Hey guys 
Ok so after buying my 550D bundle, I started playing around. Until I started taking long exposure photos, the blur killed me. Because when you press the shutter button, the camera shakes for a few secs. Using self timer also doesn't work very well, and can't be used for bulb.
So I wanted to buy a remote release, but I didn't have cash left. I decided to do some research and I made my own! Most entry level Canon's use this plug (I guess because it is so cheap to produce?)
What you need:
> A 2.5mm audio jack
> A long enough cable with 3 separate wires
> 2 normal switches (that don't click on and of to fore-come frustration).
Steps:
1) Attach the 2.5 mm plug to one end of the 3 wires (one separate wire for each part of the plug)
2) Use the following info to wire your 2 plugs:
> When the sleeve part of the plug (metal ring closest to the plastic plug) touches the first ring the camera auto-focuses
> When the Sleeve touches the tip of the plug the camera takes a photo.
3) So one plug connects the sleeve and first ring (focus) and the other plug connects the sleeve and tip (take a photo).
Check this: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2900253681_fe1c82356e_o.png
Hope this helps some of you guys.
Ok so after buying my 550D bundle, I started playing around. Until I started taking long exposure photos, the blur killed me. Because when you press the shutter button, the camera shakes for a few secs. Using self timer also doesn't work very well, and can't be used for bulb.
So I wanted to buy a remote release, but I didn't have cash left. I decided to do some research and I made my own! Most entry level Canon's use this plug (I guess because it is so cheap to produce?)
What you need:
> A 2.5mm audio jack
> A long enough cable with 3 separate wires
> 2 normal switches (that don't click on and of to fore-come frustration).
Steps:
1) Attach the 2.5 mm plug to one end of the 3 wires (one separate wire for each part of the plug)
2) Use the following info to wire your 2 plugs:
> When the sleeve part of the plug (metal ring closest to the plastic plug) touches the first ring the camera auto-focuses
> When the Sleeve touches the tip of the plug the camera takes a photo.
3) So one plug connects the sleeve and first ring (focus) and the other plug connects the sleeve and tip (take a photo).
Check this: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2900253681_fe1c82356e_o.png
Hope this helps some of you guys.