Best remote shutter release for Canon EOS 90D long exposures?

Question

Hey everyone! I’ve been putting my Canon 90D through its paces lately, specifically trying to nail those silky-smooth waterfall shots and some long-exposure night cityscapes. While the 90D is an absolute beast for a crop sensor, I’m running into a bit of a wall with camera shake. Even when I’m mounted on a sturdy tripod, just the physical act of pressing the shutter button—or even using the 2-second timer—isn't quite giving me the tack-sharp results I’m after, especially when I start pushing into 30+ second territory in Bulb mode.

I’ve tried using the Canon Camera Connect app on my smartphone, but to be honest, it’s been a bit of a headache. The Wi-Fi connection tends to drop at the worst possible moments, and it absolutely kills my phone battery during a long night session. Plus, trying to navigate a touchscreen with gloves on in the cold is a nightmare! I really need a dedicated remote shutter release that I can rely on.

Since the 90D uses that 2.5mm sub-mini jack (which I know is different from the N3 connectors on the 5D or 7D series), I want to make sure I’m buying the right gear. I’m also starting to get interested in star trails, so I’m looking for something that might have intervalometer functions built-in rather than just a simple trigger. I’ve seen some super cheap third-party options online, but I’m worried about the build quality and whether the cable will just snap after a few uses in the field.

Should I stick with an official Canon accessory like the RS-60E3, or is there a third-party wireless option that actually stays connected? I’d love to keep it under $75, but I’m willing to invest a bit more if it means better durability.

What are you all using for your long exposures on the 90D, and do you prefer a wired connection or a wireless setup for reliability?

cole.oliver · Accepted Answer

Jumping in here because I feel that frustration with the app—it's highkey useless for star trails. I went through this exact struggle last year trying to shoot the Milky Way. I started with a cheap generic trigger that literally fell apart in the cold, which was sooo annoying since the shutter stayed stuck open and ruined my whole session... absolute nightmare. Anyway, I finally gave up on the cheap stuff and looked at the technical specs of the JJC TM-B LCD Timer Remote Control. It’s wired, so zero signal drops, and it fits the 90D’s 2.5mm sub-mini jack perfectly. It handles long exposures and intervals way better than the app ever could. If you really want wireless, I also tested the Pixel TW-283 Wireless Timer Remote Control for Canon, but honestly, I found the wireless interference in cityscapes can be a bit hit-or-miss. For under $75, the JJC is basically the move. It’s way more robust than the Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch since that one doesn't even have a timer built-in. GL with the cityscapes! 👍

Idellanww · Answer

Saw this earlier but just now responding! Respectfully, I'd consider another option besides the official Canon gear. While the Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch is definitely reliable, it's basically just a button... it won't help ur star trail goals since it lacks a timer. I've had a different experience using these two instead: * Vello ShutterBoss II Remote Switch with Digital Timer for Canon with 2.5mm Connection: Seriously, this is the sweet spot. It's around $50 and the build quality is way better than those $15 knockoffs mentioned earlier. It handles the intervalometer stuff perfectly and the cable is actually thick enough not to snap when it's freezing out. * JJC TM-C LCD Timer Remote Control for Canon: This is the budget pick. It works, but honestly, the plastic feels kinda thin. I mean, it'll get the job done for less than $25, but I'm always a bit cautious with it. I definitely prefer a wired setup. It's just one less thing to fail, you know? Anyway, hope that helps! gl!

avery.bowman · Answer

Ok so I've spent way too much time researching this exact problem lol. When you look at the market right now, you're basically choosing between 'overpriced simplicity' from the main brands and 'feature-rich but sketchy' from the budget ones. I went through a phase of buying the cheapest thing I could find, but the cable literally snapped during a cold night shoot—soooo frustrating. What I learned from comparing different brands during my research:
* Look for companies that specialize specifically in camera triggers; they usually have better quality control than the general electronics brands.
* Check if the connector is gold-plated or just cheap tin, it makes a diff for connection stability in humid air.
* Some mid-tier brands use much thicker, coiled cables which are wayyy more durable in the field. I eventually settled on a mid-tier brand that had a solid reputation for astro work. It hasn't let me down once. If you're still looking, check out the specialized gear guides on sites like The-Digital-Picture or even the deep-dive user reviews on B&H—they usually have detailed breakdowns of what actually survives in the field!