Wired v. Wireless Remotes for Shutter Release??

annnewjerz

If I had a world of my own, everything would be no
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Aug 7, 2008
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I currently have the Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote for my D90 and I don't really like it as much as I thought I would. I was playing around with it this morning and found that I have to have the remote extremely close to the camera for it to work and I have to stand in front of the camera which sometimes causes my shadow to be in the photo (because of how close I have to stand). Maybe this is user error, or maybe I got a bad remote.

If it was able to stand far enough away to have myself in a photo and still use the wireless remote, I think it would be nice---but at this point in time I am still having to use the self-timer since my remote won't "read" from that far.

So---do any of you still use wired remotes for shooting things other than portraits (i.e. macro work, fireworks, etc.)? If so, do you like them better/worse than your wireless remote?

I'm looking at the Nikon MC-DC2 wired remote for use with my D90 and even though it's only $30 it would be a waste to buy it if they are something that wouldn't be practicle while using a tripod out and about.

Thanks!
 
Canon's xxD series only uses wired remotes. They are $$$ and work well (and never have dead batteries) but it seemed best to remove the remote before moving the camera lest the dangling remote got caught on something. It was also another thing to remember to carry.

Canon's Rebel series uses wired or wireless remotes. The wireless is not much $$ and works well although it must be pointed at the front of the camera, not always easy when using a tripod. A 10mm lens requires some care to not get my hand in the photo. The wireless is very small and clips to my camera bag strap so I always have it. Overall I prefer wireless.
 
My Sony A700 came with a wireless remote stock, and I don't have distance problems like you're describing, but it's the same deal with having to be in front of the camera so I only really use it when I want to be in the picture.

For a wired remote, I have a Chinese Ebay special for less than $10 shipped, and it works great. Why pay $30 for a button on a cord? :rolleyes: Plus you can get longer length cords if you want (3m, 5m, etc).
 

My Sony A700 came with a wireless remote stock, and I don't have distance problems like you're describing, but it's the same deal with having to be in front of the camera so I only really use it when I want to be in the picture.

For a wired remote, I have a Chinese Ebay special for less than $10 shipped, and it works great. Why pay $30 for a button on a cord? :rolleyes: Plus you can get longer length cords if you want (3m, 5m, etc).

I totally agree about paying $30 but in my short investigation the nikon brand was all I came up with as compatible with the d90. Luckily I just checked adorama and they have an off brand for half the price... I'll have to look for some reviews. :)
 
When I was doing my Christmas tree pics I didn't have a problem using the wireless from behind and back a few feet. It's the only time I've used it so far but I don't recall having to put my hand in front of the camera at all. At first I was frustrated because it seemed to take a bit to fire then I remembered I set it for a delay then fire. Problem solved after that!:rotfl2:
 
When I was doing my Christmas tree pics I didn't have a problem using the wireless from behind and back a few feet. It's the only time I've used it so far but I don't recall having to put my hand in front of the camera at all. At first I was frustrated because it seemed to take a bit to fire then I remembered I set it for a delay then fire. Problem solved after that!:rotfl2:

I used it to take pictures of the sunrise at Barnegat Lighthouse a few months ago and had a real problem. I didn't have to be in front of it, but my hand had to be either above or in front of it. The few times that I tried getting it to fire from behind, it didn't happen. Nothing, not even one fluke shot that would fire.

I tried it again this morning while I was trying to do a little macro stuff on a tripod and nope, no such luck. AND, since it was sunny everytime I put my darn hand up---SHADOW. Ugh. Needless to say, I didn't spend much more time outside with the camera after that.
 
I had somewhat the same problems as you have described while using the remote. I have used it on a couple of occasions shooting sunsets and waterfalls. I have found that you have to stand on the left side of the camera (from a shooting prospective) for it to work. I could get to about 10ft away and it still works but sometimes it is hit or miss. I need to use it more before our August trip to WDW.
 
As Code mentioned a wireless remote comes with the A700 so I have one. It also will sporadically work from behind or to the side but it does best with direct line of sight with the front of the camera.

At the time I purchased the camera I also bought a wired remote since the sale person told me there wasn't a remote included and now I end up using that the most b/c of the function of the wireless. I got it at best buy and payed $12-$15. I really only use the remote for fireworks. Anytime I try macro's I usually use my timer which provides a mirror lockup as well.
 
I haven't used a wireless remote but the experiences of the masses will certainly vary as IIRC some DSLRs also have wireless receivers on the rear, which would work better when doing things like macros, fireworks, etc.

I don't think fireworks shots would be good wirelessly, since you want to make sure to have a nice steady "open" and wireless by its nature tends to be a little spotty.

As some of you know, I made my own wired remote - Pentax and Canon both use the same 2.5mm jack (like a cell phone headset) remote, all it goes is short one pair of wires for a shutter half-press (focus, meter, etc) and another for the shutter itself. Extremely simple which is why the remotes from China on eBay are so ridiculously cheap. I know Nikons use some kind of funky special connector that's a bit more expensive; not sure about Olympus and Sony.

