Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3
The Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord maintains all on-camera flash functions (including E-TTL II) for one Canon Speedlite used off-camera at distances up to 2' (60 cm). It is compatible with all Canon EOS cameras except the 630 and RT (which require a combination of TTL Hot Shoe Adapter 3, OA-2 Off Camera Shoe Adapter & Connecting Cord 60).
The OC-E3 has been improved over the OC-SC 2 with better sealing against dust and moisture, to better match the weather-resistant design of the EOS 1D Mark III and the 580EX2 flash. It also now features a sturdier foot.
- Also fully functional with the combination of the T90 camera and 300TL flash (from Canon's older FD manual focus system).
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 352 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
90%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (216)
- Reliable (200)
- Lightweight (186)
- Durable (125)
- Strong construction (57)
Cons
- Not durable (17)
- Flimsy design (12)
- Poor quality (11)
- Poor design (10)
- Pricey / poor value (7)
Best Uses
- Portraits (130)
- Everyday (71)
- Studio (59)
- Travel (59)
- Macro photography (48)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Professional (87), Semi-professional (75), Enthusiast (68), Pro photographer (18), Tech savvy (18)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (116), Yes (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
Is the Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 3 worth 25 bucks more?
Yes, the Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 3 is worth 25 bucksmore. I use a flip flash bracket and after going thru severalCanon Shoe Cord 2's I gave up with Canon. The screws...Read complete review
Yes, the Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 3 is worth 25 bucksmore. I use a flip flash bracket and after going thru severalCanon Shoe Cord 2's I gave up with Canon. The screws inthe upper shoe would tear out or the wired metal plate in theupper shoe would work loose and leave the flash wobbly. Itried a Dot Line for Canon ETTL shoe cord which is betterconstructed but would inadvertently switch from ETTL to TTLcausing excess flash. Yes, you could reset the flash backto ETTL mode bymounting it directly back to the camera but who has time forthat? Promaster also makes a Canon shoe cord which I wasabout to try next until I noticed the Canon Shoe Cord 3. Assoon as I bought it I noticed that the upper shoe (for theflash) is slightly wider and longer. The shoe bracket is nolonger painted black (which the black paint would just getscratched up anyway). The upper shoe bracket now has ametal female screw collar as opposed to plastic. The upper shoewired metal plate looks thicker than before and is securedby 4 metal screws vs. four impacted metal posts. The uppershoe clam shell cover is secured by four long screws vs. onlythree screws in Shoe Cord 2. The lower shoe (camera mount)is slightly wider and longer than the Shoe Cord 2. It has abetter weather proof seal in the back and the slide lockfeature is faster and easier than the dial screw lock on theShoeCord 2. The foot of the lower shoe is solid metal vs.plastic on the Shoe Cord 2. The lower shoe contacts arerounded metal points vs. thinner rounded metal strips on theShoe Cord 2. The Shoe Cord 3 lower shoe slides on or offthe camera easier than the Shoe Cord 2. So far it worksgreat with my Canon 580EX but only time will tell how longit will last on my flip frame. If you use a flip flashframe save yourself $50 bucks on a Canon Shoe Cord 2 whichwill not last long! For $25 bucks more avoid the headacheof flash problems.
Expertise: Part-time photographer
Problems Encountered: One downside of the Shoe Cord 3 is the Made in Chinapainted on the bottom shoe. Acetone won't remove it, but apaint stripper gel will. Simply cover the Canon logo withcellophane tape and rub the gel on with a Q-tip. Rub theexcess off with a clean Q-tip. Don't over do it as you willeventually rub off the black paint below as well.
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Plastic foot snaped off when on bracket
The second time I used this product attached to a Tiffen QuickFlip 350 bracket, the plastic foot snapped off on the hot-shoe section that connect to the flash. It was locked down but the ...Read complete review
The second time I used this product attached to a Tiffen QuickFlip 350 bracket, the plastic foot snapped off on the hot-shoe section that connect to the flash. It was locked down but the plastic is so flimsy that it just disintegrated, rendering the whole thing useless for future connection. The foot on the other end is metal, so why isn't the foot at the flash end for [$] bucks?
