AmazonBasics Wireless Remote Control for Nikon P7000 D3000 D40 D40x D50 D5000 D60 D70 D7000 D70s D80 and D90 Digital SLR Cameras

Having just ordered my new Nikon D3100 I was pleased to see Amazon offering this remote control free with it.
However, It is not compatible. The D3100 does not have IR. So whilst it may work well with other cameras do not buy one to use with a Nikon D3100 (or accept it as a gift).

When this became available, I grabbed one even though I've already got a Nikon ML-L3 remote control. They are small, easy to misplace, so thought I'd have a spare and compare them.

Here's the ML-L3: Nikon ML-L3 Remote Control

These remote controls are extremely useful if you use your camera with a tripod. It means you can walk away from the camera, and concentrate on talking to and arranging subjects etc and take the photo when the time's right, possibly with no-one noticing when the camera fires - reducing subject stress considerably. The action is fast, especially if pre-focused (or just subsequent photos after the first one, which gets the focus).

They are remarkably similar. I set up my camera (Nikon D40) and used both remote controls alternately, moving further and further away. Both worked as far as 15m, then I gave up as ran out of space! So on that count, both are perfect.

The Nikon ML-L3 is not expensive. At the time of writing there are cheaper clones and the Amazon Basics is more expensive. No doubt prices will change, so let's disregard that area.

What does the Amazon Basics version offer over the original? Does it light up to show the battery is working? That would be useful, as the Nikon doesn't, so the only way to know if it's working is to take a photo! No, the Amazon version doesn't. Stronger signal? Both worked fine to 15m in my test, so no problem there. Weight? The Amazon is slightly chunkier and heavier - not that anyone would care or notice unless side by side. The Nikon has ridges to help prevent it slip out of your fingers (think gloves when skiing perhaps). The Amazon hasn't - so on that basis, loses one point. The Nikon looks nicer and of course, has the Nikon name on it.

Both take the same battery, and have an almost identical battery housing. My Nikon battery has yet to exhaust after several years' use.

So there's really nothing to chose between them, other than looks, the ridges, and price. So check out the current price of the ML-L3 and make your choice.

An ideal gadget for the camera bag which allows the user to trigger the shutter release without being within arms reach of the camera. It can add another dimension to picture taking situations. The remote is compact, 60 x 28 x 8 mm and comes in a soft pouch.

To operate it on a Nikon D7000, press the release mode dial (top left dial) and rotate to remote mode. If required, in the camera menu, the release of the shutter can be set to a 2 second delay or instant. The remote works up to 5 metres away and requires the remote to be aimed at the camera's sensor. Fortunately the D7000 has a sensor on both the front and rear of the camera.