EOS Documentation Project

TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller

by Julian Loke

Contents

• Introduction
• Manual Operation

  Cap  Connection  Release  Running Lock  Extension 

• Automatic Operation

  Battery  Backlight  Reset  Mode  HOLD  Setting registers  Program  Recipes 

• Specification

  Physical  Range  Circuit  Compatibility 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

The TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller can be used to release the shutter up to 0.8 m (2.5 ft) away from a compatible EOS camera, such as the EOS 20D. It is electrically parallel to the shutter release button on the camera body, and therefore operates without transferring vibration from the photographer's hand. The TC-80N3 can be used as a simple remote release, but also offers sophisticated, programmable intervalometer functions, such as automatic delay start, repeat interval, hold duration, and repeat count. The electronics simply push and release the shutter release button.

Check your specific camera manual for compatibility information, since similar models in different markets may have different features.

Manual Operation

Cap

Locate on the camera body the socket for the remote release. This is usually near the hand grip, but may differ for your particular model of camera.

Uncover the remote release. Removable caps can be plugged temporarily into the round hole at the bottom of the TC-80N3. Unfortunately, the cap can be dislodged easily and is frequently lost.

Connection

First check the the TC-80N3 is not locked down. If you see a red line, slide the latch to cover the line and release the lock. Switch your camera OFF or L, then push the plug of the TC-80N3 all the way into the socket. If the camera is ON, the shutter can sometimes fire as the TC-80N3 is being plugged in or removed.

Release

Setup for your shot by positioning your camera and lens on a tripod, and checking your composition. If you cannot be sure that a subject will be covered by an autofocus point, use manual focus instead.

When you are ready to shoot, Switch your camera ON, then use the button the TC-80N3 just as you would the shutter button on the camera body. Half-press is usually used for metering, while depressing the button fully releases the shutter.

Running Lock

For situations where you want to keep the button depressed, such as continuous shooting, or BULB mode exposures, push and hold the release button. Engage the RUNNING LOCK by sliding the plastic latch forward, revealing a bright orange line. To unlock, slide the latch to cover the orange line.

Extension

If 80 cm cable for the TC-80N3 is too short, use an an optional accessory extension cord. The ET-1000N3 is a 10 meter (33 feet) extension cable between a female N3 socket, which connects to the TC-80N3 plug, and a male N3 plug, which connects into your camera.

Automatic Operation

Battery

Unlike manual operation, battery power is required for automatic operation. Battery status is indicated by a battery symbol on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). If the battery icon blinks, or the LCD is blank, install a new CR-2025 coin-shaped 3 volt battery.

The battery compartment can be opened by pushing the tip of a paper clip into the release slot. The swing-out battery tray should spring open. Remove and discard the exhausted battery. Observe the polarity +- markings and install a fresh battery. Close the battery tray by swinging it closed until it clicks closed securely. Battery life is specified at 3 years.

Backlight

To read the LCD in the dark, push the LAMP button to toggle the green backlight ON and OFF. The lamp will turn off automatically after 6 seconds.

Reset

To reset the TC-80N3 to a factory state, open the battery compartment, then push and hold the LAMP button until the LCD goes blank. Release the LAMP button, then close the battery compartment cover.

Mode

To operate the TC-80N3, first enter the desired program in SETUP mode, then engage the program in RUN mode. When a program is RUNning, the icons on the top line of the LCD will blink, in sequence. Any counters or timers will display a countdown. When the program is complete, the TC-80N3 returns to SETUP mode, and the icons stop blinking.

To change between SETUP and RUN, push the "START-STOP" button.

Note: If your camera is set to BULB or Self-Timer, you might also need to reset the camera by turning it OFF, then ON.

HOLD

To prevent accidental reprogramming, activate the HOLD mode, which locks the programming keys and the jog dial control wheel on the TC-80N3. HOLD mode can be enabled by pushing the LAMP button and holding it down for 3 seconds. The HOLD icon on the display indicates that HOLD mode is active.

Exit HOLD mode by pushing and holding the LAMP button for 3 seconds, or with a RESET.

Note: The HOLD mode only affects the automatic operation. Manual operation is unaffected by HOLD.

Setting registers

The TC-80N3 has four memory registers that control different aspects of the automatic operation.

