8mm Forum: Minolta XL-400 remote control

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Topic: Minolta XL-400 remote control

Tim Wisniewski
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Baltimore, MD, USA
Registered: Sep 2019

posted September 19, 2019 10:00 AM

Hello, all.

I'm hoping to find a remote control/shutter release cable for my Minolta XL-400. I'm having the hardest time finding one of these things! Does anyone know if these are somewhat universal? Would any other models for other still cameras for example be interchangeable?

Thanks,
Tim

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 19, 2019 10:21 AM

If it's like the XL-401 (-and it should be...They are basically the same nut in a different shell!) it's a little bit unorthodox!

Most movie cameras have a standard-issue photographic cable release, but these use an electrical control.

If a regular cable release will not thread in, try to plug in a 3.5mm plug. (-like a set of headphones.)

If that's it, the remote control is active when Tip and Shield are shorted together.

My remote is a 3.5mm monaural plug, some small gauge wire twisted together and a cheap switch.

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Tim Wisniewski
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Baltimore, MD, USA
Registered: Sep 2019

posted September 19, 2019 10:33 AM

Thanks, Steve! This is definitely an electrical cable, not a standard mechanical shutter release, but the input is a bit smaller than a 3.5mm jack (I tried plugging in a 3.5mm mono audio plug, too big).

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 19, 2019 10:41 AM

Interesting!

Maybe Minolta went to a conventional phono plug on XL-401 and XL-601 as kind of analog-era "user friendliness".

There are 2.5mm audio plugs: never seen one myself, but they do exist. (-maybe one of these?)

If our theory is a good one, you should be able to strip some copper wire of about the hole diameter, place it in the jack and make the camera either run or click off a frame (depending on the settings).

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Tim Wisniewski
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Baltimore, MD, USA
Registered: Sep 2019

posted September 19, 2019 11:41 AM

Thanks! I'll try the 2.5. I guess I'd need a momentary switch as opposed to an on/off switch, right?

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 19, 2019 11:55 AM

I used an on/off, because that's what I had in my junk drawer.

-all other things being equal, a push-button would be the better choice.

Are you doing animation? These cameras would be great for that.

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 19, 2019 12:08 PM

Tim
Here is a 2.5mm mono plug which will probably fit the socket. You can easily make up a lead with some form of switch on the end.
These plugs are often used for headphones.
https://www.ebay.com /itm/New-2-5mm-2-Pole-Mono-Audio-Male-Plug-Jack-Adaptor-Connector-Solde-Repair-DIY/254031914729?hash=item3b257b66e9:g:ZkEAAOSw29JcEzc~

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Maurice

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Tim Wisniewski
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Baltimore, MD, USA
Registered: Sep 2019

posted September 19, 2019 01:18 PM

Thanks, Maurice. I'm going to buy one of these 2.5mm plugs, a momentary N.O. push-button switch, and a few feet of cable. Hoping that'll do the trick! And yes, Steve, doing some single frame "animation" and hoping to avoid camera shake!

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