Canon T90 remote shutter problem

[Stuart Walker]

I have a Canon T90 that seems to work alright except for the remote shutter control. I am using a 60T3 remote switch, and I asssume that it is supposed to switch the light meter on with the first part of the button movement and then fire the shutter when pushed all the way down, similar to the button on the camera. I've dismantled the switch, cleaned the terminals, but they didn't seem bad anyway, and checked continuity with the plug with a multimeter. I've also tried shorting the terminals in the remote socket on the camera with a paper clip, to no avail. So does this mean that the remote socket on the camera is faulty, or is there some setting on the camera to disable the socket, and so it just needs activating?

[Rachel]

Stuart, I've had a look through all my books on the T90 and they don't mention any "setting" required to activate the remote release. Looks as if the fault may lay in the camera

Rachel

[Stuart Walker]

Thanks for looking. Unfortunately from responses I have had elsewhere it seems the fault lies in the camera. My brother in law gave me the camera and he has told me that he never used the remote socket, (I recently bought the remote switch), so I guess it's probably had the fault from new. I don't suppose Canon would repair it under warranty now though!

[mickeyobe]

Stuart,

I have a home made wired remote so my results may not be the same as yours.

When I use it, the aperture setting does not show in the viewfinder but If I press the shutter release 1/2 way down it does appear.

If I set a small aperture (f22) and use the remote I can see by looking through the lens that it does, indeed, stop down.
Set the camera on Av and try the above. Set it to a small aperture (f22).
It might very well be working properly.

Mickey

[Stuart Walker]

Interesting. Unfortunately there is a fundamental problem in that the remote doesn't operate the shutter at all. From studying the inside of the remote switch and the T90 service manual it seems the longer pin in the camera socket is an earth pin, and when this is connected to one of the other two it switches the meter on, and then when all three are connected it fires the shutter. Is this how you have your home made wired remote? I assume, but it is never safe to assume, that the remote switch parallels the camera mounted shutter switch. Therefore if there are connections from the remote switch all the way up to the camera switch it should work, and if it doesn't work there must be a lack of connection somewhere. Am I correct. And if so where is the break in the connection? Am I likely to do more damage poking around inside this camera than leaving it alone?

[mickeyobe]

Stuart.

You are flying way over my head.

I merely took a small phone jack that plugs into the T90's remote adapter and connected it to a 10 meter wire and the wire to a switch that is on when pressed and off when released.
I shoved the switch parts into a plastic box from a router bit and voila!

If what I made is immoral and against the laws of physics and electronics and gravity it matters not.
It works.

As for your question "Am I likely to do more damage poking around inside this camera than leaving it alone? "
I don't know about you but I most certainly would cause it grievous harm.

MIckey

[Stuart Walker]

Mickey, if it works then it isn't immoral! Maybe someone else out there knows all about Canon T90s? Anyway I'll just use the self timer for the moment. If I feel brave I might fetch the battery box off to have a look see. Anyone have experience of removing it?

Stuart

[mickeyobe]

Stuart,

Do you mean the internal battery?

Mickey

[Stuart Walker]

No, the big one on the bottom that holds the 4 AA batteries. The remote socket is in that part, according to the T90 repair manual. As far as I can see you have to peel off the ribbed rubber off the bottom and some of the handgrip. I think that you should be able to get at the wires that go from the socket to the circuit board. However I don't know how delicate an operation that is, there are obviously connections from the main batteries to the inside of the camera as well.

[mickeyobe]

Stuart,

Try this.

www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/messageboard/canont90msg/index.php

If you pose a question you might get a knowledgeable answer.

If you have the patience to browse the site you may also come up with an answer to almost any T90 problem.

Mickey

[Stuart Walker]

Thanks, I've sent them the question. I'll see what turns up!

[quattro20v]

There is a site www.photo-manuals.com/manual/canon/accessories/t90-service/ where you can download a Canon T90 Service manual but the words and pictures mean almost nothing unless you have the camera stripped down on the bench in front of you. Even then there is minimal reference to the remote shutter release. If the wiring isn't broken then you need someone who is familiar with the circuitry of the T90 to be able to pinpoint the faulty component. I have the same problem on mine .....quelle batarde as our French chums might say!

[Stuart Walker]

I should have updated this. I removed the base of the camera and found that some of the wires had broken on the back of the remote socket. I managed to work out which went where by using the service manual, although my wire colours were different to those in the manual. I had to trace them back to the circuit board. After resoldering them the remote switch worked.

[quattro20v]

Yes the "white" wire is actually green in my camera- I have just finished repairing mine - the soldering required a very steady hand!! All sorted!