Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3
See it at Amazon.com for $19.59Average Customer Rating
(4.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
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(3 out of 5)Wrong name for shutter release cable
This cord is not a remote control device as you might assume from its name. Rather, this is the same device that professionals would call a shutter release cable. It is meant to release the shutter button for long exposure shots to avoid shaking the camera when you touch it. You can also "lock" the shutter open for REALLY long shots (anything longer than 2 minutes). When you reach the desired exposure time, simply slide the button out of lock mode and the shutter will close.
Unless you have four foot long arms and a fish-eye lens, you won't be able to use this cord to do self portraits. You will have to make do with the self timer. Unfortunately, according to my local rep, Canon does not make a more useful cordless remote that works with my Rebel 2000.
(4 out of 5)A Must-Have Accessory
If you plan on taking any photos requiring longer exposure times (particularly "bulb-mode" photographs in which the shutter remains open until you close it), you need this accessory for your camera.
Though the cord is shorter than would be desired, a quick trip to any electronics store should provide a simple solution in an extension: a 3/32" stereo extension cord, or a 1/8" cord with adapters to 3/32". As these can be had for well under $10, you can easily extend the reach of the shutter release beyond what Canon provided.
(3 out of 5)Good punch for the price...
While Canon products at times have a price markup for items that bare the label (like Harley Davidson products) there are a few gems that are good deals at the price point. The Canon backpack and the 50mm 1.8 lens are examples of good deals. This switch also belongs in the 'worth the price' category.
The switch connects into the side of the Rebel XT. The female receptor on the camera is underneath a rubber cover. The cover folds back awkwardly/protrudes when the switch is connected. This is mildly annoying, but not a big deal.
The switch is simple yet effective: half push for focus, full push to take the picture, or push the switch forward to lock the shutter open (for night shots, lightning, etc.). When pressed forward, the shutter remains open until you pull the switch back into place. You don't have to hold the switch open as it locks once it is slid forward.
The switch can activate the shutter either in the single shot mode or the time delay mode. Single shot or time delay are set on the camera, not on the switch.
In single shot the shutter is activated as soon as the button is fully pressed. In time delay, fully pressing the button starts the 10-second countdown prior to the picture being snapped (time to run in front of the camera for family or self-portraits).
For macro shots, night shots, or shots in which minimal or no camera shake is permissible this inexpensive device is quite useful.
Finally, it has little notches built in to the side of its body to help hold the cable securely against the body when the cable is wrapped up for storage. It also has a slot to plug in the male attachment (the part that plugs into the camera) built into the body for convenience in storage and to protect the connector when not in use.
I'm glad I bought it.
(5 out of 5)A Must have for EOS 2000
This is a must have accessories for EOS 2000 owner who wants to step beyond the artistic touch. I used to use the timer to take picture in low light or motion effect just to erase the possibility of jerking my camera.
But I hate it because I need to wait the timer to start and to stop when there is possibility of people passing or other unexpected things messing up my picture.
With this remote, I'm able to snap right a way without waiting the timer to end. Beside if you want to experiment with the "BULB" settings, the chance of you jerking off the Camera while using the remote is None.
However, you still need a Tripod to set-up your camera perfectly.
(1 out of 5)Necessary, but too expensive -- build your own or buy 3rd party
A cable release is absolutely required for two types of photography in particular. Macrophotography requires you to set off the shutter without any vibration, and shooting with the bulb mode might require you to hold down the button for hours. A cable release lets you shoot off a shot without camera shake (especially if you have and use mirror lock-up), and lock the shutter open without having to hold it. It's useful for a lot of other things too though; I used an OLD one (this is back in the era before electronic releases, with a camera from before the AF era) to take firework pictures so I didn't have to keep a hand on the camera.
Long story short, if you use a camera for more than holiday and family snaps, you WILL NEED a cable release at some point.
But, don't get this. Canon is ripping you off. I suspect these cost Canon about two dollars to make, and they are selling them at a 1000% markup. There are two options.
* First, buy an after-market cable release. Amazon sells one under the title "Adorama Digital Remote Release with 36" Cable for Canon EOS Rebel XT." (It says Rebel XT, but it should work with any of the cameras the RC60 work with. Theoretically. I think.) The downside of this is that you don't save money; as of the writing of this review it costs as much as the RC60. However, on principle it removes a sale of an overpriced accessory from Canon. However, you DO get a longer cord (3 feet instead of 2), which is a complaint of many of the reviewers of this.
* Second, make your own. You could do this for about $3 if you wanted; the cost depends on how much you're willing to spend. If you know electronics, get a 2.5mm stereo miniplug. If you short the sleeve and tip, the camera will AF then shoot. If you short the sleeve and ring, the camera will AF and wakeup from standby. If you think you might want to try but don't know what I'm talking about, search for "DIY Canon cable release". You could also buy the book "Hacking Digital Cameras" which has a chapter on how to build not only a release like this, but one that shoots a picture periodically. At present, the cost of that book and the materials for your own cable release will be only a couple bucks more than buying the Canon one.