I have a Remote Switch RS-80N3 which I have been using with my 50D. I've probably used the remote switch a hand full of times, 5-6 times at the most. As far as I can remember i've had a difficult time getting the switch to be remotely (pun intended) reliable. I haven't ever abused the switch in anyway, there has not been any extreme force upon it in anyway. But the only way to get the switch to work is to apply a slight pressure in a downward direction.. I know something is screwy with the contacts. I wanted to see if any FM'ers have ran into this issue, and what they did to remedy it? The 50D was purchased in December 2008, and the remote switch probably in February 2009, so I'm assuming under warranty for both... but what a bother!
Any advice, my friends?
Thanks in advance,
Jonathan
p.s. loving my new macro lens! I'm such a macro noob....
I have one which I bought in 1998 with an EOS 3. I used the hell out of it and it still works perfectly. If you've rotated the plug until it locks in place (you hear a "click") and it still doesn't work, either the 80N3 or camera is defective. I'd suggest trying another remote switch before sending it in.
I just want to make sure that I'm not failing to do something.. when yous ay rotate the plug, you mean put it in the proper orientation so that it fits in right? not plug it in and then rotate?
The connection just really seems to be finicky. I don't understand how it can be functional one second and then completely non-functional the next.
I'm sure he didn't mean rotate the plug *after* it locks in place!
Sounds to me like a flaky connection, but whether it's the pins or the sockets is a toss-up. If you have or can find some professional contact cleaner like DeOxit, try a squirt of that on both surfaces. If not, maybe a teeny bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, just to see if there's anything preventing good contact.
I've used an RS-80N3 for a couple of years now and love it. When it works right, it's a joy.
I just want to make sure that I'm not failing to do something.. when yous ay rotate the plug, you mean put it in the proper orientation so that it fits in right? not plug it in and then rotate?
The connection just really seems to be finicky. I don't understand how it can be functional one second and then completely non-functional the next.
Yes, it only fits with the right angle plug facing towards the front. This orientation seems counterintuitive to me since we normally use it from behind the camera. I normally use it in the dark: lightly stick it in the hole, rotate until I feel the groove and push down until it clicks (sheesh that sounds bad). Like I said, probably the camera port or the 80N3 is defective.
I just want to make sure that I'm not failing to do something.. when yous ay rotate the plug, you mean put it in the proper orientation so that it fits in right? not plug it in and then rotate?
The connection just really seems to be finicky. I don't understand how it can be functional one second and then completely non-functional the next.
Jonny,
Just so you don't feel like the Lone Ranger, I'm having exactly the same problem with my brand new (7/3/09) RS-80N3. It fires sometimes when I push the button and at other times won't fire no matter how many times I push it. This behavior is observable across a 1DMkII and a 1DsMkII. The plug only goes in one way and there is a positive lock so one knows it is connected. What is particularly baffling is that it will seem to work for a while and then stop working (and the start up again) without any change at the plug.
I was out last night trying to shoot lightening and couldn't get a shot off no matter what. Brought the rig into the light (without altering anything) and was able to fire off many shots in a row. WTF!!!!
What seems to be happening is that sometimes the button itself needs to be pressed very deeply to activate it. By that I mean I have to have my thumb perpendicular to the button with the thumbnail past the cuticle so that when I push all the way down it somehow goes deeper in and I get shutter actuation. Activating the slide switch forward also helps. I really don't think this is how the control is designed to operate and I'm going back to my camera store to have a talk with them particularly as the behavior is intermittent. Of course it only happens in the dark
So for me at least, it has nothing to do with the plug's connection to the camera and everything to do with the button's mechanical actuation of the switch to the shutter.
Jonny, you might consider looking at a replacement if your symptoms are similar to mine
Mine is about 8 years old or so and has been used on at elast 10 cameras without any issues. Maybe the new ones are being outsourced to a lesser quality OEM.
Mine is about 8 years old or so and has been used on at elast 10 cameras without any issues. Maybe the new ones are being outsourced to a lesser quality OEM.
I've had my remote for about 6 years now and use it regularly and it has not failed once, you should expect the same kind of reliability.
From what you have described it sounds like a wire issue in the plug of the remote. The easiest thing to do will be to exchange the remote. By taking it back to the shop perhaps they can test it on another body. Bring your 50D body too and test any new remote to save another trip if it does turn out to be a camera problem.
Just so you don't feel like the Lone Ranger, I'm having exactly the same problem with my brand new (7/3/09) RS-80N3. It fires sometimes when I push the button and at other times won't fire no matter how many times I push it. This behavior is observable across a 1DMkII and a 1DsMkII. The plug only goes in one way and there is a positive lock so one knows it is connected. What is particularly baffling is that it will seem to work for a while and then stop working (and the start up again) without any change at the plug.
I was out last night trying to shoot lightening and couldn't get a shot off no matter what. Brought the rig into the light (without altering anything) and was able to fire off many shots in a row. WTF!!!!
What seems to be happening is that sometimes the button itself needs to be pressed very deeply to activate it. By that I mean I have to have my thumb perpendicular to the button with the thumbnail past the cuticle so that when I push all the way down it somehow goes deeper in and I get shutter actuation. Activating the slide switch forward also helps. I really don't think this is how the control is designed to operate and I'm going back to my camera store to have a talk with them particularly as the behavior is intermittent. Of course it only happens in the dark
So for me at least, it has nothing to do with the plug's connection to the camera and everything to do with the button's mechanical actuation of the switch to the shutter.
Jonny, you might consider looking at a replacement if your symptoms are similar to mine
Thank you very much. What you described is pretty much my experience with my remote. I place it in straight on, until it clicks. Sometimes I've had it work right away for that session, with no problems. Other times, it will work, for example when I was fooling around with some macro work, only to stop working moments later when I refocus and haven't moved the remote or even touched it (at most a slight glancing touch as I move my hand to the focus ring?) It is truly frustrating and not easily repeatable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've tried unplugging and then replugging in the remote to no avail. From what some of you are saying the remote operation should be super reliable, just as I would expect a canon product to be (seriously, 50 dollars for a button and a wire?).
Unfortunately I ordered mine online and can't return it easily to a store. I'll probably try to contact canon first and then the e-tailer. I don't have a readily available second body to test the remote release on. My only other body that is lying around is an xti, which of course, is no help.
