K10D Remote control

I just got my new K10D and find it to offer great performance at a wonderful price in U.S. I'm thinking of buying a remote control for shutter. How well does the Pentax product work? Any recommendations? Thanks

I bought a non-branded (cable) remote from eBay for about £5 ($10) and it works just fine. I'm sure the Pentax ones also work just fine but they seemed a little expensive to me for what they were.

As you've probably realised, the K10D can use two types of remotes. The cabled one plugs into the side of the camera and can be locked for long exposures - handy if you're taking photos in the dark. The wireless one can trigger the camera from the front or the rear but cannot be used to hold the shutter open in the same way the cabled one does, so it loses a little in the features stakes but makes up for it in convenience.

Which one you buy depends on what you want it for. If you do a search you'll find that several people on this forum have discovered they can trigger the K10D using remotes they already have in the house (TV, video, etc) so try all your existing buttons to see if one's on the right wavelength before splashing out on one of the wireless ones - you might very well have something suitable already under your nose!

Bill, first at all, welcome to the forum.

The remote control works perfectly as all Pentax devices, and you will find that it is a very necessary element.

Buy it with closed eyes, it worth any buck you pay for. And the only recommendation: be careful, don’t lose it (size!).







Best regards.

________________
Dirk TROTTEYN.

Hi Bill

The following links might be of interest ?

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/85893-post3.html

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/84720-post29.html

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/84728-post30.html

I ordered this one off E-bay and IMHO it's brilliant !

Best regards
Richard

Bill welcome to the forum.
I have a generic cable release, and a Pentax IR remote.
Why?
Price on the first and size on the second. The Pentax cable release is expensive for what it is, and at least in Holland, is hard to find. The Pentax IR remote is just the smallest neatest device available and works really well. But as Dirk says becareful you don't lose it! I use an old Pentax strap with two little pockets in it - one for the remote one for the eyepiece cover. Very handy.

And, incidentally, don't pay any attention to the Pentax claim that the battery in the Remote Control F is not replaceable. Undo the tiny screws, take it apart carefully, and you'll find a standard size watch-type battery that can be replaced easily.

If you do find a cheaper generic one, ensure that it'll allow you to do Bulb exposures by holding the button down. The Pentax one does.

I chose the remote release over cable, It doesn't work with the "b" setting but does have one distinct advantage, it offers mirror lock up when used on 3sec. delay. Not sure if the unbranded remotes offer this or not.

The Pentax Remote Control F?

It does work with B exposures (on the K10D at least). You just hold the button down for as long as you want the shutter open.

Well you learn something everyday, your absolutely right Chris..... Also tried this with the istD and it works fine with that too, cant try the MZ7 cos' its got a film in it and I'm too tight to waste a frame

I think I'm going to enjoy contributing to your UK forum. Excellent information posted and very friendly group of chaps. Your new friend from Boston, Massachusettts.

Attached is a link to harbor on Cape Cod, Mass. I took in Raw and played around with Pentax included S/W. Cheers!

http://picasaweb.google.com/billjaywarren/Desktop/photo#5122776757892839346

I confirm the remote control F will work in B mode.
I usually use it for exposures over 30sec ...
Julien
_________________
Take a look at my photo blog.

I used it for my fireworks shots Works perfectly Got mine 'second hand' unused for £9!

And don't forget, the IR remote has a dedicated storage space in the
grip for it!