Need advice on taking video with my 5DM4 (Page 2): Hi everyone! Here is what I purchased...it has a highlight setting which should be useful for the environment. If not, well, I have a...

Linda S.

Hi everyone! Here is what I purchased...it has a highlight setting which should be useful for the environment. If not, well, I have a camcorder for the grandkids! Thank you all!!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1387603-REG/canon_1959c026aa_vixia_hf_r80_camcorder.html

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Linda S. wrote:

Hi everyone! Here is what I purchased...it has a highlight setting which should be useful for the environment. If not, well, I have a camcorder for the grandkids! Thank you all!!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1387603-REG/canon_1959c026aa_vixia_hf_r80_camcorder.html

Right answer!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Linda S. wrote:

Hello! I have never taken videos with any of my ca... (show quote)

While the 5D Mark IV is a great stills camera, its video performance is, well, disappointing to those who have a history of producing video with Canon 5D II and 5D III bodies. Here are some things to consider:

Use a shutter speed appropriate for video. If you are recording at 30 frames per second, 1/30 second is the slowest speed you can use. 1/60 is better. While faster speeds will work, any action will appear a bit choppy.

Use a tripod! Even with image stabilized lenses, chances are, there will be camera shake otherwise.

Record sound with a separate recorder and synchronize it in editing software. Set the recorder to sample at 48 KHz, which matches the audio sampling rate of the camera. Otherwise, the sound will slowly go out of sync. Get the microphone as close as possible to the sound source. Watch audio levels! Don't exceed -12db on the meters. It is more important to get a microphone close to the sound source than any other single thing in audio besides not exceeding -12db.

Remember that your dSLR viewfinder is useless while recording video. You will have to use the rear LED display to compose and focus and monitor. This may disturb other patrons in the area, so camera placement is critical.

Be sure you have written permission to record the performance. Most stage venues prohibit all photography and recording when the performers are using copyrighted scripts, music, or choreographic design.

Take your fastest lenses. f/2.8 is about the slowest lens you are likely to want to use for stage work.

Metering will be extremely difficult, especially if the area behind the dancers is very dark or very light. DO NOT use an auto exposure mode. Use full manual exposure... Set a fixed ISO, fixed shutter speed, fixed aperture. You may get the best results just watching the image on the LED screen, along with a histogram, and adjusting the aperture and ISO for best effect. Keep the brightest parts of the scene just to the left of the right side of the graph.

Don't be afraid to use a high ISO, up to around 6400 if necessary.

Finally, read the manual. Study the options you have for file type, bit rates, etc. I like to use 50 or 100 Mbps in full HD (1080P), and record in the .mov format. 4K is a gimmick on the 5D IV, and takes far too much computer power to edit and play back. It also crops the image severely.

Linda S.

TriX wrote:

Right answer!

Couldn't have done it without everyone's comments!!! 👍

Linda S.

burkphoto wrote:

While the 5D Mark IV is a great stills camera, its video performance is, well, disappointing to those who have a history of producing video with Canon 5D II and 5D III bodies. Here are some things to consider:

Use a shutter speed appropriate for video. If you are recording at 30 frames per second, 1/30 second is the slowest speed you can use. 1/60 is better. While faster speeds will work, any action will appear a bit choppy.

Use a tripod! Even with image stabilized lenses, chances are, there will be camera shake otherwise.

Record sound with a separate recorder and synchronize it in editing software. Set the recorder to sample at 48 KHz, which matches the audio sampling rate of the camera. Otherwise, the sound will slowly go out of sync. Get the microphone as close as possible to the sound source. Watch audio levels! Don't exceed -12db on the meters. It is more important to get a microphone close to the sound source than any other single thing in audio besides not exceeding -12db.

Remember that your dSLR viewfinder is useless while recording video. You will have to use the rear LED display to compose and focus and monitor. This may disturb other patrons in the area, so camera placement is critical.

Be sure you have written permission to record the performance. Most stage venues prohibit all photography and recording when the performers are using copyrighted scripts, music, or choreographic design.

Take your fastest lenses. f/2.8 is about the slowest lens you are likely to want to use for stage work.

Metering will be extremely difficult, especially if the area behind the dancers is very dark or very light. DO NOT use an auto exposure mode. Use full manual exposure... Set a fixed ISO, fixed shutter speed, fixed aperture. You may get the best results just watching the image on the LED screen, along with a histogram, and adjusting the aperture and ISO for best effect. Keep the brightest parts of the scene just to the left of the right side of the graph.

Don't be afraid to use a high ISO, up to around 6400 if necessary.

Finally, read the manual. Study the options you have for file type, bit rates, etc. I like to use 50 or 100 Mbps in full HD (1080P), and record in the .mov format. 4K is a gimmick on the 5D IV, and takes far too much computer power to edit and play back. It also crops the image severely.

While the 5D Mark IV is a great stills camera, its... (show quote)

Thank you Burkphoto! This was going to be my 1st foray into video...but...after reading all the comments regarding settings, issues, and additional equipment purchases, I decided to purchase a Canon camcorder, refurbished, from B&H. inexpensive and I can put it to good use with the 5 grandkids! Next lifetime! ;)