D3100 Remote Shutter Release problems

catron

New member
Hello!

im fairly new to photography. Ive got a D3100 and ive been playing round with shutter release.

on my first attempt it worked as soon as i plugged it in, and then on my second attempt i couldnt get it to work. I put it down to the cheapo rubbish remote shutter release from ebay but i have bought a proper nikon one and im having similar problems.

When the remote shutter release is being held down, the camera just takes an still instant image, not holding for the amount of time i want. The remote shutter release is only working in Aperture priority and even then its only holding for about 2 seconds.

Does anybody know how i can return it to working properly, so that i can hold it down for longer? ive been trying to do light trails and its driving me crazy.
i have a feeling it might have been me messing around with the settings/ being a bit of a noob.
if anyone could help it would be much appreciated!

Thanks!!
 

skene

Senior Member
Then put the camera on manual mode. Set on slower shutter speed and adjust ISO and aperture as needed.

I am just going by assuming this is what you are trying to do. This is based on slower shutter speeds for doing light painting, or car tail lights... etc...
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Since you want to do star trails I'm assuming you want a very long (over 30s) exposure time, yes? In this case I suggest you put the camera in Manual, dial in the desired aperture, set the shutter speed to "B" (Bulb) and use the remote to open the shutter on the first click and then close it on the second. You'll have to manually time the exposure this way but that's what the preview screen is for.

Also, there should be a setting in your menus to tell the camera you are using a wireless remote to release the shutter instead of the usual button-release method.

.....
 
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skene

Senior Member
Nikon D3100 For Dummies Cheat Sheet - For Dummies

Helpful little tool to bookmark just so that you do not have to consistently go back to the manual.

If you are not too experienced with setting up the camera in manual mode, try "S" for Shutter Priority. This will allow you to set the speed of the shutter and the camera will adjust aperture and ISO automatically.

This way you adjust shutter time based on how long you want the shutter open, by using the dial for adjustments. 1"- Bulb (Bulb being the longest exposure available).
 
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Thanks
The D3100 does not have Wireless remote, only wired remotes. There are some third party remotes but they are all two piece, one for the camera and then the remote part. You have to move up the the D5100 or above to get wireless.
 

WayneF

Senior Member
I don't think the D3100 can use the ML-L3 wireless remote.

And it does not have the "Time" shutter value the D5100 has, for the two click system.


Does anybody know how i can return it to working properly, so that i can hold it down for longer? ive been trying to do light trails and its driving me crazy.

The remote shutter cord still does whatever shutter speed the camera is set to do. The remote cord merely triggers it.

But there is a shutter speed called Bulb at the far low slow end of the shutter speed dial, just after 30 seconds.
This will stay open as long as you hold the shutter button. Some remote cords have a sliding lock to help hold it down.
 

catron

New member
i have a cord remote - the MC-DC2. that seems to have sorted it. thanks for your help! and thanks for the welcome to the forum!
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I would suggest you spend the $80 and get one of these. Vello Wireless ShutterBoss Timer Remote RCW-N2 B&H Photo Video
I have one with four different cords so I can use it on any of my Nikon or Olympus cameras. Works as either a wired or wireless remote.
I totally agree. While I have a basic, wireless-release the ShutterBoss rocks my world when doing night photography or, really, anything more sophisticated than remotely popping the shutter. I tried cheaper units but learn from my mistake: The ShutterBoss is definitely the way to go.

......
 

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
The D3100 does not have Wireless remote, only wired remotes. There are some third party remotes but they are all two piece, one for the camera and then the remote part. You have to move up the the D5100 or above to get wireless.

Or “up” in a different direction, to the D3200, which does support the infrared ML-L3 wireless remote. So “up” for two different possible values of “up”—up to the next higher model of the same vintage, which is the D5100, or up to the newer model in the same line, which is the D3200.


I don't think the D3100 can use the ML-L3 wireless remote.

And it does not have the "Time" shutter value the D5100 has, for the two click system.

The remote shutter cord still does whatever shutter speed the camera is set to do. The remote cord merely triggers it.

But there is a shutter speed called Bulb at the far low slow end of the shutter speed dial, just after 30 seconds.
This will stay open as long as you hold the shutter button. Some remote cords have a sliding lock to help hold it down.

So far as I have found, there are three different ways to control my D3200 remotely, of which I think I understand only one also applies to the D3100. The cheap knockoff I have of Nikon's DP-1 GPS ($50 compared to about $300 for the genuine Nikon GP-1) unit has a jack into which one can plug a corded remote release that came with the GPS. I assume this operates the same way as the wired remote that is described in this thread for the D3100. It seems to operate in parallel to the main shutter release button, and other than the timed exposures, there is also a “Bulb” mode, where the shutter will remain open for as long as the button is held down.

The D3200 also supports the ML-L3 infrared remote, but you have to set a different “release mode” on the camera, where it will recognize that remote in place of the main shutter release button. When this mode is set, the “Bulb” setting goes away, and is replaced by a “Time” setting, where pushing the button on the remote once pens the shutter, and pushing it a second time closes the shutter. I guess this is much as described above for the D5100.

The third way involves the WU-1a unit, which allows you to operate the camera remotely from a smartphone or tablet.
 
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patrick in memphis

Senior Member
hi catron i know exactly whats probably happening first plug the cord all the way into the remote reciever it will look like an earphone plug but smaller.if it is not inserted all the way the unit wont work.it will recieve the msg but since its not plugged in all the way it cant transfer signal to the camera.also put the shutter in bulb mode by rotating selecter past 30" shutter opening so the remote can full control it.i use a jyc (generic) from ebay.
 

Ozzie

New member
I too am having problems. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't???? I have used the Vello Wireless Remote for a long time but lately cannot get to work consistently on my Nikon D3100!!

When I said "Wireless" I just meant I don't have a long cord attached to camera. Just a little hand-held remote with Antenna. I have used these for years and had great results but lately they just haven't worked. Will not order more!
 
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