Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60 & D80 Digital SLR Cameras Reviews

• Great idea but poor execution

  
  By AZX7GJRLMWN92 on 2005-02-28
  Simply put, this is a great idea with poor execution. Once you change the settings on the camera to accept the remote trigger, you need to focus one last time. Then you simply need to find the spot where the camera will see the remote. I have had to press the button a half a dozen times (with a new battery) to get the camera to fire.
  
  Not sure why this is, when it works it is great.
  
  

• Does what it is supposed to do!

  
  By AK708RZGKKBFN on 2005-01-20
  Too bad it is out of stock often. But Amazon has it come back once and a while.
  
  It works well with a N75 and a Nikon Pronea APS SLR (my tests) and is compatible with several other Nikon cameras. The range is acceptable and it comes with batteries pre-installed. There is no documentation, but it is a no-brainer. It also comes with a little fabric case that you can thread through your camera neck strap for safekeeping.
  
  Nikon should really include this sub ten dollar part with their high end cameras. I am sure that most users would have appreciated it even if it added a little more in price to a D70.
  
  

• IR remote review....

  
  By A1H6SFI7QJWMT4 on 2006-04-23
  Well...its a remote.
  I use it with my d50 and it works to about 30 ft. When I get the shot composed, I press the timer button 2x to get the camera ready to shoot, press the button and step out, or sit down and press the button during group shots.
  
  In bulb mode I do the same. Press the timer 3x to get it ready, press to start the shot and step away. Come back and press the button again and it stops the shot.
  
  Works just like it is supposed to.
  
  One thing to remember is to set the camera's time to receive the signal. The camera automatically turns the IR off after a certian amount of time. If this happens, it won't accept it until you turn it back on. If you'll be taking a lot of shots, just change the camera's setting to look for the remote for 5 minutes or so.
  
  

• An Electronic Cable Release

  
  By A3QNX5KWHDV0GD on 2005-12-11
  Does what it's supposed to do, but would be more useful if there was also a sensor in the back of the camera so this product would work from behind the camera as well.
  
  

• Tiny, one-button remote for Nikon cameras

  
  By A5JLAU2ARJ0BO on 2005-01-21
  The ML-L3 is a small plastic remote control for Nikon's SLR cameras. There's just one button on the ML-L3; you'll set the control mode on the camera itself (e.g., immediately shutter release vs. delayed shutter release). Just point to the IR receiver on the camera (usually on the front) and press the button. A small, cheap-feeling pouch is included with the remote control.
  
  Reviewer "technology analyst" has it right: Nikon should just include this in their SLR and d-SLR kits, esp. the kits that cost over $500. This remote control is made in China so it probably costs them a couple bucks to make (thanks to the unregulated sweatshops in China!), and they would have generated a lot of good will among Nikon owners and potential SLR buyers.
  
  
• a must have
  By A2TFA1RLIERL75 on 2005-09-09
  If you own a D70 you simply can't be without this item. Because Nikon chose not to include a mechanical cable release option (or an electronic one either), it is difficult to shoot at slow shutter speeds, even on a tripod, without getting camera shake affecting your images. You can use the timer, but that doesn't always work for your shooting situation. With this remote, you get the same basic operation as a cable release as well as a bonus that you can put yourself in front of the lens and use the remote to trip the shutter release. It also works in combination with the self timer. One small concern is that because it's an IR remote, you must point it at the sensor, which is on the front of the camera. This can be awkward standing behind a tripod, but not seriously. I really enjoy using this product.
  
  
• How to get started using the Nikon D50 remote control
  By A4OZ9OER0SI8B on 2006-08-03
  I finally had my 15 year old show me how it works. No instructions included in the box. If you look in your camera manual it shows you step by step on how to use it. Turn the camera on. On the top of the camera is the timer button (to the left and below the on-off dial)press this and watch very carefully the display and you will see the ity bity timer icon change. The first time you depress you see the timer icon, next time you will see the remote and the timer, and the third time you depress the timer button you will only see the remote icon. This is the setting that I used. Leave the camera on of course move away keeping the camera pointed at you in the direct line of the remote (like a TV remote control)and push the button. It works great!
  
  
  
• Remote is very useful.
  By A25E2Q4W8Q8QN2 on 2006-03-25
  I have to say that this is a pretty good accessory to have. The only con that I have ran accross is that it does not work from directly behind the camera, but that's solved by using it from the side. Hope this helps!!
  
  
• Nikon should include this feature with the camera
  By A20KY64YA7FWTW on 2005-10-16
  This remote works great! I really impress people with the ability to take a picture remotely. Perfect for those family shots where you are trying to get everyone to smile and you have to get in the picture as well. I believe Nikon could sell their SLR's better if they marketed this nice feature.
  
