Fuji Finepix S5100 - Remote Shutter Release Possible?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Thu, 19 May 2005 17:17:34 GMT, Sally wrote:

> Is there any way to add a remote shutter release to a Fuji Finepix
> S5100? Like the 'bulb' attachments for SLR's?
>
> I want to set it up in a blind to take pictures of birds at a bird
> feeder.
>
> (I know about using the timer for shutter release).

Probably not, unless you're a good machinist or know one. If the
camera is securely clamped (a solid, heavy tripod may not be
sufficient), a Rube Goldberg-like contraption could be designed with
pulleys, levers, ropes or a solenoid to actuate a plunger that
mechanically pushes the shutter release button. Back before
computer printers were generally available to the public at
reasonable prices, some people designed overly complex printers
using many solenoids to turn manual typewriters into crude printers.

Another really remote possiblity - the S5100 has a web-cam mode,
and what its capabilities are depends on the software. As far as
I'm aware, Fuji supplies no web-cam software, and mentions in the
manual only that Microsoft's Windows XP must be used, doing Video
Chat with Windows Messenger. I have no way to try this, and assume
that the camera would continuously send low resolution video images
instead of the occasional higher-res still shot. But there may be
more capable software from sources other than Microsoft. If any
exists, it'll probably be Google-able.