Nikon ML-L3 Remote and D5000

[mickeyw3340]

I have ordered this ML-L3 remote for my D5000. Any Pros and/or Cons or "Gotchas" to watch out for from anyone who uses one?

[SuperDan]

I just ordered one and should be here anyday now, but I used a buddies a few weeks back and loved it!
make sure you go in and change all of your settings to what you want tho, so it will stay "connected" long enough, or not long enough.. however you want

I plan on using mine on self portraits, long exposures and such

[dcclark]

They're great, especially for being so cheap.

I second the need to change the Remote On Duration, which is how long the camera will wait for a signal from the remote. Set it to the max!

Finally, you should recognize that the ML-L3 has no ability to automatically time the opening and closing of the shutter in Bulb mode. In other words, you have to click once to open the shutter, and click again to close it (if you're in Bulb mode) -- you can't set it to wait for 5 minutes and then automatically turn off. That's a minor detail, unless you're into photo-stacking like me!

[mickeyw3340]

I assume it uses infro red technology. Can you use it from behind the camera? I hope!!

[Nicole]

It does use IR. You can sometimes use it behind the camera if you're indoors and the signal essentially bounces off of stuff. But really, not if you're outdoors. If I'm behind the camera anyway I'm usually close enough that I just move my hand around to the front before pressing the remote button. On the D5000 the IR receiver is just below the red accent on the front, so that's where the signal will need to hit.

[dcclark]

It is infrared, and as a result you can't use it from behind the camera -- you need a direct line of sight to the receiver (which, at least on my D40, is on the front of the hand grip). It's not too hard to reach around to the front of the grip and point the remote at that receiver, though.

[Sterling]

I second the need to change the Remote On Duration, which is how long the camera will wait for a signal from the remote. Set it to the max!

This is important. I haven't found many things much more frustrating than standing around in the cold waiting for just the right moment, clicking the remote, and..........nothing. It timed out.

Just be aware that it drains battery power as long as it waits in remote mode.