Suggestions on Wireless Shutter Release?

[Mike Lewis]

So I have started to branch out from my landscape photography and add in some wildlife shooting. I have quickly realized that it is not practical to try to get by with the built in shutter delay capability of my Canon DSLR for shooting wildlife, and have come to the conclusion that I need a remote shutter trigger. I could use a wired solution but if there is a wireless model that checks all the boxes without being super expensive I am thinking that might be a good approach.

So far my research has shown some promising models, but many seem to limit the burst mode rates to ~1 second or so. Not sure from a technical aspect why that would have to be so? I am shooting with my 5DSr (not a classic body for wildlife I know but have enjoyed it for landscape) that has an N3 connection, so whatever i find must be compatible with that.

Any ideas for some good solutions for hopefully not too much (< $100) that might work well?

Thanks bunches,

ML

 

[JimFox]

Hey Mike,

I have used the Vello Freewave with success, but only with Landscape photography. So I don't no how well it would work for you with wildlife.

I am a total wildlife novice so this might sound like a dumb question, I would have thought you would be holding the camera and pressing the shutter button for shooting wildlife, what kind of applications with the wildlife would you be using a remote release?

 

[Mike Lewis]

Jim,

Thanks for the recommendation. I have seen that one I think. Good to know it is capable, and the price is not crazy either.

For a large amount of serious wildlife shooting your supposition on how wildlife is imaged is the case. For me right now as I am starting out, since I do not yet have a gimbal head, I am not able to follow birds in flight when tripod mounted, or really any animals that are moving around too quickly. Conversely, I am finding that unlike my Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS lens that was my longest lens previously, the Sigma 150-600 that I just acquired pretty much exceeds my abilities to hand hold, even with the OS enabled. But that currently leaves stationary or slow moving animals or birds, like the osprey I posted to the wildlife forum that you saw, that I can get on a tripod. But even though my tripod is up to the task, it still is not settling out as fast as I would like when I have to trigger the shutter directly, so having a remote release seems like a good idea. And in truth, I could use one oftentimes during landscape shooting as well, like you mention.

Eventually, if I remain involved with wildlife shooting, I see a gimbal head in my future, and then maybe even an upgraded lens at some point. But the Sigma 150-600 was on a 24 hour flash sale at B&H for $749, so I didn't feel like spending almost that same amount of cash on a gimbal head right away.

So that is probably lots more detail than you were looking for

As I alluded to above, there was a guy there with a Canon 800 f/5.6, mounted to a 1-DX mark II, on a taller than me capable tripod, rocking a Wimberley version II gimbal head, so pretty much the best of everything. He got some amazing images of the ospreys skimming the water cleaning their talons, as well as a shot of a Blue Heron flipping a fish into its mouth. That is what ~16 fps and lots of skill and previous experience shooting wildlife can get you when matched up to top level gear. It was very fun to see him in action and get to see his amazing images on the camera back. But of course, I am trying to take baby steps and make sure I am going to be into this before I let the 'economic ruin' portion of the activity to fully set in

Best Regards,

ML

 

[JimFox]

Thanks Mike! I appreciated all of the detail, it was nice to get a little insight into the wildlife part of photography.

 

[MonikaC]

I got the Vello wireless as part of a promotional package with something I got years ago. Probably not their best model. My issue with it is that every time I reached for it, the batteries were dead. If you want to try it out & are more conscientious that I am about checking batteries, I'd be happy to give it to you (we're in the same state, it looks like)