Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote info ?

[matthompson]

Hi guys

Just looking for someone with some experience on the features of this item. (Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote) I understand the exposure can be set 1-99. But does it also have an 'indefinate' function as I have seen on some none canon examples? Essentially I want it to run and run so this is quite important for me.

Many thanks
Mat

[gochasco]

I've not used a TC-80N3 but I do know that the RS-80N3, (the remote without the timer) has a lock on the switch so you can set the exposure to B and use a stopwatch to time the exposure. I went down this metheod because it's much cheaper and I already had a stopwatch function on my watch.
I would have thought the TC-80N3 would have the same lock.

[matthompson]

Hi there and thanks fr your response.

I'm not sure I'd want to manually time 400-500 shots if I'm understanding you correctly.

I know this unit is used for time lapse photography but in the sales data it gives exposure count as 1-99. 99 frames at 25fps given me 4 seconds which is not really much good.

I'm interested if it also has a setting where it will just keep clicking ??

[hollis_f]

I know this unit is used for time lapse photography but in the sales data it gives exposure count as 1-99. 99 frames at 25fps given me 4 seconds which is not really much good.

Which camera will you be using to get 25 fps?

[K-Lex]

Which camera will you be using to get 25 fps?

Is 25fps physically possible??????? I'd love to see the camera that does it!

[matthompson]

I'll be shooting on the 20D. I won't be shooting at 25fps I'll be compiling to 25fps (PAL). I'll be shooting at about 1 frame every 3-10 minutes.

But I want it to continue shooting for 100's of frames at the set time interval. My only question is the literature makes it sound like the controller can only shoot to up to 99 continuous exposures which isn't much good. I just want to know whether you can also set it to unlimited, well as many as the card will fit anyway?

[hollis_f]

I'll be shooting on the 20D. I won't be shooting at 25fps I'll be compiling to 25fps (PAL). I'll be shooting at about 1 frame every 3-10 minutes.

But I want it to continue shooting for 100's of frames at the set time interval. My only question is the literature makes it sound like the controller can only shoot to up to 99 continuous exposures which isn't much good. I just want to know whether you can also set it to unlimited, well as many as the card will fit anyway?

Ah! Yes, that should have been obvious. If there are noreplies over the weekend I'll check out my friend's TC-80N3 manual.

The other possibility is the EOS utility software. I believe that allows one to do time lapse with the camera connected via USB and controlled by a laptop.

[matthompson]

Blimey that took some explaining huh ;-) Many thanks, if you can do that it would be great!

I'll take a look at that software, I'm presuming that its on the CD 20D comes with....I'll take a look.

Edit : Well the software does the trick, so for studio setup shooting thats certainly useful.

[jiminlondon99]

I looked at the p.30 of the manual for the "interval timer" this as the name suggests allows hrs:min:secs intervals to be set. You set the film advance to single shot, then activate the shutter, it will activate immediately and then continue at the preset interval.
No mention of a limit,just a warning that the interval has to be longer than the flash recharge time when one is used.

EDIT;

I HAVE TRIED IT TWICE AND IT STOPS AT 99 EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT ENTERED AN EXPOSURE LIMIT


Hope this helps

Jim

[matthompson]

Many thanks for that Jim thats saved me buying and being dissapointed. There are non-canon units available at about 1/3 of the price that I think do have a unlimited shoot count.
I think Canon's missed a trick here huh!

[jiminlondon99]

Glad to be of help. I had a look at the date on the handbook and its 2004, in those days I think I was running a 32 meg memory card! Canon have clearly failed to keep up with the rapid pace of memory cards development.

Jim

[Leo S]

The TC-80N3 can be set to shoot an unlimited number of frames. From the manual: "Set FRAMES to 00 (zero) for unlimited number of frames." http://www.eosdoc.com/manuals/?q=TC-80N3

I use it like this all the time, and it's great for time lapse, but it may be overkill if all you want is for your camera to continuously fire, which can be achieved with a simple remote with a switch that can be locked down. The TC-80N3 provides much finer control though, if that's what you need. Tethering to a pc/laptop and using software to control the camera is another option.