WL-DC100 wireless controller tip

[George A.]

I have the wireless controller from my G1 that I got 4 years ago. I recently got the S1 IS and it uses the same controller but does not supply it. No problem, I thought, I'll use the old one. However, it will not control either camera, even though I installed a new battery and I can see its white flash in either camera's LCD monitor when shooting a self portrait. I know I have the cameras set up properly because my other remote will operate them. Other remote??

Here's the tip, but you do need a learning remote to do it. A few years back I mapped the functions of the WL-DC100 to my learning remote to see if I could increase its range (no noticeable difference). It's also easier to use because it's a fair bit larger. Now I'm glad I did because it's the only remote that will operate either camera. I wouldn't travel with it but for shots at home or playback, works great.

I still can't figure out what's wrong with the Canon-suplied remote (has anyone else had their wireless controller stop functioning in this manner?)

 

[TMalford]

I had a WL-DC100 go bad on me and it took me a while to figure it out. It may or may not be the same problem you are having.

Mine seemed to operate as I could see it in the lcd. The next time I picked it up it wouldn't work. I got a new battery and again could see it in the lcd, then again later it wouldn't work. It turned out that it was somehow stuck in the on position and was killing the battery. I finally realized that when I pushed the button I could see it in the lcd, but when I released the button it stayed on.



Without gravity, what would we do with water?
http://www.gorgephotos.com/

 

[jhsia]

I've had one WL-DC100 go bad. Tried replacing the battery, but no success. Finally replaced under warranty.

If you carry your remote in your camera bag, there's always a possibility that something will press against those membrane keys. With a few modifications with a sharp blade, the Canon CF card case is a good protective case for the remote. So far, I've had no problems...

 

[Sambrook]

George:

That is so strange. My daughter has the G1. When I found that it used the same remote as the S1 I thought "Great".

The remote didn't work with either camera, so I bought a new battery. Guess what, it still didn't work!
I finally ordered a new remote. I haven't received it yet. Hope it works.
Sambrook

I have the wireless controller from my G1 that I got 4 years ago. I
recently got the S1 IS and it uses the same controller but does not
supply it. No problem, I thought, I'll use the old one. However, it
will not control either camera, even though I installed a new
battery and I can see its white flash in either camera's LCD
monitor when shooting a self portrait. I know I have the cameras
set up properly because my other remote will operate them. Other
remote??

Here's the tip, but you do need a learning remote to do it. A few
years back I mapped the functions of the WL-DC100 to my learning
remote to see if I could increase its range (no noticeable
difference). It's also easier to use because it's a fair bit
larger. Now I'm glad I did because it's the only remote that will
operate either camera. I wouldn't travel with it but for shots at
home or playback, works great.

I still can't figure out what's wrong with the Canon-suplied remote
(has anyone else had their wireless controller stop functioning in
this manner?)

 

[Lawnmowerman]

Wow, this is strange! I got the remote for my S1 a couple weeks ago, tried it out and it worked, got it out a couple days ago again, at first it didn't work, then it did for a bit, now won't do anything, and like others said, you can see it working through the lens. Changed batteries and still nothing. I figured I'd check here to see if anyone else had encountered the problem and there was this post. Been reading here and learning for a few months now, so I guess it was time to join in.

 

[David Haynes]

Don't know if this is helpful or not, but I've had three remotes that came with G2, G5 and G6 and all three have worked flawlessly every time. I just set the shooting mode to self timer and point and it shoots.

Hope this doesn't jinx me.

 

[Lawnmowerman]

Don't know if this is helpful or not, but I've had three remotes
that came with G2, G5 and G6 and all three have worked flawlessly
every time. I just set the shooting mode to self timer and point
and it shoots.

Hope this doesn't jinx me.

David, I just read this, went and tried it, and it works! I guess I overlooked it in the manual, so I just went and re-read it and there it tells you to put it in the timer mode. Hopefully the others that posted will read this also, I'll bet they'll be as happy as me!

