Timer Remote Control RS-60E3 For Canon 1000D 450D 500D 350D 400D 550D 1100D 60D, 600D etc..

I bought one of these Shoot RS-60E3 remotes to use with my Canon 500D. I wanted to have a try at time-lapse photography but I didn't want to pay the huge prices of the official Canon products. I was initially sceptical about these third party timer/remotes because they cost so little. All I can say after getting this is why would you pay more? Unless you are a professional doing this sort of thing all the time I think these remotes are perfectly fine. Admittedly it feels a little 'cheap' in your hand & the buttons don't feel the best. But it's going to spend most of it's time dangling from your DSLR so not too much of a problem. The instructions are not the best but they point you in the right direction at least. I spent no more than 10 to 15 minutes exploring the features of this device before putting it in use for a time-lapse test run shooting clouds passing overhead in the garden. It worked perfectly fine so I'm extremely happy with this having paid so little for it. My only gripe so far is that it doesn't have an on/off button. I'm not sure how long the batteries would last if the device was idle but I've been removing the batteries after use.

I took the plunge and decided to give this a try for a Canon EOS 600D. Reading some reviews for this and similar products I was a bit sceptical about the quality as sometimes you do get what you pay for. That said I was really quite impressed when it arrived as it was retail packaged in a printed box, complete with english instruction manual and the remote contained within a protective bubble wrap bag and the LCD screen also had a protective film in place too (I have uploaded a product pic to go with this review). The remote is branded "Neewer". No batteries in the box (it requires two AAA size alkaline) but at the price I am not going to lose any sleep over it especially when you consider how much cheaper it is to buy than the offical branded accessory.

The build quality of the remote I feel is fine and appears sturdy enough and actually well finished with responsive buttons and a clear to read LCD screen. I connected the remote to a camera without batteries and it worked out of the box as a remote shutter release. Connection with batteries also worked fine though clearly I need to get into the routine of using the device to fully appreciate what it offers and can (and perhaps can't) do.

The manual itself (refers to an "EZa" timer remote and is by no means a bulky booklet but nonetheless) is equipped with surprisingly good and relevant illustrations and written instructions on how to use the device from connecting to your camera to setting the interval timer, covering the settings available and how to make use of them as well as specifications of the unit. Now I admit, using the remote isn't going to be rocket science but a manual is good to have especially when you have one of those "mind gone blank" moments and get stuck. As I sort of hinted at previously, without batteries fitted, the remote will function simply as a remote shutter release control (less the timer functions). It doesn't have a power off button but the manual suggests a way of ensuring lessened battery drain by setting the device so that certain function displays are off. That may work but my own feeling is that in practice a far simpler solution is to remove them as I am not sure if in a camera bag or pocket accidental pressure on the remote buttons could "unset" the setting the manual suggests anyway.

Longer term use will clearly tell me more about how reliable this remote will be as a useable accessory before potentially needing to be replaced but its like anything, if looked after I don't see that it should need replacing any time soon, if at all, through "normal" use. Obviously if an issue does present itself over the coming weeks or months I will update this review accordingly.

To conclude, buying cheaper these days doesn't necessarily mean you are compromising on functionality or product quality and for me, my scepticism when I placed my order, was turned to joy when I received this:

I really was very pleasantly surprised with the remote in all respects from the way it was presented to the functionality and sheer value for money and wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I needed to.

It has to be five stars from me doesn't it.

I was looking around for a cheap solution for making time-lapse videos for my Canon 600D. Inside the packaging there is just the remote and instructions but no AAA batteries were included. Plugged it into my camera and started messing around with it and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Works fine with time-lapses and has a shutter lock for when you are using the bulb setting. The shipping was quick as well with it only taking 3 days from ordering to coming through my letterbox (from Happy Sales UK).

Good

+ Cheaper than Canon remote
+ Well built for price
+ Good for interval and bulb photography
+ Backlit display
+ 3ft Cable

Bad
- No ON/OFF switch
- No Batteries included (Not a big issue)
- Bit complicated to use at first