Problem with RS-80N3 remote switch and 20D

[-MO]

I bought the remote switch in December, and used it a few times. Last weekend I was taking some long exposures of the night sky. I had just completed a 10 minute exposure on Bulb to produce star trails. The temperature was in the low 20's.

Later on when I tried to take another photo with the remote switch, it wouldn't trip the shutter at all, and I couldn't figure out why. The following day I tried to get it to work, and all it would do is try to focus the lens when I had the lens on AF, but it still won't trip the shutter. I'm wondering if I just killed the switch from the long exposure or having it out in the cold for so long, or a combination of both.

Has anyone else experienced a problem with the RS-80N3? Any suggestions? I'm pretty upset that the switch would die so soon.

Thanks for any ideas you can give me.
Mo

[Bruce Watson]

Check the battery, it is a button cell. It is possible the long exposure to the cold has worn it down.

Also, try the original battery after it has had some time to warm up, it may recover.

[Simon Spiers]

I bought the remote switch in December, and used it a few times. Last weekend I was taking some long exposures of the night sky. I had just completed a 10 minute exposure on Bulb to produce star trails. The temperature was in the low 20's.

Later on when I tried to take another photo with the remote switch, it wouldn't trip the shutter at all, and I couldn't figure out why. The following day I tried to get it to work, and all it would do is try to focus the lens when I had the lens on AF, but it still won't trip the shutter. I'm wondering if I just killed the switch from the long exposure or having it out in the cold for so long, or a combination of both.

Has anyone else experienced a problem with the RS-80N3? Any suggestions? I'm pretty upset that the switch would die so soon.

Thanks for any ideas you can give me.
Mo
If it does a focus but no shot, then it's a switch fault or wire busted:cry:
Do you know how to check it with a Ohm meter?

[pierrot]

Simon +1

[-MO]

I'm sorry, but I don't even know what a Ohm meter is! LOL

I don't see that it even has a battery...the instructions don't mention one and I don't see where it would be removed and replaced.

I sent an email to Canon's Technical Support. I hope they give me some good news. I'd like to do some more long exposures within the next two weeks. The problem is, I bought it from Adorama and now I can't even find the receipt, and I'm usually so organized with this stuff. Figures!

[flyfisher]

There is a little indent in the bottom left whier the battery goes the door can be a little hard to open, but unless you are using some of the programable functions the remote should work without the battery. see page 34 in instruction book.
page 22 tels you how ti instal the bettery.

[dhbailey]

Several considerations -- concerning the night shot, did you have the "noise reduction in long exposures" function turned on? That doubles the amount of time for each shot, so if you were taking a 10-minute shot, the camera wouldn't be available for the next shot for 10 minutes. If you tried to take a shot within the next 10 minutes, you could try to trip the shutter all you want and nothing will happen.

Concerning the other attempt, did you look throught the viewfinder to see if the FocusLock indicator dot were flashing? The camera won't take a picture with that flashing.

Both of these considerations could account for your RS not working properly. More testing is in order before messing with an OHM meter or sending it in for repairs.

[-MO]

Thank you, flyfisher and dhbailey.

Flyfisher, I checked the manual, but that seems to only deal with the regular battery for the camera, not for the remote switch, if there is a battery for it.

Dhbailey, I did have the noise reduction on, but I tried again the following day using all the other settings and even a fresh battery in the camera. I even tried it yesterday and it was focused, but still no dice.....

Yup, I think I killed it. :(

[Nic]

The battery housing is at the bottom (end) of the TC-80N3. It can't work without the battery.

[BoySpot]

I was out with the RS-80N3 (not the one the other poster is talking about) and my 10D last night watching some fireworks. It did exactly the same thing. It would trigger the autofocus but not the shutter. Left me a little annoyed because they won't usually stop a display for you to figure out whatis wrong with your equipment. I also got an Error 99 during this time. Had to revert to manual shutter pressing.

I shall play with it a bit today. If I find out anything more, I'll let you know. You are not alone it seems.

[thomascanty]

Flyfisher, I checked the manual, but that seems to only deal with the regular battery for the camera, not for the remote switch, if there is a battery for it.

Are you looking in the remote's manual, not the camera's. I don't think that remote has a battery, though. It's just a button. It's similar to the RS60-E3 remote for my Elan 7E, and that one doesn't use a battery.

