Schieppati Switch

The Schieppati Switch with Rx-connector

Less than an inch!

Almost the same size, but costs bit more ;-)

A Schieppati Switch used to fire a Nikon Coolpix through a DigiSnap 2000

The NEW ‘Twin Switch’ is a special version of the Schieppati Switch that can control, with two independent outputs, the double-step shutter used in some cameras.
Two R/C-switches are connected and packed together as a single unit with two outputs connected to the same R/C channel.
The two switches can be programmed separately, setting the two outputs activation at different positions of the same command. Moving the stick from 0% to 50% can activate the first shutter step (focus and exp. time) and moving to more than 60% will trigger the camera.
Going back to half stick travel (50%) will not restart the focus and exposure calculation and the camera is ready to take an other picture, while going to 0% will restart the complete process.

Does your camera work with the Twin Switch? Check it now

Tip: Unlike a mechanical switch, the Schieppati Switch has a polarity.
The reason why the switch has a polarity is because it uses a transistor to close the circuit, and the transistor has a polarity; this means that it acts like a mechanical switch (very low resistance), but can close the circuit in one direction only. On most cameras, the original (mechanical) switch is used to temporary connect to Ground the shutter signal; connecting the two wires of the switch in parallel with the original one it is possible to ‘simulate’ the mechanical closure only if the Schieppati Switch is connected in the right ‘direction’. For this reason the two wires are marked with a red and a black connector to ensure that the black wire is connected to the camera ground to respect the right polarity. If simply reversing the two wires will not solve the problem, there is probably a damage in the switch. Please e-mail us your data for a free replacement.

The Schieppati Switch is a universal R/C-switch that can be used to control lots of things on your KAP rig. It can be used to:

Release the camera shutter
Release a two step shutter
Switch the video transmitter On/Off
Zoom in and
Zoom out a digicam
Overrule the auto-off function
Control a DigiSnap
Control micro electrical motors

You're lucky if you use a camera with an external electrical shutter release connection. It makes the rig construction much easier and saves the weight of an extra servo.
Examples of such analog cameras are: the older Ricoh FF9s, FF10 and KR-10M (a SLR) or the newer Leica Z2x. Some Canon SLRs are also fitted with such a device. And there are more.
In these cases you can easily fire the camera through the R/C system using a Schieppati Switch and a simple plug. Other popular KAP-cameras, like the Yashica T4, T4 super or T5 and the Olympus Stylus Epic (or mju-1 and -2 in Europe), can be modified (see Humez and Becot).
This modification can also be applied to compact digital cameras as is shown by Cary Clements. Like most cameras his has a 2-step button, so he used 2 Schieppati Switches to keep the camera working the way Canon designed it to do.
(Note: Schieppati responded to these kind of solutions by introducing the Twin Switch in September 2003)
Other digicams use more complex protocols for remote control like the Olympus Camedia C-2020 and C-3030 and Nikon Coolpix cameras. These cameras can be fired by using a DigiSnap. And then the DigiSnap can be triggered with a Schieppati Switch. With two more Schieppati Switches you can even let the camera lens zoom in and out through the DigiSnap.
And if you have a Coolpix 5000 or 5700 with a DigiSnap 5000/5700, a Schieppati Switch is also the way to go.

Many KAPpers use a small wireless video system to check what the airborne camera is seeing. Most of these systems consume lots of power. To save on electrical power it is a good idea to switch the system off when you don't need it. A Schieppati Switch will do that too.

Some KAPpers use micro motors from dismanteled video camcorders to move the camera on the rig. These too can be switched by using the Schieppati Switch.

Main characteristics of the Schieppati Switch:

Completely electronic, no mechanical contacts
Microprocessor controlled with memory for permanent parameter storage
User programmable on & off position allows control either by switch or stick at full or reduced travel
Can be used on self centered stick (half-travel)
Control can be shared with existing function
User programmable 'automatic mode' to prevent camera auto shut down
Selectable pulse (single shot) or continuous output for video capture
Power on diagnostic
State LED for check and set-up operations
SMD components; approx. dimensions 12 x 11.5 mm

More info: Links to other webpages with additional information (mostly pdf-files, so you need Acrobat Reader):