Pro/cons of cable release or IR remote

[radar]

Hi,

Trying to decide if I should get the IR remote (ML-L3) or the cable release (MC-DC1). I have the D70s so either will work.

I searched through the forums and also on dpreview to see pros/cons. Lots of good info in these forums on the IR remote or the Jaycar alternative. On the dpreview forums at least, noticed that a lot of users would like to have a cable release on their D70.

It's not something that I would use often, but it is nice to have when you need it for those long exposures, takes away potential for shaking.

Advantage to the cable release would be that it works fine from anywhere, don't have to be in front, one less set of batteries to worry about. Disadvantage is that it is more expensive(where I saw it), have to be within a meter.

Advantage of IR remote is that it has a further range, cheaper, birddog used to have a supply. Disadvantage is that it probably does not work as well when behind the camera (if at all, unless bounce signal ), more batteries to worry about, especially if not used often.

I was used to having my cable release on my old 35mm SLR and like that for night shots.

Comments appreciated.

Cheers,
Radar.

[sirhc55]

The simple answer is to get both. There are advantages with the IR (like being in the pic yourself and timing the shot) and there are advantages with the cable as you have stated.

[leek]

I don't know anything about the cable release as it's not an option on my D70.

However I do have the Jaycar cheapy IR remote and you don't need to be in front of the camera for it to work... If you hold it to the left of the camera it usually works too...

That said, I must confess that I hardly ever use the remote and tend to use a self-timer release as an alternative... For long exposures it eliminates camera shake just as well as the remote and the only reason I can think of to use the remote would be the additional control it gives you when in Bulb mode...

The only annoyance is that you have to reset to timer release for every shot whereas the camera stays in Remote mode for a while...

[mudder]

The only advantage I can think of with a cable release as opposed to a remote, is that the cable release (once attached) doesn't seem to get dropped into the creek that you're standing in the middle of, while getting a nice waterfall shot... Yep, been there done it Gotta be quick too, if you want the remote to survive...

I happen to be using the "learning" remote I bought for the telly, works fine

Damn, sorry Radar forgot to add:

...Advantage to the cable release would be that it works fine from anywhere, don't have to be in front...

I remember seeing on another forum or thread where a user just used a rubber brand to hold some cotton ball material on the lens, which reflects IR... So he could use his remote from behind etc... I'll have to try it out because I use a remote when taking images of waterfalls etc...

[Glen]

Radar, have seen similar threads to Mudder except using alfoil or a teaspoon not cotton wool to reflect the signal. That said mine works from above or beside so I haven't bothered

[Oneputt]

I have the IR and it is really good. Mine will even work from behind the camera at times, but it is no hardship to fire it from the side. Only problem is it is so small it could easily get lost.

[WadeM]

I have the IR. I never looked @ the cable release. The IR is SO much smaller (then a 1m cable). It works from behind the camera. I needed it (instead of being able to use timer) to do >30 second exposures (which I do sometimes).

I'd suggest the IR and just hope the batteries hold out (Mine have lasted fine for 7 months now).

--Wade

[radar]

Thanks everybody,

looks like the IR is the go. I'll save some money, so more to put aside for when that lens lust hits me

Cheers,

André

[robboh]

Id imagine that the cable-release would work better if you are working long lenses on a tripod as it would mean you can still hold the camera with both hands (well camera and lens in both hands). Other than that, remote would probably work just as well?? As Chris said, get both and then you can tell us

[birddog114]

Each devices has difference uses, though the IR is more convenience and economical than the cable.
Save up and get both of them, Andre!

[johndec]

It's not a feature I use very often, but I find the IR remote works fine, the only drawback is having to go into the menu system to set it up. I think I would have preferred a cable release option like the D70s (assuming you don't have to menu set that up), but it's no big deal really.

I wouldn't upgrade to the "S" just for the cable feature.

[birddog114]

I wouldn't upgrade to the "S" just for the cable feature.

John,
Hehehehe!
Why should you upgrade to the "S", it's nonsense!
Upgrade to the "X" and it makes sense

[johndec]

I wouldn't upgrade to the "S" just for the cable feature.

John,
Hehehehe!
Why should you upgrade to the "S", it's nonsense!
Upgrade to the "X" and it makes sense

I'd love nothing better than to be an "X-rated" Nikon user

[birddog114]

I wouldn't upgrade to the "S" just for the cable feature.

John,
Hehehehe!
Why should you upgrade to the "S", it's nonsense!
Upgrade to the "X" and it makes sense

I'd love nothing better than to be an "X-rated" Nikon user

Come with us on this weekend at Anna Bay, there's an official nude beach not in a distance within our mini -meet point.
But it's better in summer with 200-400VR and/ or 500 AF-S.

[gstark]

Id imagine that the cable-release would work better if you are working long lenses on a tripod as it would mean you can still hold the camera with both hands (well camera and lens in both hands). Other than that, remote would probably work just as well?? As Chris said, get both and then you can tell us

Robboh,

Once the camera and lens is mounted on a tripod, the last thing you want to do is to touch it with your hands - or any other part of your body or clothing - because of the risk of inducing vibration.

Once you're set up for the exposure, it's all hands OFF.

[gstark]

It's not a feature I use very often, but I find the IR remote works fine, the only drawback is having to go into the menu system to set it up.

