Imagine your Canon DSLR at the top of a 10 foot pole, end of a 12 foot crane, or any place where starting and stopping video would be inconvenient. Of all the Canon DSLR cameras available (right now), the only way to start and stop video mode remotely is through Infrared. Infrared sucks, requires line of sight, and the signal gets lost outdoors pretty quick. Keep in mind that we're talking about 'video mode' which is handled only by infrared. The problem is that Canon chose to use a separate button specifically for 'Video Mode', and the normal Shutter is only for still images. There are plenty of wireless remotes for the 'Shutter', but the Video mode is activated only through Infrared.
If you've had this problem, Justin writes in and shares his DIY wireless-trigger-to-infrared remote. Using a wireless shutter remote for Photography, he hacks it in to a cheap infrared remote with S2 function (required for video mode). In the end you'll still need the actual infrared remote placed somewhere in front of the camera, but the signal from operator to camera is truly wireless which can work through walls and has no limitations with line of sight. Makes you wonder about the Zoom H4n remote... More information on the build over at Instructables (here). [Thanks Justin]
For this project, you'll need the infrared remote to initiate video with the S2 button. Found below (click here).
Wireless Shutter Release Remote for Canon EOS
I've used many of these wireless shutter remotes. The 5D & 7D have a different pin style. The one that is compatible with the 550D (T2i) has the right mini jack connection. These wireless triggers are fairly generic and the same connection works on the Canon G12, Canon 60D, Canon T3i, etc. You can find them cheapest via eBay (click here)
Wireless Shutter Remote Receiver Transmitter
BTW they fixed all this with the new 1Dx camera. Now it's all done by the shutter button which means every basic wireless trigger will now work to start/stop video mode. Of course, thats about $7,000 dollars worth of camera. I think this DIY build is a bit cheaper.
faresaddine
I haven't used it with P7000 but in case of D80 and D90, once you put shutter release mode into remote mode, you don't have to go and put it back on remote mode. There should be some way to do it for your camera. - See more at:
Pinkrobe
This is the same sort of thing, but different in approach. This thing: https://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentled/liveview.htm can control a Canon camera's video function in LiveView. It needs an RC controller to work, but maybe it could do the same job if triggered by the wireless remote?
Helen
What is the magic lantern hack? Thx
Frank Philip
There's a setting on the T2i as long as you have the Magic Lantern hack that the shutter can be used to start and stop video. I assume you can use a standard remote to accomplish this and not having to build something from scratch.
joop
Hey Emm,
I´ve read your blog for a long time! Keep up the good work!
Here is something which might be interesting:
https://crispconcept.com/android.php
You can start stop, focus and change aparture using ure smartphone (also timelapse). I rebuild the setup using a bluetouth modul classI instead of class II so the range is almost 100meters...
cheers
Joop