TC-80N3 or RS-80N3 Canon Remote for 40D? [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

nutsnbolts

24th of September 2007 (Mon), 19:40

I need opinions here. I'm debating whether I should go ahead and spend the extra 80 US dollars for the TC-80N3 remote.

I was thinking of getting the RS but one of the footfalls of buying equipment (at least for me) is buying the "lesser" version and then having to upgrade later and wasting more money.

There are minds out there to buy once and be done and over it and there are more frugal people who are more realistic and just buy as you go (or as need basis).

What do you think?

TMR Design

24th of September 2007 (Mon), 20:13

Yes but you're comparing a remote with a timer control to one without. There are lots of third part compatible remotes (including the one in the POTN shop) but I haven't seen third part remotes with the timer. If you suspect you are going to need the timer then get the TC and don't look back.

Alternatively you could get an inexpensive extendable remote and if you find you miss or need the timer then you've only invested about $30 and it's not really a loss.

nutsnbolts

24th of September 2007 (Mon), 20:35

Yes, I think I will be doing that.

Cathpah

24th of September 2007 (Mon), 23:19

i've got the TC-80n3 (the intervalometer/timer) and it's totally worth the extra bucks. You can do all sorts of fun creative projects with it (time lapse shots of construction, helps a ton with star trails, etc.)

I highly recommend getting the tc-80n3....watch the buy/sell forums for someone who decided they didn't need the timer function after all.

SunTsu

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 01:51

In a hobby where you can spend thousands and thousands, what's an extra eighty bucks?
:)

I really like my TC as it provides timer features that you find even in Canon's P&S cameras. A couple of things I've used mine for:
- Group shots. You can set up the timer to take several shots in a row so that you don't have to go back to the camera and start the timer again. This is really useful for large groups when you want to be in the picture and like to take at least two shots to make sure you get one good one.
- Parties. Set your camera up in a corner and snap shots every few minutes. You can get some good candids.
- Flowers

SunTsu

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 03:09

I think the difference is only $80, isn't it? I got a new TC for about $130.

nutsnbolts

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 08:29

Lol. I was hoping that you all would say, you don't need the timer! It's has extra bells and whistles but come on, half the time, all you're using is the shutter release.

So TC it is! I succumb to all your knowledge. LOL

EOSAddict

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 08:35

I like the TC but I would prob not have paid full price for it. It can be great fun tho! And ultimately versatile.

tunin

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 11:36

I have it and must say, it is an important part of my gear. It gives you so much more than the regular cable trigger.

No Bugster

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 13:48

tunin

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 14:19

You are not missing anything, this thing is so low on power consumption that it does not need a power/standby switch. I have it for about a year and the battery that came with it is still in and works just fine, I never took the battery out or anything of that sort.

nutsnbolts

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 14:33

Low consumption that it stays on? What engineer thought of that? Granted, after 1 yr, it still works but doesn't make sense for me to keep anything on...day and night. A drain on the battery, is a drain on the battery. Either way, the device is still kick butt. Power to the people!

TMR Design

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 14:34

I think it's a bit sill to make a device that you can't turn off, no matter how small the drain. Does it at least display the time? :D

nutsnbolts

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 14:36

I think it's a bit sill to make a device that you can't turn onn, no matter how small the drain. Does it at least display the time? :D

You mean off? About the "display of time" now we're getting somewhere. Great idea!

TMR Design

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 14:38

You mean off? About the "display of time" now we're getting somewhere. Great idea!

Yup. Post corrected.

No Bugster

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 15:40

I think it's a bit sill to make a device that you can't turn off, no matter how small the drain. Does it at least display the time? :D

Exactly....shame on canon for such an extremely simple thing im sure. did't even have to be a switch, but an option in the menu.

its not like they are reserving this 'feature' for their higher end line of remote timers. THIS IS the end of the line for that.

tunin

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 18:28

I know what you mean but I guess they figured that it is like one of those digital watches, no need to switch it off. Who would know, I would say there is more hideous things out there that we need to worry about.

No Bugster

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 20:36

oooh....more canon secrets...do tell.

illusionest

25th of September 2007 (Tue), 22:14

i got the TC-80N3 last week, love it.
The RC is cheaper, but i do more exposure shots like star trails and night shots. So the TC is quite handy..

really depends on what you take, but the TC is very good.

No Bugster

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 01:40

was going to sell mine, but i will keep it after all.
handy indeed.

Cathpah

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 01:41

I got the TC-80N3 a long time ago with a 1V HS camera I had, and although (like many goodies I get), havn't used it much more than playing with the buttons, and on one shoot of products, I would say go for it.

