6D video for sports

[cheeseheadsaint]

With the 6d on its way, I definitely want to try using video. I know the 6D is not the best option for shooting sports video -but that's ok. Mainly I will use the 6D for sports stills. But I still want to make the most out of shooting video on the 6D.

I am not sure what settings to use. I've read some articles and old threads and came to the conclusion that probably 30fps at 1/60 is better than 24fps at 1/50 for sports. I've read some articles that recommended higher shutter speeds. And then there's the question of aperture settings. Since there is no autofocus in video, how would I go about doing that manually? Any tips? Or should I just use a large depth of field(what would be good? is f/4 too shallow? would f/8 be better?)

And settings for the video itself. It seems that a lot of sites are recommending to lower contrast, saturation, and sharpness and then "grading" it in post. I have Adobe Premiere Elements that I haven't touched(included on my computer). Can anyone give me a dummies version of grading? I'm used to editing exposure and stuff in lightroom so any analogies to that would be awesome!

[Marsu42]

Since there is no autofocus in video, how would I go about doing that manually?

What you want is focus peaking, it's included in Magic Lantern. ML also includes a lot of tweaks for video, be sure to check their (slightly over-moderated, but helpful) forum and ask the video guys there who are very intimate with the optimal settings & workflow: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/

[tat3406]

Since there is no autofocus in video, how would I go about doing that manually?

What you want is focus peaking, it's included in Magic Lantern. ML also includes a lot of tweaks for video, be sure to check their (slightly over-moderated, but helpful) forum and ask the video guys there who are very intimate with the optimal settings & workflow: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/

Where to download ML for 6D?

[cheeseheadsaint]

If I used a small aperture and bumped up the iso to compensate for the light loss... would I be able to zoom in and zoom out without any worries about focusing?

[sjschall]

If I used a small aperture and bumped up the iso to compensate for the light loss... would I be able to zoom in and zoom out without any worries about focusing?

That will depend on the lens. Some lenses change focus as you zoom, some don't as much. I doubt you'll be able to avoid focusing altogether -  rack focusing on DSLRs for video is a bit of a learning curve if you're not used to manual focus but it's not too bad. Definitely stop down the aperture a bit to help. The best advice is to just try it. Get used to focusing and trying different settings. Video on these cams is so much fun. You'll enjoy it

[cheeseheadsaint]

so I'm watching Canon's 6D tutorial video on Basic Video Operation and it says it has Live Face Detect mode during movie record where it tracks the face!

So the 6d has continuous AF but only for faces?

[sjschall]

The 6D can't continuously auto focus anything. The 70D can.

[Marsu42]

Since there is no autofocus in video, how would I go about doing that manually?

What you want is focus peaking, it's included in Magic Lantern. ML also includes a lot of tweaks for video, be sure to check their (slightly over-moderated, but helpful) forum and ask the video guys there who are very intimate with the optimal settings & workflow: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/

Where to download ML for 6D?

It's in alpha stage atm, but a lot of people are using it w/o major problems (so am I):

http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5530.msg37766#msg37766
https://bitbucket.org/OtherOnePercent/tragic-lantern-6d/downloads

[cheeseheadsaint]

so what is the face tracking during video, then, if it's not continuous AF?

[candc]

you get continuous af on all the modern dslrs in video mode i think,  its just that some do it better than others, the 70d has dpaf so you can rack it and it will go to focus with no back and forth zeroing. 

cheeseheadsaint, there is still hope, if we get rodgers back next week and win out? who knows?

[sjschall]

so what is the face tracking during video, then ... ?

It keeps track of the face and tries to refocus every couple seconds. It hunts a lot and it's not smooth at all.

[candc]

i tried the 6d in live view mode and its very basic. if you are going to be using af in video mode or just plain live view for stills then get a 70d, its orders of magnitude better in that regard.

[cheeseheadsaint]

Thanks guys! lol candc I always keep hope.

I still know nothing about color grading and how to go about doing so in Premiere Elements?

[candc]

Thanks guys! lol candc I always keep hope.

I still know nothing about color grading and how to go about doing so in Premiere Elements?

It sounds like you have a 6d  on the way, might have it now? also sounds like you are interested in video. By your nickname i reckon you are in wisconsin. I live in wautoma. I will loan you a 70d if you want to try out and compare.

[cheeseheadsaint]

I go to college in Philadelphia but from Florida actually. But wow thanks for the offer! 


The 6D has arrived in FL but it would be a little over a week before I'll actually get to touch it! As I've never explored video before, definitely am interested.

As for my username, I was first introduced to football in high school by a die-hard Saints fan and one of the first games I watched was a Packers game. I was supposed to be rooting for them because it would somehow help the Saints move up. Anyways then came that fateful Super Bowl day. my friend wanted me to root for the Steelers but I refused. We even bet on it! and you know how the story ends.