• Home
  • Browse
  • Cameras
  • Classes
  • Dental
  • Search
  2. Photography
  3. DIY Projects

DIY Cat5 Hotshoe Extension Cord

Want to have bulletproof, cheap off-camera flash, and still use TTL? I got a great idea for a DIY flash extension here: http://www.diyphotography.net/the-strobist-corner-extending-your-ttl-flash-cord. The author explains in a VERY detailed way how to do this. These more detailed photographs are provided for your additional viewing pleasure. Be sure to line up the wires carefully, and use cat5e patch cables ONLY--cross over cables will surely damage things. These are provided for your personal educational purposes, and I will not be responsible for damage to your equipment that may result.
Read More
  • Ingredients:<ul> <li><b>Cat5e jacks</b>- $5 at Home Depot, assorted colors</li> <li><b>Cat5e cable</b>-make sure you get a patch cable, not a crossover. Anything from 5ft to 50 ft should work fine. (possible longer, YMMV)</li> <li><b>Off-Shoe Cable</b> - they are Canon/Nikon specific, so match the brand to your camera body</li> <li><b>Punch down tool</b> - included with most cat5e jacks.</li> <li><b>Scissors</b> - sharper, the better</li> </ul>Optional, but helpful: Wire stripper, Coaxial wire stripper, electrical tape

    Ingredients:

    • Cat5e jacks- $5 at Home Depot, assorted colors
    • Cat5e cable-make sure you get a patch cable, not a crossover. Anything from 5ft to 50 ft should work fine. (possible longer, YMMV)
    • Off-Shoe Cable - they are Canon/Nikon specific, so match the brand to your camera body
    • Punch down tool - included with most cat5e jacks.
    • Scissors - sharper, the better
    Optional, but helpful: Wire stripper, Coaxial wire stripper, electrical tape

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Snip your off-shoe TTL cable in half. Yes, I used a generic one. Make sure you buy a Nikon cable for Nikon, and a Canon TTL cable for Canons, etc.

    Snip your off-shoe TTL cable in half. Yes, I used a generic one. Make sure you buy a Nikon cable for Nikon, and a Canon TTL cable for Canons, etc.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Strip off 1-2 inches of the outer rubber, careful not to cut the inner wires. You can snip the little white string, though.

    Strip off 1-2 inches of the outer rubber, careful not to cut the inner wires. You can snip the little white string, though.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Lay a wire in each slot with your finger nail. <b>Match the sequence of the wires on both ends EXACTLY.</b> The order doesn't matter; they just have to match.

    Lay a wire in each slot with your finger nail. Match the sequence of the wires on both ends EXACTLY. The order doesn't matter; they just have to match.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Once you verify that the two ends match, use a punch down tool to fully press down each wire.

    Once you verify that the two ends match, use a punch down tool to fully press down each wire.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Verify a third time that the wires match on both sides. <b><i>If you mismatch the wires, you can destroy your camera, your flash, or both.</i></b>

    Verify a third time that the wires match on both sides. If you mismatch the wires, you can destroy your camera, your flash, or both.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Snip the loose ends.

    Snip the loose ends.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • If you have a professional punch down tool, it will punch down and snip in the same step. You do have to be a bit more careful with it, though.

    If you have a professional punch down tool, it will punch down and snip in the same step. You do have to be a bit more careful with it, though.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Snap the plastic covers over the jack. The beauty of this mod is that Cat5 jacks and cable are cheap, plentiful, extensible, and replaceable.

    Snap the plastic covers over the jack. The beauty of this mod is that Cat5 jacks and cable are cheap, plentiful, extensible, and replaceable.

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • You can now plug any cat5 ethernet PATCH cable and get TTL Flash firing from 5-50 feet away, no sweat. Want to put your flash on a stand with an umbrella or softbox? Go for it! One light studio portraits will be as easy as pointing and shooting. One caveat: NEVER, EVER, EVER, use a cross-over cable, or you will damage your equipment. Use only patch cables. Happy shooting!

    You can now plug any cat5 ethernet PATCH cable and get TTL Flash firing from 5-50 feet away, no sweat. Want to put your flash on a stand with an umbrella or softbox? Go for it! One light studio portraits will be as easy as pointing and shooting. One caveat: NEVER, EVER, EVER, use a cross-over cable, or you will damage your equipment. Use only patch cables. Happy shooting!

    Cat5DIYcableethernetextensionhot shoe

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2023 SmugMug, Inc.