Digital Camera World » remote release

Nikon WR-1: first impressions of Nikon’s new wireless remote controller

jmeyer — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:00:47 +0000

The Nikon WR-1 wireless remote controller lets Nikon photographers take control from a distance. Our head of testing got use this new Nikon accessory, announced at the same time as the Nikon D7100. Here are her first impressions

Announced at the same time as the D7100, the WR-1 Wireless Remote Controller is a transceiver that, as well as enabling the shutter to be triggered remotely, allows the camera settings to be checked and adjusted from a distance.

The Nikon WR-1 price is £649.99, and although it can be used via the supplied cable (more on this later) to add extra intervalometer functionality to an SLR, the WR-1 really comes into its own when used in pairs or when paired with a WR-10 to allow wireless remote control.

One unit (or an WR-10 announced at the same time as the D5200 and available for around £79) acts as receiver, while the other is the controller.

The WR-1 uses radio waves with a frequency of 2.4GHz so unlike some infrared devices it should work well outside in sunlight, doesn’t rely of line of sight and can be used to trigger the camera from around corners.

When working with another WR-1 the maximum working distance is around 120m. There are also 15 channels available to avoid interference with other units.

When it is set to ’Master’ mode an WR-1 unit can be used to control up to 20 other WR-1s or 64 WR-R10 units and is compatible with the D4, D800, D800E, D600, D7100 and D5200.

When controlling several cameras the Nikon WR-1 can divide them into four groups for independent and simultaneous control.

Nikon supplies the WR-1 with a soft case, MC-37 Connecting Cord (for ten-pin remote terminals) and MC-38 Connecting Cord (for accessory terminals).

While the WR-1 may appeal to professional sport and wildlife photographers who need to be able to control and trigger their SLR remotely, its price puts it beyond the reach of most enthusiasts.

These photographers may question why Nikon hasn’t built Wi-Fi connectivity into its SLRs to allow remote control via a smart phone or tablet.

This would have the added of benefit of allowing the scene to be viewed on the phone/tablet screen while the camera is in live view mode.

First impressions
We have yet to see the range of settings that can be controlled by the WR-1, but assuming the essentials of exposure and colour can be adjusted it looks very useful. The Nikon WR-1 price however, is excessive, especially bearing in mind that most users will have to buy an WR-R10 or a second unit to go with it.

A layman’s guide to remote triggers

jmeyer — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 14:00:21 +0000

Remote triggers are one of the most valuable photo accessories you can keep in your camera bag. But they can also be one of the most intimidating if you’ve never come across one before. Below we’ve answered some of the most common questions about using remote triggers to get you started.

What are they?

A far cry from the humble ‘cable releases’ of old film cameras, remote controllers offer everything from simple, infrared shooting to advanced options. Crucially, you can keep your hands off the camera to avoid jogging it while you’re shooting.

How do they work?

The three main types of remote controller are cable, infrared and RF wireless. The first uses an electronic cable that connects to a socket on the camera, the next communicates via an infrared receiver built into the front or back of the camera body, and the final option works via radio frequency wireless, often with a range of up to 100m and without requiring unobstructed line of sight to the camera.

Who makes them?

Camera manufacturers all make their own remote controllers, but some of the popular independent makes include Hähnel, Hama and Secureline.

When should I use them?

They’re most commonly used when the camera is mounted on a tripod, especially when shutter speeds are slow. However, infrared remotes are also useful for self-portraits, and RF wireless controllers are great for undercover wildlife shooting.

How do I attach them to my DSLR?

RF wireless controllers require a receiver to be plugged into the camera, and cable-connected remotes also plug in to a socket on the camera. There’s no physical link for infrared remotes.

Triggertrap review: use your smartphone to control your camera

dcworld — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:00:56 +0000

There’s not really a great deal that a smart phone can’t do these days, and thanks to Triggertrap, it can now also be used as a remote shutter release for your DSLR.

Remote shutter releases are handy for setting off your camera without you having to touch it (introducing shake), or for setting your camera up near something that doesn’t appreciate human activity, such as wildlife, or the finish line at a sporting event.

Several kits are available to connect most current Canon and Nikon DSLRs to your phone while the Triggertrap app takes control.

In addition to standard single-shot and long-exposure release modes, the app also includes a highly customisable time-lapse intervalometer and an impressive DistanceLapse function.

This works in conjunction with your phone’s built-in GPS to snap only when a set distance has been covered. There’s even scope for taking long exposures in HDR (high dynamic range) mode.

In the field Triggertrap performs reasonably well, but a laggy interface puts something of a dampener on the user experience. We’d also like an option to turn off the phone’s screen during long time-lapse sequences to help conserve battery power.

Triggertrap isn’t the only device of its kind – ioShutter is a very similar product, but sports a slicker interface and is generally more pleasant to use. Triggertrap is significantly cheaper, but unfortunately the cost-cutting shows.

Price: £27.50 (+£2.99 for app)
Buy it: www.triggertrap.com

SCORE: 3/5

6 top remote releases tested and rated

jmeyer — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:00:55 +0000

Are you in the market for a remote release? One of the unsung heroes of camera bags the world over, remote releases are more than just a functional tool for ensuring sharp images. They also open up all sorts of creative possibilities. Here we’ve taken 6 of the top remote releases on the market and put them to the test.

