When using the remote cord MC DC2 to trigger the shutter, you DO NOT set the Release Mode Dial to REMOTE. Instead, you set it to S, for single frame. REMOTE on the Release Mode dial, however, only pertains to the Infra Red remote release.

I had to make a trip to my camera store to learn this. It seems pretty counter-intuitive to control an accessory called a Remote Cord the same as taking a normal picture.

Just thought some of you would like to know. I specifically chose to buy a wired cord because the simplicity and reliability. I can walk around the camera anywhere and take a shot. Usually, I am in front of it, adjust the things when I want to fire off a shot.

Gary Curtis

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A trip through the instruction manual would have been cheaper (and probably quicker).

____________________________

My toys: gripped D600, gripped D7000, D60: Nikkor 10.5 fisheye, 10-24, 17-35 2.8D, 18-105, 24-85, 50/1.8D, 70-300, 105/2.8D Micro, 500 f/8 Reflex: Sigma 600mm, Celestron 2000mm: PB-6 bellows, auto macro tube set: SB600: Manfrotto 055XB/804RC2/390RC2 & 560B-1: Gossen Starlite: Easy-Up AP1500: 40' WonderPole

Before sending this out, I looked in the Nikon booklet and also in Darrel Young's book on the D7000.

The Nikon manual mentions the part, briefly, but says nothing about it other than that it plugs into the mini USB port behind the door on the left of the camera.

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Page 77 describes the use of the "Remote" setting of the Mode Dial. It makes no mention of the MC-DC2, only the ML-L3.

____________________________

My toys: gripped D600, gripped D7000, D60: Nikkor 10.5 fisheye, 10-24, 17-35 2.8D, 18-105, 24-85, 50/1.8D, 70-300, 105/2.8D Micro, 500 f/8 Reflex: Sigma 600mm, Celestron 2000mm: PB-6 bellows, auto macro tube set: SB600: Manfrotto 055XB/804RC2/390RC2 & 560B-1: Gossen Starlite: Easy-Up AP1500: 40' WonderPole

Yeah, I saw that. The reality in this age of technology is that engineers design things. Publishing a book explaining how to work those things is usually an afterthought. Handed off to anyone, such as a janitor.

Nikon isn't alone in this.

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Nikon manuals are not known for being written well. Some important tidbits are ignored and other are just hard to find.

If you have problems and the manual is not clear just post here in the D7000 forum. We can usually answer your questions quicker than a trip to the camera shop.

Dave
Quad Cities, USA
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Thom Hogan's D7000 book clearly describes this. FWIW.

I think this is a great example of digital age dumbness (not meant to describe you, Gary, just a general phenomenon that seems to be the result of using modern digital devices). We get so used to modes for everything that we sometimes don't consider that something might just work.

I guess I was lucky: I have used cable releases on film SLRs where you really do just attach the cable and it works, so my subconscious had me assuming that the MC DC2 would work that way. Without that experience I probably would have set remote release mode as you did.

Note that you don't need to set single frame mode, just don't set remote mode. Remote release and MUP is probably one of the classic uses of the cord.

Gary
"Yea, Sussex by the sea!" - Rudyard Kipling

RL,

I've got Thom Hogan's book. But since it is in digital form, it is a bother to start up the computer and open that pdf file. Another instance of 'digital overdo'.

When I went to the camera store I was prepared to make them exchange the cable. They knew immediately what was up, and asked me what release mode I set on the camera.

That tells me they must have encountered this hurdle with other Nikon owners.

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Put the PDF on your smart phone. It's always on, isn't it?

Maybe the people at the store have read the manual.

____________________________

My toys: gripped D600, gripped D7000, D60: Nikkor 10.5 fisheye, 10-24, 17-35 2.8D, 18-105, 24-85, 50/1.8D, 70-300, 105/2.8D Micro, 500 f/8 Reflex: Sigma 600mm, Celestron 2000mm: PB-6 bellows, auto macro tube set: SB600: Manfrotto 055XB/804RC2/390RC2 & 560B-1: Gossen Starlite: Easy-Up AP1500: 40' WonderPole

I have a printed copy, and it occupies a treasured spot in the executive reading room of my palatial shack. Whenever I, errm, have a few minutes, I'll find myself reading a new section and learning something.

While I do value the PDF version, hard copy simply works better in the can.

LOL, love the description of relative merits of printed vs. digital copy.

Tom
From Beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia

Why I didn't read the book. Or, what I didn't do on my summer vacation.

Some numbers must be cited.

The Thom Hogan book is over 800 pages. Not easy to print out a pdf file of that size. And then, what do you do with the pages? It is a matter of scale. At the same time I am debating the merits of a Kindle reader, it seems like a meaningful alternative to paper books.

Once the explanation is found, it would be easy to overlook. Am I alone in not trusting IR and wanting a wired release? The information is buried.

