I bought the Canon Wireless Remote Control BR-E1 for my Canon cameras. It’s similar to the RC-1 and RC-6 remotes but uses Bluetooth instead of IR to trigger the camera.
Leeward Coast Guitars | I used the BR-E1 is to trigger a 6D MK II and joined my students in the photo.
Why Use the BR-E1?
The BR-E1 helps eliminate camera shake in photos when using slow shutter speeds by remotely triggering the shutter and/or AF. Plus, the BR-E1 can trip the shutter from 16.4 feet (5 m) above, below, behind, or to the side of the camera, so it makes a great substitute for a cable release.
Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote Controller | The small circle on the top left is the AF and pairing light | Photo courtesy Canon Inc.
Default operation on the BR-E1 is to use the shutter button to focus, lock exposure, and trip the shutter. When AF is achieved, the indicator light flashes green. If AF fails, the light blinks rapidly. The BR-E1 may be programmed via the camera's custom function menu to separate AF and shutter operations (similar to back button focus on the camera): press the AF button for focus, and the shutter button to take the picture.
The BR-E1 also allows remote video start/stop and focus. Formerly, I used the RC-1 and RC-6 IR remotes to record the videos on my YouTube channel: sit in a chair with a guitar, press the remote button, and rock! However, video lights are extremely bright and overwhelm the IR signal if not pointed exactly at the camera’s IR sensor. With the BR-E1, the Bluetooth radio signal means I don’t have to maintain line of sight or worry about bright lights: press it, and it triggers no matter what.
It’s also designed to control the zoom function for the Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, a feature I couldn’t test since I don’t own a PZ-E1.
Why use the BR-E1 when a free Canon Connect app on your smartphone has all the BR-E1 features plus much more? For those born with an iPhone fused to their hand, the Canon Connect app may be the way to go. For me, smartphones are awkward on stage compared to the petite BR-E1, especially while holding a guitar. Plus, microwave signals from cell phones interfere with audio equipment. Finally, I can use the BR-E1 by feel since physical buttons are easy to press in the dark or even in my pocket.
Compatibility
The BR-E1 works on all Canon EOS R series cameras, both full frame and APS-C. It also works on late model DSLRs and M-series mirrorless equipped with Bluetooth:
EOS 6D Mark II
EOS 77D
EOS 90D
EOS 200D / Rebel SL2 / Kiss X7
EOS 250D / Rebel SL3 / Kiss X10
EOS 800D / Rebel T7i / Kiss X9i
EOS 850D / Rebel T8i / Kiss X10i
EOS M6 Mark II
EOS M50
EOS M50 Mark II
EOS M200
Both the RC-6 (IR) and BR-E1 (Bluetooth) have the same 5-meter range. The BR-E1 has the advantage of a separate AF button, AF indicator light, and, most significantly, a more dependable trigger signal both in front of and behind the camera. The RC-6 is a simple trigger. However, pairing a Bluetooth device adds an extra level of complication to the BR-E1 compared to the simpler RC-6.
Selfie | EOS 6D MK II, EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM, BR-E1 Remote & studio lights
Pairing the BR-E1
Before you can use the BR-E1, you need to pair the BR-E1 with your camera. Each EOS model is a little different but this is the basic procedure on the 6D MK II:
• Enable Bluetooth in camera menus
• Select “pairing”
for remote
• Hold down both zoom buttons on the BR-E1
• When the camera asks if you’d like to pair with the BR-E1, tap "yes"
Once paired, use the put the camera in self-timer/remote mode and press the big round button on the BR-E1 to take a picture. That's it. There's a three-way switch on the side to toggle between immediate release, 2-second delay, and video release.
If you disable Bluetooth and activate it at a later date, the camera remembers the paired BR-E1.
The BR-E1 is no more difficult than pairing headphones or a computer mouse: a few taps and presses and 30 seconds later you're done. Pairing my iPhone with my Honda Accord was a lot harder! However, if you've never used your camera menus or paired a Bluetooth device, you may find the task mildly challenging. The paper in the box, "Wireless Remote Control BR-E1 Preliminary Notes," is not operating instructions, but, instead, legal notices, specs and a Canon link to a long list of countries and operating instructions. Here's the link to the actual BR-E1 manual in English. Page 273 of the EOS 6D MK II manual (English) contains model specific instructions for BR-E1 pairing.
I got a chuckle from Canon's "Caution" warning in the PDF instructions: "Do not insert your finger into the hole of the product. It may become stuck." Wise words to live by!
Lamakū Basics | I used the BR-E1 to trigger video on the Canon R6 MK II | Peter Kun Frary (5:11)
Bulb Exposures
For bulb exposures, fire the BR-E1 once to open the shutter and again to close it. If the BR-E1 is set to 2-second delay, there will be a 2-second delay before the shutter first opens.
Mirror Lockup
The BR-E1 can be used with mirror lockup (MLU): enable MLU in camera menu, enable self-timer/remote mode, set 2-second delay on the BR-E1 and, finally, press the big button on the BR-E1. The mirror will swing up and the shutter opens two seconds later.
Sleep Mode
Most EOS cameras are programmed to go into sleep mode after 30 seconds to 1 minute. With the RC-1/RC-6 that meant you had to trigger within that period or the camera timed out. However, with the BR-E1, if the camera sleeps, you can wake it with a single press and trigger with a second press. Good show Canon!
If you're shooting in an urban center with nearby microwave transmitters (cell towers), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, you may experience radio frequency interference (RFI) resulting in reduced range or dropped connections. I mainly use the BR-E1 indoors and in rural locations and found it reliable. However, similar to my Speedlites with radio triggers, the BR-E1 sometimes lost the connection in downtown Honolulu—a RFI-infested area. In such areas, it's best to use a wired remote or an IR remote like the RC-6.
Camera Battery Drain
One gotcha with leaving Bluetooth enabled is the camera battery will be drained the next day. Apparently, camera Bluetooth is always active—even when turned off—and you have to either disable Bluetooth, remove the camera battery or, with newer cameras, enable airplane mode to keep the battery from discharging.
Final Blurb
The BR-E1, a simple and somewhat pricey accessory, has proven essential in my studio, simplifying my one-man production guitar video shoots. It’s also ideal for long exposures and triggering selfies and group photos.
Finally, please help support this website by purchasing this item at Amazon.
Specifications
Bluetooth Specification Version 4.1
Battery: CR2032 (button cell)
5 meter (16.4') operating range
27.0 x 91.5 x 12.0 mm (1.06 x 3.60 x 0.47 in.) | 14 g/0.49 oz.
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Compatibility
Bulb Exposures
Sleep Mode
Gotchas 
Specifications