irishman wrote in post #10506350
Have you ever been so ignorant on a subject you didn't even know how to ask an intelligent question?
Just about every day of the week, why? 
That's me on video. Just looking for a few insights on using the 5D to do some family video, don't want to get into doing production value work.
Some Random Thoughts:
A lot of the same things apply in video as they do in stills. Normal composition 'rules' still apply but the big difference is that it's all dynamic and not static.
Say you have an element in the corner of the frame. With a still, you simply place it where you want it either by zooming or moving your feet and take the shot. In video, you have to learn to pan, tilt (panning is moving L/R .. Tilting is moving Up/Down) and zoom smoothly all at the same time to keep that object in the same relative place in the frame.
One important tip: When you start recording, always count to ten before you make a move and always hold for ten seconds at the end of the shot. Later in editing, you'll be glad you did! Shoot more than you need and then shoot some more. Nothing is more frustrating when trying to assemble a project than discovering you shot at a .9 to 1 ratio. Shoot 10:1 or 20:1 in terms of what was shot to what you'll use.
Most people zoom too much. "Move Your Feet" applies to video as well as still shooting. A well composed static shot showing the world go by is just as good as a well composed still image so not every shot has to pan, tilt or zoom. Moves in one axis can be creative. A pan accross or a tilt down along a subject is sometimes all you need.
Three key hardware elements:
- Solid Tripod
- Pan Head that allows you to set some tension or drag to work against. Pans and Tilts are much smoother when you have to actually "fight" the head a little bit. Sloppy heads mean moves that don't go where you want them to go, start too choppy and don't stop cleanly. And yes they're pricey but fluid heads are superior. A Wimberly can be used but they aren't built to be used constantly with the tension knobs partially tightened.
- A Zacuto or Hoodman device so you can see the LCD outdoors.
If this shakes loose any specific questions, fire away. Otherwise, I'll shaddup...
. (please leave your gear to me in your will!)
