46 out of 46 people found this review helpful.
Handy tool for the Rebel (and other compatible models) - Canon RC-1 Remote Control
Date of Review: Mar 26, 2007
The Bottom Line: If you have a Canon Rebel or any of the other compatible models, go out and get one of these, you'll wonder why you hadn't gotten one earlier
If you have a digital Rebel camera (or any of the several Canon models that this remote supports), this handy little remote control can let you take group photos or long exposure shots without having to touch the camera. While it s not perfect, I ve found that it s been a handy addition to my Rebel s accessories.
Remote Basics
This little remote control is little it easily fits in the palm of your hand and can either be stored in your bag with your other accessories or can be attached to your camera s strap since it features a clip that fits over the remote and holds it steadfastly to your strap. Personally, I don t use it often enough to keep it on the strap, so instead it just stays in my bag and comes out when I need it. However, for someone needing to use the remote often, this is a handy feature and the clip is designed to clip over the remote quite strongly, so I doubt it would fall off unless you really hit it against something.
The remote runs off a single CR 1220 lithium battery (one of those button batteries). I ve had my remote for over 2 years now and with my intermittent use, I have yet to have to replace the battery.
Controls on the remote are fairly simple there s the shutter button and a small sliding switch. The shutter button sets off the shutter and the slider switch has three different settings locked, regular or delayed. When the switch is on the lock position, you cannot accidentally fire your camera as the shutter button will not relay to the camera. In the regular position, upon pressing the remote s shutter button, your camera will fire off a shot immediately. Finally with the switch in the delay position, your camera will fire off a shot 2 seconds after pressing the remote s shutter button.
The shutter button can be fired with thinner gloves on, but you would be hard pressed to change the settings on the slider switch with all but the thinnest of gloves. I generally use the delay setting for group shots and such, so I just make sure it s in that position before I leave and I can at least be wearing a thinner glove when its cold and I m using the remote to fire off a picture.
Use
I ve been using this remote in conjunction with my Digital Rebel (300D) since I got the Rebel (I purchased the remote at the same time) and I ve been quite happy with it.
The remote is rated to work up to about 16 feet away from your camera. The only trick though is that the remote s front, with its infrared bulb needs to be facing your camera, otherwise it won t work at any distance. This can be a bit of a pain for group shots, since you need to be holding the remote in a position where the camera is visible from the remote. That s why I use the delay it gives me enough time to fire the camera and then move my hand into a more natural position before the photo is taken.
I ve found that the remote works well up to about 10 feet from the camera. After that distance, unless you ve got a clear, straight line between the remote and the camera, it may or may not fire off your camera, especially as you get further back to the 16 feet. Generally though, that 10-foot sweet spot for the remote is more than enough for the majority of my pictures.
When I m using the remote to fire my camera off for photos with longer exposure times, I just have it set on the regular mode and fire off the picture instantly. This allows me to take a photo with a longer exposure without touching the camera and without introducing any shake or vibration to the camera that would occur from me pressing the camera s shutter button.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the $25 I spent on this little remote has been money well spent in my mind.
While I wouldn t consider it an indispensable tool, it s one of those camera accessories that you wish you have if you don t have it. It comes in handy for group shots where you want to be in the shot and for taking photos with long exposures where you don t want to introduce any extra camera shake.
The battery lasts a long time, the operation is very simple and it s small enough to keep in your pocket, a camera bag or even clipped to the camera strap with the included clip.
I d say that if you have a Canon Rebel camera or any of the other compatible models, go out and get one of these you ll wonder why you hadn t gotten one earlier.
