My remote switch Canon RS-80N3 acting weird

I've had this RS-80N3 for a couple of years and have used it many times without problem. Last night while making some long exposures on my 5D mkIII it would focus fine using the remote, but the remote would not trip the shutter. It was achieving focus fine using autofocus, but just would not trip the shutter. Tried manual focus and same deal, it would not fire the shutter. The shutter button would operate fine when used without the remote.

I've tested it today in the bright light of daytime and the same thing happens. I've tried the camera with another remote I have, a generic brand intervalometer, and everything works fine -- the camera will focus and the shutter will fire using the intervalometer.

Could the RS-80N3 suddenly have developed a broken wire, or am I overlooking something obvious?

Replace battery?

Naturalist wrote in post #18420799
Replace battery?

The remote switch doesn't have one. Inside the case, it's just a switch and some wires. Or do you mean the camera's date/time battery? Had not considered that, figured the shutter mechanism was powered by the camera's LP-E6 battery.

You might check https://photography-on-the.net …thread.php?t=57​790&page=1, especially reply 23 on how to disassemble. But before doing that I'd check cleanliness of the connectors. Maybe a can of the compresser air used to clean lenses, keyboards, etc.

FYI, many people feel the $5 clones are just as good as the $50 Canon RS. Also numerous Canon RS on eBay, one new at $22. See http://www.ebay.com …d3057b:g:B-AAAOSw3yVZgLui

John from PA wrote in post #18421055
You might check https://photography-on-the.net …thread.php?t=57​790&page=1, especially reply 23 on how to disassemble. But before doing that I'd check cleanliness of the connectors. Maybe a can of the compresser air used to clean lenses, keyboards, etc.

FYI, many people feel the $5 clones are just as good as the $50 Canon RS. Also numerous Canon RS on eBay, one new at $22. See http://www.ebay.com …d3057b:g:B-AAAOSw3yVZgLui

Thanks for that link, I had tried to search before posting this but missed that one. I'll have another look inside the remote case and see if I see something broken or otherwise amiss, and I'll also try some contact cleaner. The three-pin connector Canon uses for the remote switch is pretty strange and I'm aware that some folks have had trouble getting the connection fully seated, it does take a good push.

I did test it with a second camera, my 6D, and saw the same results; the RS-80N3 will focus but not fire shutter, the intervalometer (Neewer branded) works fine. So meanwhile I'll just use the intervalometer. If I replace the RS-80N3, I'll go the generic route, also. I'm sure they are not built any more poorly than the Canon-branded switch, and probablly made by the same sweatshop.

I looked again inside the case of the Canon remote and found no broken screw mounts and the three-contact switch seems to be working properly. After applying some contact cleaner to the remote's connector and some fiddling, I've determined that the only way to get the shutter to fire with this remote is to press in hard on the remote's connector on the camera, and holding it. Half-press for autofocus works fine without touching it. That ain't gonna work, of course. I don't understand what changed but I'm going to quit beating my head against the wall and just junk the remote.

Probably best.

f8andBeThere wrote in post #18421885
I looked again inside the case of the Canon remote and found no broken screw mounts and the three-contact switch seems to be working properly. After applying some contact cleaner to the remote's connector and some fiddling, I've determined that the only way to get the shutter to fire with this remote is to press in hard on the remote's connector on the camera, and holding it. Half-press for autofocus works fine without touching it. That ain't gonna work, of course. I don't understand what changed but I'm going to quit beating my head against the wall and just junk the remote.

You should examine the contact pins in the camera to make sure that all three pins are there, are all the same length, are clean, and are not bent. If all three pins are there, clean, and not visibly damaged (same length and no bends), then you should replace your whole switch assembly or (assuming Canon sells the plug) the plug assembly. Of course, replacing the plug assembly on your switch's cable would require someone with appropriate tools and experience to do a proper job.

If the pins in the camera are not OK, then the camera may have to go to a Canon repair shop.

Thanks, all three pins in the camera are straight and good. It works with another remote, my generic intervalometer. The Canon remote does the same thing with two other cameras I've tried it on now. It will focus the camera but not trip the shutter -- unless I press in hard on the connector while firing it. This Canon remote has worked flawlessly for a couple of years so it must be some sort of wire or connector failure. It always clicked in to the connection just fine, just seems to have decided to quit working on the most important half of its function, tripping the shutter.

f8andBeThere wrote in post #18421934
Thanks, all three pins in the camera are straight and good. It works with another remote, my generic intervalometer. The Canon remote does the same thing with two other cameras I've tried it on now. It will focus the camera but not trip the shutter -- unless I press in hard on the connector while firing it. This Canon remote has worked flawlessly for a couple of years so it must be some sort of wire or connector failure. It always clicked in to the connection just fine, just seems to have decided to quit working.

From what you say, you have two choices.

1. Repair the wiring for your remote switch and/or replace the plug assembly on it.
or
2. Scrap the remote switch and buy a replacement or two.

SkipD wrote in post #18421936
From what you say, you have two choices.

1. Repair the wiring for your remote switch and/or replace the plug assembly on it.
or
2. Scrap the remote switch and buy a replacement or two.

Thanks, I think I'll go with route 2, even though I'm the sort that hates to throw something out without being able to fix it. But the molded plastic plug means I'd pretty much have to find and buy a replacement wiring harness and resolder the connections. The generic releases are cheaper, I'm sure, and less hassle.

B&H has the Vello for &7.95.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_Wired_Remote_S​witch.html

gossamer88 wrote in post #18422352
B&H has the Vello for &7.95.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_Wired_Remote_S​witch.html

Hey thanks! That's a great price and should do the job. Appreciate the link.

Just be aware that all switches I've seen, that aren't Canon's own, don't have the locking feature on the N3 connector. Thus it falls out easier than the genuine one.

My TC-80N3 remote developed a cable issue just where the cable exist the remote. After some plastic surgery and soldering, the cable was four centimeters shorter but worked again.