23 replies to this topic

[pattahan]

Hi all.  

I took my old D70 and had it converted to an IR dedicated body.  I would like to shoot waterfalls with ND filters using bulb.  I cannot however, find a way to attach a trigger cable release.  

 

There is a firewire port and that is it.  Does anyone here know how these bodies were triggered?  Was it an infrared trigger that was placed in the spot where the flash goes.  I am baffled.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

[Adam]

The D70 supports the ML-L3 IR remote.  A generic IR remote or a programmable smartphone app might also work!

[Merco_61]

An IR remote isn't that expensive. B&H sell both a copy for $6.95 and the ML-L3 for $17.95. There is a knowledgebase article on how to use it here. See also pages 107-110 in the manual. If you have lost your manual, it can be downloaded for free at Nikon's support site.

[dem]

the cheapest solution would be to use the self timer mode. It is a bit awkward to access on the D70 though.

[Merco_61]

The self timer and bulb mode don't play together.

[TBonz]

You would have to check their site to see if they have an appropriate cable for a D79, but TriggerTrap combines a cable with a smartphone app for remote control...

[Merco_61]

Tom, the trouble is that the D70 does mot support a wired remote. It might be possible to use a D70 tethered via USB, but I haven't tried any such solutions.

[TBonz]

I guess I just assumed a cable capability - not specifically a shutter release cable but a cable such as you had suggested that would allow control of the camera as I have had on D7000, D600 and D4...Never checked the D90 for one when I had that, so I guess I assumed...

[Ron]

I'm wondering if the beam from the IR remote won't cause exposure problems. I don't know if the D70 has an IR port in the front or back (or both). However, it looks like the ML-L3 (or a clone) may the the only option. 

 

--Ron

[Merco_61]

The IR port is on the front, where the socket for a wired remote usually is.

[Ron]

The IR port is on the front, where the socket for a wired remote usually is.

 

If that's the case then when you use an ML-L3 (or any IR trigger) you're point it directly at the area of the lens. I don't see how you could prevent some stray IR radiation from reaching the sensor and affecting the image.

 

--Ron

[Merco_61]

It is doable —if you are close enough, so that the trigger is closer to the body than the lens shade is. It is one of the few really stupid features bugs of the D70... Especially as the 6 MP CCDs are so sensitive to IR.

[Ron]

I'll take your word for that. My experience with the ML-L3 has been somewhat less than satisfactory. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I wish Nikon had standardized on pro connectors for all of it's DSLRs. I know I can get a wired remote for my D610 and D7000 (and it's on the list) but if/when I get a D500 I have to do it all over again. Stupid.

 

Does the D70 have a USB port? I wonder if someone has found a way to trigger the camera that way.

 

--Ron

[Merco_61]

There are reports on the 'net that Sofortbild can tether the D70 fully. I haven't tried it as I don't have access to a body. The current Camera Control Pro doesn't support the D70 anymore, the last version to do so was 2.11.

[Ron]

That reminds me... there's an Android app that's supposed to do a good job of controlling Nikon and Canon cameras. I'm not sure if it supports the D70 tho.

 

--Ron

[TBonz]

TriggerTrap is available on both Android and iOS which is what I suggested earlier...but as far as I know it requires a cable...I know Nikon has an app to work with cameras that have WiFi though I really haven't used it...I'm sure there are others as well...

[Ron]

TriggerTrap is available on both Android and iOS which is what I suggested earlier...but as far as I know it requires a cable...I know Nikon has an app to work with cameras that have WiFi though I really haven't used it...I'm sure there are others as well...

 

That's why I asked if the D70 had a USB port. But even if it does, it's OS may not support that type of triggering.

 

Of course one could always take the camera to a repair shop and ask them to replace the front IR port with a standard control port. That might work although the conversion would probably cost far more than the camera is worth. However, if the OP has already converted the camera to IR then it may end up being worth the expense.

 

--Ron

[Tony]

That's why I asked if the D70 had a USB port. But even if it does, it's OS may not support that type of triggering.

 

Of course one could always take the camera to a repair shop and ask them to replace the front IR port with a standard control port. That might work although the conversion would probably cost far more than the camera is worth. However, if the OP has already converted the camera to IR then it may end up being worth the expense.

 

--Ron

Hi Ron,

I just checked my D70 and there is no USB port.  Tony

[Ron]

Hi Ron,

I just checked my D70 and there is no USB port.  Tony

 

Thanks for the confirmation, Tony.

 

--Ron

[Merco_61]

I have to disagree. The USB port is under a separate rubber cover below the power and video ports. You have to set the camera to PTP mode for remote control to work. CCP 1.0 and up to version 2.11 could tether the D70.