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Video for DSLR and Point and Shoot Cameras
What's the basics?
Jun 9, 2018 11:57:05   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
I have a D7000, a 35mm prime and an 18-200 and I want to make for some videos. What basic camera settings and focus methods should I start with? I will be doing short videos just to get used to that method. Thanks for your advise.

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Jun 11, 2018 16:22:07   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
First, I always use a tripod to avoid camera shake.
Second I also have a D7000 and use the 1080P (1920x1080 pixels) 24fps setting, though you could use 1080P 30fps. 24fps is supposed to look more cinematic as it mimics film, while 30fps is supposed to look more like video or TV shows.
Third, your focal length depends on what you are shooting, what you want in the frame. In low light your prime will have a larger aperture, but wide open that also has less depth of field. It all depends on what you want.
Fourth. I shoot manual aperture and shutter speed. Your shutter speed is supposed to be twice your fps. I also set my iso unless I am outside and the light changes from shadows to sunlight, etc., then I use auto iso.
Fifth. If you are in manual mode, then you can take some test still shots to verify your settings and focus are correct. I use single point autofocus in live view mode. If I have to change focus I expect to edit out the part of the video that shows the focus seeking.
Sixth. Sound is as important as video. I use a separate stand alone sound recorder, the Zoom R 16 to record sound, then sync the zoom track to my camera audio track in the editor. Once synced I usually mute the camera audio in the editor as the stand alone recorder audio is better quality.
Seventh. Editing is as important as shooting. Just like with still photos, editing is where you tweak your exposure, colors, crop, and also tweak your audio volume, EQ, remove audio and video mistakes, etc. I use Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Audition as they can work together and let me edit the video and audio together on the video timeline.
Eighth. Add some nice titles and transitions between clips (I like either the fade out / fade in or the film dissolve), and at the beginning and end of the video.

Good luck. The above is how I approach videos. I spend much more time in editing than I do shooting. I put my videos on youtube. It's just a hobby with no commercial aspects, but a creative and enjoyable hobby.

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Jun 11, 2018 17:54:38   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
Thanks for the great tips. Just what I was looking for. I'll be shooting to add short video clips to my Pro Show presentations of my photos, mostly travel and scenics. I won't need to do much video editing or including sound from the video clips, just trying to figure out some basic camera settings for starters.

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Video for DSLR and Point and Shoot Cameras
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