But back to my original talking point: why on earth label a position REMOTE on a shutter mode dial if it won't work with a remote cable release? And then don't mention that, or a workaround in the accompanying USER MANUAL?

Certainly there is no learning curve involved in remote cables. It isn't as complex as Auto Focus or White Balance. Nikon couldn't possibly be expected to go into detail on those 2 subjects. Furthermore, why didn't didn't Darryl Young bring this up in his 500-page book on the D7000? I seem to recall paying green money for that book, and not gaining comprehensive understanding on a number of key D7000 features.

Argggh! And I thought DSLR was supposed to be fun.

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Write your own book, then.

____________________________

My toys: gripped D600, gripped D7000, D60: Nikkor 10.5 fisheye, 10-24, 17-35 2.8D, 18-105, 24-85, 50/1.8D, 70-300, 105/2.8D Micro, 500 f/8 Reflex: Sigma 600mm, Celestron 2000mm: PB-6 bellows, auto macro tube set: SB600: Manfrotto 055XB/804RC2/390RC2 & 560B-1: Gossen Starlite: Easy-Up AP1500: 40' WonderPole

>Write your own book, then.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

I have always looked at the wired release as a direct extension of the shutter button sort of like the flexible wire releases for film cameras. The Wired releases actually connect to the 3 wires of the shutter release switch with no other circuitry and like the shutter release draws no power from the camera until the first position is activated to wake up the camera. The camera and sit idle for days before the wired release is used without worry of draining the battery.

The IR system requires the camera to be active and constantly draws energy for the IR receiver and the "Remote" setting starts a special timer to turn of the IR system so the camera's battery is not drained if you forget to turn off the camera. If it worked like the wired release, your battery would be drained in a matter of hours because the AF system and exposure metering systems would be on and adjusting your camera and lens.

George
My Nikonian Galleries

>I've got Thom Hogan's book. But since it is in digital form,
>it is a bother to start up the computer and open that pdf
>file. Another instance of 'digital overdo'.
>
>When I went to the camera store I was prepared to make them
>exchange the cable. They knew immediately what was up, and
>asked me what release mode I set on the camera.

Much less bother to go to the camera store than start up the computer?

>But back to my original talking point: why on earth label a position
>REMOTE on a shutter mode dial if it won't work with a remote cable
>release? And then don't mention that, or a workaround in the
>accompanying USER MANUAL?

But pretty much any time the Remote setting on the dial is mentioned, the ML-L3 is mentioned also. There's even a picture of it on the dial.

Chris

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I agree with Gary. The use of a tripod, the MC-DC2 and the mirror up function are my SOP when taking night time / low light shots. A vrey useful combination indeed.

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The wired release is not really "remote" but an extension of the local shutter release switch, in parallel with the camera mounted release button. Remote in this and many cases is not local control but separated from the unit controlled. I have used both trigger systems and it never occurred to me that there was an issue about this, Remote in Nikon talk on a D7000 is the IR ML-3, and the multi-pin socket is simply another switch across the existing switch, just like the grip's additional parallel switch connection which would not refer to as remote either but just wired another switch in parallel to the main switch.
I do not think anyone was really remiss in not devoting another page to this distinction, or we would be complaining of Thom's 1000 page book.
Personally I love the little IR remote, it works really well and for a greater distance than I would have guessed. Adding the second IR detector on the back was a big help in expanding its usefulness.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

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A little off topic, perhaps, but…

Stan: «…Adding the second IR detector on the back was a big help in expanding its usefulness…»

A second IR detector? - I must have missed something !
I love the ML-3, but I would love it even more if this could expand the range (especially in the back of the camera) !
Are you talking about a kind of external device, or is it a "on camera" feature I have missed ?

If this is indeed an external device. Stan, could you please tell which brand & model ?

Michal
Karasjok, Norway

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In the English D7000 manual it's on page 5, key 19. Just to the right of the multi-selector.

Chris

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I’m showing my support for an icon of British Aviation that needs our help to fly in 2013.
See www.vulcantothesky.org
Join me in changing your profile picture to show your
support and spread the word.
Visit the site to grab your image.

Thank you for helping Avro Vulcan XH558!

Since the original question has been answered and some of the posts seem to be headed in nasty direction, I am going to lock this thread now before someone says something really insulting.

Gary, I understand you frustration. The Nikon manuals are not always as through or clear as they should be and some things may get glossed over or forgotten in independent guide books. Please send Darryl Young your feedback on this issue. He will appreciate the input as he is trying to produce the best product that he can.

If anyone is interested in further discussion of cable releases or remote control functions please feel free to start a new thread.

Thank you,
Dave

Dave
Quad Cities, USA
A Nikonians Team Member
My Gallery
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"My most important photographic investment, after the camera"

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