Robertven Loc: Fort Worth

I mostly shoot video and edit for the Fort Worth Library Archives and the Fort Worth ISD Archives. I own two Canon XP100 video cameras. Sometimes I have a need for a third camera. About a year ago I purchased a Canon EOS 60D. I thought that would be great because it could be used for stills as well as video. Ok, here is my problem: almost all of the videos I shoot are lectures and presentations lasting approx. 1.5 hours. These need to be shot continuously with no interruption. No matter how I set the auto-off function, the camera stops shooting automatically. I even bought a AC power adapter to replace the battery power. Still no luck. Is it possible to get this camera to shoot continuously?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

No, it is not. The record time is limited in order to keep from overheating the sensor.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

No, it will not shoot continuously. The maximum video length is dictated in part by file size. When recording in full HD on a 60D the 4 gigabyte maximum file size is reached in 12 minutes and the camera will stop recording. Even at lower resolutions its limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds regardless of whether the 4 gig file size has been reached. It was designed that way to avoid being defined as a video camera for tariff purposes. Some newer models like the 5D MarkIII and the 70D will automatically start a new file when the 4 gig maximum is reached, but it will be up to you to stitch the files together in a video software program for continuous playback.

While an overheated sensor will shut down play, the 60D is not very sensitive to this problem under most conditions. I have recorded two or more straight hours of concerts under stage lights with no overheating issues on several occasions. Someone has tested the 60D for 24 hours straight with only a change of batteries and SD cards with no overheating. To keep the sensor cooler during video I find it best to fold out the LCD screen which is right over the sensor area near the back of the camera. When folded in the LCD traps heat from the sensor between it and the camera back. The back of the camera is much cooler when the LCD is folded out.

JeffT Loc: Central NY

Check out Magic Lantern software. I believe that it removes some of the time limitations on video length. I used it on a T1i for some of it's still picture capabilities, but I think that ML was really geared to video. I believe there is still the 4gb limit of the filesystem, but the behavior of the camera using ML is similar to what you describe for the 70D.