I recently reviewed the Phottix Cleon wireless remote, which was released by Phottix in February 2008. Since that time, Phottix have not been resting on their laurels, but were busy designing a new and improved version.

A new model, the Phottix Cleon II, was released earlier this year, in January 2009. It provides a number of improvements and enhancements since the Cleon.


This allows Phottix to manufacture a single model of receiver, and just provide different cables to suit different model cameras (this approach has also been taken with the Phottix Nikos digital timer remote).

I'll be taking a closer look at other differences between the Cleon and Cleon II in subsequent parts of this review.

A quick search on eBay indicates the Phottix Cleon II typically retails for about AUD$56 (approx USD$36), which is about AUD$10 more than the previous model Cleon.


Specifications (as listed on the packaging):

Name of Product	Transmitter	Receiver
Power	12V / 23A	3V / CR2
Life of Battery	up to 3 years	20,000 Times
Smart Code System	16 000 000 combination codes
Range	100m (320ft) without obstacles
Monitor Light	Two color LEDs	Two color LEDs
Frequency	433 MHz

To summarise the differences between Cleon and Cleon II, I've listed them in a table. Note that this table does not include functionality that exists in the Cleon and in the Cleon II; it only lists the differences between the two models.

Name of Product	Cleon	Cleon II
release date	February 2008	January 2009
frequency	315 MHz	433 MHz
number of channels	16 (set with DIP switches)	16,000,000 (preset in transmitter)
transmitter-camera cable	hard-wired into transmitter	removable with 2.5mm plug
transmitter antenna length	75 mm	125 mm
2S switch	configured on receiver	configured on transmitter
multiple frames option	none	configured on transmitter
receiver power switch	4-position slide switch	hold down on switch for 3 seconds
terminate wireless bulb mode	half-press on transmitter	half-press or full press on transmitter

The Cleon II supports 16,000,000 different channels, and I found that I had to synchronise the receiver and transmitter before they would communicate. Once this synchronisation operation has been completed, it shouldn't be necessary to re-synchronise each time you use the Cleon II.

• turn receiver on by holding down "set/power" button for ~3 seconds until right hand side LED turns on
• press "set/power" button on receiver 5 times until LED on left hand side flashes red
• press shutter button on transmitter
• LED on left hand side of receiver should turn off

Now that the synchronisation has been completed, half-depressing the shutter button on the transmitter should result in the LED on the left hand side of the receiver going green, and a full press of the button should result in this LED going red.

Note that multiple receivers can be programmed to respond to a single transmitter, allowing you to trigger multiple cameras with a single transmitter.

After removing the receiver's battery for several minutes, I re-installed it, and confirmed that the receiver was still synchronised to the transmitter, so it appears that the synchronisation is a once-off exercise that won't need to be repeated (unless you want to synchronise the receiver to a different transmitter).


As with the original Cleon, the receiver can be used as a dumb wired remote, using the shutter button on the receiver. Moving the receiver mode switch to "Hold" allows it to be used for long bulb-mode exposures without having to hold the shutter button down.
Note that there is no need to power on the receiver when using it as a wired remote.

• S/B - single exposures or bulb mode (hold transmitter button down for 3 seconds to lock the shutter open in bulb mode)
• 2S - single exposures with a 2 second delay
• multiple exposures - when triggered by transmitter, receiver will take 5 exposures

After having reviewed and compared the Cleon and Cleon II, I believe the Cleon II is definitely an improvement over the Cleon, for the following reasons:

• auto code setting with 16,000,000 possibilities, no DIP switches required
• no unnecessary power-off switch on transmitter
• receiver cable is not hard-wired into receiver
• 2S (2 second delay) mode is now selected on transmitter, not receiver
• 5 frame setting on transmitter
• transmitter antenna is longer, and should provide a longer range
• wireless bulb mode can be terminated with half-press or full press on transmitter 

However, with the Cleon II, either a full-press or a half-press on the transmitter button will terminate bulb mode, and this is a bit user-friendlier.


