DSLR Video Configuration

In a previous thread we debated how good, or bad, a DSLR was for video compared to other systems.

It occurred to me that, while shouting the pro DSLR video corner I don't use my camera as it came out of the box, when it is actually pretty poor for video.

I was therefore interested how you configure your DSLR for video work as such a beast is IMHO very different to the animal you use for still images.

To start the ball rolling:-

I believe an absolute must is a loupe. It gives a much better view of the screen, it is a third point of contact and (if you must hand hold) it puts the camera in the conventional place so you can point it naturally as you would an SLR.

With Loupes available at around £20 I would suggest this is the biggest assistance to DSLR video after the camera.

I admit I'm a bit of an anachronism in that I've never owned a true video camera, so I don't have a baseline for comparison, but I really love doing video on my T2i. Yes, it's a PITA to manage everything in manual mode, but I compare it to DSLR still photography vs. P&S - it forces me to actually think about what I'm doing rather than just point the camera at something and push the Record button. I agree that a loupe is essential, at least for handheld. Also essential are a good fluid head tripod, Magic Lantern (if your camera supports it), a decent off-camera mic and/or digital recorder, and a variable neutral density filter to control exposure independent of aperture or shutter speed. This is the absolute minimum kit IMO. Everything else is optional depending on shooting conditions, the effect you're after, and how much gear you're willing to lug around. I've toyed with buying rails, follow focus, and all the other "serious" gear, but I fear the "frankencamera" dilemma - so much gear it defeats the advantage of hand-holdability. YMMV.

Mmmm. Just loaded Magic Lantern. First thoughts are it doesn't suck.

John Sims wrote in post #13512471
I believe an absolute must is a loupe. It gives a much better view of the screen, it is a third point of contact and (if you must hand hold) it puts the camera in the conventional place so you can point it naturally as you would an SLR.

Agreed, I would not even consider hitting the REC button without my Hoodman loupe attached - I use the 3x eyepiece, is a little vignetted but focussing is a breeze.

A hand strap is also essential, hold your DLSR like a camcorder, helps eliminate shake and fatigue - which causes shake too.

With a loupe and a strap, you can focus and zoom smoothly with practice, all handheld.

The hand strap is also useful to help steady the camera on a tripod if fast panning sports - pull the camera down on to the tripod helps eliminate shake and tripod jitter.

Well now that I have a proper tripod and FF, I'm believing that is the only way to shoot video with these cameras.

As for actually setting up the HD-DSLR itself, well there are a lot of thoughts on that. Are you talking about the actual CF settings?

agree with chas. a good video/film tripod and a precision focus assist tool, whether it's a follow focus or zip-tie (other thread), are integral as far as i'm concerned. i have a cineroid evf that i lean on quite a bit. it acts as a loupe, is extremely lightweight, and gives me focus peaking and zebras, which i find invaluable. magic lantern, which i think is great, has some of that functionality for free, but the lag always bugged me.

Magic Lantern has some sexy AF motor follow focus but (on my Sigma lens at least) it is so noisy that it would be useless whith anything but tight remote audio.

I agree entirely on the comments regarding a good head and sticks.

Jury is still out on Magic Lantern. It has spectacular facilities but, as I don't intend to use on board audio and the motorised follow focus is too noisy and it annoys me the way the Canon resident information can bleed over the ML. It has some awesomely cool functions but most of the realy good ones are so convoluted to set up that, unless you were doing it all the time, you'd give up before using it.

The best function so far is the shooting notification (we've all missed that shot "starting" to record when it was still recording) also that you can use the shutter button for record.

Damn I wish ML would/could crack the 7D!!!! Dam thing is too closely related to the 1D MkIII and IV in it's firmware. Too bad...

LOCKED DOWN!

I don't use ML's follow focus function. The functions I use routinely are magic zoom, focus peak, and crop marks. Haven't tried HDR and intervalometer functions yet. AFIK, the audio and magic zoom functions alone are worth the price of admission.

ChasWG wrote in post #13521400
Damn I wish ML would/could crack the 7D!!!! Dam thing is too closely related to the 1D MkIII and IV in it's firmware. Too bad...

LOCKED DOWN!

+1. I really wish ML worked on my 7D. It would make adjusting aperture so much easier.

DSLR Video controller is best software for PC software and Hardware editing.DSLRs in particular prove to be a revelation in movie capture: what they lack in video ergonomics and ease of focusing is more than made up for in flexibility and sheer quality.

ChasWG wrote in post #13521400
Damn I wish ML would/could crack the 7D!!!! Dam thing is too closely related to the 1D MkIII and IV in it's firmware. Too bad...

LOCKED DOWN!

And just to rub it in - by moving the video trigger to the shutter button you can also stop/start with the remote lead which you can then mount on your tripod handle or rig grip.

I'll be getting a couple of cheap eBay releases to dissect so that I can create convenient mountings.

Bet you wish you bought a 60D not a 7 now

Oh, and if you insist on using the on board audio (which isn't bad with a remote mic.) you can monitor through headphones......and then there is the auto ramping facility for use with the on board intervalometer, sound or movement auto triggering and a shed load of other stuff including a setting called "Don't click me!", auto restart when the camera gets to its maximum video size, CPU temperature read out, auto white balance set up (very good, I've used that)....it's like a whole new camera.

Must remember to load ML onto all my SD Cards now.

Getting back to the video config i'd like one of those loupes things, constantly getting glares on the LCD which is a bit annoying. Follow focus next on the list

Sickone wrote in post #13522546
Getting back to the video config i'd like one of those loupes things, constantly getting glares on the LCD which is a bit annoying. Follow focus next on the list

Get one immediately. You will wonder how you ever did video without it. Good for using Live View for stills as well.

I just installed magic Lantern on my T2i and i can't believe that i've been without it for this long! Coolest thing so far IMHO is the audio controls. independent right and left! The focus peaking to go with it makes this camera so much more powerful than it was.