01 January 2023

Using the Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control for long exposure photography

Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control
Size 32 x 63.5 x 6.5mm
The Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control is an inexpensive wireless transmitter for Canon EOS DSLR cameras and a really handy accessory for pairing with my Canon EOS bodies. This tiny remote release assists me mostly with long exposure landscape / seascape photography (on tripod) when using Av / Bulb mode for shutter releases of up to 30 to 40 seconds. Its also effective in some of my close-up / macro photography, eliminating possible manual shutter release movement (with camera on tripod). Effective remote range is +- 5 meters.

Reasons for using the Canon RC-6 Remote Control

  • Eliminates movement when pressing the shutter button (i.e. Bulb mode / long exposures)
  • Landscape photography
  • Self-portraits / photographer in group photos 
  • Recording movies: start and stop video recordings

Using the RC-6 Remote Control
 A compatible EOS camera must be in the Self-timer / Remote Control mode for the RC-6 to operate. The remote control will trigger the shutter from the infrared receiver / remote control sensor in front of the camera (i.e. self-portraits) or just hold it slightly above the shutter release pointing slightly downwards towards the remote control sensor (on the right front of all EOS cameras when in shooting position). Press once to open the shutter and the camera's LCD will start recording the seconds. Press again to close the shutter and wait for the camera to complete the image processing.  A switch on the back of the remote will also allow a 2-second delay before firing.

Using the RC-6 Remote Control in Bulb Mode
Bulb mode provides for shutter releases to exceed the 30 seconds limitation on most DSLR cameras. Once the Canon DSLR is set in bulb mode and the Remote Control is active it will be possible to open and close the shutter for various times for long exposure photography i.e. +- 4 seconds (fireworks photography), 20 - 60 seconds (night photography) or longer (star trail photography) - longer than the built-in 30 seconds limitation of the EOS DSLR. 

                             Canon EOS 700D Camera Body showing Remote Control Sensor
                                                                                                          Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i Camera Body

Long Exposure Images in Av / Bulb mode
See below images (for remote release in Av Mode or Manual / Bulb mode - 10 to 30 seconds shutter release). All images with Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens in Manual Bulb / Av Mode.The RC-6 Remote Control also works very well shooting fireworks.

Canon Full Frame / APS-C Camera Body Compatibility 
EOS-1D X Mark II / EOS-1D X / EOS 5Ds / EOS 5Ds R / EOS 5D Mark IIEOS 6D / EOS 5D Mark III / EOS 7D Mark II / EOS 80DEOS 7D / EOS 60DEOS 70DEOS Digital Rebel / 300DEOS Rebel XT / 350DEOS Rebel XSi / 450DEOS Rebel XTi / 400DEOS Rebel T1i / 500DEOS Rebel T2i / 550DEOS Rebel T3i / 600DEOS Rebel T4i / 650DEOS Rebel SL1 / 100DEOS Rebel T5i / 700D / EOS 1300D / Rebel T6 /  EOS 1200D / Rebel T5EOS M / EOS M3 / EOS 760 / T6s / EOS 750 / T6i

Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control Pouch
Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control / Pouch

Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18 - 135mm Lens Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control (Bulb Mode)
 Canon EOS 700D / Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control

Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18 - 135mm Lens Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control (Bulb Mode)
 Canon EOS 700D /  Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control

Canon EOS 700D / EF-S 18 - 135mm Lens Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control (Bulb Mode)
Canon EOS 700D / Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control

Canon EOS 700D / Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control
Canon EOS 700D / Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control

Canon EOS 700D / Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control
Canon EOS 700D / Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control

Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i with Canon RC-6 Remote Release Fireworks Shoots
2014 / 2015

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