Try the self-timer button (to the left of the viewfinder, IIRC) in conjunction with the primary command dial.

[sirhc55]

Id imagine that the cable-release would work better if you are working long lenses on a tripod as it would mean you can still hold the camera with both hands (well camera and lens in both hands). Other than that, remote would probably work just as well?? As Chris said, get both and then you can tell us

Robboh,

Once the camera and lens is mounted on a tripod, the last thing you want to do is to touch it with your hands - or any other part of your body or clothing - because of the risk of inducing vibration.

Once you're set up for the exposure, it's all hands OFF.

You are soooooo right Gary - I have trained my D70 to react to a mixture of humbugs and garlic, ingested at least 5 minutes prior to no hands photography.

I just breathe on the camera and it takes a picture

[Nnnnsic]

You know... there is an overpriced strap for all cameras which adds the cable release...

That said, because of its price and because it's only available in the States, I haven't bought it yet...

[Onyx]

I think it's a case of wanting what you can't have - D70 owners couldn't get a cable release and had to live with the ML-L3 IR remote; then when the D70s came out with support for cabled remote release - it was anticlimatic as there aren't many situations where you couldn't use the IR remote and needed a cabled release.

Like spot metering for a certain model camera claimed to be aimed at 'prosumer' or 'semi-pro' market. Ask any of those user whether they miss not having a spot meter and they'll reply in the negative. In fact they won't comprehend what the big fuss is about because they would have learned to overcome that crippling lack of metering by adapting their style of shooting without it - and then claim camera superiority because it has more megapixels...

[robboh]

Id imagine that the cable-release would work better if you are working long lenses on a tripod as it would mean you can still hold the camera with both hands (well camera and lens in both hands). Other than that, remote would probably work just as well?? As Chris said, get both and then you can tell us

Once the camera and lens is mounted on a tripod, the last thing you want to do is to touch it with your hands - or any other part of your body or clothing - because of the risk of inducing vibration.
Once you're set up for the exposure, it's all hands OFF.

Gary, I guess that depends on what you are doing and who you talk to. Most wildlife photographers seem to use very different long-lens technique to the 'hands-off' approach
Moose Peterson Long Lens Technique
But yes, fully agree. If Im doing landscape or night stuff, its self-timer 'step AWAY from the tripod, or there WILL be trouble'.

[radar]

Okay, I'll resurrect this old post of mine.

I have been using the ML-L3 for quite a few months now, really likeD it. Unfortunately, a couple of weekends ago, I lost it It's probably on Dudley beach somewhere.

I had misplaced it a couple times, but always managed to find it, not this time.

So I decided to try the cable release this time around. I got the MC-DC1 delivered today. Already I like it, much harder to lose

Hooked it up to the camera, works great. No need to fiddle with the settings to put it in remote shutter mode, etc, etc, just works.

I also got a cheap IR remote that is compatible with the ML-L3, even has a little LED torch on it. It is not much bigger the the ML-L3. It is the OMG SR-1, even comes with a little mirror to put on the lens so you can use the remote from behind the camera. It was only $3. Postage was more then the item , but still pretty cheap since I was already getting the MC-DC1.

In the end, I should have followed Chris' advice above, to get both, at least I would still have my cable release.

cheers,

André

[birddog114]

radar,
The MC-DC1 only works with the D70s not the D70 and you have the D70s, others have the D70 so only the ML-L3 works on it.

[radar]

Very true Birddog,

thanks for clarifying this so there shouldn't be any confusion.

cheers,

André

[losfp]

If I was made of money(I'm really not!!) then I'd buy both. In most cases, the IR remote works great, but sometimes it'd be nice to have the wired remote. Mind you though, if you only could have one, then it'd have to be the IR remote. There are things that are not as convenient to do with the IR remote, but there are things that are NOT POSSIBLE with the wired remote

I'm just paranoid I'm going to lose the little bugger though, I really should attach its case to something...

[birddog114]

And the MC-DC1 comes with 1m cable while the ML-L3 can be extended with more distance than the MC-DC1.

[birddog114]

I don't know how could you loose it?
Do inventory (head counts) all your packed gears pre and post of outing/ shooting.

[radar]

I don't know how could you loose it?
Do inventory (head counts) all your packed gears pre and post of outing/ shooting.

Thanks for rubbing it in

I know. I have always been paranoid of losing it, so I usually double check that I have it. However, that morning I had to get back to my place for a certain time and I was already running late and didn't do my double check as to where the remote was

I just did a non-scientific test of the working distance of the IR that I got. Indoors about 15m and outdoors about 12m.

Cheers,

André

[darb]

i use the IR all the time, find it great.

Its been through the washing machine too, and survived ... so testament to nikon quality. INfact, my gear overall is a bit of a testament in that regard

Id suggest the IR does everything the cable can ... you dont have to be standing infront of the camera per se, just reach hand around and point the remote at the front of the body and off it goes.

I use a timer usually in sub 30 second shjots and IR for anything larger. (or when cycling exposures trying to capture something like lightning.)

[birddog114]

Well, it also explains why the MC-DC1 is not so popular than the wireless version ML-L3.

[r2160]

Speaking of remotes, now that I have got the remote flash on the sb800 working well, I could use a good remote.

Where can I get the nikon IR remote? dollars?

thanks
Glenn