I've done several long exposures using my TC-80N3 (up to 20 minutes), which does require a battery. I've never experienced a problem like this.

[-MO]

Thanks, all. Nic, I have the RS-80N3, not the one you're talking about.

The RS-80N3's instructions don't make any mention of a battery at all. In the meantime I just received an email from Canon's Tech Support:

"Thank you for your inquiry. We are sorry to hear of any issues with the operation of the EOS 20D. The Operating Temperature of the EOS 20D is 32 - 104 degrees.
Unfortunately, if the issue continues the unit will require testing internally." ...and it went on to list the factories for servicing. However, the camera still operated fine after the switch died, even in the cold weather. Maybe there's something inside the camera that deals with the connection of the remote switch to the shutter that was affected?

Boyspot, I'd be really interested to know how you do with yours. By the way, what was the temperature where you were shooting from?

I'd like to get the TC-80N3, but it's so expensive. Maybe I'll check eBay.....

[BoySpot]

It was hovering around freezing when I took my shots. My fingers will attest to this since I had to take my glove off to operate the shutter manually with any sense of reliability. I'll update you if I get any news.

[-MO]

It was hovering around freezing when I took my shots. My fingers will attest to this since I had to take my glove off to operate the shutter manually with any sense of reliability. I'll update you if I get any news.

Thanks so much, BoySpot!

I had posted a follow up question to Canon regarding the cold and that I was still able to use the camera itself after that. This is the reply I got back: "Dear Canon Customer,
Thank you for writing to us. Unfortunately, if the issue continues the unit will require testing internally. Thank you for choosing Canon."

I'm not ready to give up the camera for testing, so it looks like I'll just wind up buying another one and saving the darn receipt this time. Let me know how you make out!

[Jon]

Was it on AF that night like you said it was the next day? If so, it's possible it couldn't get a focus lock.

[-MO]

Was it on AF that night like you said it was the next day? If so, it's possible it couldn't get a focus lock.

No, I had both the camera and the lens on manual because I was photographing the night sky. The lens can't autofocus on that, so I shut the AF off. I'm just hoping that if I do get another remote that the new one works, and that it's not something inside the camera that gets the connection from the remote switch. But then again, if a new one doesn't work then at least I'll know ..... Canon was no help.

[Linemantim]

I bought an aftermarket remote switch and it quit working the second time I used it. I ohmed it out, and it seemed to function ok. It turned out that it wasn't going in far enough to make a good connection with the camera pins. I trimmed some of the plastic off the wide part of the cord so it did not hit the body of the camera which was keeping it from touching the pins. This probably isnt your issue because your cord should be different, but after trimming mine it works fine now. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif Good luck!

Tim Dougherty

[BoySpot]

Try as I might, I have not been able to replicate my original problem. The release is working just fine now. I guess it was a combination of cold and damp. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[abel]

not sure if the problem has been owrked out or not but i also have a rs80n3 remote and i made an extenison cable for it by splicing stereo jacks into it. you can find the link here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59407)

one thing i learned is that if there is a bad connection the remote can cause the camera to go into sleep mode etc the cam will just seem to turn off... also, a bad connection can also make the the camera autofocus but not release the shutter when fully pressed...

there are 3 wires in side, one is the constant, one if for AF and one is for shutter release...

id clean the connectors and the contacts on the camera as well... maybe theres something there that causing a bad connection...

[-MO]

Thanks again, everyone. Not trying to dredge up this old post, but as it turns out my remote switch just started working a few weeks later! I would keep trying in between to no avail, but one day I just fiddled with it by trying to clean both the plug and the sockets on the camera by blowing on them and wiping them, and all of a sudden it started working again! Go figure.......

Boyspot, I'm glad to see that yours is working fine as well!

[robertwgross]

I hate to say this, but the whole problem might be caused from something as simple as a loose connection right in the special connector where the remote plugs into the camera. I hate to say that because that is one place that the user has little control over fixing it.

You now, it might be temperature-related. At cold temperatures, most metals contract, and at warm temperatures, most metals expand. The metal wires and pins in that thing might be right on the edge of working at your temperatures.

Don't you hate that?

---Bob Gross---

[Malsam]

going to revive this thread. I have a similar problem too. The cable will auto-focus for me...and quite responsive too. Only thing is they just wont trigger. Search the web to no results.

Any1 can help? I'm using the remote trigger RC-1 to replace it for the long exposure still requires the Rs 80N3 :-(