Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: How to measure and set white balance on 60D

« on: May 30, 2013, 09:17:13 PM »

I have been shooting in Raw the past 6 months.  So someone correct me if I'm wrong, but white balance only affects the jpg image... I think.  So if you are shooting in raw, it won't matter.

You're (mostly) correct. The small caveat is that if you're shooting in the wrong white balance mode for RAW, it means that you MUST go back and change it in post-production. While that's not difficult to do, if you're in a location where you can set it, and it just looks good from the beginning, it's one less thing you have to do in post production. Another minor advantage is that if you're working with models/clients where you're occasionally showing your image to them from the back of your camera, it's nicer to have it look better (ie. with correct-ish white balance). That being said, white balance can be fully set in post production when shooting RAW, whereas it's "burned in" when shooting jpg.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 28, 2013, 09:12:32 PM »

Thanks, this is some great advice. Basically, I'm getting my equipment prepped for this right now. I have a suction cup mount for my gopro as well, so I'm going to slap that on the wall and just keep it recording when there are kids in the area. This will give me some wide angle scene setting shots (in theory). I also have my 8-15, which, at 15 is a pretty useful lens, provided I don't pan much (as the panning motion on a fisheye can be a little disconcerting).

Seeing as I don't have ANY stabilization equipment, and just a ball head for my tripod, I was thinking of getting most of my shots from the tripod. Putting the camera on there, finding something interesting, framing it, hitting record, and not moving it. Then, when that action is finished, move the tripod, find something else, rinse and repeat.

I also put together a "string" stabilizer that I can step on to help somewhat stabilize high up and low down shots, but I was thinking that I should probably use the 24-105 for anything handheld since it's the only one with IS (other than the 70-200). Since I'll need to be focusing manually by physically turning the ring on the lens,  and in my handheld tests where I was holding the 5d3 and the 70-200 in one hand while focusing in the other, it didn't seem all that stable, I wondered if I should use that combo solely on the tripod. Any thoughts about that?

Everyone has been really helpful. Thanks so much!

As for advice encouraging me to take it slow, I definitely intend to. In my experience, though the equipment doesn't make the "photographer/videographer/carpenter/etc", there's a reason why the pro "insert profession here" uses that equipment in the first place. Like learning anything new, I want to eliminate variables and focus on skills at the beginning, but the more I play with shooting video, the more I realize that holding the camera with my right hand, focusing by turning the ring with my left and trying to figure out if it's even IN focus without shooting the whole video magnified WHILE trying to keep it stable is freaking hard lol. Getting the footage more stable, and focusing with more accuracy and smoothness, especially with the assistance of the equipment that I already have, is my top priority.

As for things like the slider, If I do end up getting it, I won't be using it in time pressure situations in the beginning, but rather when I have time, an empty building (or a long rehearsal), where I can do a move 100 times, try it out, and if everything sucks, no one will even ask me about that footage. I've shot weddings and other "job" type things enough to know that if you're screwing around with equipment when the client is expecting you to be starting, you've got a PR problem on your hands.

The reason I mentioned the crane at the beginning as that it seemed to have interesting applications for both photo and video. Still, it doesn't fit my budget at the moment, and doesn't address my two immediate needs of "improved stability and focusing accuracy and smoothness" as well as some of the other equipment on my list.

Thanks again for the advice, and keep it coming. You guys have really been helpful, and I really appreciate it!

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 28, 2013, 03:29:11 AM »

Um, I went to meet with the client today, and they told me that there's a big event tomorrow that they only do once a year. (Basically they're doing a graded ballet exam thing, and though I can't be inside the exam, they want to get kids reactions before and after the test). So, long story short, they want me to go and shoot video of the event, which will be basically a room with a bunch of nervous kids before a test, they go in as a group, and then I sit around waiting for 15-20 mins, and they come out looking relieved. I can catch 2-3 groups running this pattern, so I can hopefully improve on mistakes that I make each run as well.

I currently have none of the video equipment that I listed that I was interested in buying, and I have no way of getting any of it by tomorrow. I only have a photography tripod, and it's a ball head (crappy for panning). Any advice on getting the most out of the equipment that I have? I spent 5 minutes making a "string" stabilizer so that I can step on it and get reasonably better pans. I don't want to "look" like crap while I'm shooting this video, and string from my camera is about as low-budget as I can look.

