I'll likely be renting 1-2 FS700 cameras for an upcoming shoot where I need to capture some 120 or 240fps shots (knowing the length of recording limitations at slo-mo). I need to be able to run the cameras remotely from a "control center" as we're filming fire tests. I'll need about 75-100 feet or so length of remote control functions.

Is this possible with the FS700? Computer control would be great, but in my research I've not found any reference to controlling the FS700 in this manner. From what I've tread, once the camera is setup for slo-mo capture all I need to do is press the record button to capture 8 or 16 seconds of footage (pre or post trigger).

Thanks for any advice on this.

Varizoom makes various lengths of remote extension cables. 100' is less than $50.
VariZoom VZEXTL100 100' LANC Extension Cable VZ-EXT-L100 B&H

Just plug into the FS700 control handle at one end and camera on the other.

So basically use Lanc control as the trigger? That's simple enough. I'll be running other cameras via computer (including high speed stills - Canon 1Dx), so only needing to worry about pushing the control button should be straightforward.

I don't really have experience with this, but perhaps one suggestion if you're running the camera off of batteries is to make sure it's on start-trigger if not the continuous writing to buffer will drain the batteries and overheat the camera very quickly.

Also - I don't think you can adjust the slow-mo settings remotely. Which means if it's gonna restart or shut down due to low power or overheating, you'll need to physically go to the camera to restart it into slow motion mode.

Hope it helps!

" if you're running the camera off of batteries is to make sure it's on start-trigger if not the continuous writing to buffer will drain the batteries and overheat the camera very quickly."


Have you experienced overheating?

I have run my FS700 in hot blazing sun, in slow motion, writing to the buffer for 3 to 4 hours and never had any overheating problems or excessive battery drain.
cheers

This is the first I've heard about overheating or abnormal batt drain while shooting slowmo. Nothing like that has happened to me after shooting a ridiculous amount of slowmo over the past 9 months. If that is happening to you with your FS id have it checked out.

Mine drains a little faster because it's constantly writing to the pre-rec buffer, which actually makes a lot of sense? Never thought it was just me...

Never experienced overheating, but I agree that Super Slow Motion in general, and end trigger specifically sucks down the battery noticeably faster.

If you decide to use start trigger, be sure to take into account the approximately 1.5 to 2 second delay in starting. Start trigger is always up to 2.2 seconds slow to start, so you can easily lose footage if you don't hit the REC button in advance of the anticipated start of the action you want to record.

Also be sure to use the fastest UHS1 cards you can get your hands on... Sandisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s SDHC have the least start delay of anything I've tested.

Back to the main question. Indeed you can set the camera to slomo and all you have to do is start/stop. The handgrip that comes with the camera is basically a lanc remote trigger. Supposed to be screwed on the camera, but I use it as a remote trigger. I have bought an extension cable of 33 feet, but I suppose there will be longer cables as well. Or you can connect several cables to get the desired length.

Also, if you want to keep the stock Sony hand grip on the camera, plugged in and active, and also have a remote LANC switch too, this little splitter - combiner device from Manfrotto is quite handy:

Manfrotto 521SB Remote Control Splitter Box 521SB B&H Photo


Manfrotto 521SB - can be easily velcro-ed somewhere on the FS700. It's about the size of a short, slightly fat lighter. Works great with the stock grip and a remote LANC trigger, and then either device can then be used to start & stop the camera.

What about a LANC splitter that can control two cameras with one start/stop remote? I'd be interested in that for my 3D high speed work but I haven't found one yet.

I can confirm that the Manfrotto 521SB does NOT work when used "backwards" ie one remote to 2 cameras. One camera does start (intermittently), but the other stays in standby & LED on the remote flickers. Definitely not designed to work that way.

A quick search turned up a previous discussion on this in the 3D forum:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/3d-stereoscopic-production-delivery/477302-3d-lanc-controllers-best.html

Bad news is there are not many, and they are not cheap. Never tried any of them, so I can't comment.

Also, on the LANC shepherd site, the link to purchase no longer works... but it seems you can contact the designer via roundabout method on a different page here, towards the bottom there is a link to email him:
Ledametrix Digital Stereo Photography (http://www.ledametrix.com/index.html)

Might be worth emailing the guys at PocketWizard about whether their remote camera triggers support LANC video cameras, or only shutter release on still cameras. The website is inconclusive. These things are great for still cameras.

One last clarification on the FS700 and remote control... Will a "standard" Lanc controller (2.5mm) work as an external remote? Or, is it just as easy to use the included on-camera control and remove it, placing a 50-100' lanc extension cable on it? I'm renting this camera, so I need to make sure the included controller can be easily removed and put back on.

Thanks.

I think I figured it out, but just to be certain, the removable hand grip is what would attach to the lanc cable? If so, I assume it's the standard "old style" lanc vs. the newer type found on the EX-1/3 etc...

Thanks.

Give it July plus ?? Time and you can record what was it?
2k continuous slomo on your odyssey 7q until your raid 960gb ssds run out? 45m think it was :)

The plug on the FS700 is lanc-style -- not the EX1/3 lens controller style.
You should bring your extension cables when you go to do your camera checkout - just to make sure they work properly.

A couple of other thoughts --
You should definitely have a monitor to verify camera output. It will also help you determine when you can roll again if doing multiple shots during a single fire event.
Remember, when you trigger a slo-mo shot it sends its data to the buffer, then proceeds to write the data from the buffer to the SD card. THIS WRITING CAN TAKE A WHILE!!! It's not as though you can film a slo-mo clip at 240, wait a few seconds and then film another one. You will need to wait until the shot is written to card. This is where the monitor can come in handy, since you'll see the slo mo footage that is being written - so once the camera feed returns to regular speed you will be able to record again. Even a minute can be a long time to wait when there's a lot going on!

Thanks Dave. Yes, I've got a monitor to use as well. There should be at least 10 minutes between tests so I think I'll be okay. I've been looking at some of the slo-mo footage from the FS700 and find it quite impressive for the purposes of this shoot. It may not be a Phantom, but it's more than usable for my client.

I just wanted to jump in here with a question about the LANC.? I've got a nice Lanc controller I use for my XhA1, and it works great, but I guess I'm concerned that I didn't see the lanc symbol in the specs of the FS700. I suppose that doesn't mean it won't control the 700, but I was just curious, and also wondered if the regular old lanc would work on the FS700 or does it require a newer lanc.? I can confirm that the Manfrotto 521SB does NOT work when used "backwards" ie one remote to 2 cameras. One camera does start (intermittently), but the other stays in standby & LED on the remote flickers. Definitely not designed to work that way.

A quick search turned up a previous discussion on this in the 3D forum:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/3d-stereoscopic-production-delivery/477302-3d-lanc-controllers-best.html

Bad news is there are not many, and they are not cheap. Never tried any of them, so I can't comment.

Also, on the LANC shepherd site, the link to purchase no longer works... but it seems you can contact the designer via roundabout method on a different page here, towards the bottom there is a link to email him:
Ledametrix Digital Stereo Photography (http://www.ledametrix.com/index.html)

Might be worth emailing the guys at PocketWizard about whether their remote camera triggers support LANC video cameras, or only shutter release on still cameras. The website is inconclusive. These things are great for still cameras.

I've experienced a burning smell issues running slow motion for over 3-4 hours. But I think it was the battery and not the camcorder.

Heard good reports on these. Used with an extension cable one of these might be ideal as they have a LED on them to indicate recording or not.

Pro-Lanc (http://www.prolanc.com/products.html)

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney