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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> how often do YOU use a remote trigger
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07/24/2009 03:35:58 PM · #1
Just wondering how often each individual uses this device.. I'm going camping this weekend and plan on taking my camera (duh!!) and my tripod (duh,duh!!) and one thing I seem to have a problem with is my shaking hands/fingers.. Even if I use my tripod, I see a tad bit of blur that shouldn't be there and I am blaming it on my inability to be still enough..
So, I bought a remote trigger a million years ago and finally decided to open it and start using it.. I'm gonna take it and see if it truly makes a difference and if the blur that I see in the images truly is a result of my shaky hands or not..

Is this something a majority of people use when shooting with their tripod ????
07/24/2009 03:41:15 PM · #2
Normally when i'm using my tripod I tend to be shooting scenes that aren't changing very fast like sunsets and landscapes or stills so I set a countdown timer. This way when the shutter goes my hand isn't touching the camera body and I don't need to use a remote.
07/24/2009 04:13:32 PM · #3
I use them occasionally, but most of my IED's are triggered by a motion sensor. LOL - j/k - that was for the Homeland security guys who monitor my posts. ;-)

Are you talking about a cable remote or wireless? Either one will definitely help in comparison to shaky handheld or even shaky hands on a tripod - which I suffer from as well sometimes. Enjoy!
07/24/2009 04:19:51 PM · #4
I love using my remote trigger. Keep in mind though - if you really want 0% shake in the camera you should set your camera to have its mirror up position. This means you will have to trigger the camera twice - once to lock the mirror up and the second to capture the photo. But this really helps because when you take a photo regularly there is a teeeny little shake in the camera when that mirror goes up. By setting the cam to the mirror up position, the mirror is put up before your shutter ever opens to capture the photo.
07/24/2009 04:20:49 PM · #5
I use one if I'm using the tripod.
07/24/2009 04:21:38 PM · #6
If my camera is on a tripod, my wireless remote shutter release is used. I've been doing it that way for years.

07/24/2009 04:21:46 PM · #7
I use a wired trigger, and mirror lockup and countdown timer the 95% of the time i look in my bag and realize I left the trigger at home.

For my IEDs I prefer a cellphone trigger.
07/24/2009 04:23:06 PM · #8
I don't have one but after shooting with dknourek last week and seeing the benefits I'm planning to buy one.
07/24/2009 04:24:16 PM · #9
Another option is to use the timer.
07/24/2009 05:51:16 PM · #10
When I set up a remote camera I will use a wireless trigger to fire off shots when I need too. Otherwise I do have a wired trigger that I use when on a tripod.

Matt
07/24/2009 06:10:24 PM · #11
I use a cable-remote virtually any time I'm set up on a tripod (in for a penny, in for a pound).

I never liked my wireless remote on either my D80 or D90. I don't know if mine is defective or what, but I can never seem to get a reliable or consistent trigger when using it. A few times, though, it's really saved the day (like remote-shooting myself and my wife swimming in a pond from about 20' away. But, if you're standing with the camera, I definitely recommend the wired remote.

On your D80, there are two other features you can use to help get really sharp shots -- the self-timer (already mentioned), as well as "exposure delay".

Self-timer is self-explanatory. It's a great feature to use if you forget or can't use a remote. Just go to CSM 29 (Self-timer)) and set it to 2 or even 5 seconds. Beside your LCD display on top, press the button to set your trigger method (single, multi, timer, wireless, wireless/timer) to timer. Now, when you press the shutter-release down completely, it will start the self-timer. Release the button, take your hands off the camera, and let it do it's thing. Almost as good as using a remote.

"Exposure delay" is a little built-in short-cut to mirror-lockup, to avoid the vibration caused by the mirror-slap. On the D80, it's CSM 31 (Exp. delay mode) -- set it to "On". Now, when you trigger the shutter release, the camera will introduce a delay of 0.4 seconds between the mirror slap and the actual exposure. Combine this with either the remote or self-timer and you're approaching tack-sharp heaven.