  
• A must have for all D70/s and D50 owners
  By A6JBGWNUB1JDV on 2005-12-07
  Not sure why it's listed as Nikon 4730, but this appears to be ML-L3 in Nikon's catalog...
  
  As a D70 owner, I found this little device invaluable and would recommend it to anyone. The range is good and works as advertised. It's a bargain that is far more useful than you'd first imagine (camera shake, anyone?)
  
  
• Mixed Feelings on this Remote
  By A31NLD3NMN4MZ on 2006-06-12
  I purchased this remote mainly for taking low light photographs from a tripod without inducing any camera shake.
  
  [+] It was more convenient for me than setting the timer, for the extended exposures where I didn't want to have to touch the camera to reset it back to timer mode.
  
  [-] But at the same time there was definitely a number of times where I pressed that little remote button and nothing happened. It could have been a number of things, but it was frustrating none the less.
  
  [-/+] I purchased this product in a store (authorised Nikon Retailer) and it DID NOT come with any sort of instructions. It came with a very handy little strap pouch to safely store the remote close at hand, but there were no instructions what so ever. This has to have been a Nikon decision (a bizarre one at that) but at the same time, there is only 1 button, and your camera's instruction manual will tell you as much as you need to know about wireless/remote releases.
  
  I do still continue to use the remote but I can't definitively say that I would purchase it again, or recommend it to someone else. For me, it's a matter of convenience for those types of shots that I purchased it for. It would just be super helpful if the camera (D70s) and the remote didn't have communication issues.
  
  
• Great little doo-dad
  By A2E642PYKOMWZQ on 2005-07-17
  This is a neat little gadget that has made many photography situations much easier - first, taking a family shot where I am included in the picture! No more trying to run to the camera before the timer goes off! There is also a function on the D70 to use the remote WITH the timer so you don't have a photo of yourself pushing the remote - smart. And, for macro photography, it is wonderful to not have to jiggle the camera by pushing the shutter to get the shot. I am sure it is wonderful in all tripod shots, for that matter.
  
  I completely agree with the previous reviewers who suggested that it should be included in the kit (this is a cheapy little part), and it really should have a lanyard.
  
  
• Why No Product Manual or Instruction Sheet?
  By A9JINTE4R16H6 on 2006-02-18
  Amazon.com is apparently aware that this Nikon accessory is being shipped without any product manual or instructions whatsoever. This is absolutely unacceptable. I have used Nikon equipment since 1970, many times professionally, under harsh conditions. The absence of even a short data sheet or instruction sheet is unacceptable. I recommend Amazon.com contact Nikon USA and ask them for an explanation for this ommission. If Nikon USA is unwilling or unable to supply a product manual or product instructions, Amazon should drop the product, and/or find a replacement, if there is one.
  
  
  
• Great gadget
  By ABZTL0VRX8LNV on 2006-04-22
  Works great specially for family photos where everyone wants to be included.
  Although it may seem obvious, need to be carefull about pointing from right side otherwise won't work so well.
  Nice gadget to have.
  
  
• Maybe add a lanyard
  By A1PBF4KLUVP954 on 2005-04-13
  This remote is great. The first time I used it I was behind the camera, the IR bounced off the wall and activated the camera, because of this I thought for a second it might be RF. The only thing I would add to this would be a hole that you could put a lanyard clip thru; it's so small it gets lost easily. I agree Nikon should figure a way to give these out, maybe make it part of the camera registration process.
  
  
• Disappointment
  By A292GFO16TVDD0 on 2005-08-30
  Hello,
  
  Nikon's ML-L3 is poorly built and does not preform consistently. You would think one would only have to push the button and the camera would take a picture, but it does not happen that way. With the camera set properly for remote control, the unit makes the camera fire only 50% of the time. It will not work behind the camera (for macro work) that is why Nikon added a cable release on the new D70s. I am told the following remotes will work on the D70. You can find them here at: [...]. I have not tried them myself but have it on reliable information that they preform better than the ML-L3.
  
  A person does not have much of a choice when it comes to buying a remote for the D70 and for the life of me I cannot understand why Nikon would sell such a cheap and disappointing piece of junk. When consumers accept such poor quality in workmanship and function it lowers the quality bar one more notch.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Bill
  
  
• OK, but....
  By AYLVIH71MIAV2 on 2007-05-27
  This product works fine - once you get your camera (mine is a D80) set up correctly. I sort of feel like a dunderhead, but the ML-L3 comes with absolutely NO documentation. Having never used one before, and being relatively new to the D80, I could not get the remote to trigger the camera. I looked at every menu to no avail. Finally, I tried the "Bearded Rectangle" (shutter control) button on the top-right side of the camera, just below the shutter release button and right of the top LCD. You hold this button down and turn the rear dial until you see the Remote Control icon. After this it works fine. This IS covered in the D80 manual (I found later) but it is hard to find under "Accessories." Makes sense now that I've found it.
  
