Simultaneous Controlling Multiple Canon T6i DSLRs for VIDEO remotely?

June 3, 2020 12:47 PM

I know there are options to trigger multiple camera's shutter releases simultaneously for photos, but is there some device (or combination of devices) that I can plug into each camera that will sync them together and allow me to begin shooting VIDEO with one remote?

I have 4 identical Canon T6i cameras that I use 99% for video, and I roll any combination of the four at the same time. Some are close, some are far, some are for coverage...

What I have to do at the moment is run around to each camera that is set up, hit "record" on all of them, then get back to my mark, then begin filming. This leads to all four cameras having different start times and video lengths, also screws up sets/makeup/whatever. The other problem is if I have to stop or pause for some reason, I have to leave my mark, run around to all of the cameras and pause recording. Rinse, repeat for every shot/take.

Even when I have a helper, the "process" of them running around to all the cameras ruins flow, takes time, more of a chance of cameras being moved...

Thanks in advance, gang!

posted by sandra_s to Technology (2 answers total)

The Canon RC-6 remote will control video recording in some modes. I'm a Nikon person, but the equivalent Nikon remote will trigger multiple cameras if they're close enough together. You'd want to make sure that all of them had started rolling before beginning whatever you're filming.

I don't believe the T6i has the ability to sync to SMPTE timecode, which is how professional video handles the issue.
posted by Candleman at 2:00 PM on June 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Candleman's right: fix it in post by aligning the frame counter from each device in your editing program. Think of the clapperboard as a unifying click to start from and use something like it as a marker in each recording.
posted by k3ninho at 12:18 AM on June 4, 2020 [1 favorite]