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| Date Reviewed: 02/19/2006 |
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Strengths: Small but not too small.
Weaknesses: IR (should've been RF)
Summary: I bought the ML-L3 wireless IR remote shutter release for my recently purchased Nikon D50 dSLR camera. I enjoy making virtual reality interactive panoramas, both cylindrical and full spherical and primarily use the remote to help minimize camera shake while acquiring the images.
The ML-L3 is small - only 60mm long by 28mm wide and 5mm thick. The pictures I saw on the internet gave me the impression that it was bigger. But small is good and the unit fits comfortably in hand without being too small.
Because the D50/D70/D70s cameras have their IR receiver on the front, I was concerned that the remote would only activate the shutter when fired from the front. Nikon describes a rather narrow operating angle and specifically states that the unit should be aimed at the front of the camera from a distance of 5m or less. It sounded as if the remote was more suited to people who want to be in front of the camera rather than simply operating the shutter remotely from behind.
Fortunately, the ML-L3 performs just fine from quite a wide angle. Indoors, the IR beam bounces off ceilings and walls allowing remote shutter operation from just about any position relative to the camera. Outdoors it is less forgiving, but it's still easy to use without including my remote-holding hand in the picture. I do have to be somewhat careful, however, when using my 10.5mm fisheye lens with its all-seeing 180° FOV!
So this little guy can be made to work from behind the camera in spite of the D50/D70 cameras' front-facing IR receiver. An RF signal would've have been a better solution, but that would've required changes to the camera's receiver electronics, so it's not really the ML-L3's fault.
The bottom line? This is a great little accessory to have in your camera bag. It comes with a small fitted storage case and the 3V CR2025 battery is included.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/06/2006 |
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Strengths: Quiet, very small, really tiny, reasonable price, includes battery and small case
Weaknesses: Range limited to about 15 ft, operation can be difficult from behind camera to fire shutter
Summary: This little remote is my answer to the lack of a cable release on (most) digital cameras ! I had only been using the timer on my older point and shoot digital camera and the timer on my new Nikon D50 SLR digital camera, when I finally decided to get this remote for the Nikon. I'm glad I purchased the remote, it's worth the price (I paid $16.95 online, a good price, it is higher at some other places). I have been photographing iris flower blooms and nature shots (including birds, deer) and wanted to get in the photo with my two hounds(who do not hold still over one second, so even a timer would not work for that), so this was the solution I needed. Others may have the same need, for "rapid quick" shutter use at the choice of a certain moment. The D50 has a small button that must be set to use this remote, and this button can be easily changed or punched accidentally, as I have done it, causing the remote to do one of the following; 1. be inactive and not fire the shutter, 2. have long wait time, or 3. activate the timer on the camera and not the remote. Thus, take care of the button on the D50 in using this remote. The remote worked great with my flower-photography as I was able to hit the remote button and fire the shutter instantly. In contrast, when I have used the timer, even with a two-second delay, (the smallest delay available on timer setting), a breeze in that two-second delay would occasionally cause slight blur in the leaves and thus in the photo. The use of the remote on "quick fire instant" setting has eliminated that problem, as it fires as soon as the remote button is pressed. I guess an upgrade to the remote would be making it use radio frequency instead of infrared, as it does not always fire if the remote is behind the camera, you need to be at least at an angle to the front of the D50 where the sensor is located for IR. As I said, with impatient pets or children in the photo, the remote can solve that problem of needing instant shutter at the moment of choice. I do recommend this accessory for Nikon camera use and I also recommend use of a tripod so that sharpness will be obtained as well as getting a shot at the right moment.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/02/2006 |
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Strengths: Small and good enough for reasonable distance
Weaknesses: Can't use it for more than 30 sec of shutter speed
Summary: Very easy to use. Just one button does it all. Operating distance is good enough--about 10-15 feet. It can also use as shutter release to reduce vibration, but it can only perform "bulb" for 30 sec due to camera (D70s) limitation. Use shutter release cord (MC-DC1) to perform longer "bulb" duration.
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| Date Reviewed: 09/10/2005 |
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Strengths: Allows you to shoot a photo from a tripod without having to touch the camera. Combined with the timer on your camera you can use it to shoot self portraits without rushing to get into the frame.
Weaknesses: It would be nice if it was effective from discrete locations (like a pocket).
Summary: This is a must have accessory. You'll get some great candid shots of kids by fooling them. Cost-wise you can't go wrong, just be sure to shop prices, they seem to vary quite a bit from retailer to retailer. I found them between $17 and $40 for the same exact product.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/10/2006 |
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Strengths: works as advertised...small...good distance...inexpensive
Weaknesses: doesn't work through clothing
Summary: this should be included with every Niko camera...works as advertised...use it for long exposures so that there is no camera shake when you press the shutter release button. Very inexpensive, you can't go wrong for $15.
