Another YN460 Mod

Another YN460 mod - Canon Digital Photography Forums
P.O.T.N. SUPPORT SHOP IS OPEN, check it out now!

Canon Digital Photography Forums > 'Equipment Talk' section > Small Flash and Studio Lighting
User Name Password
User Name
Remember Me?
Log in
Another YN460 mod
Register sponsored links
Rules
FAQ
Members List
Today's Posts
Search
Flash Reflector Rogue FlashBenders positionable reflectors create beautiful light.
www.expoimaging.com www.jjccamera.com
Camera accessories Top Camera accessories supplier in China, provide OEM/ODM,great price! Industrial Welding Equip. Resistance Welding, Arc Welding Heat Induction, Coil Joining
www.taylor-winfield.com
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
View First Unread
Thread Tools
Display Modes #1
20th of April 2010 (Tue)
dsvilko
Member
Another YN460 mod
For me, an ideal strobist flash would be an extremely cheap manual flash that you can control remotely. Extremely cheap and remote control?! I am surely asking too much! But why is that too much to ask? It doesn't even have to be RF control - it can be IR. All that the manufacturer has to do is to add a IR demodulator chip (probably something like $0.1 when bought in large quantities) and make a slight firmware change to the flash uC (almost free). The Chinese IR remotes are something like $2-$3 so they could sell a remote-control-enabled flash basically without raising the price! When in 2010 someone like David Hobby, who is very passionate about the use of a manual flash and who can probably afford any flash he likes, has to walk a few meters and lower the light stand just to change the flash power.... and the cheap remote technology has been around for more than 20 years... it certainly seems like a huge missed opportunity. To prove the point I have set out to build a cheap IR remote for my YN460 flash. Here is the result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2osloXHi6eE And here is my circuit diagram:
Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 354 IMAGE EDITING OK
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=10030019[9/3/2011 12:30:45 AM]
As you can see, the circuit is extremely simple. It's based on the excellent picaxe micro-controller. Now, before you freak out that that is way over your head, know The that I knew nothing about micro-controllers before starting this project. The picaxe is really simple to work with as it was basically designed for kids to use manuals are excellently written with people that know next to nothing about electronics in mind. Actually, the only part of the circuit that is YN460-specific is the solder points on the flash. If you have some other flash that also uses a two buttons to set the flash power level than it's more than likely that you can use this same circuit to remote control it. Solder points 1 and 2 are the positive side of the said buttons and the point 3 is the negative side. The circuit simply simulates the pressing of a button (any button you connect it to). The parts for the whole project shouldn't cost you more than about $10-$20.
Another YN460 mod - Canon Digital Photography Forums All the parts can be ordered from the TechSupplies: Transistor: 3X http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...roducts/TRT001 Picaxe: 1X http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...oducts/AXE007M Holder: 1X (8pin) http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...roducts/ICH008 IR sensor: 1X http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...roducts/LED020 Capacitor: 1X (4u7) http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...roducts/CAP004 LED: 1X http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...roducts/LED033 Resistors: 1X (10k 100pc) http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...lectSubProduct 1X (33k 100pc) http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...lectSubProduct 1X (470R 100pc) http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/epages...lectSubProduct These parts are not exactly the same as the ones I used but they should be compatible. The IR receiver TSOP1138 that I used is a bit too large (though it's probably a bit more sensitive). The one linked above should work just fine. You'll also need some way to download the program to the picaxe. How to do this can be found in the picaxe manual 1: http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/docs/da...xe_manual1.pdf Basically what you will need is another 20k resistor, either USB or serial picaxe download cable, a 3.5mm stereo connector and a breadboard though you could probably get away with only a DIY cable (if you have a serial port). The trick is to try to solder the circuit to be as small as possible because there is not much room inside the flash so I don't recommend the PCB approach but a 'deadbug' soldering style that I have used. Don't know about the YN460-II (it's got a slave detector in front) but on the YN460 you can get significantly more space if you make a large rectangular hole below a fake IR window. Here you can download the BASIC program (firmware) for the picaxe: http://domjan.fizika.org/flash_remote-08M.bas If you have and problems with picaxe programming (after you have read the excellent manuals), this is a great place to ask for help: http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=2 The receiver will respond only to the Sony TV remote (or any universal remote set to Sony mode). This is a picaxe limitation and can not easily be changed. Some inexpensive remote recommendations: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2684 - shown in the video http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2663 - this is the one I am currently using, though they have sent me a white version I so had to tape it with a black sticky tape so it would match my RF flash trigger. The IR remote's size is conveniently the same as the RF trigger's so I have it permanently mounted on top of it:
Another YN460 mod - Canon Digital Photography Forums A few notes on the firmware usage: One of the problems I have tried to solve is the circuit power consumption. As there is no separate power switch for the circuit, it's connected all the time to the flash batteries and will drain them eventually. It minimise this power drain I have made it possible to completely cut off the power to the IR demodulator and also put the picaxe in a low power state. To reset the receiver to it's initial (standby) condition, open and close the battery cover. The LED should start blinking. You have 5 minutes to send any IR code to the flash (doesn't even have to be Sony TV code). If no signal is received in 5 minutes, the receiver will shut off at which point you would have to again open the battery cover if you want to use it. Once the first code is received, the receiver switches to 'ON' mode in which it continually scans for the Sony IR remote codes. It understands these codes: Vol + increase power by one stop Vol - decrease power by one stop Mute turn the LED off for 5 seconds (useful for programing some universal remotes) Power put the receiver in the OFF state 1-7 directly set the flash power level When a valid code is received the LED momentarily turns off and on again to indicate that the action has been taken. The range I am getting is quite good - about 15-20m direct line of sight. In a typical room with a white walls no line of sight is required - a bounce from a wall works just fine. It should be extremely easy to modify the picaxe program to use a different set of keys so you can control two sets of modified flashlights with the same mini IR remote (one set would use ch+/ch- keys). If you've got any questions, feel free to ask either in this thread or on the picaxe forum. __________________ 1000d | ef-s 18-55 | ef 50mm 1.8 | ef-s 55-250mm | reversed 50mm f2.8 Zeiss + 50mm f2.8 as additional macro lens, $10 macro tubes | Metz 20bc6 | YN-460, YN460II | Blazzeo PT-04 triggers
Last edited by dsvilko : 2nd of September 2010 (Thu) at 10:37.
sponsored links
IR Sources Thermal sources, LEDs, lasers Instrument Grade
www.Boselec.com
IR Cameras & Conversions New & Used Infrared (IR) Cameras - Infrared Camera Conversion Service
www.spencerscamer
This ad block will go away when you log in as member
#2
Re: Another YN460 mod
Jmark11207
Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 141
Any details on how its done? __________________ My Flickr My Blog
#3
dsvilko
Member
It's in the video description. It there is something else you would like to know, just ask. __________________ 1000d | ef-s 18-55 | ef 50mm 1.8 | ef-s 55-250mm | reversed 50mm f2.8 Zeiss + 50mm f2.8 as additional macro lens, $10 macro tubes | Metz 20bc6 | YN-460, YN-460II | Blazzeo PT-04 triggers