I might be willing to sell mine if you want...like I said, I don't use it, but I tend to like to have things in case I ever want to use them. I have the box, and warranty and everything still.

The only thing I do not like about it, is that there is no on/off button or switch. I take the battery out, and shame shame on canon for that. It has been out for years, and they never changed/updated that with a new model or whatever.

the battery uses so little power to keep the display on that it's almost a non-issue. I've had the same battery in for over a year and it still works wonderfully. no need to pull it out everytime.

TMR Design

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 10:23

It's not even a case of worrying about it or making a big deal. This is just common sense. Most devices that are always ON are on for a reason, such as a clock or calendar. It wouldn't cost them another penny to map an existing button to power or create a circuit that kept the timer on while plugged into the camera and off when unplugged.

I'm no engineer but I do know enough about circuit design and cost to know that an on/off function was not omitted due to cost. I mean, really. For a simple device like this to cost ~$120-$130, it is a small thing to expect that you can turn it off and not drain the battery regardless of the actual drain on it.

TMR Design

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 10:38

You are correct. That is my remote being sold in the POTN shop.
I've asked Philip (POTN Shopkeeper) to update the copy and I'm sure we will see the addition shortly.

TMR Design

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 10:58

Yes, the Canon proprietary N3 connector is still being used and is in the entire Canon product line with the exception of the Digital Rebels.

My remote is 100% compatible with all those cameras listed as well as the new 40D.

tunin

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 12:23

This thread is starting to sound like an advertisement. Give me a break, I do support extra options software mods on devices that do not cost more in production and that would not raise the already high price of this unit. But, this option is definitely not a necessity on this device.

TMR Design

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 12:26

I don't use this forum as a means of advertising. I answered a few questions and gave some information regarding compatibility.

nutsnbolts

26th of September 2007 (Wed), 13:46

Here is a brief review I did. Don't take offense now TMR lol. It does what it is supposed to do.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=381493&highlight=rs-80n3

Jon

27th of September 2007 (Thu), 14:45

Is it just me, or is anyone else bothered by the fact that you have to take the battery out, to turn it off...there isn't even a standby mode if you leave it in.

Please inform me if i am missing something there.Well, my TC-80N3 is on its original battery after at least 4 years, closing on 5. So I'd say that a switch would be just another potential failure point more than anything else.

I think it's a bit sill to make a device that you can't turn off, no matter how small the drain. Does it at least display the time? :DNo, it doesn't, but it does preserve your settings. And, as noted, battery life is on the order of battery shelf life. Why add another component to fail?

still works sure, but why drain the battery at all...why, as other poster stated.

it's just a rationalization. And what if the buttons get pressed (not everyone has theirs isolated completely from being touched in a bag, etc.

what about 2,3,4 years with it sitting there?It lives in the top of my F-1x with nothing protecting the buttons and it's still going strong. And that's over 4 years. Why worry about a non-issue?

caw

7th of March 2008 (Fri), 22:55

The comments in this thread have convinced me to most likely buy a TC-80N3, but I have a few questions.

If the interval set on the TC-80N3 to take shots is greater than the time set on the camera to go to sleep, what happens when it's time to take a shot? Does the TC-80N3 wake up the camera or does the time-lapse session fail.

As the light increases during a dawn time-lapse session, for example, when the TC-80N3 triggers shots can it change the aperture or speed if they're not set to manual?

Thank you.

ben_r_

8th of March 2008 (Sat), 00:18

Ive got the the TC-80N3 and if you intend to do any long exposures longer than 30 seconds or are interested in some automated shooting its def the way to go.

malla1962

8th of March 2008 (Sat), 03:29

TC-80N3 all the way.:wink:

Tareq

8th of March 2008 (Sat), 06:05

I had RS-80N3 before and i like it, it was so useful for me, but really i went with TC as i know i need to control timer for some cases mostly nightshots and star-trails so this remote served me more over the RS one, i recommend it and if i had enough money very long time ago before i buy RS then i will go with TC no doubt.
About battery i know it is an issue, but all what i do is i turn the battery opposite side in the remote so then it is not used and i keep it inside the remote rather i take it off from the remote then i may lost it somewhere.

caw

8th of March 2008 (Sat), 07:31

Does anyone have experience with their TC that can answer my question though.

"If the interval set on the TC-80N3 to take shots is greater than the time set on the camera to go to sleep, what happens when it's time to take a shot? Does the TC-80N3 wake up the camera or does the time-lapse session fail."