Any advice about picture styles, things to shoot, etc?
I read some stuff online and set my picture style to -4, -4, -2, 0 for now. I do have a lot of nice lenses for indoor use, but I'm a little nervous about using f1.4 or 1.2 for video without an evf to see if I'm even in focus. I was thinking of mostly using the 24-105 since it has IS, and will be more forgiving, as well as maybe using the gopro up in a corner somewhere to record some of the "room feel". For audio, I was thinking of just having the H4N in the room picking up ambient stuff, since the focus won't be any one person talking. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for the short notice help!

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 27, 2013, 09:11:49 PM »

The follow focus that I have is called the "Fifty Dollar Follow Focus". I got it on Kickstarter.

Here's a review of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGy2D-ZRqtI

I'm sure that it's by no means the "best" (or even necessarily great) follow focus, but it's the one I have.

Because of how quick it is to set up, and how it seems easy to move, that may make a difference?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D vs. 600D with good lenses?

« on: May 26, 2013, 10:10:23 PM »

Though they are similar in features, one important advantage that a 60D has over a 600D is that it has a top LCD screen. To me, this is a no-go for the 600D. The top LCD allows you to quickly see what aperture, shutter speed, iso, focus mode, evaluation, etc, etc. You're at (as well as shots remaining and battery life). I simply wouldn't buy a DSLR without that.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 26, 2013, 11:44:49 AM »

Since I already have a follow focus, and I need a way to mount it (need rails), I wondered if a matte box is something that I'll "definitely" need. I'll be shooting all of my video indoors for this first project as well, if that matters.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 26, 2013, 10:47:37 AM »

This is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate you taking the time to put together such an informative post, as it's bound to help lots of other people also doing similar things. Thanks so much!

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 26, 2013, 04:36:31 AM »

I'm going to be doing the editing. I've done editing before, and am comfortable-ish with premiere, though most of my work has been done in after effects. As far as editing, and even camera settings, I may ask about that later. For now, this is more of a budget and equipment question.

Thanks for the answer though, and if you have any suggestions for settings, that'd be great too.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Stills photographer Doing some video

« on: May 26, 2013, 03:31:13 AM »

Hi All,
I've done still photography almost exclusively and have a 60D and a 5D3. Soon, I'm going to need to do a little bit of video for a website that I'm working on. The job will be for a ballet studio. I don't have any questions about the photography, as I'm confident there, it's more about video. Here's the type of work I'll be doing:

One (or maybe a few) short 30-45 second clips showing the dance studio, and some classrooms, and what it's like.
Two "dancer profiles" featuring interviews, some shots of them warming up and performing, etc. Maybe 1-2 minutes each.

Just to help out, I'll list my equipment, leaving out stuff like extenders/flash etc:
5D3, 60D
70-200 2.8 IS II, 85 1.2 II, 24-105 f4, 24 1.4 II, 8-15 f4, 10-22.
I also have a gopro 3 (which may or may not be useful for this job)
I also have a variable ND filter, as well as a cheapy set of drop-in Cokin filters.

For audio, I have a Zoom H4n, an RE20 mic, a Shure SM93 Lavalier mic, and a set of paired Rode NT5 condensers. I also have a pre-73 MK2 pre-amp.

I have a somewhat cheapy LED video light as well.

Now, I want the video to look good, but I don't know a lot about it. I'm willing to invest a bit of money (because this job is paying well overall, and it's a tax write-off), but video isn't going to be my full-time job anytime soon. Basically, I don't want to buy crappy stuff i'll need to replace the next time I do a project, but I also can't afford to drop $10k on video stuff. I think a budget of $1500 would be about the max I should spend.

Here are some of the things that I was looking at/thinking about getting. My main question is, what, if any of things things are necessary/would help my video look more professional? Is there anything else that's important that I forgot? Is there anything on this list you wouldn't recommend, or would recommend something else?

1) http://www.rhinocameragear.com/Rhino%20Products/DSLR%20Gear/Camera%20Sliders/Rhino%20Slider%20Carbon

A rhino slider: My thought was that a slider would be a cheap-ish way to provide nice looking moves that would take care of a lot of the kind of shots I'd need.

I've also been interested in doing some time-lapse though, and have had my eye on the Dynamic Perception Stage Zero bundle (http://dynamicperception.com/products/stage-zero-6-foot-bundle). Since my uses are primarly photography, would you recommend getting the Stage Zero and trying to make it work as a normal slider as well as for time-lapse, or should I get the Rhino slider (or some competitor) and worry about time-lapse later?

