Customer Reviews

NIKON MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord ( 33.5 inches )

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I find this remote (MC-36) very useful and well built. I use it mainly for shooting single shots from a tripod to remove my fat fingers from the camera - thus removing camera shake when I would push the shutter release. The shutter button on the unit is large and easy to press. You can lock out all other buttons on the remote except the shutter button, therefore you don't press the Set button by mistake. Battery life seems reasonable. Batteries are not included - you need 2 AAA. Display is fine and has a backlight function. Fits well in your hand.

I wish the cord was a little longer, but it seems acceptable. The cord connects to the camera via the standard 10 pin connector with the bonus of a durable metal screw-in adapater thus holding it in place securely.

For those that want to be crazy, as what is life worth living if you can't be a little crazy, it's programmable for timed shooting where you can program up to 999 shots with 99 hours, 99 minutes and 99 seconds between each shot... of course, I can't think of a reason I would want to do that, but it's cool having the option - and what is life without options? You can get a lot more practical on the timed shooting also, where you can program in any number of shots (up to 999) over the course of any short (1 sec minimum) or long duration with interval times between shots. Programming is straight forward once you decide on frequency and interval times - the decision graph they give you in the manual leaves a little to be desired. The unit will beep when you are 3 seconds from the next timed shot - you can turn it off if you like. Countdown timer to next shot is shown on the display.

I guess if I had a real gripe it would be about the size of the manual. I like to pack manuals in my bag, as I am getting old and I forget. This manual comes in many different languages - all in the same manual. So I ripped out the 9 pages I needed as I didn't want to carry the 60 page thing around due to the weight. If you buy this you will know what I mean when you see the manual. I have no problem with multi-language manuals, but why not include them as seperate by language so I can recycle the ones I don't want and keep only the pages I need.

You want the ultimate captured memories of your kids growing up? Set up the tripod next to the crib and program in a shot every day for the next 999 days and watch your kids grow up on film (or on your hard drive if you are digital). Nice.

Not cheap in price, but very nice in functionality.

Edited 1/12/08: I broke down and bought a D300 (I couldn't resist) and it works just fine on it also. I am still using this remote after 8 months and I am still loving it. I use it anytime I put the camera on a tripod.

For macro photography, this remote is a must for professional quality photos. Press the release once and the mirror locks up (setting on Nikon D-200), press again and the exposure begins. This insures flawless macro shots that often require long exposure with small ISO values for maximum quality. The remote works without batteries for simply locking the mirror up and triggering the shutter. With batteries in, you can program the release for multiple timed exposures. A must tool. Please see my web site for macro photo examples using this tool bought from amazon: http://thirdeyephotocreations.com/

Before, I was using the timer and every time I hit the shutter button the camera shook just a little and I always had to make some sort of adjustment, or I had to handle the camera for interval shooting. Not any more, with the MC-36 cord I can set everything need for interval shooting, or just be able to shoot without touching the camera at all. I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars because it should have a little pouch to set it in while shooting in interval instead of hanging it off by the cord itself. other than that it's great.

The MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord provides redundancies, just as it's title indicates. It is more than a remote shutter release. Since camera's such as the D300 and D700 from Nikon offer their own internal Intervalameters, this accessory is used when the photographer wants to be somewhat close to the work, but chooses not to touch the camera for releasing the shutter, or chooses to set up shots, bursts and bracketing with a remote unit. Handling the cord, at times, can be more convenient than handling the camera itself in lab, studio and field situations, when the camera has already been set up. Further, changes in the sequence and timing can be done without touching the camera unit, during the cold, night, or in situations where the camera is mounted on a low-pod or a tripod and other situations where touching the camera might interfere with measurements. Many of the functions can be handled within the camera, or with other less expensive remote releases. This is sort of a do all release, where distance from the camera for the photographer is not the major requirement or issue. Timing factors, as the manual states, are limited by the recycle times and the shutter speed and intermediate factors. Be sure to understand the unit and one's reasons for obtaining it, prior to obtaining it.

This cable release is pretty nice, perhaps too much functionality and a little more spent than probably needed, but my new D300 required this or a wireless remote. The only real problem is the cable needs to be at least 12 to 18 inches longer. For that and the price, only 3 stars.

Quality is great, instruction manual is about 1 inch thick with 95% instructions for world wide languages. I tore out all pages except the English instructions. No off/on switch and no sleep mode. The unit is on at all times when in use and not in use. Poor thinking on Nikon's part. Instructions, little as they were, are poorly layed out. If you are going to do time lapse or astronomy this would be a great addition to your Nikon accessories, but the standard shutter release cord from Nikon is only about $50.00 msrp, has a better trigger feel and by using the internal camera shutter opening times is probably a better way to go. And you don't go through batteries.

The remote shutter controller does a nice job. It is easy to use. An on/off switch and a port for a wireless trigger would have been nice especially for such an expensive item.

I find myself using the MC-36 quite a bit more than I thought I would, and I'm sure anyone contemplating purchasing one knows what they're all about.

I originally purchased it because I like the idea of using it during long exposures or awkwardly placed shots when the camera is mounted on a tripod. I'd rather preview the scene with Live View and use the MC-36 than bend, look in the eyepiece and risk jarring the camera or otherwise upsetting the shot. The MC 36 gives you all the essential functions in your hand, but a few feet from the camera.

But it doesn't end there.

You can take longer exposures than the camera normally permits (my D300 is limited to 30 seconds without the MC-36, but it can take virtually any duration with the cord attached). You can also do repeating time lapse and so on with it.

Only complaints are that there's no ON/OFF switch, so the display is always running. I'm sure it doesn't use much power (haven't been through a set of batteries yet), but I'm sure it would run longer if there were a way to turn it off altogether. Still, I believe the manual says that the basic remote shutter operation continues to work, even without batteries, so there's at least some fail-safe in here.

The other thing I don't love about it is that it's more complicated than it needs to be. Ideally, it would be integrated into the camera's excellent menuing system so you could use all the functions without memorizing the manual, but this isn't the case. It does a lot - you just have to read the manual to figure it out.

Otherwise, great product.

I bought this for my D200 last month and has already become a must carry item with the camera. Time lapse/multiple exposure feature has been very helpful for taking group pictures where I need to be in the frame as well. I program multiple exposures 1 second apart and typically few frames turn out great where everyone is relaxed and looking at the camera!.

It is easy to program and easy to operate but a longer cord could be better.

Pros:
Solid construction.

Cons:
Doesn't do fractions of a second, for the price you pay it should.
Outrageously expensive. Nothing is glass or mechanical or high tech electronics, so the price is unwarranted.
Doesn't have an off button, so if you forget the program on the batteries will be gone.
Cable too short.

My conclusion:
Go with a cheaper solution (1/4 of the price), there are many out there, some of them wireless.