Canon BR-E1

Peter Kun Frary

I wanted a wireless remote for my EOS 6D MKII and ended up with the Canon Wireless Remote Control BR-E1. The BR-E1 is functionally 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 eliminates 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 (5m) 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 chair with guitar, press 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 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 is the way to go. For me, a smartphone is awkward on set or stage while holding a guitar compared to the petite BR-E1. 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.

Of course, the IR based RC-6 remote, at half the cost of a BR-E1, is a serious contender for your money. Both the RC-6 and BR-E1 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. However, pairing a Bluetooth device adds an extra level of complication to the BR-E1.

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!

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!

Tiny Dancer | 6D MK II & EF 24-105 3.5-5.6 IS STM | Macro images are an ideal subject for BR-E1 use.

Gotchas

The main gotchas are a steep price and incompatibility with older EOS and M series cameras. The BR-E1 Wireless Remote Controller only works with recent Bluetooth equipped EOS such as the EOS R series, 6D MKII, SL2, T7i, 77D, 90D, etc. As of this writing, it doesn't work with any M series cameras. Canon will probably add more cameras to the BR-E1 compatibility list as new models debut.

RFI

If you're shooting in a urban center with nearby microwave transmitters (cell towers), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you may experience radio frequency interference (RFI) resulting in reduced range and dropped connections. I mainly use the BR-E1 indoors and in rural locations and found it highly reliable. However, similar to my Speedlites with radio triggers, the BR-E1 often 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 is a simple and somewhat pricey accessory but has proven to be an essential tool in my studio, making my one man production guitar and duet video shoots a little easier. It's also ideal for long exposures and, of course, to trigger 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.

0°C - 40°C / 32°F - 104°F | 85% humdity operating range

03/22/2018