 

[Sambrook]

You need to set the camera to self timer in order for the remote to work? I didn't know that. I not sure that makes much sense either, as you don't need a remote to use timer mode. Doesn't it just shoot pictures while your trying to set up a shot?
Sambrook

Don't know if this is helpful or not, but I've had three remotes
that came with G2, G5 and G6 and all three have worked flawlessly
every time. I just set the shooting mode to self timer and point
and it shoots.

Hope this doesn't jinx me.

 

[MennoB]

You need to set the camera to self timer in order for the remote to
work?

Yes.

This is not bad. How would you feel when any fellow Canonite standing close to you, while using his little remote would also trigger your camera? The DC100 remote works on a lot of Canons you know (even on some dslrs like the Drebel I believe).

I not sure that makes much sense either,
as you don't need a remote to use timer mode.

You dont need a remote to use timer mode but you DO need timer mode to use the remote...

Doesn't it just shoot
pictures while your trying to set up a shot?

No, in timer mode when you press the camera shutter button it will have the "self timer" lag. However, if you press the remote shutter button it will have the "remote timer lag". These are 2 diffferent settings in the menu.

For self timer lag you can chose 2 or 10 secs, for remote lag you can chose 0, 2 or 10 secs.

 

[Sambrook]

Thanks for your explanation. I was forgetting that you still have to
press the shutter buttom on timer mode. (Guess I was thinking that
when you press the timer buttom the shutter would release
automatically after the set delay. I haven't used it much.)

But yes, it makes sense when you explained. I just received my
remote today and will try it.
Sambrook

You need to set the camera to self timer in order for the remote to
work?

Yes.
This is not bad. How would you feel when any fellow Canonite
standing close to you, while using his little remote would also
trigger your camera? The DC100 remote works on a lot of Canons you
know (even on some dslrs like the Drebel I believe).

I not sure that makes much sense either,
as you don't need a remote to use timer mode.

You dont need a remote to use timer mode but you DO need timer mode
to use the remote...

Doesn't it just shoot
pictures while your trying to set up a shot?

No, in timer mode when you press the camera shutter button it will
have the "self timer" lag. However, if you press the remote shutter
button it will have the "remote timer lag". These are 2 diffferent
settings in the menu.
For self timer lag you can chose 2 or 10 secs, for remote lag you
can chose 0, 2 or 10 secs.

 

[Mick Ruthven]

I've been waiting for you to come along I, like many other people, have experienced that the Canon wireless remote unit is so unreliable as to be unusable (G2, G3, and Pro1, four remotes total including a replaced one for my G3). I've given up on the one that came with my Pro1 but haven't bothered to replace it. I'd love to have a "real" remote unit instead. What would you suggest for getting and reprogramming a learning remote (smaller is better) to replace that Canon thing? Are there directions or tutorials for how to accompllish this feat?

I have the wireless controller from my G1 that I got 4 years ago. I
recently got the S1 IS and it uses the same controller but does not
supply it. No problem, I thought, I'll use the old one. However, it
will not control either camera, even though I installed a new
battery and I can see its white flash in either camera's LCD
monitor when shooting a self portrait. I know I have the cameras
set up properly because my other remote will operate them. Other
remote??

Here's the tip, but you do need a learning remote to do it. A few
years back I mapped the functions of the WL-DC100 to my learning
remote to see if I could increase its range (no noticeable
difference). It's also easier to use because it's a fair bit
larger. Now I'm glad I did because it's the only remote that will
operate either camera. I wouldn't travel with it but for shots at
home or playback, works great.

I still can't figure out what's wrong with the Canon-suplied remote
(has anyone else had their wireless controller stop functioning in
this manner?)

 

[George A.]

Well, I'm not sure if you're still checking this thread, Mick, as I've been neglecting it myself for about 8 days now, but in case you are here goes...

I don't know what to suggest as far as purchasing a learning remote just to use for your digital cameras. Learning remotes tend to be multi-task devices meant to control several home entertainment devices. The one I use came with the A/V receiver I purchased a few years ago (Pioneer). I also have a third party one that I got a few years before that (Memorex Turbo). Both of these devices are rather large as they are meant to control several devices. You could do a search for learning remotes on the net to see what's out there. Even if you had a learning remote I'm not sure it would learn the signals of a remote that isn't working properly to begin with.

