RC-6 Remote and AF

Hi folks,

I was using my 3rd party RC-6 remote for some family portraits over the weekend and the focus seems a bit off. Is this a common problem when using the IR remotes? I took some shots behind the camera myself in the same lighting and had good results, so I'm assuming it's the remote.

I'm fairly new to photography... just wondering if there's anything I can do to improve my self-family shots.

You're going to want to set up the shot yourself and use the remote only for a shutter release. This means focus on the family members and take a test shot to check focus and exposure. Then the easiest thing to do is switch the lens to MF. This way the remote won't change the focus when you press the button; it will just snap the picture.

I was afraid this would be the answer, but thanks so much for the reply! Is there a wired remote that can do a better job with AF?

Why would you want the camera to AF itself every time? For family portraits, just get them lined up, focus on wife/kid. Then take a test shot to check exposure, focus and DOF. Then get in there and set off the camera. If you know how much DOF you have, you should still be able to re-pose and take different shots.

If you're trying to shoot other subjects, that's another story. For example, with wildlife, you'd just have to hope that they enter your frame or stop down for more DOF. If you're willing to pay, there are other options with tethering (wired/wireless).

Thanks again Gordon. I think DOF is what I need to keep in mind. I was shooting around f/5.0 so maybe needed a little deeper to allow for slight changes in posing.

I bought a RC 06 and it focuses first then fires, only cost £9.90
Do you cover the VF with the little cover to shut out light

Submariner wrote in post #15706870
I bought a RC 06 and it focuses first then fires, only cost £9.90
Do you cover the VF with the little cover to shut out light

Mine focuses before firing as well, but it doesn't seem sharp. Like klr.b mentioned, I think I need a little deeper DOF to allow for a little movement and focus the shot myself.

I didn't cover the VF, but didn't think that would be an issue with a high shutter speed. I'll give it a try though and see if it improves the shot. Thanks for reply!

JoseCanseco wrote in post #15710659
Mine focuses before firing as well, but it doesn't seem sharp. Like klr.b mentioned, I think I need a little deeper DOF to allow for a little movement and focus the shot myself.

I didn't cover the VF, but didn't think that would be an issue with a high shutter speed. I'll give it a try though and see if it improves the shot. Thanks for reply!

It might be not enough DOF, or it might just be it misfocused. Check those "not sharp" pictures to see if perhaps some other area is in focus. Something should always be in focus, you just have to look and find it. You can look over the shots you've already taken to be sure. For example, you always hear to focus on the eyes for portraits. So, lets say you compose the shot and put the AF point on your wife's eye, join the family, and take the shot. That shot might have turned out perfect. Now for the next shot, your wife decides she wants to lean in a little closer towards you by a few inches. The AF point can now miss her entirely and focus on the grass, tree, or any other object behind you. That's why you don't want the camera to AF every time you take a shot. You can't be sure that someone is always in front of the AF point.

I have EOS500D (Rebel T1i) will this work for me?