Ever since the rage for shooting weddings with DSLR’s began, the 12 minute recording limit has been a constant source of annoyance. This is especially true for anyone who was already used to having 60 minutes or more with tape. But we all waited patiently in the hopes that this limit would eventually be removed. Yet several years and camera models later and it’s still with us .. an Achilles heel in an otherwise amazing line of camera gear.
Well, a few weeks ago I mentioned on Facebook that I was trying out something new at a wedding. I promised that if it worked out well I would share it with all of you. I’m happy to say my idea worked out great and I’m excited to share it.
The idea originally popped in my head while shooting a wedding a few months ago. I was putting my iPhone on silent in preparation for the ceremony and suddenly I got the idea that maybe I could use the iPhone’s timer app and vibration to serve as a reminder for the 12 minute time limit. Essentially I would set the timer for around 10 minutes and then when I felt the phone vibrating I would know it was time to reset the camera’s record function. So I ran a quick test and discovered that even with the iPhone on silent the audible alarm would sound with the timer app. Unacceptable. There was also the issue that I sometimes don’t notice the vibration of the iPhone when it’s in my pocket. Also unacceptable.
Fast forward a few weeks and I had a wedding coming up where we were shooting with more cameras than assistants. It was a last minute booking and I could only secure one assistant shooter to help out that day. So I was going to be running the bride camera on a tripod as well as jetting around getting creative shots via monopod/slider/steadicam with another camera. Now normally the 12 minute limit worries me more in the sense that my assistant shooters might forget about it, but this weekend I felt I could some help of my own. So I renewed my search for a solution and eventually found Gymboss.com.
By this time I had already done some exhaustive research of other timers and just hadn’t found anything I liked. They all had shortcomings in one way or another. But the Gymboss timer was different. It seemed like the perfect solution. But you never know until you can try something out in person. So with a leap of faith I ordered a pair of the timers and waited for their arrival.
The Gymboss timers showed up and I was instantly impressed with their small size and low weight, as well as how easy they were to set up. Each timer has a total of just 3 buttons, and it only took a minute to set them up with a repeating 10 minute interval on the vibrate setting (audible alarms are also possible, but obviously not ideal for a wedding situation). My biggest concern was with being able to notice the vibrating alarm, since as I already mentioned I often don’t notice my iPhone buzzing in my pocket. Sure enough, this proved to be a problem with the Gymboss timers as well. So I started experimenting with placing the Gymboss in other locations since it has a handy clip. Attaching to the sleeve didnt’ always work, but attaching the timer at the hip on my pants worked like a charm. I noticed the timer every time. I was also happy that the timer was so discreet and lightweight (powered by a single AAA battery). Just keep in mind that if you remove the battery you will have to reset the timer settings (takes maybe 20 seconds once you’ve done it before).
At the wedding that week I put the timers to the real test, and they worked like a charm. It was pretty freeing to not have to rely 100% on myself to remember to keep an eye on the record time, especially with 2 cameras under my command. So if you’re tired of stressing about the 12 minute time limit, take a look at the Gymboss timer. It might be just the buzz you’re looking for.
post by | Travis
But, I will do my best.
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