DSLR Video Tips: Cameras & Lenses

Course details

DSLR Video Tips covers the most common questions videographers encounter when shooting and editing with DSLR cameras, from choosing a frame size and frame rate to understanding moiré. In this installment, Cameras & Lenses, authors Rich Harrington and Robbie Carman help you understand the different camera and lens options available for digital video. Learn about the difference between cropped (or micro 4/3rds) and full-sized sensors, prime vs. zoom lenses, and shooting with a Canon, Nikon, Blackmagic, iPhone, or GoPro. Rich and Robbie also cover basic camera maintenance, and techniques for capturing slow-motion video, matching shots, and getting great footage of products.

Learning objectives
Choosing a memory card and batteries
How to avoid lens flare
Working with a prime or zoom lens
Shooting with a Canon, Go Pro, iPhone, Blackmagic, or Nikon camera
Identifying why footage is out of focus
Cleaning a camera
Shooting slow-motion and time-lapse footage
Getting smooth tracking shots
Recording log footage

Concepts

Introduction

Welcome

What s the Difference between Cropped and Full Sensors

Comparing sensor sizes
Why choose a cropped sensor
Why choose a full sensor

What Speed Memory Card Do I Need

Understanding card speeds
Shooting video
Shooting time lapse

Why Should I Shoot with a Prime Lens

What are prime lenses
Exploring low-light performance
Working with shallow depth of field
Examining cost issues

How Can I Avoid Lens Flares

Avoiding lens flare
Using a lens hood
Using a matte box
Exploring other strategies for avoiding lens flares

What Is a Cinema Camera

Blackmagic Cinema Camera
Things to look out for
Recording with the Blackmagic Cinema Camera
Focusing with a Cinema Camera
Evaluating the shots
Cinema Camera RAW workflow

What Is a Mirrorless Camera

Benefits of mirrorless cameras
Mirrorless workflow
Things to look out for
Evaluating the footage from a mirrorless camera

Why Does My Viewfinder Stop Working

How DSLR viewfinders react when recording video
Understanding live view

Is the Canon 6D Right for Me

Is the Canon 6D right for me
Beneficial features of the Canon 6D
Drawbacks of the Canon 6D
Menu options of the Canon 6D

Why Is My Footage Out of Focus

The dangers of tiny screens
How to set focus before recording

Why Are There Record Time Limits

DSLR recording time limits
Legal limits for video recording

How Do I Rack Focus

How do I rack focus
Using a prime lens
Using a zoom Lens
Using a follow focus

How Do I Clean My Camera

How do I clean my camera
Keeping the lens clean
Cleaning the sensor
Performing a wet sensor cleaning

How Do I Shoot with an iPhone 5s

Shooting with an iPhone 5s
Shooting slow motion
Accessing footage
Assembling footage

How Do I Get Slow-Motion Footage

How do I get slow-motion footage
Setting up slow motion in camera settings
Slow motion in Final Cut Pro X
Slow motion in Premiere Pro
Slow motion in After Effects

Is the Nikon D600 Right for Me

Is the Nikon D600 right for me
Beneficial features of the Nikon D600
Drawbacks of the Nikon D600
Menu options of the Nikon D600

How Many Batteries Do I Need

How many batteries do I need
Power or no power
Other batteries to consider
Strategies for lengthening battery life

Why Does My Exposure Change with a Zoom Lens

Why does my exposure change with a zoom lens
Understanding f-stop
Strategies for dealing with exposure changes

What Is a Pocket Cinema Camera

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
What to look out for
Pocket Cinema Camera workflow
Evaluating the shots

What Is a GoPro

What is a GoPro
The GoPro bodies
Essential GoPro gear
Powering the GoPro
Accessing GoPro menus
Essential menu commands

How Do I Shoot with a GoPro

Shooting with a GoPro mount
Connecting a GoPro remote
Viewing with a remote app
Recording with a remote app
Evaluating the shots

How Do I Shoot Time Lapse with a GoPro

Shooting time lapses with a GoPro
Setting up the GoPro
Accessing GoPro time-lapse footage
Processing GoPro time-lapse footage

How Can I Get Smooth Tracking Shots

How can I get smooth tracking shots
Walking the camera
Using sliders and dollies

How Do I Match Cameras

Matching cameras
Variables
Calibration
Evaluating the shots
Matching log footage
Matching ProRes footage

How Do I Shoot in Small Places

Shooting in small places
Using portable lights
Compact lighting
Lens choices for small places
Mounting the camera
Remote operation
Evaluating the results

How Do I Shoot a Product Shot

Shooting a product shot
Building the backdrop
Using compact lighting
Cleaning the object
Using a macro lens
Using a turntable

What Is Log Recording

What is log
Why should you shoot log
Using a LUT with Dynamic Link
Creating a LUT in Adobe SpeedGrade