Advice on Remote Trigger for D300

Hey folks. I have an opportunity to buy a Nikon ML-3 remote for $75.
Should I grab it, or are there other 3rd party options that I would end up preferring (other features, etc.).

This one looks nice, includes the bag and everything.

I bought a wired trigger on Amazon for $12, but they sent me the wrong model.
All I really want it for is astrophotography, so I don't see the cord as a limit. But this piece of kit says Nikon® on it!

RobV said:

Hey folks. I have an opportunity to buy a Nikon ML-3 remote for $75.
Should I grab it, or are there other 3rd party options that I would end up preferring (other features, etc.).

This one looks nice, includes the bag and everything.

I bought a wired trigger on Amazon for $12, but they sent me the wrong model.
All I really want it for is astrophotography, so I don't see the cord as a limit. But this piece of kit says Nikon® on it!

Click to expand...

Pixel makes a couple remotes that will work with your D300 for a fraction of the cost ($30 for a wireless release). If you want something Nikon branded, $75 for an ML-3 is a steal.
....

Thanks for the reply.
I got to doing some more reading, and it doesn't sound like the ML-3 is the best choice at any price.
If anyone is interested, it is on Indianapolis Craigslist.

I once got a wireless remote for a D50 off ebay. IIRC it was in the range of $3. Turned out to be almost a toy TV control but the power button would trigger my shutter. I too used it to take long exposure sky shots at night. Only caveat was I had to be on the front side of the camera pointing the remote back at it. Not a big problem with the camera pointing up to the sky.

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RobV said:

Hey folks. I have an opportunity to buy a Nikon ML-3 remote for $75.
Should I grab it, or are there other 3rd party options that I would end up preferring (other features, etc.).

This one looks nice, includes the bag and everything.

I bought a wired trigger on Amazon for $12, but they sent me the wrong model.
All I really want it for is astrophotography, so I don't see the cord as a limit. But this piece of kit says Nikon® on it!

Click to expand...

While $75 is a great price for the ML-3 setup, what are your needs?


Being this is for astrophotography, I assume you'll be right next to the camera? What about the cheap Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote?


For longer range remote shutter activity, I use the Pocketwizard triggers with a cable on the camera.

carguy said:

Being this is for astrophotography, I assume you'll be right next to the camera? What about the cheap Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote?

Click to expand...

The D300 does not have sensors for the ML-L3. It has the round, multi-pin connector on the top front left of the body.

I bought a Neewer timer/remote. It works great, and cost me $12.50.
The best part is, I don't even need to put batteries in it. It will trigger the shutter without them! And that is all I really wanted. Wireless would have been more trouble than it is worth.
Access Denied <---eBay link - it works for me

All of my attempts at lunar or bird shots have been less than stellar.
I am using a Nikon 300mm f4 D lens, that has proven itself on my D5300.
I just got a Lensmaster gimbal, mounted on my less-than-$100 Dolica tripod. I am sure a better foundation is in order, but I am wondering if I need to fine tune the D300 to the lens?

I am at work, so I can't share any of these images right now.
Yesterday I tried birding for the first time in my backyard.
The few birds I did snap were distant, and pretty fuzzy.
I played with the rig shooting closeups of my cats, and they were pretty sharp, to my eye.

A lot of the problem with the birds is that they were in trees or bushes with a lot of branches between them and me. As they were not BIF, it almost made manual focus more practical. Still fuzzy, though.
Next time I am out, I will put the D5300 on (manual focus though), and try comparison shots of distant objects.

I have the focus on the D300 set to spot.

RobV said:

The D300 does not have sensors for the ML-L3. It has the round, multi-pin connector on the top front left of the body.

I bought a Neewer timer/remote. It works great, and cost me $12.50.

Click to expand...

Interesting about the ML-L3, it works with the D40 and I assumed the D300. Now that I review the specs I can see that.


Sounds like a great deal on that Neewer unit. While that works well with shooting Lunar, does that cable give you enough distance to not scare birds away?


A wireless setup is rather easy, two Pocketwizard Plus or Plus II units (the cheapest setup) and a cable plugging into the same port you are using now is all you need.

I am brand new to birding. I never considered using a remote.

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