Promote Control Review

Note: This item is now discontinued.

* If you own an older supported DSLR that does not have built-in HDR or Timelaspe Promote Control may still offer bang for the buck.

So what is a Promote Control?

This unit is an awesome remote control for your Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, and Pentax DSLR Cameras; (check the site for full compatibility list) capable of programming for almost any shooting situation.

Who is it suited for:  Any serious photographer who seeks the best hands-free control over their camera.

There are so many applications for the usefulness of the device visit the Promote site for all those details - link at the bottom of this review.

My experience: After many years of using my Promote Control the device is still rock-solid, with new features being added and improved through firmware upgrades downloaded from the Promote Control site - this is the way it should be. Promote Control receives a big thumbs up for the free upgrades and Guess what? it is made in the USA!! 

Promote Controls is a palm-sized device with a solid tactile button push with good feedback and acknowledgment after pushing a button.  Very easy to read (even in sunlight) graphic display, and the menu system is simply eloquent.

As I stated there are so many uses for this device you need to read the online manual, but in a nutshell;

Advanced HDR Bracketing

• up to 45 images per bracket
• steps from 1/3 to 9 EV between bracketed exposures
• rapid hdr workflows

• Bulb mode (automatic > 30-sec exposures, even in HDR sequences)
• Time-Lapse with optional sequence start delay & HDR Time-Lapse
• Bulb Ramping with ISO control and ND filters
• Focus Stacking and HDR Focus Stacking
• Video control (Canon only)
• The automatic, user-defined delay for Mirror Lock-Up
• A pocket-sized alternative to laptop-based camera remote control solutions
• Weather-resistant casing
• Long battery life (runs on 2 AA batteries) I do mean long life.
• Frequent Free Firmware updates - link at the bottom.
• Lifetime warranty for manufacturing and workmanship defects - if it's broken, we will fix it!

I use mine for pano's, HDR, and time-lapse; I use this with my Nikon D810A arrives for great Astrophotography.

What do you need to use it:

First, you should check out the compatibility list on the promote control site - link below.  You basically need two cables; for my Nikon D810 I needed a USB3 cable and a shutter release cable - these two cables provide full support for all the capabilities.