Push the "Mode" button to cycle between each of the four registers. The selected register is indicated on the top line of the LCD, while the contents of the register is displayed as a time (HH:MM:SS) or a number on the bottom line of the LCD.

SELF

[MODE] -------->

INT.

[MODE] -------->

LONG

[MODE] -------->

FRAMES

[MODE] -------->

To change the contents of the register, push to CLICK the jog dial wheel so that one of the numbers blinks. Then ROTATE the jog dial wheel up or down until you dial the desired value. Click the jog dial wheel again to change the next number. You can also push MODE to change to the next register; or push START-STOP to complete your entry and start the program.

[Click] -------->

SS

[Click] -------->

MM

[Click] -------->

HH

[Click] -------->

Finished

Program

Delay for (SELF) time

[LOOP]

Activate shutter release for (LONG) time

Delay for interval (INT.) time

If (INT.) equals zero, then pause 1 s

If (FRAMES) equals zero, then goto [LOOP]

Countdown (FRAMES)

If (FRAMES) is not zero, then goto [LOOP]

[STOP]

Return to SETUP mode

Note: This mnemonic might help: "StilL-LIFE" (SELF-timer, LOOP, LONG, INTerval, FRAME count, END)
Note: If all values are zero, the program will not start. If (INT.) equals zero AND (FRAMES) equals zero, the program will not loop.
Note: To make use of (LONG), set BULB mode on the camera.
Note: (INT.) is set to zero has the same effect as setting (INT.) to one second.
Note: When running an interval program with zero (FRAMES), the program runs continuously until the START-STOP button is pressed.
Note: If there is a long time interval between individual frames, the TC-80N3 sends a signal to WAKE the camera and charge up any Speedlite flash units one minute prior to the exposure.

See also the table at: http://www.usa.canon.com/html/cameras_slr/eos3acc.html

Recipes

30 second self-timer

Camera=P ; SELF=00:00:30 ; INT=00:00:00 ; LONG=00:00:00 ; FRAMES=00

One Frame every day for seven consecutive days, starting NOW

Camera=P ; SELF=00:00:00 ; INT=24:00:00 ; LONG=00:00:00 ; FRAMES=07

Twenty consecutive 5 minute exposures, starting in 1 minute

Camera=BULB ; SELF=00:01:00 ; INT=00:00:00 ; LONG=00:05:00 ; FRAMES=20

Continuous shooting for 5 seconds, starting in 20 seconds

Camera=Continuous + MLU=Disabled; SELF=00:00:20 ; INT=00:00:00 ; LONG=00:00:05 ; FRAMES=01

A burst of 3 AEB shots, every five minutes for one hour, starting NOW.

Camera=AEB + 10s self-timer + MLU=Disabled; SELF=00:00:00 ; INT=00:05:00 ; LONG=00:00:00 ; FRAMES=12

Specification

Physical

Width 40 mm (1.6")  Height 20 mm (0.8") 
Length 143 mm (5.7") (Not including cable or plug)
Weight 85 g (3 oz) (Including cable and plug)
Cord 0.8 meters (2.5 feet)

Range

		Minimum	Maximum
SELF LONG		0 s	99 h, 59 min, 59 s
INT.		1 s*	99 h, 59 min, 59 s
FRAMES		1	99, unlimited#

*Setting INT. to 00 (zero) can cause an error condition which prevents the program looping.
^#Set FRAMES to 00 (zero) for unlimited number of frames. The program must be stopped by pushing START-STOP.

Circuit

See:
http://www.camerahacker.com/Canon/N3_Pinout.shtml
http://www.diff.net/peter/photography/canon_n3_connector_info.shtml
http://www.iaw.com/~pturton/remote/

Compatibility

This accessory was intended for recent models of EOS film and digital cameras that have an N3 remote release socket. Although the N3 plug is not physically compatible, it is electrically compatible with the T3 or E3 socket on other EOS cameras.

E.g. TC-80N3 modified with an E3 plug to fit EOS REBEL, Elan, EOS DIGITAL REBEL, or Pentax camera
http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/canon/
http://www.deep-sky.co.uk/imaging/dslr/dslr.htm

E.g. TC-80N3 hard wired to a E3 plug.
http://www.licha.de/astro_review_canon_300d.php

Revision History

v0.1 2004Dec25 jul: Original draft

Comments

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