06/03/2026 12:35 am
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So I've been shooting with my 5D Mark IV for a few years now and usually I just use the built-in timer for long exposures but I'm finally getting into some serious astro stuff. I tried one of those cheap $10 corded remotes from Amazon last weekend when I was out at Joshua Tree and the thing literally fell apart in my hands. The button got stuck halfway through a 4 minute exposure and ruined the whole shot which was super frustrating since I drove three hours for that sky. I need something way more reliable for an upcoming trip to the Atacama desert next month. I dont want to spend a fortune but I'm willing to drop maybe 70 or 80 bucks for something that wont break if I look at it wrong. I was looking at the official Canon RS-80N3 but honestly it seems a bit basic for the price? Like I might want a built-in intervalometer so I dont have to mess with the camera menu in the dark and freeze my fingers off. Is it better to go with the Canon TC-80N3 or is there a third party brand like Vello that actually lasts more than one season? Just trying to figure out what you guys use when you're doing bulb mode for like 5-10 minutes at a time...
4 Answers
12
06/03/2026 12:50 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, the Vello ShutterBoss II Remote Switch with Digital Timer for Canon 3-Pin is reliable for technical long exposures.
- Precise digital timing
- Consistent connection It isnt fancy but its dependable.
11
06/03/2026 1:40 am
To add to the point above: I actually prefer going wireless. The JJC Wireless Timer Remote Control for Canon is way safer in the dark. Its cheaper than the official version and basically bulletproof.
3
28/03/2026 4:40 am
Regarding what #3 said about going wireless being way safer in the dark, I totally agree. Its a huge relief not having a cable dangling in the wind or getting snagged on your tripod legs when you are stumbling around in the pitch black. Tbh if you are heading all the way to the Atacama, you might want to consider looking at Phottix gear instead of the rock-bottom budget brands. I have found their stuff to be way more rugged for travel. A few things to keep in mind though:
- Just get any wireless intervalometer from Phottix and you honestly cant go wrong. They are built like tanks compared to the cheap ones but still way cheaper than the Canon versions.
- Make sure to pack extra batteries for both the transmitter and the receiver. The desert cold can kill them way faster than you would expect.
- Be careful with the sync channel settings. I always double check they are locked in before I start a long sequence so it doesnt drop the connection halfway through. Going with a more established brand like that is definitely worth the extra few bucks for the peace of mind. Let me know if you need help figuring out how to set up the timing loops once you get one.
1
06/03/2026 12:36 am
Honestly, I've been down that road with those cheap Amazon knockoffs and they always fail at the worst possible moment. In my experience, if you're heading somewhere as remote as the Atacama, you really can't risk gear failure. While the official Canon accessories are built like tanks, they're definitely overpriced for what they actually do. Over the years I've found that Vello makes the most sense for serious astro work. Their wired intervalometers are much more intuitive than the official ones and they actually hold up in the cold. I'd suggest going this route for a few reasons:
- The build quality is significantly higher than generic brands
- The backlit screens are way easier to read in the dark
- They dont require menu diving on your 5D Just get any basic intervalometer from Vello that fits your camera. You wont be paying the Canon tax but you'll get something that lasts way longer than those ten dollar specials.
