So basically the consensus is that the app is a decent free starting point, but Bluetooth can be a bit flaky for those long exposures.

Quick tips:
- If you want the most reliable connection without breaking the bank, skip the official one and look at the JJC BTR-C1 Wireless Remote Control—it's basically a clone of the Canon version for half the price.
- For serious long exposure work where you need a timer, the Pixel TW-283 Wireless Timer Remote Control is a beast and way more robust than the app!

Honestly, I've used both and while the official Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote Control is nice, the market research shows third-party brands like JJC have caught up big time. You're mostly paying for the logo with Canon, right? Just my two cents!! gl

> Check out some of the YouTube tutorials on the Canon Camera Connect app first!

So basically the consensus is to try the free app first. Honestly though, I think Bluetooth can be kinda flaky for long exposures... Iirc, some people mentioned connection drops, which is a total nightmare for safety when you're mid-shot. Not sure, but a dedicated 2.4GHz remote might be more reliable than phone apps if you need a bulletproof connection. Worth checking out imo!

Noted!

Oh man, I totally feel u on this! Switching to the Canon R system is honestly such a game changer, but figuring out the remote situation can be kinda tricky at first. I've been shooting with Canon gear for like 15 years now and I've tried literally every wireless trigger under the sun, from the old infrared ones to the newer tech.

For your situation, I'm gonna highkey recommend staying with the official Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote Control. Honestly, I was skeptical about Bluetooth at first because I was so used to the old RC-6, but the BR-E1 is actually amazing once you get it paired up.

Here is why I think it's the move:
1. Reliability: Unlike some of the cheaper third-party ones, it rarely drops the connection once it's synced.
2. AF Control: You can actually trigger the autofocus before you snap the shot, which is huge for those group shots you mentioned!!
3. Long Exposures: It has a dedicated button for the shutter, so if you're in Bulb mode, it's super easy to manage.

I did try a JJC BTR-C1 Wireless Remote Control for a bit cuz it was cheaper, and it worked... okay? But I noticed it would lag sometimes when I was out in the cold doing landscape stuff, which is just frustrating, right? If you need crazy long range (like over 30-40 feet), you might look at a 2.4GHz system like the Viltrox JY-710 Wireless Timer Remote, but honestly, for 90% of stuff, the Canon one is basically perfect. Plus, it's so tiny it just lives in my bag 24/7. So yeah, grab the official one and u won't regret it!! gl!

Check out some of the YouTube tutorials on the Canon Camera Connect app first! Honestly, I was sooo worried about spending a bunch of money on a dedicated remote when I first got my camera, so I just used my phone for a bit. It’s basically free and works well for group shots where you can see the preview on your screen.

1. I actually started with a super cheap third-party one I found online cuz I wanted to save some cash and be practical.
2. I was lowkey scared it would disconnect during a 2-minute landscape shot, but it actually held up fine!
3. I’ve learned that Bluetooth can be kinda finicky if there's too much interference, so I always keep a backup wired cord in my bag just in case. Better safe than sorry, right??
4. There's a great resource at the official Canon forums where people talk about battery drain with certain brands, which helped me a lot.

I’m pretty satisfied with my current setup tho, no complaints so far! peace

tbh I've been deep-diving into the specs since I'm still kinda new to the R system, but I've noticed some things that might help. Quick question though—which specific camera body are you using? I ask because the ports for the receiver units vary between the higher-end R5/R6 and the smaller bodies like the R7 or R10, and that's gonna affect which cables you'll need for a wireless setup. I've been comparing these two for my own kit: * Hahnel Captur Remote Control & Flash Trigger: This uses 2.4GHz which is way more stable than Bluetooth for long distances. I've had mine for a few months and the range is honestly insane (like 100m). It’s a bit bulky on the hotshoe, but the connection never drops.
* Pluto Trigger: This is the high-tech choice. You control it through a phone app, but it connects via a cable to the camera, so it's super reliable for bulb mode without the Bluetooth lag. It can even trigger for lightning or sound! It's kinda pricey though. I'm still figuring it all out, but a dedicated transmitter/receiver setup feels a lot more secure long-term. Do you mind having a receiver sitting on top of your camera, or are you looking for something super compact?

Helpful thread 👍

Any updates on this?

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Like someone mentioned, those official wireless options can get really expensive for what they actually do. I've been doing this for a long time and honestly, I used to buy every new gadget that came out. Eventually, I realized my bag was full of expensive triggers that all had different battery types and weird syncing issues. Here is what I learned from my own trial and error:

• I went back to using my old wired cable release from my previous system.
• I just use a tiny adapter to make it fit the new port.
• It never runs out of power and connects instantly every time. I know everyone wants the latest tech, but for long exposures, I found the basic wired approach way more reliable. It cost me basically nothing compared to the wireless units and I never have to worry about a signal dropping mid-shot. Just something to think about if you want to keep the budget down and avoid the headache of troubleshooting in the dark.

Works great for me

Can vouch for this

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