Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

Brief history of my abilities (or lack of) first.

Had SLR's for 30 years
never shot video..apart form some DV cam maybe 5 years ago.

Had a 5D3 since they were released.so 18 month or so..never used video.

Well apart form a few 20 second bursts ...
Could never work out if the auto focus worked or not with video mode..three different focus modes but not seem to be able to work any of them out.


This is my first port of call..also google searching..but posting this first.

I have been asked (God only know why) to video a small local stage show put on by local Young Farmers .

Plan is a fixed point at the rear, on scaffold that also has lighting platform on.

I will have external power supply, so battery life not an issue.

Only to be played back on small screen/ TV etc
Show time 2 hr 30.

Quality settings?
frame rates?
focus point
?
Av/Tv/P
how to focus.

resolution settings/ fps and GB card size requirements

No plan for camera panning etc..but I have been told there is "audience interaction" ..so I amy well have to re evaluate that

I know this is a massive amount to ask..and I will be searching around as well

So any tips/ help appreciated.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

A Canon 70D would probably be a better choice for video because it has excellent autofocus for video. If that isn't an option use the 5D III.

1. Select resolution in menu for the video quality you desire
2. Set frame rate in menu. 25fps is what most action movies are shot at. 30 fps is what most TV shows are shot at. 60 fps for slow motion.
3. Set exposure. It's important to set shutter speed according to the selected frame rate. If you are planning to shoot 25 fps, set shutter speed to 1/50th, 30fps 1/60th, and for slow motion 60fps set shutter speed to 1/125th. Set aperture to the depth you desire, then set ISO to get exposure to your liking.
4. Use a tripod with fluid video head.
5. Continuous lighting.
6. Makeup on faces to reduce face glare and blown out highlights.

That's all I can think of now.

Singing Swan

Photography Forum -> Video for DSLR and Point and Shoot Cameras

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-110-1.html


This link takes you to the video section...someone there might be able to help you a bit more.

Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

Thanks for the replies guys. On iPhone now, time 0245, will read again in morning

In the two years I have been on this forum, never before had I seen that grouping of photography subsections. Have only ever seen this Main discussion top level section. Never noticed the sub-cats tucked away down the bottom there.
Even it's sub-title does not really let on it contains such a wide selection.
I did always think it odd that there were not more sub groups.
Always come in, and gone straight to the this Main Discussion group and never gone back up to top level to look further.

Singing Swan

"Answers are easy. The hard part is knowing which questions to ask!!"
Dr. Who

And here you can find someone who will be able to help. Those who know the subjects best will be ready to help as soon as they see your topic. Placing it in the other section will be helpful to get more attention. Sometimes topics can get overwhelmed with so many new ones started each day, but this will send you in the right direction. Good luck!!

Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

What read all replies in full.

What Jeep Daddy has said s pretty much spot on the sort of answer I was looking for. that was the sort of info I needed.

Combined with another bit I found about using the Quick Focus mode ..it allows re focus with the back button, while shooting. yes it brightens the screen a bit while focusing, so you do loose a bit of video, but not as much as stopping magnifying focusing then shooting again.

Thanks all..for the tips and the pointer to the other sub sections,

Singing Swan

Good luck...let us know how it turns out!! and have a good day.

Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

Wilco

Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

OK, two days worth of shooting and two days to go.

How important is it to set shutter speed to frame rate? so I have 25fps so setting 1/50th. What happens if I do not ?. What actual visual problems occur if you do not do this?


I borrowed some cardoid mice that are on stage, back to a mixer, that I am having to run as well. Mixer output is just to the camera no other PA output, so I am trying to juggle setting sound levels, between lifting the mixer output for quiet actors, then turn gin it down again for applause and louder singing pieces.

Trying to juggle that with manual zoom and focusing...arrrggg.

So i was thinking that tonight I would not zoom and pan but set fixed focus on the centre of stage, with an aperture set to give the 3 or 4 mete required DoF
This would require then using the camera in Av mode..so ending up with shutter speeds not compatible with the 25fps....or in Av mode does the camera only allow compatible shutter speeds?


or the other alternative is shoot in manual mode 25fps 1/50th at a mid aperture..f8 f11 or so and set ISO to Auto?

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Neil,

Wish I would have seen this post earlier because you are probably done shooting by now. I would have added that I always use a separate recorder. The sound levels can be set more accurately as you can use headphones to the second recorder while you shoot. This way you are not picking up camera noises etc, and can change the volume when needed without touching the camera. I use the Zoom R16 8 track digital recorder which has volume sliders for each input. I use the voice track on the camera just to sync the video to the separate voice tracks recorded on the Zoom.

At this point you must have quite an editing job. My longest video to date has been about 6 minutes and it generally takes me about 8 hours of editing for a video that long.
What's your editing setup?

Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

Yes, finished shooting now.

Editing setup is either iMovie or Final Cut Pro or Express on a twin quad core Mac with 24Gb RAM and SSD scratch disk..

Separate sound recording was not an option, as I do not have a separate recorder.

I had two carded microphones on stage, back to a mixing desk, so changing volume levels was easy enough. I had headphones on the mixer so could monitor.and I set the camera to manual levels...

I had A/V out from the camera feeding a small monitor in front of me, so could monitor both focus and sound levels directly on the screen in front of me..

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Hi Neil,

Sounds like you know what you are doing.
Best of luck. Please let us know how it comes out.

Bob

Neilp Loc: Jersey, C.I.

If only I did know!

Bought FCE, and acquired FCP from a friend. But never installed FCP, FCE is daunting enough.

I'll try and post a few clips in the next few weeks.

Thanks