2) Proaim 6 Camera Cage with Tripod Mount
http://www.amazon.com/Proaim-Handle-Camera-Cameras-Camcorders/dp/B005DN8B2S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369552546&sr=8-2&keywords=proaim+6

My thought was that this would make it easier to get low angle shots while (let's be honest) making it look more professional, and match my clients expectations of what "video work" looks like. Also, I have a follow focus that I got a great deal on a while back, but I don't have a rail system, so in order to use that follow focus, I need rails anyway.

3) A cheapy matte box
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Koolertron-DSLR%E3%82%AB%E3%83%A1%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9E%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%9C%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-Matte-Canon-Olympus-Pentax/dp/B008MHLYB2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1369552852&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=proaim+6 maybe something like that? It's only $35. Is the matte box really something worth spending a bunch of money on? I know many of them take drop-in ND filters, but the ones that do are a lot more expensive, plus I doubt the filters I have would fit.


4) Tripod Head
I have a Benro tripod, and it's pretty sturdy. I'm not sure if it'd be good enough for video (this is based on the fact that I don't often see video people using photography tripods, rather than on any knowledge)
I was thinking about this one:
Manfrotto MVH502AH
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B006TZE0UQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AN1VRQENFRJN5

5) Atomos Ninja 2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/858661-REG/ATOMOS_ATOMNJA002_Ninja_2.html

If I understand correctly, this records straight from the HDMI out, and records to an attached HD. This seems like a big advantage, but is it overkill for this kind of job I'm looking at now? (especially with no other jobs on the horizon necessarily) Should I wait until later on when I get a few more jobs like this, or is the quality increase worth it from day 1, even over certain other things?

6) Kessler KC-Lite 8.0 Camera Crane
http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/100041.htm
Seems useful for both photography and video, looks like, and it's relatively inexpensive at $400.

7) Zacuto Z-Finder / DP4 / ?
EVF? Non-EVF? Necessary at this stage?

8 ) External Video Monitor



Other thoughts:
Other than the small LED light I have, I only have speedlites (oh, and a Fenix TK45 flashlight http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003URQEBO/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1, which is actually pretty bright)

Any other important things i'm missing? Any questions that I'm too inexperienced to know to ask? Any other things I should know?

Thanks so much!

10

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Preorder the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x TC

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:19:11 AM »

I can't afford the lens, but $649 for the case?! Sign me up!

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Lenses / Re: Canon 85L II AF speed on 5D III???

« on: May 02, 2013, 09:03:20 PM »

It's slow, but it's never been so slow for me that I've missed a shot. You just have to be realistic about what you're using it for. I've even shot some indoor sports with it, but you have to remember that with such a shallow depth of field, you'll want to take a few more shots than you would if you're shooting at f2.8 or f4. I've shot 95%+ of my images with it at f1.2 though, so take that advice with a grain of salt. To my way of thinking, if you're using it much above f1.2, then you're not getting anything out of it you couldn't get with the faster focusing f.18 or a 70-200 2.8...

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Canon General / Re: Camera Phone

« on: April 26, 2013, 11:51:51 AM »

I think the lines between camera phone and dslr are already being blurred. I definitely see a time in the future that your phone will be capable of similar images as your mid to high end dslr. Heck it's already happening. There is a very accomplished local photog who speaks very highly of his iPhone as a work tool. He says its loosens up subjects and allows them to have fun allowing him to capture images the big camera won't. In fact he even went so far as to submit his iPhone images for a recent cover shoot and had the iPhone image the art director liked not had an ever so slight blur that would have been the cover shot for the mag.

While it's a good story, and i'm sure it's true... to me it's sad that a "pro" photographer is missing cover-worthy shots because he's shooting with a sub-standard tool. If the shots from the tool aren't good enough to be used for the job he's doing, to me, he's just wasting time and money.

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Lenses / Re: 70-200 f2.8 MkI & Mk II and Extenders

« on: April 26, 2013, 09:21:14 AM »

From having used them, I would say that using an extender with the 70-200 mk1 + 2.0x II wasn't very good. However, mk2 + 2.0x III 3 is phenomenal. I would highly recommend it, even over a 100-400.

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Canon General / Re: Camera Phone

« on: April 26, 2013, 07:08:05 AM »

Nope, wouldn't care. I don't want a phone that's mainly for taking pictures, and has "some phone features thrown in too". I'm fine with the picture quality on my iphone 5 and 5d3, and am happy to keep them separate.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma Announces 18-35 f/1.8 DC HSM Art for APS-C

« on: April 18, 2013, 09:25:09 AM »

Wow, a fast, wide zoom. I may be interested in a 7d2 afterall...