Brand new gadget in my camera bag :)
Yep, yet another remote trigger. First I've had two RS-80N3 replacement remotes (i.e. not Canon's original), even though I used them a few times both worked for about 2-4 months. No wonder, they were 1/5th of a price of the original one. Then decided to invest in Canon's RS-80N3 (original), which lasts me until now (9 months, and still working). The RS-80N3 can be seen on the above "Phottix vs Canon" comparison photograph.
What made me buy the TR-90 ?
During one of my last projects, "Time-Lapse" I lacked a possibility of taking the pictures at equal time intervals. Instead used a wrist-watch (traditional/non-digital), which was pain in the butt. Had to constantly look at the watch so that I could press the trigger on the RS-80N3 every 15 seconds. Many times I've missed the interval, SMS, chat with my fellow photographer that was also in the middle of Time-Lapse production, but he had his MacBook with him, with the Canon EOS utility installed that allowed to take pictures automatically saving them straight to the hard drive. My oldish iBook G4 not only has a small HDD as well as its battery lasts for about an hour - good enough at home, but not while on the move. On the other hand you can't always take your laptop with you, so the best solution is a clever remote trigger with an intervalometer.
This is where the Phottix TR-90 comes in. It's about the same price as Canon's RS-80N3.
When I first opened the box I said "holly cow, that's huge". Nevertheless it has a good grip, and can get used to its big size.
Starting from the photograph at the top, well the box ... nothing unusual. Then a good close up on the remote. Buttons are easy to reach, nicely spaced out so if you have thick fingers you won't have a problem with them. LCD showing parameters that are currently set. The LCD can also be lit up, very handy while taking pictures at night or in dark places. Also it keeps you refrained from turning on the light on camera's display, that may cause some minor vibrations and in the end affecting your long exposure shot.
There's also a lock button, blocking all switches apart from "main trigger" and "light".
A small red LED indicates some operations, pretty useless if you ask me. An operational sound/beep can be turned off if you find it annoying.
Main functions of the TR-90:
1. Timer delay.
2. Exposure time, with bulb function by locking the main trigger switch.
3. Time interval.
4. Number of shots
All of the above (apart from no.4) can be set at 1 second interval, and up to 99 hrs 59 min 59 sec.
And the number of shots can set set from 1 to 399, or left intact for unlimited number.
TR-90 is powered by two AAA batteries (or re-chargeables), and as the vendor states they should last for 3 months of constant operation. One thing that they forgot to mention, as well as all reviews on the Internet, is that the TR-90 does NOT have the power on/off switch !!! What a bummer! It does seem to have some kind of power save option, which just displays the minimum number of symbols on the screen. Can always remove the batteries if you're not using the remote - simply by opening the back cover.
A strap can be attached to the remote. Useful when carrying it, or simply for hanging it on the tripod.
As an alternative to Phottix TR-90 there's also Nikos model. It seems much smaller and lighter due to a small flat lithium battery that is powered by (where according to Phottix it should last for 3 years). Slightly bigger LCD, showing more parameters and functions they are being used/turned on. A big advantage of the Nikos model is the power on/off switch, which I guess allows the battery to last for such long time, unlike in the TR-90 model as I've mentioned before. For those who use multiple systems, i.e. Canon, Nikon, Sony and so on, Phottix Nikos is a better option due to its detachable cable - you can have a cord for each of the systems you use. I only use Canon, so I have no need for such luxury. On the other hand I believe that you might just accidentally unplug the cable from the remote itself, quite possibly dropping the device on the floor or even worse the ground ... can it get any worser? Yes, having the remote dropped in a water runoff or a hole of some kind.
Nikos or TR-90 ? Well it's up to you. They're both good and with same functionality (apart from the lack of power switch), and the battery life issue.
Now what's left to do is to put my Canon RS-80N3 on eBay ;-)
Or should I keep it as a backup remote? What do you think?
Or should I keep it as a backup remote? What do you think?
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