As far as programming the learning remote there will be instructions that come with it to explain how to do this but the ones I've had work similarily. You put the learning remote into the "learn" mode (either by moving a switch or keying in a number sequence), point the two remotes toward each other, press and hold the button on the learning remote that you want to "teach" the function until it flashes rapidly, then press and hold the button on the second remote that has the desired function. When the learning remote has learned the function, the flashing light will flash twice and go out. It might take a few tries to get it.

Hope this helps

I have the wireless controller from my G1 that I got 4 years ago. I
recently got the S1 IS and it uses the same controller but does not
supply it. No problem, I thought, I'll use the old one. However, it
will not control either camera, even though I installed a new
battery and I can see its white flash in either camera's LCD
monitor when shooting a self portrait. I know I have the cameras
set up properly because my other remote will operate them. Other
remote??

Here's the tip, but you do need a learning remote to do it. A few
years back I mapped the functions of the WL-DC100 to my learning
remote to see if I could increase its range (no noticeable
difference). It's also easier to use because it's a fair bit
larger. Now I'm glad I did because it's the only remote that will
operate either camera. I wouldn't travel with it but for shots at
home or playback, works great.

I still can't figure out what's wrong with the Canon-suplied remote
(has anyone else had their wireless controller stop functioning in
this manner?)

 

[Mick Ruthven]

Thanks, George. I filed your reply away and will investigate further. There's a "remote" website that may have suggestions for a good one to try (remotecentral.com).

I don't know what to suggest as far as purchasing a learning remote
just to use for your digital cameras. Learning remotes tend to be
multi-task devices meant to control several home entertainment
devices. The one I use came with the A/V receiver I purchased a few
years ago (Pioneer). I also have a third party one that I got a few
years before that (Memorex Turbo). Both of these devices are rather
large as they are meant to control several devices. You could do a
search for learning remotes on the net to see what's out there.
Even if you had a learning remote I'm not sure it would learn the
signals of a remote that isn't working properly to begin with.

As far as programming the learning remote there will be
instructions that come with it to explain how to do this but the
ones I've had work similarily. You put the learning remote into the
"learn" mode (either by moving a switch or keying in a number
sequence), point the two remotes toward each other, press and hold
the button on the learning remote that you want to "teach" the
function until it flashes rapidly, then press and hold the button
on the second remote that has the desired function. When the
learning remote has learned the function, the flashing light will
flash twice and go out. It might take a few tries to get it.

Hope this helps

I have the wireless controller from my G1 that I got 4 years ago. I
recently got the S1 IS and it uses the same controller but does not
supply it. No problem, I thought, I'll use the old one. However, it
will not control either camera, even though I installed a new
battery and I can see its white flash in either camera's LCD
monitor when shooting a self portrait. I know I have the cameras
set up properly because my other remote will operate them. Other
remote??

Here's the tip, but you do need a learning remote to do it. A few
years back I mapped the functions of the WL-DC100 to my learning
remote to see if I could increase its range (no noticeable
difference). It's also easier to use because it's a fair bit
larger. Now I'm glad I did because it's the only remote that will
operate either camera. I wouldn't travel with it but for shots at
home or playback, works great.

I still can't figure out what's wrong with the Canon-suplied remote
(has anyone else had their wireless controller stop functioning in
this manner?)

 

[brandrx]

Reflect remote from a peice of paper to control from rear. See link below.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=10557593

Ron

 

[ralphgrabowski]

I'd love to
have a "real" remote unit instead.

Almost all PalmPilots and PocketPCs have infrared, and can be turned into remote controls. There is software available that turns the screen in to a remote control panel, and learns rc patterns.

--

'The Canon S1iS Fan' Weblog
http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/s1is/

 

[Mick Ruthven]

Can you provide more details of what units are suitable, and details for "programming" the Canon remote into one of those units...

I'd love to
have a "real" remote unit instead.

Almost all PalmPilots and PocketPCs have infrared, and can be
turned into remote controls. There is software available that turns
the screen in to a remote control panel, and learns rc patterns.

--

'The Canon S1iS Fan' Weblog
http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/s1is/