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 352 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Works as advertised
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I haven't had the cord long but the initial checks showed it to work perfectly. I like the metal feet.Getting your flash off the camera hot shoe definetly opens up lighting possiblities.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Home
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I'll use this for off-camera flash work when I need the flash to be off the camera, but within the range of the cord. For example event/wedding photography and pet photography. While there are less expensive off-camera flash cords, my concern is possible voltage incompability between the camera and flash. For me considering the cost of dslr's and flash units, the difference in cost is worth the peace of mind. It is well made and I expect it will hold up to professional use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I usually bounce my light so this helps a little but not as much as I expected. Think I need to go the wireless route anyways, but for what it's made for ... It does a good job!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape Photography
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I can switch from portrait to landscape in just a second. Also can extend the flash from the camera and get good effect on my photos
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
Excellent cord for short distance off camera flash.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Not Durable
- Poor Design
Best Uses
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
You can tell that this product is intentionally designed to break. It is my third replacement this year and I replace this cable at least twice EVERY year. Everything about this unit is build solid except that actual shoe to hold the flash in place. It seems like just a mechanism by Canon to increase profits with a cable that is more like a consumable than a piece of equipment.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I bought this cord to get my Canon flash off my camera while retaining ETTL. This does it well! I can still use the flash as if it were on the camera. For fast moving subjects where you don't have time to manually set the flash, this cord is invaluable. The coiled cord does limit the distance from the camera, so just be aware of that.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Portraits
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I love it-
well built
great value
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
Have used other cords in the past . This is a Quality unit that looks like it will hold up in years to come.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
The cord is a little tighter than I expect, but that will come out with time.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- NA
Best Uses
- Infrared Photography
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
its a canon product. enough said.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Home
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
Just what I expected! Wonderful!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Not Durable
Best Uses
- Event Photography
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
As some other reviewers have noted, the part that attaches to the flash is weak. My flash suddenly started working only intermittently, and I discovered that it was rocking back and forth on the base, which appears to have broken internally. If tipped backwards, the contacts would work, and the flash would fire. If tipped forwards or to the side, the flash would not fire. The unit has never been banged or otherwise abused; it appears that use every month or so on a Stroboframe was enough to cause the mount to fail.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Off-camera flash
- Portraits
- Wedding Photography
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I like using the OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord on my 5D Mark II when I am not able to (or, don't have the time to) set up a light in another part of a room or scene for off-camera flash.
The only thing keeping it from getting 5-stars for me is that I would have loved to have a 3-foot cord. I'm a tall guy so my wingspan is a bit longer, and having just 2-feet is a bit limiting when I really want to bring the flash in from the side.
All-in-all a great solution, though!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Weddings
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I used this hot shoe adapter whit my canon 30 d and 40 D it works great the last one that i had last it for more than five years
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
The OC-E3 is easy to use, and works great with my 5DII and 40D. It performs as advertised and is very reliable.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I use these between flash units and the Pocket Wizard TTL radios. Extends the range and reliability. Adding a ferrite choke ([...]...) at the flash end improves this further.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
You get what you pay for, I bought a cheaper version of this from Zeikos and of course it stopped working in less than a year and it really wasn't used that much. So the Canon is a great choice, spend a little more for quality!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
does what is supposed to do.[...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Home
- Portraits
Comments about Canon OC-E3 Off Camera Shoe Cord 3:
I use the OC-E3 with an Orbis Ring flash. I maintains all functions, connects securely and appears to be well built. I went through the old SC2 often. The cords would break at connection points on both ends and it would jump to TTL for no apparent reason. This new OC-E3 cord connects much better and holds well. So far so good . . . Time will tell!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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- Original: $6.95
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- Price: $5.41
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