Hähnel Combi TF 

Price: £40 Web: www.hahnel.ie
A powerful RF (Radio Frequency) controller with a 100m range, the Combi TF’s transmitter enables remote switching between immediate and four-second delayed release. There’s also compatibility for Bulb and continuous shooting. It even works as a remote hotshoe, but you have to set the flashgun power manually.

SCORE: 3/5 

Hähnel Giga T Pro II 

Price: £60 Web: www.hahnel.ie
Compact and lightweight, but well built and versatile, the Giga T Pro II has a veritable feast of programmable shooting modes and a 100m RF operating range. Adjustable self-timer and dual time-lapse (interval) settings, plus single, continuous, self-timer and Bulb functions are all available via an intuitive interface.

SCORE: 5/5 

Hama Timer Remote DCCS (5201) 

Price: £40 Web: www.hama.co.uk
Connecting to most cameras via optional cables, what this Hama lacks in wireless facilities it makes up for in shooting options. Single, continuous, delayed release and even time-lapse modes are easily programmable using the four-way pad and backlit LCD display.

SCORE: 4/5 

Hama Wireless Remote DCCS (5202)

Price: £40 Web: www.hama.co.uk
An RF wireless remote with a 150m range, this controller uses Hama’s ‘DCCS’ connecting cables to ensure compatibility. There’s no LCD display or programmable options for time-lapse shooting, but a simple switch enables single, continuous, self-timer and Bulb options.

SCORE: 4/5

Phottix TR-90 Digital Timer & Remote Shutter Release

Price: £50 Web: www.phottix.co.uk
This cable-connected remote offers most of the same features as the Hama Timer. It lacks the Hama’s ability to select drive modes direct from the transmitter, but the programmable time-lapse and long exposure options are versatile and easy to use. Build quality is good.

SCORE: 4/5

Phottix Aion Wireless Timer Remote

 Price: £80 Web: www.phottix.co.uk
Boasting a full array of drive mode options and programmable settings, the Aion also adds a novel bracketing feature for Bulb exposures. The transmitter’s solid, with an intuitive control layout and clear LCD. Wireless range is a bit modest, though, with a maximum reach of 60m.

SCORE: 4/5

Essential accessories

crutter — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:19:28 +0000

Buy a compact camera and that’s what you get – a camera. Buy an SLR body and you’re buying into a complete photographic system that can comprise any number of lenses and other accessories, enabling you to build up an incredibly versatile outfit. Some of these can be quite obscure, such as underwater casings for use when diving, but there are plenty of mainstream gadgets vying for a place on your wishlist, and some are essential if you want to take your photography to the next level. Here, we outline some of the options, and explain what each accessory does, and why it’s so useful.

Tripod

With image stabilisers in lenses and camera bodies, tripods aren’t quite as essential as they used to be. But if you’re shooting night scenes, working at extreme magnifications, or you just want to frame your shot with more care, you’ll still need one. A good, sturdy budget model will cost around £150. Select one that extends to your eye level without the need to extend the centre column – otherwise you’re essentially turning it into a less stable monopod. Look for multi-angle legs – useful for shooting in rough terrain – and make sure you top it with a good quality, sturdy tripod head.

Remote release

This enables you to fire the shutter without touching the camera, so you can get sharp results when using slow shutter speeds. Ensure the remote has a lock function, so you can take long exposures at night without having to keep the button pressed. Remotes are camera-specific, so be sure to buy one that’s compatible.

Flashgun

For good flash photography with an SLR, invest in a decent flashgun. Third-party models are available, but to make full use of your camera’s advanced features it’s best to buy a flashgun from the same manufacturer. Look for a head that you can tilt and swivel, as this will enable you to bounce the light off ceilings and walls.

Camera bag

A protective bag keeps your camera and other accessories safe. Backpacks are ideal when you’re travelling long distances, although shoulder bags give you quicker access to your gear. Try to find a bag with more compartments than you’ll need, so that your gear can expand into it as your collection grows.

Vertical grip

Vertical grips enable you to fit two batteries into your camera, providing extra shooting capacity. And with an extra shutter-release button and other key camera controls, they can make it easier and more comfortable to use the camera vertically. Some models also increase the camera’s continuous drive rate.

Microphone

Anyone that’s serious about recording high-quality video using an SLR will have a camera with a microphone input socket. This allows you to get much higher quality audio than relying on the camera’s built-in mic. There are many third-party hotshoe-mounted mics to choose from, although Rode mics are popular.

Filters

To protect your lens from scratches, fit a UV or Skylight filter – Hoya specialise in these. There are also three creative filters that you might like to consider:

A circular polariser, used to minimise reflections on water and glass, and make clouds stand out in blue skies
ND grads, used to balance exposures in landscapes when the sky is much brighter than the foreground
NDs (or ‘straight NDs’), used to achieve long exposure times and motion-blur, especially in running water

Memory cards

Memory cards with large storage capacities, such as 32Gb, enable you to capture masses of photos and video clips. However, do consider multiple, medium-capacity cards for important events such as weddings and holidays. That way, if a card develops a fault (rare, but it does happen), you won’t lose everything you’ve shot.

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