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I own a Canon Rebel T3i and on the accessories page on Canon website there is a Remote Switch (Cable Switch) and Remote Control. What is the difference between both (they are the same price) and if I got one do I really need the other one?

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3 Answers

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The remote switch (RS-60E3) is a wired shutter release switch that allows for the activation of the shutter via a cabled interface.

The remote control (RC-6) is a wireless shutter release device that allows the shutter to be activated using an infrared signal.

They perform the same function with the difference being wired vs. wireless.

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3  
Same function but perhaps different purpose. Don't know about the T3i but I bought the wired shutter release switch for my T1i because the salesman said it can be used behind the camera. He said the wireless switch had to be used from in front of the T1i. I wanted an external shutter switch for steadier time exposures of e.g. lightning, not pictures with me in them. – Mark Jerde Dec 6 '11 at 16:01
@MarkJerde I don't know if this is true for T3i but sounds like a valid reason cause the remote control receiver is in the forehead of the camera – akram Dec 6 '11 at 16:21
2  
These are not really the same thing at all, the shutter cable essentially gives the same functionality as the shutter release button including half press it to focus and meter. The wireless remote control activates a two second timer based release on the camera same as activating the two second timer when the shutter release is pressed. So not the same function at all. – Paul Round Dec 6 '11 at 16:53
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Sorry to sound like a novice ... but if I was to use the wireless switch - would I need to focus my camera on the shot first and then move in front of the camera to take the shot - or will the wireless remote enable the camera to auto focus?

Hopefully this makes sense

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katie, you might want to ask that as a separate question rather than an answer. – MikeW Jan 30 at 10:11
With the remote shutter controls that I have, they work exactly like the main shutter. You press it half way down, and the autofocus works. Press farther, and it snaps. – Pat Farrell Jan 30 at 16:01
@katie, looks like you have a question, you can ask it as a separate one – akram Jan 30 at 17:36
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If you want a wired remote control for the shutter and auto-focus, there are many third party products that are much, much cheaper than the Canon part. I bought a number of them from assorted vendors. The one I like the best is http://flashzebra.com/products/0218/index.shtml because it uses a standard 2.5 stereo headphone cord. You can get extensions to any length you want.

I found that the remotes with fixed length cables were too short for self portrait work.

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