Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

In film cameras, they are still a component, but now, in the Digital Era ... do we need them as much?

OutBack Loc: North Central Florida

I have wireless remote for my Nikon, the new ones can be fired from a cell phone.

Vibration-free shots.

Is that what you mean?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes, wireless (& wired) when I'm using a tripod to reduce camera movement.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I mostly use wireless release (IR) + 2 sec delay with my Canon 5D. Last year I bought a 12' tether for shooting birds right outside the window. Havent tried the phone app, but I expect turning wifi on in the camera is going to drain battery even faster.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Do you use one, and when?
Every time my camera is on a tripod I use a wired remote to help reduce unwanted camera movemen.

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

Timely topic for me. I just set up a bird feeder in my yard and set up my camera on a tripod looking out my patio door. The point of a tripod is to limit movement. A remote shutter release sounds like a great idea. My question is how do I know that focus is correct? Normally I would press the shutter half way then fire when I'm sure I have focus. I could use some tips/ advice on the best methods for getting these shots using a remote shutter. Thanks.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

My tripod shots are usually very long exposure 'scapes so I will be using manual focus.
In your situation, and I havn't done it, I would prefocus on the feeder or an object placed, as a tempoary measure, where the bird is likely to be then set the lens to manual focus - and then don't touch it.

The other alternative may be to still look through the viewfinder and still use autofoucus (when a bird approaches). A haf press of the remote should cause the camera to autofucus and a full press will take the photograph.

One question - don't you nornally use very high shutter speeds when shooting birds so you wouldn't need the tripod for stability but more help with the weight on long shoots?

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Focus can be difficult remotely. Tethering to laptop helps. My birdfeeder has specific rungs where I put food so the birds go where I want. I pre-focus and pray.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Now, if only I could move the maple tree so the light hits my feeder better.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Not exactly, Outback ... an ad came up for alternate shutter release buttons which include wired inputs. With film cameras, one could use these to trigger multiple flash units, and also - for shutter release - when you were "miles" away from the tripod. Nowadays, with Wi-Fi, etc. I don't really see the need for them, but someone is investing advertising dollars in them, so there must be a need. I am trying to establish what that need might be, Make sense?

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

Well I'm still experimenting with exposure settings but I have a few things working against me. One is I'm using a bridge camera(24-600mm) so high ISO is not all that suitable. Also the window is facing south and since I'm on Long Island the sun is very low in the southern sky for most of the day so there is the back lighting issue. It's been over a week since putting out the feeder and so far I have not had too many visitors. Only 4 or 5 birds that I've actually seen and since I get home after 3:00PM there is not all that much light left to capture. The distance between the camera and feeder is about 15 feet or so.

I've had very few opportunities to shoot so far. I have used the half press and shoot but my results have been sub par. Hand holding is not an option under these conditions and high shutter speeds are generally out of range so a remote release sounds like the way to go.

I will definitely experiment with the pre-focusing on the feeder and possibly combine that with AP and burst mode. I should be able to get some images in focus. Possibly continuous AF might be an option.

Thank you for your ideas. They're greatly appreciated.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

But, you don't use a wired remote, do you, Jeff?

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

This one is a relatively small five sided house with a roof. I will be putting up a different feeder that has more options like a suet cage and open bowls for seed and water so that may help. Thanks for the ideas. Much appreciated.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

How long a tether do you use, Bill ... when you use a wired shutter release?

Do you have one of those wired buttons, which cover the in-built release?

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

I hear you. I have a tree and a high ranch behind me which is a challenge. I'm hoping when the season changes and the sun gets higher I'll have better conditions.