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02/10/2005 10:37:53 AM · #1 |
Why have a cable release ? It means you can trigger your camera, without touching it. This removes vibrations and lets you take sharper exposures on a tripod. So that's the basics. Now why should I spend $130 on a button ? Truth is, you can just spend $40 and get the RS-80N3 remote switch - but it doesn't do anything more than just that.
Or you can get the Timer remote - but why would you ?
The TC-80 has 4 features, in addition to the main shutter remote/ lock function.
You can set a variable time delay on the trigger firing. Rather than being stuck with the usual 10 second or 2 second delay, you can dial in any trigger delay you like - up to 99 hours, in steps of 1 second.
The second function is a variable interval timer, so you can set shots to be taken every x seconds, again up to an interval of 99 hours.
Third is a long exposure timer - you can take correctly exposed night shots - having the shutter held open for as long as you like - I often use this for exposures up to 5 minutes, using reciprocity and the camera meter to work out the correct exposure value. I expect to be doing similar, but for 1 hour exposures with my next camera.
The final function is a exposure counter - you can dial in how many shots are going to be taken, up to 99 shots. Wrap it up with a back light and this is a really useful gadget for some creative photography.
Things I've used it for:
Self portraits - big time. Set the camera up, set the delay to 30 seconds, the interval timer to 10 seconds, and the exposure count to 99 and let the camera go. Run in front and start hamming it up. The camera will keep shooting as long as you keep posing! I've used this to take self portraits of me on top of a rock face, using the delay to give me time to climb up in to position and the counter so that I don't have to run back and forth all the time.
Time delayed exposures. I shot our Christmas tree being decorated this year. One shot per minute, firing the flash, normal camera exposure calculations.
Night shooting: Long exposure, narrow aperture night shooting is made easy with this. As is star trail shots. Set the timer, mirror lock-up, fire and forget. No checking a watch to know when to release the shutter or remove a lock.
Fireworks: Much faster shooting, but still lets you work 'hands off' the camera to get sharper shots.
All macro work: again to do mirror lockup and sharp, hands free macro work.
Available from BHPhoto for $132. NB this does NOT work with a Canon Rebel/300D, but will work with the rest of the Digital EOS range (D30, D60, 10D, 20D, 1DII, 1DsII, 1D, 1Ds, as well as the 1 and 3 series film EOS cameras)
Message edited by author 2005-02-10 12:17:12. |
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02/10/2005 10:46:39 AM · #2 |
I agree, this little gadget rocks.
I wish the TC-80's functionality were built in as it was with the G5 (except for the long exposure timer)
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02/10/2005 11:04:19 AM · #3 |
| I've always wondered, does it "wake" the camera up if it goes into sleep mode, just like pressing the shutter to wake it up? |
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02/10/2005 11:14:28 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
I've always wondered, does it "wake" the camera up if it goes into sleep mode, just like pressing the shutter to wake it up? |
Yup. |
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02/10/2005 11:15:58 AM · #5 |
| Thanks, might run to Samy's today and get one. They're $129 there. |
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02/10/2005 11:49:21 AM · #6 |
The TC-80 is a great tool. I found it indispensable for executing the image I submitted for the recent "Light" challenge. I was originally going to buy the RS-80N3, but after learning what the TC-80 could do, the purchase was a no-brainer.
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02/10/2005 11:54:27 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
NB this does NOT work with a Canon Rebel/300D, but will work with the rest of the Digital EOS range (D30, D60, 10D, 20D, 1DII, 1DsII, 1D, 1Ds, as well as the 1 and 3 series film EOS cameras) |
Boo.
Is it just the mirror lock up and variable shutter speed that doesn't work, or is the whole thing no good with the rebel?
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02/10/2005 11:58:49 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
Originally posted by Gordon:
NB this does NOT work with a Canon Rebel/300D, but will work with the rest of the Digital EOS range (D30, D60, 10D, 20D, 1DII, 1DsII, 1D, 1Ds, as well as the 1 and 3 series film EOS cameras) |
Boo.
Is it just the mirror lock up and variable shutter speed that doesn't work, or is the whole thing no good with the rebel? |
As far as I know, the connector is different, never tried it though. I only have a film rebel, which it also doesn't work with. There is a different remote switch for the Rebel line too. You have to get a RS-60E3 (which looks like it has a audio style plug on it) for the Rebel range of cameras, rather than the RS-80N3 for the other EOS cameras.
Message edited by author 2005-02-10 12:16:38. |
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02/10/2005 12:16:00 PM · #9 |
Gordon is definitely correct, the 300D has a different interface that makes it incompatible with the "N3" style remotes.
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02/10/2005 12:58:31 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Gordon:
Available from BHPhoto for $132. |
This is going to be my next purchase. It's already in my B&H shopping cart, along with some Cokin 'P' adapters and filters.
I already have the Canon LC-4 Wireless Controller Set, which is great for hands-free shooting at up to 300', but it doesn't have the timer and multi-shot capabilities of the TC-80N3.
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