There's still no way to hang the receiver from your tripod if your camera's hotshoe is occupied with a flash or a flash trigger. However, that can be fairly easily rectified by drilling a small hole in the receiver case to attach a small lanyard, or tying something to the hotshoe adaptor on the receiver.

The Phottix Cleon II has numerous improvements over its predecessor, the Cleon, so if you are intending to purchase a Cleon, be sure to order the Cleon II, rather than the superseded Cleon.

The Hero LiveView Wireless Remote is a very new product from Phottix, and was demonstrated at PMA in March 2009.
It is designed to provide the photographer with the ability to remotely monitor the viewfinder via a 2.4" colour LCD, and trigger the shutter remotely, from distances as far as up to 100m away from the camera.

In other words, the Hero is a remote control for your DSLR camera, but unlike most wireless remote controls, it also provides you with live video from your camera's viewfinder.

The Hero is designed to work with DSLR cameras that do not have any LiveView functionality, by using a small camera to look into the camera's viewfinder. The Hero can also be connected to a DSLR camera that does support LiveView using an AV cable.

Lifting out the foam reveals a large collection of accessories in the bottom of the box.

Hero accessories

Starting at the top left of the photo above, and moving around the photo in a clockwise direction, the accessories shown are:

• 2 x 5V 1000mA AC/DC adaptor (ie, charger) with European 2-pin plug
• 2 x universal to Australian power adaptor
• headphones
  (for connecting to Hero receiver)
• 2 x rechargeable 3.7V 1300mAh lithium-ion batteries
  (one for Hero transmitter and one for Hero receiver)
• 3.5mm stereo to RCA cable
  (for connecting other AV input to Hero transmitter)
• 2.5mm stereo to Canon N3 cable
  (for connecting Hero transmitter to DSLR shutter release)
• 3.5mm stereo to 3.5mm stereo cable
  (for connecting DSLR AV output to Hero transmitter
• assortment of viewfinder adaptors
  (for use on DSLRs without LiveView)

Note that I received a shutter release cable with a Canon N8 connector, which is designed to work with the Canon 10D/20D/30D/40D/50D/5D/1D DSLR cameras. Other cables are available to suit other cameras.

The assortment of adaptors for mounting the Hero transmitter onto a DSLR viewfinder includes adaptors labelled C1, C2, N1, N2, S, O. Phottix have informed me that these adaptors suit the following cameras:

• C1: Canon 350D, 400D, 50D, 1Ds Mark II
• C2: Canon 1Ds Mark III
• N1: Nikon F5, F6, D2Xs, D3, D3x
• N2: Nikon D70s, D80, D90, D200, D300, D700
• S: Sony
• O: Olympus

I used the "C1" adaptor when testing the Hero on a Canon 350D and a Canon 50D.

The C1 adaptor should also fit the Canon 300D, 450D, 500D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D and 5D, as they all use the same viewfinder eyecup.

Overview of the Hero

The two key components of the Hero LiveView Wireless Remote are the transmitter and the receiver.

Note that the Hero is a very new product, and I have a pre-release version for review. The documentation is still in the process of being completed, and the release version of the Hero will have some changes compared to the one described in this review.

Many of the controls and sockets on the pre-release version of the Hero's receiver and transmitter are not labelled, so here's some annotated photos. (Note that the controls and sockets on the final version will be labelled.)

 Hero transmitter controls

The transmitter requires two connections to your DSLR camera, namely a shutter release cable, and either an AV connection for LiveView video, or it needs to be mounted on your DSLR's viewfinder, using it's tiny built-in camera to look through the viewfinder. 

Hero receiver controls

The receiver has a 2.4" (61mm diameter) colour LCD screen for displaying video feed from the transmitter, as well as a remote shutter button. As with other remote shutter releases, a half-press on the shutter button is equivalent to a half-press on the camera's shutter button, and will cause the camera to focus. Fully depressing the button will cause the camera to actuate the shutter and take a photo.

The 2-second delay button provides functionality for taking a photo, but with a delay of two seconds.

