9 replies to this topic

[mike_sunfox@yahoo.com]

I would like to use my D3400 to do time-lapse photography.  The problem is that the only compatible Nikon brand remote shutter release is the very simple one that came with it, which is completely manual.  Is there a compatible 3rd party brand that has a timed interval feature?  

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

[mike_sunfox@yahoo.com]

I discovered it is a built-in function.  However, this model is such a low entry-level camera that finding accessories is difficult.

 

[nbanjogal]

I didn't know the D3400 had the built-in intervalometer--it's a great feature. I might be wrong, but I think it wasn't included on earlier models in the D3xxx lineup. I'm glad they've added it, if so. I use my built-in intervalometer often for time-lapse photography and for trying to capture lightning during storms. And you're not the first person to be frustrated with finding accessories for the D3xxx models... You've even got to be careful what lenses you use with it. I was helping someone with a D3300, and it turned out she had the 50mm 1.8, which doesn't have the focus motor inside it, so she was stuck using manual focus. Not a super big deal, but I do wish there was a way to communicate things a bit more clearly. An experienced photographer would have known that right away, but she didn't have enough understanding to know that the lens she bought (for its low price, or course) wouldn't work easily on her camera.

[ScottinPollock]

The D3400 does not have a built in intervalometer. What's worse is Nikon eliminated the accessory terminal on the D3400 so the third party intervalometers can't be used.

[nbanjogal]

Ugh. That's too bad. I guess I misunderstood what the OP was referring to when he said it was a built-in function. Google is my friend! Shouldn't have assumed.

[ScottinPollock]

Ugh. That's too bad.

 

Yeah... Nikon is really on a roll. They have even pulled the Acc. Terminal from the 5600... so if ya wanna small Nikon now-a-days, you're crippled.

[TBonz]

not great that they take things away, but the lower end bodies were never meant to have all of the capabilities of the higher end bodies...I think most folks purchase on the features that are most important to them.  I expect that there are some things they do so as not to "steal" sales from the higher end bodies, but I also expect that they are trying to select the most desirable features for the lower end bodies to maximize sales there as well.  It would make sense for Nikon to include the most desirable items possible within the price point.  I am guessing that their research has probably indicated that not too many purchasers of lower models use the accessory port, so it was a cost savings that might allow other features to be included...

 

Every camera by every manufacturer is a compromise somewhere so you end up "ranking" the features and deciding which body has the most desirable features at time of purchase.  One of those features is size and another is price - and so many others including accessory terminals, multiple card slots or dials, wifi, etc.  

[Ron]

I totally agree about feature sets being lower for lower priced cameras. Entice the customer to purchase your new, more expensive camera. That's the way the business works.

 

What I do not agree with is stripping features from an established product line just to save costs. When a manufacturer does that, they're painting themselves into a corner. A person who has used a D3100 camera should not have to go through the hassle of returning his new D3400 camera because it doesn't have the same features (such as the aforementioned shutter release port, among other things) as his old body. If you're going to take features away, at least warn the customer.... call it the D3400 Lite or something.

 

This creates a bad customer experience and Nikon can ill afford to anger customers.

 

--Ron

[TBonz]

Not arguing at all Ron, but... 

 

I would assume that this is information someone could find out prior to purchasing the other body...That said, your point, I believe, is more along the lines of they shouldn't have to think that way...and that I agree with...

[Ron]

Sure, I agree wholeheartedly. People should do their homework. But, prior to it's release... and even for some time after, we were still learning about features Nikon had removed from the D3400. And, Nikon's pre-release advertising made no mention of those eliminated features. It was the same for the D7500 which, for me, was even more disheartening. 

 

--Ron