Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3 Reviews

• Canon OC-E3

  
  By A1LIHSIZX7XMFI on 2007-11-02
  I purchased this as the cheapest way to get my 550EX or 580EX II off the camera. This cord has the weather sealing and supposed to be better built than the previous OC-E2 cord. The previous cord had some bad reviews so I bought this one and hope it holds up.
  
  However, I found the 2 feet cord extension to be rather short. So I cut the cord in half and added female CAT5 sockets to each end. Now I can take any reasonable length of CAT5 cable and extend the flash off camera. It took all of 30 minutes to modify the extended cable and I am happy with the results.
  
  What else can I say, the cord does what Canon claims it will do. I'm sure Canon would not be thrilled with my modification, but Canon: listen up and give us an extendable cord! I'm happy with the cord but only gave it 3 stars and I'll wait and see how it holds up to use.
  
  

• buy this one!

  
  By A2HT0XKUCWXNYJ on 2007-09-15
  I tried the off brand one for 40 bucks and it locked on my 30d to the point I had to destroy it to get it off. the canon one is weather sealed and double locked like the 580ex II flash. it works great.
  
  

• Works well, and it should for the price

  
  By A1TB1VVM0LTZM2 on 2007-12-23
  When you buy a Canon-branded accessory you expect it to perform properly, be well constructed... and expensive. The OC-E3 cord satisfies all three criteria. Yes, it could be longer, but when you are using it on a bracket as I do, a shorter cord is preferable.
  
  The tripod socket on the bottom of the hotshoe is terrific. This allowed me to remove the shoe mount that came with my bracket install the OC-E3 in its place.
  
  The camera end of this cord has the same locking mechanism that is on the 580EX II flash, and it works well. No more missed shots because the cable slid out of place.
  
  Off camera cords are notoriously delicate. This one seems better made that many that I've used on the past.
  
  

• Good but pricey

  
  By A3OJ1KT3DGVVWH on 2007-11-29
  I find that the cord works fine. My complaint is that it's so costly for what it does. The Nikon that cost about the same has a autofocus assist lamp. I wish the Canon cord came with an autofocus assist lamp. The focus assist lamp from the flash doesn't work to well if the flash is hand held away from the camera.
  
  I would rate this 5 star, if it had focus assist lamp or priced $20 lower.
  
  

• If using it professionally it will break monthly....

  
  By A1J7SYWBMU5XO1 on 2008-04-17
  I hate this plastic crappy base with metal screws. It has problems with the 580 EX II. The weight of the flash will cause it to crack in the middle. I go through one of these a month. Some months I'm able to piece together parts from two broken bases to make one cord. Canon needs to make a stronger version for the professional market so it can hold the Canon flashes without breaking.
  
  
• Broke first time I used it
  By A2LN051H2M6XRZ on 2007-09-22
  When I brought this to my first gig it cracked within the first few minutes. Then I went back to the cameta receipt and saw that I had two weeks to return it. I drove to the place in Amityville (an hour and a half away). The guys there didn't want to help me. I persisted and finally got another cord. This one has worked well.
  
  This situation, after other similar ones, has made me want to switch to Nikon. Canon is great but I've had MANY problems with the flashes and flash cords.
  
  
• It will break. It can't handle the weight of the 580 Ex II
  By A2W2HKHGX2C6VS on 2008-04-23
  Broke within 5 minutes of use. Split right down the middle and sent my flash tumbling. Completely useless. DO NOT BUY.
  
  Update: Canon is refusing to replace the cord stating: "please note The warranty does not cover physical or accidental damage."
  
  Update: After escalating to a supervisor at Canon they agreed to make an _exception_ and replaced the OC-E3 with a new one. Their default stance is physical damage is not covered. Unless you're willing to reinforce the OC-E3 in some way I wouldn't recommend trusting it with an expensive flash.
  
  Update: The replacement OC-E3 came. I disassembled it immediately, with the idea of filing it with epoxy to reinforce it, and discovered that one of the plastic posts was already broken.
  
  
  
• Very high quality item.
  By A5KMMY627T3W on 2008-01-10
  I don't understand some of the other reviews I have read. Everything about this item is perfect. There isn't a single thing I would change about it. I thought it seemed a little pricey too until I got it. It is immediately obvious how well this item is constructed both in structural integrity and electronically. I don't see why any professional would buy anything else if they had a Canon camera and needed an off camera flash cord. With my flash bracket, it is the PERFECT length when it is extended and when it is "at rest." It is very durable and strong. I can't for the life of me understand how this item could break, unless I used it improperly or used it daily for decades until it wore out. It is solid and professional. Do not settle for less and not believe the negative or qualified reviews.
  
  
• I great improvement
  By A2W3U5MHPVUP7E on 2008-02-09
  I broke the previous version of this device in a freak accident, so was forced to buy a new one. This one is so much better. Better construction and faster to put it on the camera.
  
  
• A Satisfactory Product
  By A2ECOG9AY1N4CD on 2008-02-25
  The cord is a bit short but long enough for my flash bracket. It seems to be substantial and has operated flawlessly so far. I have not used it extensively. My Vivitar flash bracket has no locking mechanism for the end that goes to the flash and there is the possibility it and the flash can slip off the bracket handle. The other end of the cord has a fastening mechanism as does my Cannon flash. I used a heavy rubber band to secure it. Buyers should be sure their flash bracket has a fastening screw mechanism. My flash bracket is excellent for my use but this is a concern. Cannon should consider adding this feature to their cords. I take thousands of photos a year and will have a better opinion of its ruggedness after a year of use.
  
  
• Great replacement piece
  By A1T10HB9KHCSM5 on 2008-02-02
  I bought this to replace an off-brand cord that wasn't syncing with my camera (Canon 20D & 580 EX flash). The off-brand cord was bought to replace the original Canon off camera shoe cord II, which breaks easily. This OC-E3 cord seems to be tougher, though the part that broke on my last Canon cord seems to be exactly the same material on the new one. Time will tell.
  
  
• Cheap plastic for your flash
  By A2BA628MN9R9PN on 2008-05-10
  Broke instantly when I attached my 580EX II onto the mount. Cracked in half. Left my flash hanging in the air. Terrible design. Perhaps not using cheap plastic on a part that has a fair amount of torque would be better. Not impressed. Waste of money.
  
  
• Improves casual photos immensely
  By A2E31S1GVSBSBB on 2008-05-03
  Using this product with my Canon 580ex and a flip flash bracket greatly improves the casual photos that I have taken. By using the flip flash braket I can always keep the flash vertically over the lens so that all shadows from the flash fall behind the people I am shooting instead of to the left or right.
  
  I highly recommend this setup for people who take casual photos at any sort of group function.
  
  
• Mine broke on first use too
  By A17LR6QXNFRBMA on 2008-07-15
  The first time I tried to use this, it snapped in half just like those of the other reviewers. I was using a Canon 430 EX. I will try to get help from Canon but it seems like a really bad design.
  
  
• Excellent
  By A19WLGVIXFJIM7 on 2008-03-15
  I recently purchased a Canon 30D and wanted to use an old camera grip/flash (from my 30 yr old film Canon AE1 Program). It is very easy to use and does the job. I saved $30 from purchasing it locally.
  
  

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