Promote Systems Promote Control

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

It works fine but the right price should be half of it. Not to mention the old design and the not easy access to the battery. If the battery dies while you are working and you don't have a screwdriver or a coin the fits right you won't be able to replace the battery

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I have just started using the remote and am only using the basic functions but it is simple and works with both my D300 Nikon and D7000 Nikon.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Last year I shot thousands of HDR setups. I thought the Promote might improve my workflow. Unfortunately, it does not.

In a nutshell, the good news is that the Promote does everything it claims to do. The bad news is that the interface feels like the first attempt of a self-taught high school Linux programmer trying to emulate something complex using just 8 buttons and a monochromatic display. I was able to use two basic functions (simple remote control and basic HDR bracket) right out of the box. Unfortunately, using the Promote will make you feel more like a hobbyist VCR programmer than a photographer. The enclosure has a clumsy form factor and feels cheap for the price paid. The thing works, but it turns photography from an aesthetic experience where you contemplate your subject, into a technical exercise where you push those 8 buttons over and over on the Promote. It's something like setting your cellphone to wake you up at a particular time five days of the week and a different time on the weekends, using a special ringtone for each day. You're going to be pressing a lot of buttons, over and over. You will also have to deal with always using a tripod, and having 1-3 cables and a box hanging off your expensive tripod-mounted camera. If you're over 40 you will have trouble reading the Promote screen (1985 called, they want their dot-matrix font back). The screen looks like a reject from a cheap kitchen countertop appliance. The manual shipped with the product is, like the installed firmware, obsolete when you open the box, so your first step should be to download a firmware update and current manual from the Promote website. Note that the manual is not terribly helpful when it comes to solving interface issues between your camera and the Promote. I had to configure flags in two obscure menus--one on my camera and one on the Promote--to get the Promote to work properly with my 5DM2 in more advanced modes. And before I had them set properly, the Promote gave me a series of confusing error messages. I eventually counted 8 steps to set up my 5DM2 for a basic 7-shot HDR bracket with mirror lockup, and then 7 additional steps to actually shoot the bracket. Note also that the Promote does not make it easy to shoot Custom White Balance.

The user interface is awful. The Promote can't customize itself to your camera. You are given the option to tweak its defaults to fine-tune the Promote to your camera model for things like how many milliseconds of delay there should be after mirror lockup. What if you have two cameras? Why didn't the developer design something that self-calibrates for whatever camera it detects? Same question for maximum shutterspeed, bulb mode operation, and so on. And what knucklehead decided it was intuitive to have the Promote's front panel left and right arrows move a cursor up and down between lines, while the up and down arrows cycle values within a field? Why devote any design effort at all to letting users select ten levels of color intensity for each of the backlight LEDs on the front display? This is geekiness run amok, and the Promote's user interface stinks. The device cries out for an ergonomics-driven redesign to use an iPod-style clickwheel with more readable display.

I had boxed up the Promote and was ready to ship it back, but then had occasion to do lengthy exposures of landscapes at night. It worked perfectly, and let me complete hours-long bracketed exposures flawlessly on a freezing night. So, I'm undecided. The Promote can handle anything a single-shot remote would do, anything an intervalometer would do, adjust exposure during time-lapse (very impressive), work around annoying bulb mode limitations, expose remarkable numbers of images for focus stacking, calculate hyperfocals, interface with a Gigapan, and generally let you be the geekiest photographer in town provided you're willing to embrace the complexity. There's even an External Trigger In port that permits triggering the Promote with some creatively nerdified sensor from your own garage lab application.

Recommended only for those more geeky photographer types among us, the ones that love fixing Windows registries, consider a technical learning curve stimulating, and have specific requirements for esoteric functionality that cheaper solutions just can't handle. If you like Apple products for their elegant interfaces, like to think of photography as a thoughtful interaction with a subject, or want to shoot without a tripod you will likely find the Promote annoying.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I love this piece of equiptment. My D7000 can take serious braketed photos now, since this overrides the camera's three-shot bracket limit. Be sure to get the optional shutter release for faster shots--it shoots slowly with just the USB cable plugged into it. If you are interested in HDR with more than three bracketed photos, this is the piece for you.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

My only disappointment with my Nikon D7000 was the inadequate number of autobracketing steps compared to my previous DSLR.

I enjoy doing HDR photography, and the promote control has solved this problem. This unit provides more bracketing steps than I'll probably ever need. Once everything is set up, you push the start button an the Promote control takes over.

It is important to update the firmware as soom as you get the unit, and definitely download and read the latest manual in PDF.

The optional shutter cable is necessary to speed up the process.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

It is great and easy to use!

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I bought the Promote System because I wanted to try it with my Canon 5D MarkII as it only bracket 3 frames. I recently used it during my holidays and I was able to bracket 5 and 7 frames at 1 f-stop interval and worked like a charm. Having more frames helps getting more details. The instructions are very usefull as well as the videos that explain how to use it. Quick teaching for people that don't read manuals.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Works really well for HDR and Time-lapse.. Plenty of other features i have not used yet..

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I bought a Nikon D3100. Then, I discovered HDR photography. The D3100 offers NO AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing). So, I've had to bracket manually, counting clicks (one click equals 1/3 stop). It can take quite a while to take 7 or even 5 exposures;each 1 EV different.I was ready to upgrade to a Nikon D body with AEB. Then I discovered the Promote Control.The Promote Control delivers exactly what it promises. The day I received it I read the manual, followed the simple directions and fired off several 5 and seven exposure HDRs - in moments, not minutes.The Promote control hooks up to the USB slot in my D3100. The optional shutter release cable fits into the shutter control slot as well.Out of the box it didn't seem to work with my D3100. So, I went to the website read a reference to the issue, downloaded and installed the latest firmware and I was good to go.The Promote Control also enables you to shoot time-lapse. It works! I'm looking forward to playing with that feature more.Even if you have a 3-shot AEB camera, this little toy will make it a 7, 9, 11, or more AEB shooter.I just hang the Promote Control from my neck while shooting HDR. For time-lapse I hang it on the tripod and go find a coffee! The best news is that it will work with other cameras when I upgrade!