sponsored links
Microchip PIC Programmers SuperPro supports 1000 Microchip devices. Buy best PIC programmer! www.Xeltek.com/PICPr Top 10 Photography Tours Find photography vacations by location, Top 10 tours & bargains www.PhotographicVacations.com Stage Backdrop Printing Wrinkle Resistant Fabric Backdrops Full Color, Large Format, Low Price www.BannerofChina.com Industrial remote control Radio controls for various machinery and lifting equipment. www.hbc-radiomatic.com
This ad block will go away when you log in as member
#4
Seanzky
Goldmember
That is pretty slick! __________________
Sean
Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 2,803 IMAGE EDITING OK
#5
joebob23
Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48
This is amazing and I would love to do something like this on mine
#6
mabviper
Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 43
woo, I was thinking of doing something like this with cheap manual flashes. Didn't think about doing it w/ IR. I thought it would be cool to use bluetooth and make a cell app on Android or something. It's overkill but bluetooth is everywhere now a days, heh. Anyways, how did you hook up the controls? Did you just latch onto the switches from the back? __________________
450D | 18-55mm IS | 50mm f/1.8 | 85mm f/1.8 | 580EX II | 430EX II | YN-560
#7
Re: Another YN460 mod Quote:
dsvilko
Member
Originally Posted by mabviper woo, I was thinking of doing something like this with cheap manual flashes. Didn't think about doing it w/ IR. I thought it would be cool http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=10030019[9/3/2011 12:30:45 AM]
to use bluetooth and make a cell app on Android or something. It's overkill but bluetooth is everywhere now a days, heh. Anyways, how did you hook up the controls? Did you just latch onto the switches from the back?
No way you would be able to fit a bluetooth board in the YN460. Also, it would probably cost a few times more than the flash itself while I have spent something like $10 on parts (including the micro-controller). I trigger the buttons Connecting the controls was surprisingly easy. YN460 pcb has easy-to-soldier contacts precisely for those two buttons! with a two transistors. You have to dissemble the flash body, though. The tricky part was making the circuit small enough to fit inside. __________________ 1000d | ef-s 18-55 | ef 50mm 1.8 | ef-s 55-250mm | reversed 50mm f2.8 Zeiss + 50mm f2.8 as additional macro lens, $10 macro tubes | Metz 20bc6 | YN-460, YN-460II | Blazzeo PT-04 triggers
#8
elitejp
Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 625 IMAGE EDITING OK
Sorry but I cant access youtube. Can somebody briefly describe the coolness? __________________ 50D; canon 85mm 1.8, sigma 24-70mm, sigma 70-300mm (cheap )
#9
joebob23
Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48
Originally Posted by elitejp Sorry but I cant access youtube. Can somebody briefly describe the coolness? 1 2 3 4 5 Turn on flash aim tv remote adjust flash power with buttons on remote ?? Profit
#10
dsvilko
Member
Originally Posted by elitejp Sorry but I cant access youtube. Can somebody briefly describe the coolness? Controlling the power level of YN460 flash with a universal TV remote (IR). Useful if you want to quickly change the flash ratio of a two OCF setup. Maybe I'll even get this: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.d...%20full%20view IMHO, this is the kind of functionality that YN flashes should have out-of-the-box. and mount it on top of my RF trigger __________________ 1000d | ef-s 18-55 | ef 50mm 1.8 | ef-s 55-250mm | reversed 50mm f2.8 Zeiss + 50mm f2.8 as additional macro lens, $10 macro tubes | Metz 20bc6 | YN-460, YN-460II | Blazzeo PT-04 triggers
Last edited by dsvilko : 20th of April 2010 (Tue) at 10:26.
#11
riokid
Member
I have to remember this. Thanks dan __________________ Mostly Canon stuff
Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 31
#12
watt100
Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 6,461
interesting mod, can you post some more details on how you did it?
21st of April 2010 (Wed)
#13
kay188
Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 600 IMAGE EDITING OK
Without specific instructions, you're just showing off. __________________
Canon XTi Gripped | Sigma 10-20 F/4-5.6 | Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 EX DC Macro | Sigma 24-70 EX DG Macro | Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 APO EX DG | Sigma 1.4x TC | Canon 50 F/1.8 | Canon 580EX II w/ Stofen + Lightsphere II | Ebay Triggers | Canon 17-85 IS USM Broken
#14
Jmark11207
Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 141
I read the description I was more looking for a step by step break down of your mod Where did you get the parts What did you have to cut where did you cut it Details MANNNNNN!!!!! __________________ My Flickr My Blog
#15
klr.b
Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal
awesome stuff!