Other things to watch for -- make sure you have a steady tripod. Having a crappy/wobbly tripod is as bad, or maybe worse, than no tripod at all. If you're shooting in any "non-manual" mode, be sure to cover the view-finder from the rear of the camera if you're not looking through it (it's an easy habit to get into when taking multiple exposures on a tripod) -- light entering through the viewfinder will fool your light meter and cause the camera to underexpose your scene.
07/24/2009 06:24:46 PM · #12
i would use it all the time, but i lost mine about a year ago. i loved it though:)
07/24/2009 06:36:31 PM · #13
I use mine when I need to take the shot at a specific moment, but in general with a tripod I just set the self timer to 2seconds.
07/24/2009 11:37:49 PM · #14
The remote I purchased automatically introduces a 2 second delay instead of immediate exposure. If I wanted a two second delay I'd just set the timer. However, I still use it regularly.
07/25/2009 12:07:49 AM · #15
If I'm taking a ton of shots on my tripod, I'll use it.. otherwise I just second the two-second timer on my camera for a couple shots.
07/25/2009 02:00:28 AM · #16
There are times when using a remote, or 5 sec delay is just a good idea. This was shot with my monopod and 5 sec delay, then rotated to right side up later.

07/25/2009 06:25:54 AM · #17
I have a 3rd party cable release for my Nikon D200 that I use all the time when shooting landscapes/seascapes and other static scenes. I also use mirror lockup to ensure I don't lose any quality.

A cable release with locking function is also the only real way to take an exposure longer than 30 seconds.
07/25/2009 09:24:42 AM · #18
Yes, yes, yes. Although I have used the countdown timer on occasion, 99.9% of the time I use my wireless remote to trip the shutter, in combination with the mirror-lockup feature. Not that it helps me so much, but I'm sure real photogs will see a benefit.
07/25/2009 09:35:26 AM · #19
How do I set mirror lockup on my 400D ?
07/25/2009 10:08:52 AM · #20
Almost any time I use a tripod, and especially whenever my tripod is in odd situations so I don't have to contort myself to touch the release. Any time I use bulb, as well.
Still life/ macro shots too, where DoF is really thin and I don't want to mess it all up.
07/25/2009 10:28:54 AM · #21
If I'm using a tripod for reasons other than when I'm in the photo, I almost ALWAYS use a remote trigger. Otherwise, whats the point of a tripod. Of course, if you are taking a photo in really dim light, chances are the initial shake won't matter if you are doing a long exposure....

The trigger just makes sense on a tripod. Unless you have an ultra sturdy one, or you have minimized the degrees of freedom, the force on the button is just too much. Of course, if you don't have one, the timer works, but trying to get a bird to hold still for 10 seconds doesn't seem to work.

Oh, as suggested below, lock up that mirror. Generally, I haven't seen too much shake from the mirror with my 20D, and from what I have seen, the Nikon cameras seem to have a more gentle slap for Canons (can anyone verify that statement?).

Here is a perfect example of how NOT locking up the mirror can ruin a shot:

This was taken with the camera on a tripod. I had forgotten to lock the mirror up. I used a remote trigger while sitting in the house. I was waiting for one of these guys to come. When he did, I pushed the trigger. The mirror slap made him jump and you can see the overall loss of sharpness. Well, I set it back, but the little guy got camera shy. So I shot a flower instead. :)
07/25/2009 12:10:02 PM · #22
Originally posted by alans_world:

How do I set mirror lockup on my 400D ?


- Menu
- Tools2 [last menu tab]
- Custom Functions (C.Fn)
- Function #7 Mirror Lockup
07/25/2009 01:31:40 PM · #23
Originally posted by DJWoodward:

Originally posted by alans_world:

How do I set mirror lockup on my 400D ?


- Menu
- Tools2 [last menu tab]
- Custom Functions (C.Fn)
- Function #7 Mirror Lockup


Yet another thing the 40D can't do. Sigh... I've really been discovering the limitations of this camera lately.
07/25/2009 01:50:10 PM · #24
Originally posted by BeeCee:

Originally posted by DJWoodward:

Originally posted by alans_world:

How do I set mirror lockup on my 400D ?


- Menu
- Tools2 [last menu tab]
- Custom Functions (C.Fn)
- Function #7 Mirror Lockup


Yet another thing the 40D can't do. Sigh... I've really been discovering the limitations of this camera lately.

The 40D has mirror lock up. From the canon site I looked up the manual, it says the answer is on pg 96. I looked up mirror lock up in the index. :-)
07/25/2009 01:53:17 PM · #25

The 40D has mirror lock up. From the canon site I looked up the manual, it says the answer is on pg 96. I looked up mirror lock up in the index. :-) [/quote]

Yep.

Message edited by author 2009-07-25 14:26:23.
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