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Shutter Control Interface Products

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ATTENTION - ESPECIALLY APRIL 2024 ECLIPSE PHOTOGRAPHERS:
We will be temporarily closed from February 21, 2024 through April 11, 2024. We will not be able to accept or process orders until we reopen. We will have limited access to internet, but will try to provide tech support when possible. We appreciate your business and do apologize for the inconvenience.

Shoestring Astronomy has always been an "evening and weekend" enterprise when I was employed full-time. Now that I am retired, we do like to travel frequently. I will do my best to fill orders and respond to emails in a timely manner, but please realize that there may be times when I cannot respond as quickly as I would like to.

Thanks for your patience, and your patronage. Doug Anderson

Many people are now using Digital SLR cameras to take amazing deep-sky astrographs. Using the camera's internal shutter control typically limits the exposure time to 30 seconds. To get longer exposure times, the bulb stop (B) of the camera must be used. In bulb mode, the shutter is controlled by a remote control. If you wish to use a computer to generate the remote control commands, the products on this page will allow you to do so when used with appropriate software that supports this adapter.
The DSUSB is a USB peripheral for your computer that allows software to control your camera's shutter. In addition to the DSUSB, you will need a cable that is appropriate for your camera. The USB cable on DSUSB is 3 feet long.

Why is there a DSUSB2?
Some astrophotographers like to run two imaging cameras at the same time. One of the inherent problems with most USB devices is that when two of them are used, they will appear identical to the computer and there is no easy way to tell one from the other. Thus, we created the DSUSB2. It is identical to the DSUSB in all respects except for its USB identifier. So, if you wish to run two cameras, you will need a DSUSB and a DSUSB2.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Digital Rebel XT, and Digital RebelXTi (300D, 350D, and 400D)
You will need the DSUSB and either the DSCBL-01 (6 foot) cable or DSCBL-91 (6 foot) cable with right-angle connector. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Canon 5D, 10D, 20D, 30D, D60 and other models with Canon N3 style remote connector
Canon developed a proprietary 3-pin connector for the remote control on these cameras. It is called a Canon N3 connector. We offer a cable that allows you to directly connect these cameras to our DSUSB shutter controller. You will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-11 (3 foot) cable. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Nikon D200, D2Xs and other models with Nikon 10-pin style remote connector (such as Nikon MC-30 remote)
Nikon developed a proprietary 10-pin connector for the remote control on these cameras. We offer a cable that allows you to directly connect these cameras to our DSUSB shutter controller. You will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-12 (3 foot) cable. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Nikon D90, D3100, D5000, D7000 and other models with Nikon 8-pin style remote connector (such as Nikon MC-DC2 remote)
Nikon developed a proprietary 8-pin connector for the remote control on these cameras. We offer a cable that allows you to directly connect these cameras to our DSUSB shutter controller. You will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-15 (3 foot) cable. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Nikon D70S, D80 and other models with Nikon 4-pin style remote connector (such as Nikon MC-DC1 remote)
Nikon developed a proprietary 4-pin connector for the remote control on these cameras. We offer a cable that allows you to directly connect these cameras to our DSUSB shutter controller. You will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-13 (3 foot) cable. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Nikon D50, D60, D70 and other models compatible with Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote control
For Nikon models that are compatible with the Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote control, you will need to purchase the DSUSB-IR1. This unit comes complete with a 6-foot extension cable and an IR transmitter head that is mounted where it can be "seen" by your camera's IR receiver.
Some Nikon DSLRs are capable of using either a wired remote or an wireless IR remote. Thus, you can either use the DSUSB or the DSUSB-IR1. It is your choice which one to use, but we recommend using the DSUSB wired remote wherever possible.

Olympus 410, 420, 510, 520, and other models compatible with Olympus RM-UC1 wired remote control
Olympus developed a proprietary 12-pin connector for the remote control on these cameras. We offer a cable that allows you to directly connect these cameras to our DSUSB shutter controller. You will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-14 (3 foot) cable. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Pentax DSLRs that are compatible with the Pentax CS-205 remote control
You will need the DSUSB and either the DSCBL-01 (6 foot) cable or DSCBL-91 (6 foot) cable with right-angle connector. You might want to add a male-female extension cable such as the DSCBL-03 (6 foot) or DSCBL-04 (10 foot).

