rosenow's various Online Presences have all gone silent as of the last week of November - Facebook, Flickr, various Astronomy forums.  The most recent post seems to be a rather quick photo with the Caption "Getting Married!".  Let's hope that, while rather unprofessional, he has simply become overwhelmed with the bustle surrounding this "change of status" and lost track of his other ongoing projects.

 

(It's a far cry from some of the more dire cases where an astronomy Forum participant suddenly falls silent and we eventually hear that he had a stroke or other health problems or...  Unfortunately quite a number in our Hobby are rather far along in years, and things like that happen...)

[primeclash]

Thanks for the searching. While getting married can become overwhelming, it's not an event that comes as a surprise in most instances.

 

I paid with PayPal and we are encroaching on the time limit for when disputes can be made. I think I will set that in motion; if in fact Mr. Rosenow is simply overwhelmed I can always re-send the funds.

[SteveRosenow]

Hi Steve,

Sent you a PM as well.  Thanks.

Ron

 

I have not received it. Would you please resend it? Sorry for the late response as I have been out of town for the last three days.

 

-Steve

[ADeane]

You've peaked my curiosity.  Do you have more information available? or is it a top secret work in progress?    There is an astronomy exhibit coming up that I'll be going to in a couple of weeks.  I was hoping to score a DSUSB cable ... but alternatives always get my attention.

 

~Andy

[GeorgeDH03]

I placed an order for a cable from Steve on Nov. 2. I have sent several e-mails requesting an estimate of ship date for the cable. I received two replies from Steve, one stating that it would ship on Nov. 20 and a later response stating that it would ship on Dec. 8. Both responses claimed a heavy work schedule at a new job as the reason for the delay. I still have not received a cable. Has anyone else recently received a cable from Steve? I am beginning to get concerned that I may never see the cable that I have paid for.

 

George

[SteveRosenow]

You've peaked my curiosity.  Do you have more information available? or is it a top secret work in progress?    There is an astronomy exhibit coming up that I'll be going to in a couple of weeks.  I was hoping to score a DSUSB cable ... but alternatives always get my attention.

~Andy

By more information, what do you mean?

As far as this goes, what I did was basically use a USB dongle with RTS/Serial output. The only modification to it was the addition of a 4.7k ohm resistor and a transistor.

I then made a small modification to an aftermarket Nikon MC-DC2 shutter release cable by way of adding a couple diodes, and then drilled a hole to allow for the cord from the USB dongle to be inserted and then held in place with a small dab of epoxy. 

[admin]

I placed an order for a cable from Steve on Nov. 2. I have sent several e-mails requesting an estimate of ship date for the cable. I received two replies from Steve, one stating that it would ship on Nov. 20 and a later response stating that it would ship on Dec. 8. Both responses claimed a heavy work schedule at a new job as the reason for the delay. I still have not received a cable. Has anyone else recently received a cable from Steve? I am beginning to get concerned that I may never see the cable that I have paid for.

 

George

 

I will try to reach up to Steve and keep you guys posted.

 

Regards,

[admin]

You've peaked my curiosity.  Do you have more information available? or is it a top secret work in progress?    There is an astronomy exhibit coming up that I'll be going to in a couple of weeks.  I was hoping to score a DSUSB cable ... but alternatives always get my attention.

 

~Andy

 

Hey Andy,

 

Would this be the AstroCATS tradeshow near Toronto first weekend of May?  If yes stop by my booth, I'll be there all weekend long

 

Guylain

[admin]

I have just heard back from Steve and his new job is very, very demanding... on top of that his photography business has taken off in the past weeks.  This basically means he is burning the cadle at both ends.

 

He tells me that he will stop here later today or tomorrow to provide a quick status.

 

Regards,

[ADeane]

Steve - "more info" was just my plea for advice on how can I get one too? GREAT innovation but when it comes to USB serial RTS communication stuff I haveno idea what is what. I'm completely ignorant when it come to computer hardware integration.

 

Guylain - I will indeed search your booth out and introduce myself. Looking forward to AstroCATS. :-)

 

[SteveRosenow]

Steve - "more info" was just my plea for advice on how can I get one too?

Let me do some more testing on it and work up a quote. It will be much cheaper than the Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB kit!

 

-Steve

[karambit27]

This cable works fine in BackyardNIKON but it doesn't work with Sequence Generator Pro. The developer for SGP said he will build one at some point and get it implemented with SGP. Just in case anyone was trying to use it for that.

[admin]

Let me do some more testing on it and work up a quote. It will be much cheaper than the Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB kit!

 

-Steve

 

Great work you're doing there Steve for all Nikoniens

 

Guylain

[admin]

This cable works fine in BackyardNIKON but it doesn't work with Sequence Generator Pro. The developer for SGP said he will build one at some point and get it implemented with SGP. Just in case anyone was trying to use it for that.

 

That is because SGP only implemented the DSUSB cable interface where as I implemented DSUSB and standard COM port serial cable

 

Regards,

[ekallgren]

I received my cable from Steve yesterday and as others have stated it's is a very well built USB shutter release cable. It is long enough so you are able to route the cables in a way that they don't get wrapped up in the mount and other things.

It's very easy to install and works as advertised.

I also have the DSUSB shutter release cable from "Shoestring Astronomy" which also works but is a brick compared to the cable that Steve has put together.

I highly recommend this product.

Eric

[cicsprog]

Any ETA on next shipments?  As specifically mine lol

[SteveRosenow]

Any ETA on next shipments?  As specifically mine lol

Yours ships out this coming Friday. It is complete and has passed all quality control checks and tests.

I apologize for the delay. I started a new job late last week (I was sort of hired on the spot after a brief interview) and with that plus my photography business, I have been burning the candle at both ends. Unfortunately, the new job also takes away a great chunk of my day away from being able to make it to the post office

When it ships, you'll get a PM.

[GeorgeDH03]

Did Steve post a status on some other thread?

 

George