I quite like my little Sony NEX-5.
It has a great imaging sensor in a very compact body. Because it is so light I used it with my telescope for astro-photography and was getting good results.
However, the frustrating thing about Sony NEX series is that it does not have a built in automatic timer (intervalometer) and it was not much fun pressing the button on the infra-red remote every 15 seconds.
So I got an inexpensive remote shutter release with timer on ebay. I chose the one for Canon/Pentax because it has 2.5mm jack and I could easily fit a socket onto my IR remote control without damaging it.
Here is a brief tutorial with pictures just in case you have Sony NEX-5 camera and would like to use for time-lapse movies or astro-photography.
After a few experiments I found that this type of Sony-compatible remotes is best suited for the intervalometer because it has the longest range and uses 2xAAA batteries. I got mine on ebay. 
Step 1: Remove the back cover
Unscrew two phillips head screws (one inside the battery chamber) and remove the back cover. Then remove the IR control board.
Step 2: Locate shutter button contacts
Locate where the Shutter Release Button (S) is on the keypad and trace the contacts on the board.
Turn the board over and identify the contacts where you can solder the wires on.
Step 3: Solder the Shutter Release wires
This is pretty straightforward. You need a soldering iron and some rоsin core.
I also recommend to pre-solder the wire ends and scrape the contact pads with a knife gently before putting the rosin core on.
Step 4: Attach 2.5mm socket
Buy a 2.5mm female socket and solder the other end of the shutter release wires to the socket contacts
Step 5: Final assembly
Put it all back together and connect your intervalometer
Check out the images I took with Sony NEX-5 and my 22″ Newtonian reflector.
Discalimer: I am not affiliated with any of the manufactures or retailers of the devices featured in this tutorial
Hi Alex,
thanks for sharing your idea of connecting a programable timer with a RC for the NEX (a genius little camera).
Your pictures are amazing considering the short 15sec frames. My favorite one is Alpha Centaurus.
Envious Regards (because of your dark southern skies) from Germany – Ralf
Thanks for such an informative post. I was wondering if you have modded the camera Sony Nex-5 in order to achieve the colours you have with your images? Also, am I right to presume that as you have dark skies where you live that you do not use a light pollution filter for your photos.
Great images.
BW, Boon
This one was spectrum modified. No light pollution filters were used the sky is quite dark here (SQM 21.5-21.7)
Hi Alex,
very interesting post. Does this work with any sony compatible remote? Can you use the bulb?
The images are great.
BW, Gunter
It would, but choose a bigger version with AA batteries – it is very hard to get to the right contacts in the small remotes.
Bulb works but is not ideal – the pause between the shots is equal to the exposure length.
Hi Alex,
did you use the – Model: MC-P1 as intervalometer?
BW, Gunter
I don’t know the model number but any cheap digital intervalometer from ebay would work fine. Mine has Yongnuo written on it
Hi Alex,
Great site and info! I am buying a Nex 5 and would like to know which T-ring adapter you have and where I can purchase one just like it. Thanks
Any T2-NEX adaptor will work. I got mine from ebay but here is the link to the same unit:
http://tiny.cc/f9lov
I like you hack! I will be doing the same thing, I just ordered the bits off of Amazon. Surprisingly, I was able to find a simple remote and timer for about $20/Prime… I also bought the remote you have as well since it has more functions.