Wired Remote Control Modification
If you own a Canon camera with the N3 remote connector or a Nikon camera with the 10-pin or 4-pin remote connector, you also have the option of modifying a compatible Canon or Nikon remote accessory to work with our DSUSB. You will need to purchase a remote from Canon or Nikon, or the equivalent from other sources such as Adorama or Adidt. We will modify the remote control and return it to you. So, you will need the DSUSB and the DSCBL-02 cable (this is the remote control modification), plus a male-male extension cable such as the DSCBL-05 (6 foot) or DSCBL-06 (10 foot). After you place your order for the DSCBL-02, you will be instructed by email where to send your accessory for modification.
For this modification, a female 3.5mm stereo jack is connected to the connector half of the cable, and a male 3.5mm stereo plug is connected to the remote control half of the cable.
If you would prefer to do this modification yourself, you can order our DSCBL-KIT below to get the male and female 3.5mm stereo connectors. The instructions for this procedure can be downloaded here

SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY

You will need third-party software that supports the DSUSB and of course your camera. The matrix below shows the software packages we are aware of. If you know of others, please email us and let us know. Shoestring Astronomy is continuously working with software vendors to add support for our products. If your favorite software is not compatible, ask them to add us!
SOFTWARE
Supports DSUSB
Supports DSUSB2

APT

www.astroplace.net

Yes
Yes

AstroArt

www.msb-astroart.com

Yes
Not yet

AstroDSLR

www.cloudmakers.eu/astrodslr

Yes
Yes

BackyardEOS

www.backyardeos.com/

Yes
Yes

ControlMyNikon

www.ControlMyNikon.com

Yes
Yes

DSLRFocus

www.DSRLFocus.com

Yes
No

DSLR Shutter

www.stark-labs.com

Yes
Yes - Version 1.10 or later

Eclipse Orchestrator

www.moonglowtech.com

Yes
Yes

Images Plus

www.mlunsold.com

Yes
Not yet

K3CCDTools

www.pk3.org/Astro/k3ccdtools.htm

Yes
Not yet

Maxim DL

www.cyanogen.com

Yes
Not yet

MaxDSLR

www.cyanogen.com

Yes
Not yet

Nebulosity

www.stark-labs.com

Yes
Yes - Version 1.8.0 or later

Solar Eclipse Maestro

http://xjubier.free.fr/sem

Yes
Yes

DSUSBCheck by Shoestring Astronomy
DSUSBCheck is a simple, free software application that you can use to verify that your DSUSB, computer, and camera are all together working properly. You can download this using the link found below. You should use this the first time you set up your system. You can also use it as a debugging tool anytime your system is not functioning properly. If your system works fine with DSUSBCheck, but not with your third-party software, then the problem most likely lies with the third-party software and you should contact them for technical support. If your system does not work with DSUSBCheck, then you should contact us for technical support.
IMAGE
DESCRIPTION
PART NUMBER
PRICE
PayPal Buy
dsusb.jpg (70 kbytes)

USB Shutter Control Adapter

DSUSB
$75.00 Out of Stock
dsusb.jpg (70 kbytes)

USB Shutter Control Adapter

DSUSB2
$75.00 Out of Stock
dsusbir1.jpg (70 kbytes)

USB Shutter Control Adapter for Nikon ML-L3 Compatibles

DSUSB-IR1
Discontinued Discontinued
 

DSUSB Shutter Control Adapter User Manual

Click here to view/download. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

  Absolutely Free  
 

DSUSB-IR1 Shutter Control Adapter User Manual

Click here to view/download. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

  Absolutely Free  
 

Install DSUSBCheck

Click here to install the free software you can use to verify your DSUSB.

  Absolutely Free  
 

Install DSUSB2Check

Click here to install the free software you can use to verify your DSUSB2.

  Absolutely Free  
dscbl_01.jpg (71 kbytes)
Cable for Canon Digital Rebels, 2.5mm male stereo plug to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 6 feet
DSCBL-01
$9.00
dscbl91.jpg (147 kbytes)
Cable for Canon Digital Rebels, 2.5mm male stereo right-angle plug to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 6 feet
DSCBL-91
Out of Stock Out of Stock
dscbl11.jpg (87 kbytes)
Cable for Canon DSLRs with N3 connector to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 3 feet
DSCBL-11
$16.00
dscbl12.jpg (77 kbytes)
Cable for Nikon DSLRs with 10-pin connector to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 3 feet
DSCBL-12
$16.00
dscbl13.jpg (62 kbytes)
Cable for Nikon DSLRs with 4-pin connector to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 3 feet
DSCBL-13
Discontinued Discontinued
dscbl14.jpg (223 kbytes)
Cable for Olympus DSLRs compatible with RM-UC1 remote to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 3 feet
DSCBL-14
$16.00
dscbl15.jpg (77 kbytes)
Cable for Nikon DSLRs with 8-pin connector to 3.5mm male stereo plug, 3 feet
DSCBL-15
$16.00
 
6 foot 3.5mm stereo male to 3.5mm stereo female extension cable
DSCBL-03
$6.00
 
10 foot 3.5mm stereo male to 3.5mm stereo female extension cable
DSCBL-04
$8.00 Out of stock
 
Modification of Customers Shutter Remote Control
DSCBL-02
$20.00
 
Kit for Shutter Remote Control Modification
DSCBL-KIT
$5.00
 
6 foot 3.5mm stereo male to 3.5mm stereo male extension cable
DSCBL-05
$6.00 Out of Stock
 
10 foot 3.5mm stereo male to 3.5mm stereo male extension cable
DSCBL-06
$8.00