Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote Review

The Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote is a unique device that usually isn’t at the top of the list for purchases when it comes to Digital SLR photography.

Canon TC-80N3 unwrapped

The Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote is one of those devices that once purchased, will be used over and over again for new and creative photography. Once owned, you will wonder how you ever got by without it before.

Canon TC-80N3

So what is the Canon TC-80N3 and what does it do?

At its very basic functionality, the TC-80N3 is a remote shutter release. It plugs into the side of your 50D and higher camera, and when you press the fully functioning shutter button located on the remote, the camera is capable of focusing, metering, and finally taking the photo. I say fully functional because the TC-80N3 shutter button can be pressed half way just like the shutter button on your camera.

Using a remote shutter release allows you to take photos without physically touching your camera, this helps to alleviate camera movement and vibrations. If you typically use the cameras timer to get hands free shots, as you have likely experienced the shot can be missed. A remote shutter release offers instant capture capabilities without delay, and without camera vibration.

The more advanced functionality of this remote, which separates it from the other lower end models available are the mode functions. These consist of self timer, interval timer, long exposure, and number of exposures.

These functions are as follows:

Self Timer: allows you to set a time between 1 second and 99 hours 99 minutes and 99 seconds in which the remote will send a signal to the camera to take a photo. This allows you to have your own self timer, instead of the 10 seconds provided by the camera. You could tell the camera to take a photo in 5 hours, 1 minute, or whatever you want in between 1 second and 100 hours. The timer counts down on the remote so you can see the time until the photo will be taken.

Interval timer: Allows you to set the time between photo exposures, you can select again between 1 second and 100 hours. This allows you to perform time lapse photography, or burst photography.

Exposure Timer: Allows you to set the length of the shutter speed, can be set between 1 second and 100 hours. This is ideal for night shots where 30 second exposures are inadequate, or for astronomy photos where you can now expose for the stars. Leave a capture open for hours and you will capture star trails.

Exposure Count: Leave at default for unlimited (will fill up the card). Can specify the number of exposures you want between 1 and 99.

The TC-80N3 is very easy to connect to your 50D and higher Canon SLR cameras. The cable has 3 prongs that line up with your remote port. Be careful not to bend the pins, there is a specific fit.

Connecting the TC-80N3

You can use the Canon TC-80N3 to take intermittent photos, you can then use a program such as Adobe After Effects to quickly and easily compile all of your time lapse photos and output a time lapse video.

The remote itself feels sturdy, it does not feel flimsy or cheap although luckily it is rather light. This remote also lacks an on/off switch, however battery life is estimated at 3 years per battery and they are quickly and easily replaced. The unit also has a built in light for the LCD display, it is similar to that of a Timex watch from the 90′s.

lcd light

Overall I consider this product to be instrumental in taking your photos to the next level. It allows you to pre-focus your scene and then control the exposure, interval, and number of photos. The remote serves as an excellent way to take timed photos, increase your exposure time beyond 30 seconds, or setup your camera to automate picture taking.

With the Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote you will be able to expand and unlock the full functionality of your camera beyond the 30 second exposure, 10 second timer, and photo capture limits.

Buy from:
Adorama
B&H Photo Video
Amazon.com