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

So far, I love this incredible gadget! As far as I can tell, there is nothing else out there that does as much as this does. The main reason I bought it was to begin working seriously with HDR images. The HDR mode is excellent, allowing you to take as many bracketed exposures as needed, WITHOUT ever touching the camera, risking even the slightest movement. An incredibly valuable tool for any HDR photographer, and especially in using it with the Canon 7D or other cameras with limited bracketing abilities. As a filmmaker/videographer I do a lot with timelapse video as well, for which this will continue to be a very valuable tool as well.

DEFINITELY download the firmware update from Promote when you get this! I updated my firmware as soon as I opened the box and the number of new features provided in the new firmware was astonishing. The PDF user manual for the new firmware version is far lengthier than the one that comes in the box! Can't wait to explore more of the new modes and options as I have more opportunities to get out and use this.

It does seem a little large for what it does, or could eventually become in future re-designs. But, it's not as bad as some commenters make it out to be.

Don't worry about the weather-proof case. The unit comes with a handy lanyard so you can hang it from your tri-pod for long timelapse sequences, and it also comes with a very nice semi-rigid zip case that you could use in the field if you need to shield it from moderately foul weather from time to time.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I've started experimenting with time lapse photography with my Canon EOS 5D Mk III. After doing a lot of reasearch I decided to go for the Promote Control to give me the flexibility I was looking for. It turned out to be a very good choice. I'm very happy with the Promote Control - it's extremely easy to operate (didn't even read the manual) and it's perfect for time lapse. My next project is HDR photography and possibly HDR time lapse - it's a whole new world made possible by this piece of gear!

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Yes ladies and gentlemen! I am finally free of Canon's 3 bracket exposure restricitions! As an HDR shooter of about 4 years, I was desperate to find a way to reach, and surpass the 3 bracket, +/- 4EV limitations of my camera. Some would say get a Nikon, but I'd already invested in my Canon system, and love it. Enter the Promote Control. Not only does is beat Canon's limitations, it streaks past Nikon's too!
If you want to shoot multiple (up to 45 continuous) brackets in the +/- 9 EV range, then this piece of kit is for you. If you want to shoot time lapse, then this kit is for you. If you want to cook eggs with your camera... then maybe you should hire an inventor.

What's even better, is that Promote Systems keep improving this unit with firmware updates. Just connect it to your computer via USB and update away!

I do recommend you pick up two accessories. The Shutter Release Cable, and the tripod case. It's a chunky (though very light) unit, and having it strapped to your tripod leg makes it much more portable, and protects it against the weather if you're shooting in the rain.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I'll use it for time-lapse photography and HDR exposures. It's well designed and the manual is well done. I also watched a number of YouTube videos to assure that I fully understood the functions. I did need to update the firmware to get the latest features. Forget the tripod kit as it comes with a neck strap that will work fine.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Amazing piece of equipment. Exactly what i needed for my everyday photography. Hdr, long exposures, timelapse this is what u need.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Absolutely LOVE this thing. I have a Nikon D5100 which only shoots 3-shot brackets. I've been using that to shoot brackets that range from -5EV to +5EV with 1EV spacing. However, it auto-focuses for each group of 3 shots. Sometimes, it doesn't do it right, and my HDR shots don't turn out...

With the Promote, I set the controller up to shoot from -5EV to +5EV in 1/3 EV increments. I then choose the "correct" photos from the entire set (reviewing the histograms) and process... with the 1/3EV shots, the noise reduction, in the resultant HDR is spectacular, but the clarity is retained - unlike performing noise reduction either before tonemapping, or after. You have to try a full 1/3EV bracket for yourself to see the amazing results...

This unit was worth every penny I spent on it...

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

I have to be honest that this has become a game changer. I take a lot of HDR images but have always had the limitations of the camera on the number of shots I can take. I would manually change the camera to take 2 sets of images to get the number of exposures I wanted and this took a long time not to mention the chance of error. The promote has drastically improved my efficiency. I wish I would have purchased this years ago.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

My Nikon D7000 allows for only 3 bracketed exposures when doing HDR photography. The Promote Control not only allows the D7000 to take up to 49 bracketed shots, but controls extended timing of long exposures, makes time lapse easy, and can actually change the shutter speed, f-stop and ISO on my camera by cable! No, I probably won't need more than 5 or 7 shots for HDR, but 3 is clearly limited. The folks at Promote Control were patient and helpful in responding to my emailed questions. The remote doesn't feel like it should cost as much as it does (plastic), but the software and continuous updates available are quite valuable.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Very easy to use and set up. Best if the shutter cable is also purchased as you get mirror up and extended exposure times over 30 seconds. Numerous updates on web site.

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

Promote is what Nikon should of released
Its fantastic in that it extends what my D7000 can do.
Sloow exposures, extended bracketing and the time lapse function are gold to me. Its computer tethering without the macbook pro on the road. Love it.
Just a great remote
Cheers
Dean

Comments about Promote Systems Promote Control:

This, together with the optional-but-really-required camera-specific USB cable allows HDR photography with complete control of bracket spacing and with the option for many more exposures than most cameras allow (mine is 9 max). It's a little tedious to set up and wire up to the camera, and it makes a big hangy-down appendage, but for tripod shooting that doesn't matter much. Works great. Didn't buy the optional AC adaptor, hope I don't need it.