Remote shutter release

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Is there anything on the market that allows remote controlled shutter release, I'm not talking cables or anything like that but more of a wireless solution. This would be for sports photography, specifically showjumping, where I can set up a second (Nikon) camera underneath a fence with a wide angle lens and fire it from anywhere in the area. It's a shot I've been planning for some time but for safety reasons I can't personally get that close so require a remote functionality.
 
Hacker,
I'm an electronics engineer, so can help you out with any electronics and point you in the direction of readily available kits to do the wireless stuff.

What youd probably need is a wired unit that you can pull to bits to use as the 'base' of a wireless solution. Im guessing its a simple switch that is pressed to fire the camera? I havent looked at my camera (30D) but im expecting Canon (and anyone else) to use hard to obtain connectors, which is another reason to utilise a wired solution as the 'base'.
 
That's a good idea there Howard! Looking at my remote cable there's a small stereo headphone jack on one end and a double press button (like the shutter button) on the other end. It only cost a fiver so I doubt there's much else there.

I guess you complete one circuit for focus and then the other for shutter actuation.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've just found this and wanted to know if anyone had used it, appears to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Pocket Wizard
 
Thanx ppp ... had found a review but yours gives more info ... nice looking kit ... not cheap though ... :p
 
Ive just had a look at the spec for the pocketwizard. It's transmitting on 344MHz which i dont think is a free license band in the UK. If this is correct, then you'd be breaking the law using this product and you might find that the company wont sell to the UK either.
 
Just dug a little deeper. There's a company on Ebay - http://stores.ebay.com/Link-Delight...r_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQpZ3QQtZkm which is selling wired units for next to nothing for a variety of cameras. They would almost certainly be a good starting point. Ive also read a few online pages, where people have done exactly what is required here, using wireless systems that use relays to mimic the push button(s).

I started my search off using 'Adidt' who make a lot of these 'cheap' release units in the far east.

Latest find is http://search.stores.ebay.com/LANDL...fsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftsZ2QQsaselZ48800854QQsofpZ0 think this will have exactly what Hacker is looking for, but you need to be careful with regard to the operating frequency to make sure you stay UK legal.
 
I have the Adidt wired remote and it's fine, so a good starting point if anyone wants to try this.
 
Ian, the one you link to will be fine for UK use as it operates on a different frequency to the pocketwizard - 433MHz, which is license free providing you stick to certain requirements (designer issues not user).
 
The ML-L3 may be worth a whirl.
I use one, but it depends just how far away you are... The range is actually pretty good provided line of sight to the IR sensor on the front of the camera. I've shot images triggering from about 20 metres away.

An elaborate bit of tin foil could sort you out for shooting from behind the camera.

Still, this whole combination is undoubtedly nowhere near as reliable as something like a pocket wizard. Damn cheap, though.
 
What about a bloomin' long cable? I guess there is a maximum that it will work at but also a cheaper option.
 
SammyC said:
What about a bloomin' long cable? I guess there is a maximum that it will work at but also a cheaper option.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, downside to that is tripping horse over and dis-mounting the rider ! Could be a lawsuit in that one ;) :bonk:

Plus you are tied to one place in the arena then, with wireless you can be anywhere and still trigger it !
 
Actually it's more likely to be:

get cable caught on horse and watch as fancy new camera gets dragged round course.

:D
 
A bit of a long shot but it could just be a low cost viable solution. The old EOS 100 came with wireless remote built in and works at a pretty good distance as long as you have line of sight to the front of the camera.

I know you're a Nikon man but these can be picked up dirt cheap now and I'm sure one of us could lend you a lens to see if it works out.
 
Personally, id stay clear of Infra-red. You'd need the receiver well sited with the camera so you could point the remote at it and have nothing in the way. Range is limited to a few metres. Plus, Hacker said he wanted to position it under a fence which probably kills the IR solution and if that doesnt the 'anywhere in the arena' would!

If Hacker isnt into a DIY solution, then id be looking at what IanC posted.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate it. Infra red won't do the job I'm afraid, I've already got the ML-L3 but the range isn't brilliant and camera will only stay on remote firing for 5 minutes maximum when using it. My DIY skills ae non-existant so it looks like it might be Ian's suggestion, I'll have to research that bit of kit a bit further.
 
Hacker said:
Thanks for all the replies guys, I appreciate it. Infra red won't do the job I'm afraid, I've already got the ML-L3 but the range isn't brilliant and camera will only stay on remote firing for 5 minutes maximum when using it. My DIY skills ae non-existant so it looks like it might be Ian's suggestion, I'll have to research that bit of kit a bit further.
Click to expand...


Is the precursor to a D200 and Sigma 10-20 to get the 'money shot' ;)
 
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