The remote shutter button includes bi-directional communications, with LEDs on the receiver indicating the status of the remote transmitter when depressing the shutter button (ie, similar to the Phottix Plato 2.4GHz wireless remote).

Holding down the "CH+" button for 3 seconds will cause the Hero receiver to enter power saving mode, temporarily turning off the LCD screen. Apparently this will also turn off the video transmission system in the Hero transmitter, thus helping to conserve the battery in both the transmitter and the receiver.
A single quick press of the "CH+" button will resume normal operation, and turn on the LCD screen again. Note that while in power saving mode, the shutter button on the Hero receiver will still function normally.

Both the Hero receiver and transmitter use a compact NB-5L rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and have a power socket to allow a DC power supply to be connected for recharging the battery.

The RF communications for the remote shutter control uses 433MHz, and the video transmission uses 2.4GHz.

Channel Adjustment

The Hero uses two separate RF mechanisms for communications between the transmitter and receiver, with one being used for the remote shutter control, and the other for transmitting video (and audio) from the transmitter to the receiver.

Four channels are available for the transmission of the video signal. Being able to select any of these four channels allows you to select the channel that has the least interference, as well as ensuring that multiple people can use Hero remotes in one location without interfering with each other.
The button labelled "CH+" on the Hero receiver allows you to toggle through these four channels.

The frequency used for RF communications for the remote shutter release operation can be selected using a tiny button on the top left of the Hero transmitter. The button itself is recessed in the case, and needs to be pressed with a pin or straightened paperclip. Pressing this button while the Hero transmitter is powered on will adjust the frequency it uses, and will result in the right LED on the transmitter flashing very rapidly.
To synchronise the Hero receiver, press the shutter button on the receiver, and the centre LED on the transmitter should briefly light up, and the right LED will then start flashing slowly. This indicates the transmitter and receiver are now synchronised, and the shutter button on the receiver will now cause the transmitter to trigger the camera's shutter.

Using on Cameras without LiveView

You do not need a DSLR camera with LiveView to be able to use the Phottix Hero. It can be used on almost any DSLR, as the Hero transmitter has a built-in camera for looking through your DSLR's viewfinder.

built-in camera in Hero transmitter, with lens cap removed

Note that you need to remove the viewfinder cup from the DSRL, and the Hero transmitter, with the appropriate adaptor fitted, can then be mounted over the DSLR's viewfinder. 

Hero transmitter mounted on Canon 50D viewfinder

Note that you will probably need to adjust the diopter on your DSLR's viewfinder to focus the image seen on the Hero's receiver (but be sure to focus the camera first!). The LCD screen on the Hero receiver will show you what the transmitter's built-in camera is seeing through the DSLR viewfinder, thus providing you with a remote view of what the DSLR camera is seeing.

Using on Cameras with LiveView

If you have a DSLR that has LiveView functionality, there's no need to mount the Hero transmitter on your DSLR's viewfinder. Instead, you can connect the DSLR's AV output directly to an AV input socket on the Hero transmitter.

Note that with the Canon 50D, when a cable is plugged into the 50D's AV output, it disables the rear LCD on the 50D.

The Hero transmitter will transmit the AV output from the DSLR to the Hero receiver, and display it on the LCD screen. Turning on LiveView mode on the DSLR should result in the Hero receiver displaying what you would normally see on the DSLR's rear LCD screen.

Note that when using the DSLR's LiveView, you'll need to ensure you set the DSLR's auto power-off setting to something long enough to ensure the DLSR doesn't turn itself off.
Once the DSLR goes into power saving mode, it'll go out of LiveView mode. Half pressing the shutter button on the Hero's receiver will wake the camera up again, but it won't switch back to LiveView mode, leaving you without a video feed to the Hero receiver!

Field of View - Comparing LiveView vs Viewfinder vs Camera

I noticed that LCD screen on the Hero receiver provides a cropped view, with a portion of the bottom of the image cropped off. This occurs both when using the Hero's built-in camera through a DSLR viewfinder, and when connecting a DSLR LiveView AV output to the Hero's transmitter.

