Gear

Wireless remotes for selfies

A selfie or self-portrait is how many of us prefer to express ourselves. Sure we can hand the camera off to someone else but no one knows best which is our good side or when to best trip the shutter.
A selfie or self-portrait is how many of us prefer to express ourselves. Sure we can hand the camera off to someone else but no one knows best which is our good side or when to best trip the shutter.

Now that the word ‘selfie’ is officially in the English dictionary, I guess we have to get serious about this genre.

For the purposes of this article, let’s just restrict our discussion of selfies to exclude those done in bathrooms.

I was going to use the phrase ‘privacy of bathrooms’ but isn’t it strange, some folks think nothing about going into bathrooms, locking the doors then taking riské pictures to post on social media?

When it comes to turning the camera on yourself, there are plenty of choices depending on how much you’d like to spend.

Under $100

Cheapest wireless remote--The transmitter is probably its weakest point. That button you depress feel cheap and will probably be break first since that is a movable part
Cheapest wireless remote–The transmitter is probably its weakest point. That button you depress feel cheap and will probably be break first since that is a movable part
Canon 5DM2 with the Vello Freewave Plus on the hotshoe. The receiver is plugged into the camera's N-3 port.
Canon 5DM2 with the Vello Freewave Plus on the hotshoe. The receiver is plugged into the camera’s N-3 port.

On the low end is the radio transmitter & receiver combo I bought for $45 from BHPhoto in NY. (Christmas sale price included next-day shipping) Vello Freewave radio remote.

This particular remote came supplied with 2 types of cables that connect to your camera: a N-3 and E-3.

Between $100 to $200

The Cybersync transmitter and receiver combo is actually very versatile because I use them to trigger my flashes (studio and speedlites).
The Cybersync transmitter and receiver combo is actually very versatile because I use them to trigger my flashes (studio and speedlites).

In the mid-price range is the Paul C Buff Cybersync transmitters  $60/receiver $70 combo.

This Cybersync transmitter/receiver combo is what I use for triggering my flash units, studio and speedlites, off-camera.

I love gear that can be used for multiple purposes and that’s why this is actually a very good option.

$300 +

Canon's OEM Wireless Controller LC-4 is very pricey. A much better option if you own an Android or iOS device is the Camranger
Canon’s OEM Wireless Controller LC-4 is very pricey. A much better option if you own an Android or iOS device is the Camranger. Note this receiver comes with the  N-3 connector. Check this list of Canon cameras  which use the N-3 type  connector.
The Canon Wireless Controller LC-4 is limited to line-of-sight because it uses infra red.
The Canon Wireless Controller LC-4 is limited to line-of-sight because it uses infra red.

Then there’s the OEM Canon Wireless Controller LC-5 which is fairly outrageous at $450.

For the price Canon charges, I can’t recommend this.

The technology is infra red-based so it  has line-of-sight limitations.

You’re better off with my 4th and final suggestion especially if you have an Android or iOS mobile device.

The 4th option is the Camranger which is a piece of hardware 4.5″ x 2.5″ x .75″ that connects to your camera’s remote port via mini-usb capable of creating its own WiFi network so your iOS or Android device can control your camera.

 

This piece of hardware connects via the mini-usb port of most DSLRs and wirelessly downloads thumbnails for real time viewing and also allows you to control the camera remotely. You can focus, change exposure settings, perform intervalometer and even HDR shots.
This piece of hardware connects via the mini-usb port of most DSLRs and wirelessly downloads thumbnails for real time viewing and also allows you to control the camera remotely. You can focus, change exposure settings, perform intervalometer and even HDR shots.

For my money, if you already own a mobile device like an Android tablet, iPad or iPhone or a smartphone, the Camranger is the best solution.

Here's an image I made with my Canon 5DM2 connected to the Camranger. I activated "Live View" and manually focused. Then I took my own picture using the graphic user interface of Camranger.
Here’s an image I made with my Canon 5DM2 connected to the Camranger. I activated “Live View” and manually focused. Then I took my own picture using the graphic user interface of Camranger.

The app is free and the following video from Olivia Techvideos gives you a very good idea of what this $300 Camranger unit can do.

By the way, these wireless remotes aren’t just for selfies.

If you think about it, they are necessary if you plan to do any low light photography when you’re using a long lens and long exposures.

Pressing the shutter button in those instances will shake the camera even if it’s mounted on a  tripod and the surest way to get images without camera shake is to use these remotes.

I can see more and more selfies making their way into galleries in a few years.

As a self-employed artist who also teaches, I often find that I can’t take the time to document my workshops and classes, so these wireless remotes can come in handy when I need self-promotional pictures.

Peter Phun Photography

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