Okii Introduces Two USB Remote Control Solutions for Canon DSLRS

Okii FC1 USB Focus Controller: Control your DSLR from 80 Feet Away

If you’re shooting photos or HD video with a Canon DSLR, the Okii FC1 USB Focus Controller might become one of your most indispensible tools. It works with Canon’s USB protocol and lets you conveniently pull focus from one object to another without losing your preset focal points (or without having to use a laptop computer). You’ll get more accurate shots every time without having to even touch the camera.

The FC1 works best with Canon and other autofocus USM lenses—ultrasonic motor lenses. It makes use of the autofocus motor of such a lens to control focus. It can do so for both stills and video and is thus perfect for both the photographer and videographer.

You can use the FC1 by holding it in your hand or, via a 1/4"-20 mount on its back plate, attaching it to a rig. You can also use it attached to your camera while the camera is mounted on a crane, jib, boom or tripod. The FC1 is an optimal solution for adjusting focus while holding your camera high above your head.

It connects to a camera by a standard A to mini-B USB cable and has also been tested and proven to work with non-powered USB extension cables that run more than 80 feet long. For more remote functionality, you might want a longer A to mini-B cable. It weighs less than 5 oz and is less than 3 inches in diameter. Its compact size and its being USB powered leaves your camera’s HDMI output conveniently accessible. The FC1 runs for more than 30 hours on two AAA batteries.

Simple, Clearly Labeled Controls

Using the FC1 is as simple as getting familiar with its nine buttons and focus knob. The buttons are clearly labeled and spaced evenly around the knob. They allow you convenient access to your camera’s vital functions. You can set focus points, adjust camera settings, start and stop video recording, operate zoom and capture stills. To ensure that your adjustments will be as fine-tuned as you need them to be, the sensitivity of the focus knob is reduced while you’re adjusting the ISO, aperture, shutter speed or exposure compensation. Also, even with the FC1 attached, you can still use your camera’s controls directly, but doing so will override the commands you’ve set with the FC1. So, in video applications, before you begin recording, you should make sure that the near and far stops as well as the focal points are set.

MC1 USB Mini Controller: Remote Camera Controls without Follow Focus

If you don’t need the focus features of the FC1 but still want the convenience of a USB remote control for your Canon DSLR, the Okii MC1 USB Mini Controller, as opposed to the FC1, might be just what you need. The MC1, just like the FC1, connects to your camera by a USB A to mini-B cable, leaves your camera’s HDMI output accessible, and can control ISO, aperture, shutter speed, zoom and can also capture stills and start and stop recording. While it doesn’t have a control knob like the FC1 does, it features a similarly easy-to-use set of controls consisting of four clearly labeled buttons. The MC1 has three 1/4"-20 mounting points by which you can attach the unit to a rig or to an Okii Function Telescopic Handle via an Okii Micro Clamp.

In addition to conveniently controlling your camera’s functions, the MC1 also addresses a major issue in shooting video with a Canon DSLR—the 4GB / 12 minute recording limit. As a solution, the MC1 is designed to restart quickly every 11 minutes, letting you shoot continuously and stay in the moment.

Like FC1, the MC1 can also be used with non-powered USB extension cables that run over 80 feet long and will also run for thirty hours on two AAA alkaline batteries. Both the FC1 and MC1 are made in the USA with CNC-milled 6061 aluminum.