I haven't tested it's distance, but from 10 ft. it works great.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/27/2006 |
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Strengths: Light weight and very easy to use with convenient carrying case.
Weaknesses: Can be easily lost due to its size.
Summary: Very nice wireless control for Nikon D70s. There is no need to point it directly to the camera. It can be bounced on walls or pointed at the camera at various angles. You can't use it if its inside the case (unless you are 1 foot or less away from the camera). This remote control is very reasonably priced and a "must-have" for owners of Nikon D70s. Once the camera is set to receive the remote signal, you can take as many shots as you want. I do not know how long the battery would last. I will have to update this review when I have more information. I'll guess, it should last a long time with the flat CR2025 3-volt, battery that it came with.
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| Date Reviewed: 08/13/2007 |
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Strengths: It seems to work well, now that I know how to make it work.
Weaknesses: Having to point the remote to the front of the camera.
Summary: I bought this device about a week ago. When it arrived, it wouldn't work. I discovered that the battery included in the remote wasn't the same battery that my Nikon D40X manual says it uses. Nikon insists that it uses a CR2505 battery (as best as I can tell, this battery doesn't exist).
Anyhow, the battery isn't the problem. The problem is that there are no instructions (in the camera manual or with the remote) that tell you that you have to synch the remote. On the Camera there is the Timer Delay Button if you press it 3 times it will actaivate the ML-L3 Remote Control. I also had to change my settings in my camera...I had to change "shooting mode" from "single frame" or "continuous" to one of the self-timer options.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/20/2006 |
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Strengths: Small size, small price, great function
Weaknesses: none
Summary: I have used this unit for a few months now. It is a great accessory to the D70. Works well, and with its small size it can be carried easily.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/25/2005 |
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Strengths: The IR has a better range than I expected
Weaknesses: It would be nice if it used radio waves so you didn't have to be in front of the camera
Summary: 2005-08-25 09:37:48 Overall this accesory is a must for your Nikon D70. They should include it in more bundles. The D70 combines a romote function with remote+timer to make self portraits great. I would highly recomend this to anyone.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/12/2005 |
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Strengths: IR is excellent - works as expected
Weaknesses: Required to be in front of camera or some means of refection to operate.
Summary: This a good accessory and is necessary if using a slow shutter speed to avoid camera shake. The only problem is having the sensor on the front of the camera. You must have some type of reflecting surface to use it behind the camera. It will also need to be shielded from the lens if you are using an IR filter on the camera.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/27/2009 |
- megorocks
- Member Since:
Nov 2009
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Reviews
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 Can you use this for bulb exposure Strengths: Not sure
Weaknesses: Not sure
Summary: I really need a cable release for my nikon D60, but it isnt compatible. I need to be able to operate the bulb exposure mode without actually touching the camera, to avoid camera shake. If i use this, will i be able to simply hold the button down on the remote, then release it when i want the shutter to close
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| Date Reviewed: 04/06/2009 |
- Lensman136
- Member Since:
Apr 2009
View Member's:
Reviews
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Strengths: works great, cost is very reasonable.
Weaknesses: none
Summary: Noted that many owners of the ML-L3 have professed a great difficulty in locating the replacement lithium button battery, even after "googling" for info. I have found several online sources, and also at my local photogaphy supply store. Adorama carries them in stock.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/03/2009 |
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Strengths: Works like a charm....
Weaknesses: for the price, and for my intended purpose, none that I've detected so far
Summary: I'm doing animation and this unit works just fine with my D60 - however, the problem arising seems to be with the D60; when I activate the delayed remote on my camera, it only remains active for about 1 minute and then reverts back to single shot. If I'm adjusting a complicated shot I have to re-activate the remote control on the camera. Does anyone have any suggestions to over-come this problem
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| Date Reviewed: 01/30/2008 |
- jetsetaphrodite
- Member Since:
Jan 2008
View Member's:
Reviews
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 battery issues... Strengths: I am sure there are some but since I have not gotten to use it I do not know of any.
Weaknesses: Remote manual battery misprint.
Summary: I am having battery issues with this remote. I bought this item and I have never gotten it to work. I thought maybe it was the battery so I opted to buy a new one. Well, I can not find this battery anywhere. I've done it all and I have even googled it that is how I found this thread. I reread the manual and realized the remote came with the wrong darn battery to begin with. They shipped a Maxell CR2025 with the product. What I would like to know is where can I buy a 3V cr2505. And those of you who said there was the same problem HOW did you get the remote to work without the correct battery.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/25/2006 |
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Strengths: easy to use good price
Weaknesses: seems build quality not that good. easy to get lost.
Summary: It's a great little thing. Now I can shoot for my self and the whole family much easier!!! I love it. It comes with a small case to be attached to the neck strip, which makes it very convinient to access. It's very small too. But I guess it might be too small, might be easy to get lost. But overall, it's a good little thing.
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