Remote control for Canon DSLR?

[glitch]

I've had, and used, a Canon RS-80N3 for years now and to be honest, it does virtually everything I need from a remote control. However, the cable isn't quite long enough for some applications and that's got me thinking about the wireless ones.

My question is this; do any of them feature a sturdy trigger button that can be half-depressed to check focus, as with the RS-80N3? As this is sort of an essential requirement.

Looking at the RC-6 it seems to have a very simple button which doesn't appear to have the travel required for a half-depress. And while I used to own the RC-1, my memory fails me when it comes to remembering what that was like.

Any advice or ideas on a suitable wireless remote control? We're talking 5D MkII / 5D MkIII here, just in case that matters.

 

[Nexus]

I've got the RC-6.

When you press the shutter button on it, if you have the camera set to Auto-Focus it will do a quick AF check as if you had had half-pressed the shutter on the camera itself, then take the photo. Obviously it depends on the speed of the lens and where the focus is, but taking it with manual focus is obviously slight quicker.

When I use it, I tend to do so in Manual Focus. Only time I would use Auto-Focus might be taking a picture of yourself or something, which is a big enough subject for it to track effectively anyways.

What exactly are you trying to shoot?

 

[glitch]

I've got the RC-6.

When you press the shutter button on it, if you have the camera set to Auto-Focus it will do a quick AF check as if you had had half-pressed the shutter on the camera itself, then take the photo. Obviously it depends on the speed of the lens and where the focus is, but taking it with manual focus is obviously slight quicker.

Ah, sounds like it's just a one-motion button then. Damn.

What exactly are you trying to shoot?

If I'm using the RS-80N3 it's more often than not for still-life subjects and almost always with a TS-E lens.

Although I know my lenses are spot-on for sharpness and I have the Eg-s focusing screen inside my 5D MkII to aid my eyes, I occasionally double-check things with a half-depress of the shutter if the focal point of the subject matches up with one of the points on the 5D.

And with the new 5D MkIII I'm going to have a lot more to play with, hence the 'essential requirement' part of the problem.

That said, it's not like I'm finding the cable length of the RS-80N3 a major issue, it would just solve a few problems I'm encountering here and there.

 

[southy1978]

Have a look at the Hahnel range of remote triggers. I've got the giga T proii and it has the half press for focussing and a range of 100m.

 

[glitch]

I've got the giga T proii and it has the half press for focussing and a range of 100m.

Thanks for the recommendation - seems like an interesting piece of kit, albeit probably a little OTT for my needs.

On another note, can you get an extension lead for a RS-80N3 that A) doesn't reach 33-feet and B) doesn't cost £70 like the ET-1000N3?

 

[grahamjenks]

I bought a very cheap wireless remote from fleebay (£5) - worked with my 500d and 60d without any problems for last 3 years. Think it autofocus's on each press. If you don't want anything more fancy it'll do the job.