Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch Review
05/06/2006
In the early days of film cameras, I've used the
shutter release cable. Now, with the Digital Rebel
XT/EOS 350D, the shutter release cable is replaced
by Canon's RS-60E3 Remote Switch. If you click on
one of the photos to the left, you'll see a typo
on the box (Swich, should be Switch), however, the
instruction pamphlet that came with this remote had "switch" spelled
correctly. On the back of the box, you'll find that
this remote was made in Taiwan (or maybe it was the
box).
I have Canon's RC-1 Wireless Remote Controller (see
review), which
is great for group shots and getting yourself in the picture, but
it is not all that convenient for use in architectural/macro/portrait/product/sample
photography and astrophotography (which I am slowly gaining interest
in). |
| What's in the box |
|
There are only two items in the box :
1 - Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch
1 - Instruction pamphlet (in different languages) |
Specifications
|
| |
Features: |
|
Replicates all the functions of the camera's shutter-release
button |
| |
Additional Features: |
|
None |
| |
Batteries: |
|
None |
| |
Size: |
|
7/8" (22mm) wide x 3-1/8" (79mm) long x 9/16" (14mm)
thick |
| |
Cable Length: |
|
24" (0.6m) |
| |
Plug: |
|
3/32" (2.5mm) |
| |
Weight: |
|
1 oz. (28g) |
| |
|
|
Compatible with Elan, Rebel & EOS IX Series Cameras |
| A close up view of Canon's RS-60E3 Remote Switch |
 |
 |
| Front |
Back |
Canon's RS-60E3 Remote Switch is about the size of a flattened
AA battery. A 2 foot cable with a 3/32" (2.5mm) TRS (tip-ring-sleeve,
in other words, stereo) plug is fixed at the button end of the
switch. The two stage button operates a lot like the shutter
release button on the Digital Rebel XT/EOS 350D and there is a
third stage where you can lock down the button (when setting the
shutter on bulb or, for continuous shooting).
Something unimportant I would like to mention here is that the
cable was wrapped using a small black rubber band instead of the
usual wire ties. |
| Using the Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch |
I had to refer to the Digital Rebel XT's manual to find out where
the remote connection was on the camera. The instructions, that
came with the RS-60E3 Remote Switch, showed a different location
for the remote jack. On the Digital Rebel XT, the jack is located
behind the rubber door on the left hand side of the camera.
Using the RS-60E3 Remote Switch is about as simple as using the
shutter release button on the Digital Rebel XT. It works in any
mode. When slightly depressing the button, the camera (lens in
auto-focus) the lens will auto-focus and set exposure. Press fully,
and the shutter will release.
You can also use it with the timer. But you will have to deal with
having to wait 10 seconds
for the picture to be taken.
For architectural/macro/portrait/product/sample photography, it
is best to set the set the focus switch on the lens to M (manual).
There are two ways to achieve this. 1 - Manually focus on the subject.
2 - Auto focus then switch to manual. In fact, you should use this
procedure when you use "buLb", "Mirror lockup" and "buLb" with "Mirror
lockup". |
For bulb exposures, set the camera's Mode Dial to
M (manual). Looking at the LCD, set the shutter speed
to "buLb",
which is after 30". Then, on the remote switch,
press the button fully and push/slide the button
forward (towards the cable). You will see a red bar
indicating that the button is locked down.
When there is sufficient exposure, slide the button
back, and the shutter will close.
When using "Mirror lockup" (Custom
Functions, C.Fn-7), pressing the
button fully once will lock up the mirror. Pressing
the button again will take the picture.
To take photographs with "buLb" and "Mirror
lockup", press the button fully once to lock
up the mirror. Then press and hold down the button,
slide forward to lock the button down, to take the
picture. When sufficient exposure is reached, slide
the button back to close the shutter. |
|
"When storing the Remote Switch", according to Canon's instructions,
"the cable should be wound around the main unit as shown in the
diagram". Easier said than done. There are a couple of slots on
both side of the remote to hold the cable in position. Unfortunately,
the slots on my remote are too large, or the cable is too small.
Originally, I thought that the rubber band used to wrap the cable
would hold the cable in the first slot. Not so. Eventually the
cable will un-wind itself from the switch. Just a minor quibble. |
| Conclusion |
Canon's RS-60E3 Remote Switch is exactly what I've been looking
for. I've been using the RC-1 Wireless Remote Controller
to take pictures of, for example, products. But using the
RC-1 requires changing the "Auto power off" setting
on the camera to a longer time (slightly using up the battery)
and having
to position the Wireless Remote in front of the
camera.
With the camera on the tripod and the RS-60E3 plugged in, you use
the Remote Switch as an extension of the camera's shutter button.
Vibration is minimized and, when used with "Mirror lockup", the pictures
are exceptionally clear. |
For astrophotography, this is probably the ideal accessory to have. Using
the RC-1 wireless, you had to put up with the AF assist beam. With the
RS-60E3 you don't have the AF assist beam, because that only happens when
you use the timer/remote function which is required when using the RC-1
wireless.
Probably the only thing I wish the RS-60E3 Remote Switch had... was a slightly
longer cable. But then, that's what extension cables are for such as this
one from Radio
Shack
:-)
Gary Kawamura
| About the moon photograph |
| |
Object: |
|
Waxing Gibbous Moon |
| |
Condition: |
|
Hazy, cloudy, city lights |
| |
Telescope: |
|
None |
| |
Camera: |
|
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT |
| |
Date Time: |
|
2006-04-11T19:54:06-07:00 |
| |
Shutter Speed: |
|
1/500 sec |
| |
Exposure Program: |
|
Manual |
| |
F-Stop: |
|
F/8.0 |
| |
ISO Speed Ratings: |
|
400 |
| |
Focal Length: |
|
240.0 mm |
| |
Lens: |
|
70.0-300.0 mm |
| |
Notes: |
|
Handheld, IS (image stabilizer), cropped,
100%, no filters or adjustments |
|
|