Anyway - I can't think of a situation yet where I've said "gee, I wish I had a wireless remote" - the self-timer works well enough in the few times that I want to be in the photo. I would definitely choose wired over wireless!
 
I use a wired cable release mainly for the bulb mode- wireless does not support this function at least on Nikons.
 
my A700's came with wireless remotes that are still in the packaging, I have 2 Minolta wired remotes which work on my Sonys.

I used one last night to shoot a HS Graduation, I had one camera set up on a tripod and aimed at the podium, this allowed me to get good shots of the speakers, then when it was time for the diplomas to be handed out I aimed the camera at that spot, this allowed me to get decent shots without camera movement since I was shooting from more of a distance than I would have preferred..
 
I highly recommend THIShttp://cgi.ebay.com/Cleon-II-Wireless-Remote-N10-for-Nikon-D90-MC-DC2_W0QQitemZ200346176358QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Cables_Cords?hash=item2ea5900b66&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

remote. I have the one for my D300. It has a 100 ft range and it has never failed on me. You do not have to stand in front of the camera and for $34 it is a great deal! You can shoot single, delay, continuous etc. Very popular with Nikon owners.
 
As some of you know, I made my own wired remote - Pentax and Canon both use the same 2.5mm jack (like a cell phone headset) remote, all it goes is short one pair of wires for a shutter half-press (focus, meter, etc) and another for the shutter itself. Extremely simple which is why the remotes from China on eBay are so ridiculously cheap. I know Nikons use some kind of funky special connector that's a bit more expensive; not sure about Olympus and Sony.
Anyway - I can't think of a situation yet where I've said "gee, I wish I had a wireless remote" - the self-timer works well enough in the few times that I want to be in the photo. I would definitely choose wired over wireless!

I didn't realize it was that simple, a little googling reveals lots of homemade versions of a wired remote, like
http://www.flickr.com/photos/s3is-rox/2233110786/
 
I highly recommend THIShttp://cgi.ebay.com/Cleon-II-Wireless-Remote-N10-for-Nikon-D90-MC-DC2_W0QQitemZ200346176358QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Cables_Cords?hash=item2ea5900b66&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

remote. I have the one for my D300. It has a 100 ft range and it has never failed on me. You do not have to stand in front of the camera and for $34 it is a great deal! You can shoot single, delay, continuous etc. Very popular with Nikon owners.

It's for a Nikon but they're displaying it on a Canon!:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:
 
The Cleon that YesDear mentioned is a really good option if you prefer wireless. Lots of folks recommend it. I have the Cleon N8 but honestly only used it once since I currently use the MC-30 cable release on my D300 and much prefer the wired method.

I've used the ML-L3 wireless quite a bit with the D80 in the past and never had any problems with it. Keep in mind that it uses infra-red transmission and therefore requires line of sight. I had a technique of holding it off to the left side of the body but ever so slightly forward giving it just enough line of sight to the sensor. Shooting fireworks was no issue. As far as distance concerns, I never experienced that. Maybe a weak battery?
 
As far as distance concerns, I never experienced that. Maybe a weak battery?

I guess anything is a possibility, however I just got the remote at Christmas and have only used it on three different occasions---so for a total of less than 100 shots probably. If it's got a low battery that quickly, either I got a dud or I don't think I want to buy another one because that means probably 3/4 way through Wishes in December I'll be in the same boat :)

Right now in the running are the one John linked on e-bay and probably the off-brand wired remote from Adorama. I like the idea of wireless better, but wasn't aware that wireless doesn't support Bulb mode on Nikons until Jeff pointed that out. I was planning to use Bulb for fireworks this 4th of July and on our trip to WDW :santa:, so I would have to modify that a little if I decide to go with wireless.

We'll see!
 
A dud is certainly possible. Either a bad battery from the factory or simply how distributors keep them in storage could shorten the life. You never know.
 
I was in the market a while back for my D300. Part of me still missed the manual release that served me well up through my D100, but not so much anymore. I suspect the mechanical action of physically pressing the shutter release still caused a detectable amount of camera shake.

I wanted the Nikon wired remote for the D300, but was dismayed by the price. I did a little reading and discovered that the remote made for the older F100 film camera had been found to be compatible with the D300. I found a pristine example of that model on eBay for less than half the price of the current remote. It takes a battery, but basic operations (essentially making it the equivalent of a cable release) can be performed without the battery. In fact, I have a battery for it that I've never installed. I need to do that so I can see what it can do when it has its own power.

My wife has a D70 with the little Nikon wireless remote. I have seen a little reflector that installs on the camera so that, theoretically, you can use the wireless remote from behind the camera. No idea how well they work, however. It seems to me that the wireless remote is intended almost exclusively to allow the photographer to get into the photo without relying on the self-timer.

I heard lots of good things about the Cleon when I was looking, but I just wound up with the Nikon remote.

SSB
 












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