swame_sp said:
One quick question, on ebay there are loads of non-nikon remotes for D7000, I'm about to buy ML-L3 as they are $5-7 extra.

Any experiences with non nikon remotes? Thanks.

I got one to use then included it with my D90 when I sold that. My dad has the Nikon-branded one and I couldn't tell any difference. I think it cost me $4 shipped. It was Yong nuo or some similar-sounding brand and I can't remember if it was on ebay or amazon.

Why would you buy knock-offs on ebay when you can buy them original for $5 more? Seriously, I don't think it's worth the hassle.

One quick question, on ebay there are loads of non-nikon remotes for D7000, I'm about to buy ML-L3 as they are $5-7 extra.

Any experiences with non nikon remotes? Thanks.

You're right, NSX. For some reason I thought the D90 and the D5000 had it.

Yeah I looked at the pictures on the Nikon site and could see the difference. The D5000 doesn't have the extra infrared sensor. I could see it on the D7000...that would be helpful :)

casperwb said:
guys

remember IR devices can be bounced, much like you bounce the light from your flash.

as an example, try bouncing your tv remote off a framed with glass picture or mirror behind you, or just bounce it off the wall or ceiling.

the same can be achieved with small mirrors set off to the side if you want to use your remote from behind the camera, or off to the side, angled mirrow on he floor out of range of the lens.

your imagination is the limit, around corners, etc.

this will allow you to expand the range and use of your remote.

Thanks for the information.

tcole, you have a D5000 right? I don't think those have a second IR receiver, so you'd be right, you'd only be able to activate it from the front unless you find a way to bounce it.

JohnnyApple, other than the D7000, I don't think any bodies lower than the D7000 has a second IR receiver, and all of the higher end bodies don't use this remote.

Tony Tony Chopper said:
Does anyone else encountered any problems on using IR remote control on bulb mode for D7000? Actual operation should be: after 1st press = shutter opens then after 2nd press = shutter close. Mine opens and closes at one press. :(

Just tested my D7k and no problem here. From the looks of it it doesn't sound like you're setting your camera to bulb mode correctly. You'd need to set both your shooting mode to remote and your shutter to "--" while in M or S modes. Hope that helps.

It works from behind, tcole. At least on the higher end bodies they have the IR sensor in back, too.

If you want a really fantastic remote, you should check out the phottix Plato. (N10 cable for d7000, etc. or N8 cable for D700, etc.) It's RF and has a range of at least 100 ft (the farthest I've tried). My favorite feature: it has a green light that lights up on the transmitter if the receiver is getting the signal so you know you have a connection when you press the shutter release. That fixes the most annoying thing about remotes—not knowing whether your camera got the message.

NSXType-R said:
Just curious, how much of a "line of sight" does the remote generally need?

For $20 or less, you really can't go wrong with it.

In my experience it is pretty line of sight. You can't stand behind the camera and use it. I would have to put it somewhat in front and point it back to get it to work. The last time I used my the battery was low...so that might have been part of the problem.

guys

remember IR devices can be bounced, much like you bounce the light from your flash.

as an example, try bouncing your tv remote off a framed with glass picture or mirror behind you, or just bounce it off the wall or ceiling.

the same can be achieved with small mirrors set off to the side if you want to use your remote from behind the camera, or off to the side, angled mirrow on he floor out of range of the lens.

your imagination is the limit, around corners, etc.

this will allow you to expand the range and use of your remote.

Just curious, how much of a "line of sight" does the remote generally need?

For $20 or less, you really can't go wrong with it.

shivaswrath said:
I was going to use on a shoot this coming weekend (since it's just me doing the shoot, I need to hold reflectors, etc.)...how reliable is this from far distances?

I have used mine at around 100 ft with no problem...just make sure the battery is fresh because the distance drops dramatically when the battery is low...speaking of which I need to replace mine.

I was going to use on a shoot this coming weekend (since it's just me doing the shoot, I need to hold reflectors, etc.)...how reliable is this from far distances?

Does anyone else encountered any problems on using IR remote control on bulb mode for D7000? Actual operation should be: after 1st press = shutter opens then after 2nd press = shutter close. Mine opens and closes at one press. :(

thanks for the info guys. I went and got a name brand battery and tried that. It works much better. I was a bit worried because i got it right out of the box for that shoot. i put in what i THOUGHT was a new battery.

thanks again.

^ Lens caps?

krevlingoodspeed said:
I thought I lost my ML-L3, again, so I ordered a new one.

Such a HUGE expense... LOL...

Must be the CHEAPEST thing Nikon sell, unless anyone else knows different?

Yeah on the range...I thought it was pretty excellent. I took a group picture from about ~100+ feet away and it worked. +1 on checking the battery.

Thanks, good to know. I'll keep extra batteries on hand.

jonnyapple said:
Even with the D7000 do you have to be in front of the camera? I haven't tried it, but I know one of the new features from the D90 was an IR sensor on the back so that you can use the IR remote from behind.

Yeah it works from front and back!

Michael DeRose said:
I hate to give bad news, but the ML-L3 didn't work that well with my d7000, at least range wise. I had to be no more then 4-5 feet from it and worked only 30 percent in front of it.(i was outside during afternoon golden hour) Im not sure if i have a bad remote, but im not impressed.

Like bjrichus stated, check the battery.

I thought I lost my ML-L3, again, so I ordered a new one.

Ended up finding the old one which I had for about 1 year without changing the battery, at first I thought it didn't work anymore but as I got closer it started working. When the new one arrived I was able to shoot further away. So yeah, check the battery.

Michael DeRose said:
I hate to give bad news, but the ML-L3 didn't work that well with my d7000, at least range wise. I had to be no more then 4-5 feet from it and worked only 30 percent in front of it.(i was outside during afternoon golden hour) Im not sure if i have a bad remote, but im not impressed.

Check the battery in the remote. It doesn't last as long as you think it should and a low battery reduces range...

The first battery in mine lasted for no more than 40 presses (with other bodies). The last few presses before I changed it, the thing was almost unusable. After I changed out the battery it's now 100% reliable, so perhaps that first battery was just an old one?

There is a user guide for it on the Nikon USA web site, but it doesn't come with the remote, which is weird!!!

I hate to give bad news, but the ML-L3 didn't work that well with my d7000, at least range wise. I had to be no more then 4-5 feet from it and worked only 30 percent in front of it.(i was outside during afternoon golden hour) Im not sure if i have a bad remote, but im not impressed.

Even with the D7000 do you have to be in front of the camera? I haven't tried it, but I know one of the new features from the D90 was an IR sensor on the back so that you can use the IR remote from behind.

bgregston said:
One thing I haven't tested with the ML-L3/D7000 combo is the range. I've always been standing right there next to the camera when I use it.

Me too. I have used it for group shots (office portraits etc), and while I am keeping the subjects entertained, it lets me wave my hands, tell jokes etc I can more easily fire the camera.

Have found I need to be slightly to the front of the sensor plane (just out of shot) for it to be reliable. Works anywhere within 10' or so in bright direct light but further when inside and so less to interfere with it - is an infrared beam thing, after all.

One thing I haven't tested with the ML-L3/D7000 combo is the range. I've always been standing right there next to the camera when I use it. My main use is for HDR bracketing. I'll have to play with that. Better to know now than when you need it.