YongNuo RC-5 Wireless Remote Control for Canon

YongNuo Digital is widely known to strobists for their decent quality, lower priced speedlite flash units and radio remote flash triggers.

However, they do make some other accessories as this RC-5 Wireles Remote Control presented here.
YongNuo RC-5 is identical in appearance and function to Canon RC-5 remote.
RC-5 acts as a wireless shutter release capable of triggering the AF and shutter without disturbing the camera with a 2 sec delay.

It can trigger the camera shutter release remotely from a distance of 5 m (16.4 ft).
That makes it ideal for self portraits, family portraits, taking pictures of subjects that require a discrete distance, or to minimize vibration for close-up and time exposure.

Packaging & Contents

YongNuo RC-5 is not only identical to the Canon RC-5 but comes packed in a white box much like Canon's own.
The box contains the remote wrapped in a small nylon bag with the battery pre-installed. No manual or other documentation is present.

The Controller

Manufacturer Specification:
Release Mode :	Focus & Two second delay Release
Control Range :	Works from up to 5 meter (16.4 feet) away
Shooting Capacity :	Approx. 6,000 Transmissions
Battery Type :	One button-type battery 3V lithium
Size (W x H x D) :	34mm X 64mm X 6mm / 1-11/32" X 2-1/2" X 1/4"
Net Weight of Remote Controller with battery :	9.6g (0.33 oz)

The small triangle shows the direction in which the remote should be pointed , as the Infrared LED is situated just below it. IR light is not visible to humans so there will be no indication of RC-5 operation other than the camera response.

On the back side apart from the small label, exist to arrows with action priority indication. One (1) press the release inwards and two (2) draw the battery drawer out.

YongNuo RC-5 much like Canon RC-5 is powered by a CR-2032 3V battery which is included. By pulling out the battery drawer the button type lion battery is revealed and can be exchanged or removed completely.

When the remote control is not going to be used for an extended period of time, it is advisable to remove the battery from the remote control.

Pairing with a Camera

All Canon compatible cameras (see list further down) have a built-in infrared receiver for this remote trigger device on the front panel of the hand grip.

To activate camera for the Wireless Remote Controller, press DRIVE button and turn Main Dial to change camera menu to the self-timer setting with wireless icon (Remote Control) this enables the camera to receive signals from the remote controller. Depending on the camera model the wireless icon may coincide with 10-second self timer. In this case there will be only 2-second delay instead of 10 if you trigger it with an RC-5.

When the camera is activated, it will auto-Focus (if enabled) and then the Focus Assist Beam will light up for 2 seconds until the shutter is released.

Something not so widely known is that the RC-5 wireless Remote Controller can start and stop video shooting with HD-SLRs like the EOS 5D Mark II/III, EOS 7D and EOS 550D / Rebel T2i (onward) cameras. In fact, RC-1, RC-5 and RC-6 are the only Canon remote controllers with the ability to activate video. If the camera is set in its “self-timer / remote control” drive mode, then you can remotely start and stop video recording on the forementioned cameras!

Compatible Canon cameras
ELPH 370Z, ELPH Jr., ELPH Sport, ELPH Z3
EOS ELAN 7/7E, EOS ELAN 7NE, EOS Elan II/IIE
EOS Rebel Ti, EOS Rebel T2, EOS Rebel T2 Date

EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 60D, EOS 60Da, EOS 6D, EOS 7D

EOS M, EOS 100D / Rebel SL1, EOS 300D / Digital Rebel, EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT, EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi, EOS 450D / Rebel XSi, EOS 500D / Rebel T1i, EOS 550D / Rebel T2i, EOS 600D / Rebel T3i, EOS 650D / Rebel T4i, EOS700D /  Rebel T5i

Sure Shot 130u, Sure Shot 130u II, Sure Shot Z115, Sure Shot Z135, Sure Shot Z155, Sure Shot Z180u, Sure Shot Z180u Kit, Sure Shot Z90W

NOT compatible Canon cameras with small Wireless Remote Controllers:
EOS Rebel XS
EOS 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D
EOS 5D (Original version)
EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds (All versions)
Recent Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras

Pros
Very low price compared to original Canon product.
Very good quality.
Video Remote Control

Cons
Non switchable 2 second delay as standard may be frustrating to some.
Needs optical contact with IR receiver on camera front.

Conclusion
Since the original Canon product is discontinued, prices for RC-5 compatible wireless remote controls vary from as low as US $ 5.90 to as much as $ 19.90
However YongNuo RC-5 should not cost more than US$ 5-6 shipped and given its very decent quality it may be considered as a bargain.
If the standard 2-second delay is a drawback for you, then you may opt for an RC-6 remote that switches between instant and 2-second delay triggering, by spending a little more.

I hope you found the article and ideas useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2012 S.C.Vlachos

Availability:
The latest YongNuo RC-6 Wireless Remote is available from eBay


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