World Juniors Remotes Setup

I’ve had a few people and one possible client reach out asking what my setup was for the World Juniors. A camera does not make a great image, the photographer does. Our cameras are merely tools to help perform an action. For myself, I use Sony’s Alpha cameras.

Every remote camera I put up always included the Manfrotto Magic Arm along with 2 aviation cables capable of holding 180lbs each. The exception being the overhead netcam, I had 3 aviation cables attached to it.

Prior to setting these up, we required permission from the IIHF along with an inspection by the venue. Every time we went up, we also had to be escorted by the IIHF photographer, Matt who was always excellant and pleasant to speak with.

Some may consider 4 remote cams a lot, but I use different channels to minimize the amount of images they all capture with my left hand used for triggering the remotes and right hand used to trigger my local camera. This sure made things easier when I was narrowing down the images. Additionally, the photography positions at Scotiabank Centre were rather limited with photographers being restricted to the same spot. Using remotes allowed me to capture different images.

Overhead Netcam – Home Team

My overhead netcam was a Sony A7R IV along with a Sony 24-70 f4l. I debated on using my Sony 24-70 f2.8 but I figured I’d save it for something else since my aperture was always going to be above 5.6. In the hot shoe (on top) is one of my Pocket Wizard’s.

The Sony A7R IV is capable of creating 61MP images which gives plenty of room for cropping in. This is my go to camera for landscape photography however I may add another system in the coming year.

Along side it is the World Junior’s official photographers (Matt) remote overhead net camera. This was the most difficult camera to work with as the other cameras were mounted above a bar of some sort except this one. It was out two or three so there was nothing below it. As someone not as used to heights, it was the most difficult. Of course, I did get better with it as time went on.

Blue Line Camera – Home Team

Almost above the blue line on the home team end was another remote camera I had utilized. It was another Sony A7R IV. Again with 61 MP, it allowed me to crop in a significant amount. Mounted to the front of the camera was a Sony 70-200 F4L along with a Pocket Wizard on top in the hot shoe. The image above depicts the connectors I was using. Both the above two cameras were setup to the same channel on the Pocket Wizards (usually 29). This ensured when the overhead net cam fires, so doesn’t the blue line cam.

Blue Line Camera – Away Team

I added this camera for the finals. It was initially behind the away teams net however after patrons complained it was blocking their view, I moved it up on the cat walk. I didn’t take any photos of this camera’s setup so you’ll have to view it with me setting it up.

Mounted here is a Sony A7 III + a Sony 70-200 2.8 GM. This camera was only 24MP so I had to be a bit more exact. Since it was aimed at the away net, I had it set to a different channel, mostly channel 10.

Netcam

Definitely a fan favourite, my net cam is mounted inside the net. It is inside an enclosure that is two pieces: one being thick lexon and the other being padding. More expensive than the others but also safer. Inside the enclosure sits a Canon 5d Mark III with a 15mm fisheye attached. I am hoping to pickup a Canon 1DX to replace the 5d Mark III. As it is inside the away net, it was setup on the same channel (10).

Right above it is the TSN netcam.

Away Netcam – Pole Mounted.

I only got to use this remote camera (the camera at the top) for one game as patrons complained it was obstructed their view. Truth is, the pole went from having nothing on it to having 3 cameras on it overnight. I ended up moving it to the “Blue Line Camera – Away Team” position. It was on the same channel as the other netcam, allowing them both to trigger at once.

This camera was a Sony A7 III (24mp) with a 24-70mm attached. A Pocket Wizard was mounted on top. One aviation cable connected it to a secure spot which was held down by the other cables you can see on the left/right.