To demonstrate this, I set up a Canon 50D on my patio table, pointing towards my back yard, and mounted the Hero transmitter on the viewfinder, and also connected it to the Canon 50D's AV output, with the 50D in LiveView mode.

The images below demonstrate the cropping that is occurring to the video signal displayed on the Hero receiver.

 

Hero on viewfinder on Canon 50D

 Hero connected to Canon 50D LiveView AV output

actual field of view of Canon 50D

With the Hero transmitter mounted on the Canon 50D's viewfinder, both sides and the bottom of the image are cropped off.

When using the Canon 50D's LiveView, with the 50D's AV output connected to the Hero transmitter, a small portion of each side of the image is cropped, but not as much of the LCD screen is used (as is evident by the larger area of black space around the image). 

I did a similar test with the Hero mounted on the viewfinder of a Canon 350D, and the results are shown below.

 

Hero on viewfinder on Canon 350D

actual field of view of Canon 350D

When using the Hero to peer through the Canon 350D's viewfinder, both sides, as well as the top and bottom of the image are cropped.

While the Hero receiver's LCD screen shows a cropped view, this isn't a significant issue. The aim of the Hero is to provide you with a remote video view of what your DSLR is pointing at, and it certainly does that.

Summary and Conclusions

While the colours of the Hero's LCD screen are a little washed out, and the image is cropped, this isn't an issue, as it still provides a useable video image to allow you to see what is in the remote DSLR's frame. 

It is also worth mentioning that when using the Hero on a DSLR's viewfinder, it functions suprisingly well in very low light. A closer look at the tiny camera built-in to the Hero transmitter indicates it has the text "IR" on the side of the lens, which would appear to indicate it's an infrared camera, thus explaining the good low-light performance. 

The compact rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow the size and weight of the Hero transmitter and receiver to be kept low. However, without any spare batteries, it means you need to ensure you recharge the batteries before going out on a photoshoot (although if mains power is available, you can keep the rechargers plugged into the transmitter/receiver, thus running them off mains power, rather than relying on battery power). 

The rather flimsy antenna on the Hero's transmitter is just a length of wire protruding from the case. This antenna is likely to get bent while in a camera bag, but is easy to straighten. I'd prefer to see a more robust antenna on the transmitter. 

When mounting the Hero transmitter on a DSLR viewfinder, I found that the image shown on the Hero receiver's LCD screen was significantly out of focus (note that I first ensured that the DSLR lens had been focussed). The focus of the image can be adjusted using the DSLR's viewfinder diopter. However, it means that the viewfinder is out of focus when you next use it without the Hero. This is annoying, as it means you need to adjust the diopter each time you mount the Hero transmitter, or remove it from your DSLR. I'd prefer to see some focussing mechanism built into the Hero transmitter's camera. 

The Hero LiveView Wireless Remote is well-built, and performs its intended function well. With no cables hard-wired to the Hero transmitter, additional flexibility is achieved, as you can use a Hero with various cameras, providing you have the appropriate cables to suit each camera. 

If a wireless remote view of your camera's viewfinder is something you would find useful in your photography, then definitely consider the Phottix Hero. 

Pricing and Availability

Phottix have advised that the Phottix Hero will be publicaly available from the end of April 2009, at an expected cost of approx USD$380-400. 

The Phottix Hero will be available for purchase from Phottix's worldwide distributors and from HK Supplies (a Phottix sister company). 

Update: Phottix are now selling the Hero via their recently launched their online store.

Note that this review was based on a pre-release version of the Phottix Hero. Once the release version is available, I intend to provide updated information, and clarify any changes between the pre-release version and the release version.

Update (27 April 2009): 

Someone asked about the size and weight of the Hero transmitter and receiver, so here they are: 

Hero transmitter:

weight: 91 grams (including battery)

size: 48x78x27mm (width x length x height, excluding antenna and viewfinder mount)

Hero receiver:

weight: 144 grams (including battery)

size: 65x134x25mm (width x length x height)

The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries each weigh 23 grams.