Posts: 1,468 IMAGE EDITING OK
a write up with pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Previous Thread | Next Thread
Posting Rules
You You You You may may may may not not not not post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts
vB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is Off
Forum Jump
Small Flash Studio Lighting SmallFlash andand Studio Lighting
Go
Similar Threads
Thread
YN460 II problem YN460/YN460- II power calculator YN460- II vs YN460 Yongnuo YN460- II vs Yongnuo YN460 & LumoPro LP120 Speedlights YN460 sl_guy dsvilko dsvilko Kurbster chuspy
Thread Starter
Forum
Small Flash and Studio Lighting Small Flash and Studio Lighting Small Flash and Studio Lighting Small Flash and Studio Lighting Small Flash and Studio Lighting
Replies
5 1 3 30 1
Last Post
29th of June 2010 (Tue) 17:50 6th of February 2010 (Sat) 12:51 5th of February 2010 (Fri) 17:26 30th of January 2010 (Sat) 20:43 4th of January 2010 (Mon) 11:52
All times are GMT - 5. The time now is 16:12.
Default ----Default
photography-on-the.net - Archive - Top
Powered by vBulletin Version 3.6.12 Copyright 2000 - 2011, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. This forum is not affiliated with Canon in any way and is run as a free user helpsite by Pekka Saarinen, Helsinki Finland. You will need to register in order to be able to post messages. Cookies are required for registering and posting. HTML in messages is not allowed, plain website addresses are automatically made active by the board.

Another YN460 Mod - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Исходное описание:

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Another YN460 Mod - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Another YN460 mod - Canon Digital Photography Forums

P.O.T.N. SUPPORT SHOP IS OPEN, check it out now!

Register sponsored links

Flash Reflector Rogue FlashBenders positionable reflectors create beautiful light.

20th of April 2010 (Tue)