Is an old-school SLR remote release compatible with digital SLR cameras?

February 29, 2008 1:09 PM

Is an old-school SLR remote release compatible with digital SLR cameras?

Newbie question here so excuse me if it's really obvious. I've got a lot of experience with using an old-school SLR camera and will probably purchase a digital SLR shortly (nothing too fancy; probably a Canon Digital Rebel).

My question is simple. Is my remote release cable (just push the button on the end of the cord) compatible with new digital SLRs? Or do they use a different system?

Reason for asking: I'm moving house at the moment and I don't want to take my remote release cable with me if it won't work with a digital SLR. If it's no good for future use with a digital camera, it's going to the thrift shop.

Thanks!

posted by different to sports, hobbies, & recreation (7 comments total)

My old N65 Nikon remote works with my Nikon D50, it's a wireless remote though.
posted by sanka at 1:10 PM on February 29, 2008

It depends on how old-school it is. If it's made for Canon EOS film cameras, it will work as it's an electrical switch, and they haven't changed the connector. If it's an older-school cable release that screws into the shutter release on the camera, it won't work.
posted by zsazsa at 1:13 PM on February 29, 2008

Assuming youre remote cable is the screw-in plunger or bulb sort of thing, I don't think it will work.This view of the digital rebel shows that there is no screw thread in the shutter button.
posted by jjb at 1:14 PM on February 29, 2008

Thanks all, I think that settles it already - it's OLD old school, which screws in to the shutter release and has a bulb at the end. So off to the charity shop it goes.

Very much appreciated!
posted by different at 1:18 PM on February 29, 2008

Yes, progress. The thing that was $4 and worked fine is replaced by the thing that's $40.
posted by sully75 at 1:42 PM on February 29, 2008

Spousal Unit's Canon 20D does not have a place to connect a cable release. Too bad as that was one useful little gadget.
posted by trinity8-director at 4:06 PM on February 29, 2008

I don't know about the new ones, but my old Digital Rebel accepts a 1/8th inch plug for the cable release and a dollar store cellphone headset fits right in there, and works as a remote, perfectly. You click the 'talk' button on the headset and the camera focuses, hit it again and it takes the shot. Just like, I assume, the factory cable release.
posted by dirtdirt at 4:15 PM on February 29, 2008