EOS Documentation Project

Wireless Controller LC-2

by Chris J J Evans

Contents

• Introduction
• Operating Modes

  Standard Mode  Delay Mode  Auto Sensing Mode 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

There are 2 parts to Canon’s Wireless Controller LC-2 – which was originally designed for use with the T3 remote socket fitted to the Canon T90, EOS 1, EOS 1N, EOS 5, EOS 600, EOS 620, EOS 650 or EOS RT cameras. However by using a Remote Switch Adaptor N3, it can also be connected to more recent cameras fitted with the N3 remote socket such as the EOS 1V, EOS 3, EOS 1D, EOS 1D Mk II, EOS 1Ds, EOS 10D, EOS 20D, EOS D30 or EOS D60.

The receiver connects to the camera’s remote socket – and then mounts on the camera’s hotshoe, attaches to a thin bracket slotted between the camera and a tripod, or mounts on a separate tripod. It can be positioned at a distance from the camera by connecting it via a 10 metre Extension Cord 1000T3 or ET-1000N3. It can rotate freely on its base to face the transmitter, but has 30° detents to hold it in a set position. It is self-powered by a 6 volt PX28/4SR44 battery, and has a small red battery test button on its side which will illuminates a red LED if the battery has sufficient power.

The transmitter can be handheld or mounted on a tripod within a line-of-sight range of 5 metres, and takes 2 AA/LR6 batteries. On pressing the release button on the transmitter, a coded infrared signal is sent to the receiver to focus the camera and record the image. The receiver seems to accept signals over a wide angle and so precise alignment with the transmitter is not required.

You can choose from two differently coded channels so that the receiver and transmitter have to be set to the same channel to operate. This allows two cameras to be controlled separately without interference, or one transmitter to control several cameras simultaneously if they are all set to the same channel.

Operating Modes

The transmitter has three operating modes that you can select.

Standard Mode

The release button replicates the normal two stage operation of the camera’s shutter button. A half-press focuses the camera on the subject, and illuminates a red LED in the receiver. Fully pressing the button fires the shutter.

If the intended subject will fill the camera frame, or cover all the AF sensors, then the AF system should give a sharp image. However if there is a risk of the camera focusing on the wrong AF sensor, it may be worthwhile either selecting a single AF sensor on the camera, or manually focusing when setting up the camera and setting the lens to manual focus to lock the setting.

If there is a strong backlight on the camera, you can cover the viewfinder with the sliding cover mounted on the camera strap to prevent an exposure error.

Delay Mode

This mode adds a two second delay to the operations described in the standard mode. This is ideal if you wish to include yourself in the picture as it gives you time to hide the transmitter.

Auto Sensing Mode

This mode is unique to the LC-2 wireless controller and was not provided in the later, much more expensive, LC-3 or LC-4 models (although they do have an operating range of 100 metres).

When this mode is used, pressing the button on the transmitter causes a continuous infrared beam to be sent to the receiver. When this beam is broken the receiver fires the camera’s shutter. If the transmitter and receiver are mounted on tripods, using an extension cord to connect the receiver to the camera if necessary, they can be positioned to cover a particular track or flight path so that an animal or bird can trigger the camera automatically and take its own picture.

Revision History

0.1 2005Mar16 cjje: Original draft; new pictures

Comments

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