  
• works fine, very cheap
  By AQ2RL6HTVI86T on 2005-10-25
  I just bought my Nikon D50 snf this remote works great, and it is very cheap.
  
  
• Went through my washer AND dryer and survived
  By A2J23OJE5C6N7Z on 2006-07-05
  A great little piece of electronics, and a mandatory accessory for your D50/D70. No more racing back to beat the timer for a group shot -- and better group shots result as everyone has time to do a proper pose. It's also great for the "bulb" shutter mode -- press once to release the shutter, another time to close it. With this I've taken 30 minute exposures, and left to have a cup of coffee while the camera did its business.
  
  But I am totally amazed that the remote survived a trip in my pants through my washer and dryer.
  
  I don't think that two Lincolns and a Hamilton is too much for the convenience that this gadget provides, especially if you've already laid down $1000+ on a camera and lenses.
  
  
• Fun and Addictive
  By A700QM96Y4HG9 on 2006-12-16
  I would never have though to buy a remote for my camera, but I saw the suggestion on Ken Rockwell's awesome Nikon site, so I went for it. This remote is so much fun, even my five-year-old is taking pictures with it. I've had it for two weeks, and I've done self-portraits, long exposures and group shots with it (no more running before the timer goes off!).
  
  This is a must if you want to do long exposures. I was able to put my camera on a tripod and use the setting that allows you to click the remote once to open the shutter and again to close it. Because I didn't have to touch the camera to operate the shutter, I got really cool pictures of stars and meteors with no camera shake.
  
  
• Should be included
  By A32HD10US928VO on 2005-07-06
  This accessory should be part of the whole package when shipped to the consumer. It works as well as advertised. But do not forget to ready the camera for the IR signal. Otherwise, you will push the button and nothing will happen.
  
  
• D-70 wireless remote
  By A2SU2EB92NH197 on 2005-07-23
  Upon arrival did not work. Poor documentation. Little surprise the new D-70s added a cable release feature.
  
  
• Wireless Remote is Great
  By A2LGQUI1EKCL3K on 2005-10-12
  This remote works great! I recently took a group photo and was able to casually join the group photo without killing myself trying to beat a timer getting into the picture.
  
  
• Works as Promised
  By A9YQL03KJQSH1 on 2005-10-12
  The Nikon ML-L3 remote works as promised. The range is very usable, and it is quite compact. It comes with a case than can attach to your camera's neckstrap. This keeps it close at hand when you need it.
  
  
• Piece of junk, but its your only choice
  By ATHXK6KFIIJGG on 2005-08-05
  Typical of Nikon accessories: overpriced. Wish there were a "high power" version capable of reaching more than a couple feet in daylight.
  
  
• Digital camera MUST HAVE accessory
  By A242RWEPINNGX1 on 2005-08-09
  If you buy a Nikon D50 or D70, this is a must have accessory. Costs about the same as a quality old style cable release but has the added feature of NO POSSIBILITY of shaking the camera while in use.
  
  Works from in front or from behind the camera and either operates the shutter directly or activates the self timer depending on camera settings.
  
  Great buy, flawless product.
  
  
• Wireless Remote Control
  By A28ODZOPCB5Z3H on 2006-01-16
  I use this with my Nikon D70S as a trigger when mounted on a tripod and it works great every time. It is especially handy when you want to be in the picture. You can join with the others in the photo shoot and can take many shots without resetting the camara each time. I would suggest using manual focus if you want perfect pictures for group shots.
  Where this item is almost a necessity, I feel that this inexpensive control should have been shipped free with the original camera kit.
  Dana D.
  
  
• Not really worth the money.
  By ALLQRH1Y5351N on 2006-01-22
  The range, or lack thereof, that you can use this item really makes it a worthless product. You would be better off just setting the timer. Completley worthless.
  
  
• Perfect Accessory For The D70/s & D50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A39TKSBLIFVBMC on 2006-02-03
  A must have if you take night shots or shots that require minimum camera movement. It is also invalualbe for those family portraits that in the past excluded you because your were the "photographer". Now, you can include yourself in the portraits!!! It works very reliably!!! I've taken numerous shots with it and it's never failed to fire. I'm completely satisfied and would definitely recommend it for the D70/s & D50 owners...
  
  
• Sure beats a cable release
  By A7ZVIMA4ZGCAG on 2006-02-14
  I have not used my remote much, but it has worked great when I have needed it. I agree with other reviewers that the problem with this remote is the location of the sensors on the camera rather then the remote itself. Range has not be an issue for my type of shooting. I have had good luck from 5 to 20 feet. I have a D70.
  
  

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