Jon

8th of March 2008 (Sat), 08:30

As far as the camera's concerned, a signal from the TC-80 on timer is no different from a press of the remote button on an RC-80 or of the shutter release. It'll wake it up.

caw

8th of March 2008 (Sat), 19:57

nureality

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 04:38

nureality

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 04:52

Tareq

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 04:56

I'm trying to find out if by using the TC-80N3 I can take exposures longer than 30 seconds - yes, for star trails.

I used to love doing them with film... would love to try them with digital.

I got an RS-80N3 clone off fleabay the other day... but my 40D doesn't let me go past 30 seconds. Any help would be appreciated.

-Alan

This is the job of TC-80N3, i tried at my room just for testing to use 2 minutes exposure and it works perfectly [not that the shot is good as it is so overexposure, but that what i want, exposure longer than just 30 seconds].

Tareq

Tareq

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 04:58

also, I just had an interesting question come to mind. Is it possible to daisy-chain or otherwize link multiple bodies to fire off one trigger? I.e. One trigger, multiple cameras firing either at once or in succession - ala The Matrix Bullet-Time setup.

I could do some damage with that. :)

WOW, i have 5 bodies and 1 TC and one RS, if you will find the answer then i will try that myself, but i don't know for what.
I think i imagine this way used in sports where they placing many bodies on 1 bar to shoot for sequences i don't know how and why but seems it is worthy for some reasons.

Jon

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 10:35

Thanks Jon. That's good to hear.
Another question I have, which is somewhat related to the functionality of the TC. Is there a device that could also bracket say 3-5 exposures. I want to experiment with high dynamic range time-lapse images.I believe that if you turn on AEB and set drive to continuous it'll trigger a 3-shot burst including bracketing each time the TC fires off.

I'm trying to find out if by using the TC-80N3 I can take exposures longer than 30 seconds - yes, for star trails.

I used to love doing them with film... would love to try them with digital.

I got an RS-80N3 clone off fleabay the other day... but my 40D doesn't let me go past 30 seconds. Any help would be appreciated.

-AlanIf you set the 40D to "B" shutter speed, you can lock down the release on the RS-80 and there'll be a time display on the camera's top LCD so you can manually run the shot.

also, I just had an interesting question come to mind. Is it possible to daisy-chain or otherwize link multiple bodies to fire off one trigger? I.e. One trigger, multiple cameras firing either at once or in succession - ala The Matrix Bullet-Time setup.

I could do some damage with that. :)

WOW, i have 5 bodies and 1 TC and one RS, if you will find the answer then i will try that myself, but i don't know for what.
I think i imagine this way used in sports where they placing many bodies on 1 bar to shoot for sequences i don't know how and why but seems it is worthy for some reasons.I think you'd need to use something like PocketWizards on the cameras to relay the signals from camera to camera.

nureality

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 14:43

I believe that if you turn on AEB and set drive to continuous it'll trigger a 3-shot burst including bracketing each time the TC fires off.

If you set the 40D to "B" shutter speed, you can lock down the release on the RS-80 and there'll be a time display on the camera's top LCD so you can manually run the shot.

Thats what I'm trying to do, but I can't seem to be able to make the camera dial to "B" or "bulb" (like on my Elan 7e). Is there a custom function I don't know about?

-Alan

Tareq

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 14:56

Thats what I'm trying to do, but I can't seem to be able to make the camera dial to "B" or "bulb" (like on my Elan 7e). Is there a custom function I don't know about?

-Alan

If all the cameras are the same then i tried on my 30D, just lower the shutter up to 30 second then dial it one step and "BULB" is shown, TADAAAAA.

nureality

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 16:54

I tried that... my 40D won't dial the next step to bulb... dunno why.

Jon

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 17:20

I tried that... my 40D won't dial the next step to bulb... dunno why.Are you in "M"anual mode? You can't use "Bulb" in Tv automation, since the camera doesn't know how long you intend to keep the shutter open.

nureality

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 17:34

ahh found it... BULB is only available in Manual mode. I'm so used to Av and Tv... forgot to try M :)

ok sometime this week I have to go take my Meade in for servicing... and but in the meantime gonna go shoot some trails. :)

-Alan

nureality

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 17:35

wow, I feel dumb right now. :(

Tareq

9th of March 2008 (Sun), 17:55

I tried that... my 40D won't dial the next step to bulb... dunno why.

Check the manual, maybe they change the way to set the camera to BULB, could be in custom function, or something, sorry still i am an old fashioned and i don't have 40D.
with TC-803N i don't need to dial the camera to bulb because i can set the remote to any time up to 99minutes and 99seconds and press the remote shutter button.