Wired v. Wireless Remotes for Shutter Release??

[YesDear]

The Cleon remote will work in Bulb mode. You push and hold the button as long as you want. At least the one for my D300 does.

 

[handicap18]

For my Nikon D50 I used the ML-L3 with pretty much no problems. I used it for portraits, long night exposures and fireworks shots. I would just aim it slightly to the front while standing behind the camera. I would also sometimes stand right beside the camera and aim the remote towards the front. I never had any shadow issues from me being near the camera. I also had no problems using it in BULB mode.

For my D300 I have both a wireless and wired remote. Both are 3rd party products. I believe I have the Opteka wireless remote. It works pretty good, but I think it could be better. I may have to change the batteries, but it sometimes seems to be tempermental and the shutter wouldn't always fire right when I pushed the button. I don't recall if I've used this wireless model in BULB mode.

For the wired one I believe I have a model made by Phottix. That works with no problems at all. Though sometimes I push the button down (to release the shutter) and then up (which locks the shutter for BULB mode). Makes it a little difficult to take a 2nd picture while its still locked.... lol

 

[YesDear]

It's for a Nikon but they're displaying it on a Canon!

They seem to use Canon for all of their pictures.

 

[annnewjerz]

The Cleon remote will work in Bulb mode. You push and hold the button as long as you want. At least the one for my D300 does.

Thanks for clearing that up. That makes it even more enticing.

I'm going to do something totally out of character for me, rather than just hitting the order button for a new remote I'm going to set up the tripod and camera tonight and check it from everywhere I can think of (front, side, close, far, behind, etc.) to quadruble confirm that the remote isn't working like it seems it should. Then I'll order the new remote.

 

[My2Girls66]

I have ML-L3's for my D80 and D50- I've used it many times from like 30-50' away from the front of the camera without a problem.

 

[jann1033]

...

...
As some of you know, I made my own wired remote - ...

i remember, it looked like a tic-tac bomb if i recall
i was just looking at remotes i've only had a wired ( that i lost) but did see there are 2 kinds of wireless, at least for canon since i wasn't looking for nikon. one ( maybe frequency instead of ir???)is supposed to go through walls and such... you know, for those times where you just can't stand to be in the same room with those relatives one moment longer but need to take a photo of them...but isn't legal in all places( ) so guessing i'll stick with the wired. but maybe the frequency type would work better for you

 

[GrillMouster]

I've used that same Nikon wireless remote with my D50 without any problems. The camera's sensor that receives the signal from the wireless remote is located in front of the camera, I think on the side where the grip is located. When I'm trying to get myself in the frame I set the camera timer to 2-second delay, then triggered it with my remote. The 2 second delay gave me just enough time to put my arm down and hide the remote, so it wouldn't show in the picture. I haven't had problems using the remote from distances of 15 - 20 feet; I can't recal using it any further than that. If you're having problems, it's worth replacing the battery. If your remote came with a battery, it may have already been old by the time you received it.

As for using the remote from behind the camera, you do need to reach around so the sensor in front of the camera can "see" the signal from the remote. I've never had a problem with this either; I've never had my hand show up in the frame. I just position the remote to the side and just slightly in front of the camera, about a foot away. Remember what side the sensor is located. Also, you can use the two second delay in this instance as well.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

I just bought this remote a few days ago and put it right into my bag. After reading this post, I pulled it out to try it,a nd I was pleasantly surprised with it. I was able to take a photo at least 10' behind the camera without an issue. I also stood to the immediate left of the camera and snapped a few shots without any shadow issues. It will be a great addition to my equipment for WDW.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I use a wired cable release mainly for the bulb mode- wireless does not support this function at least on Nikons.

Jeff, maybe the D90 is different from other Nikons but I took this 30min star trail photo in bulb with this wireless remote. The picture is terrible but shows that it does work.

 

[rtphokie]

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!

Wireless remotes are great for taking pictures of yourself, but how many people do that. The wired remote lets you take photos without bumping the tripod (like fireworks as you mention). I've got a wireless remote and I never use it. The wired report is good for so many things.

 

[GrillMouster]

Jeff, maybe the D90 is different from other Nikons but I took this 30min star trail photo in bulb with this wireless remote. The picture is terrible but shows that it does work.

Yeah, I haven't used the wireless remote or the D50 for a while now, but I recall that it worked fine. You set the camera's shutter speed to blub, press the wireless remote once to start the exposure, then press it again to end the exposure.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have both wired and wireless...and I prefer the wired. I've never had a problem using it. I had similar experience as you Anne with it not firing from behind. I just assumed it was because the sensor was on the front of the camera and that the wireless was designed more for people to use to get themselves in the photo.
ETA: mine are both Nikon brand remotes.