2. for hardware information about how to make your own cable pleaseread the next text:
 
 

                           DATA CABLE FOR NIKON F100
 
 

CONTENT:

1. 10 PIN CONNECTOR
    a) layout
    b) signals
    c) diagrams of functions

2. TTL-RS232 INTERFACE
    a) general bloc
    b) serial port layout/functions
    c) MAX 232, ST 232 layout/functions

3. HARDWARE
    a) electronic diagram
    b) board layout
    c) making the cable. Advises and recommendation
 
 

· layout (view on camera)

· voltage signals
 
 
 

Name	Camera OFF    [V]	Camera ON  active mode [V]	Camera ON standby mode [V]
Rx	0	~4.8	~3
+Vbat	6	~6	~6
+Vcc	0	~5	0
RLS	0	4.56	0
?	0	4.56	0
SGND	0	0	0
PGND	0	0	0
Tx	0	0	0
AF/meter	0	3/ 0 if half depressed release button	3/ 0 if half depressed release button
?	0	0	0

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· serial port layout/functions
 
 

DB-25 Pin #	DB-9 Pin #	Short name	Name
1	-	FG	Frame Ground
2	3	TD	Transmitted Data
3	2	RD	Received Data
4	7	RTS	Request To Send
5	8	CTS	Clear To send
6	6	DSR	Data Set Ready
7	5	SG	Signal Ground
8	1	DCD	Data Carrier Detect
9	-	-	+P
10	-	-	-P
11	-	-	Unassigned
12	-	SDCD	Secondary Data Carrier Detect
13	-	SCTS	Secondary Clear To Send
14	-	STD	Secondary Transmitted Data
15	-	TC	Transmission Signal Element Timing
16	-	SRD	Secondary Received Data
17	-	RC	Received Signal Element Timing
18	-	-	Unassigned
19	-	SRTS	Secondary Request To Send
20	4	DTR	Data Terminal Ready
21	-	SQ	Signal Quality Detector
22	9	RI	Ring Indicator
23	-	-	Data Signal Rate Selector
24	-	-	Transmitter Signal Element Timing
25	-	-	Unassigned

 · MAX 232, ST 232 layout/functions

I wanted to buy an MAX 232 circuit but I found an equivalent IC: ST232. Ask at your electronic store for this kind of circuit and if theydon’t have then ask for an equivalent. The important thing it is to havea supply voltage range 4,5 to 5,5 V. I recommend to buy a Plastic Package(the code is N for ST232) because it is easier to solder the circuit. You can download data sheet from http://us.st.com/stonline/books/pdf/docs/6420.pdfand see if it is equivalent.

You will see that I didn't use the +Vcc voltage because it is activejust a short time you turn on the camera. It is possible to use as a powersupply but the circuit must a little bit more complicated for that. Inthe data sheet for this IC the maximum supply voltage is 6V so it is nota problem to use the battery voltage of F100 because it is not higher then6V.

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So, you have to buy the following parts:

IC:  ST 232CN /MAX 232  1 piece
Resistors: 200 K     1 piece
                  5 K     1 piece
Capacitors: 0,1 µF     5 pieces
DB-25 or DB-9 connector    1 piece
Cable        1 meter
8 pin round connector (used for S-VHS Philips/JVC camcorders)
 

· board layout
 This layout depends of what kind of space do you have for theboard and what sizes have the parts. I do not recommend my actually boxbecause of the small space you have there (I put all the hardware in aplastic DB-25 connector and I had to cut in the plastic to fit the boardand the parts).

· making the cable. Advises and recommendation
If you can get just the 8 pin connector it will be fine. You can solderany wire you want at connector's pins. If you can't find just the connectoryou will find the cable using this connector. Try to find a cable withtwo this 8 pin connector at each edge of the cable. You cut it in two pieces.It will be cheaper and also will have a spare part for the connector. Thedisadvantage (when you buy with cable) is that you don't have all the wiresin to the cable and you have to choose what wire do you need. There aresome shielded wires so you use the shielded wire just for the ground signal.If you find only the cable please write me and I will recommend what wiresdo you have to use.
Depending of what will you find it will be necessary to “adjust” theform of the connector to fit into the camera. Also you have to keep inmind the correct position of the connector because you can rotate it andplug other pins than is necessary. Be very careful on it!

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I use this cable more than a year without any problem. The person whowants to make his own cable should take his own responsibilities and risksfor that.
Good luck!

Marcel Eremia