DSLR Video 101

So here is the situation. Im starting to play with my mkIV's video more and more. I was asked by my fiancee's cousin to do some informal video work for her wedding. But, because of my attitude about my work, I want to do things "right". I know a bit, but not everything. I understand "When in doubt, double the frame rate" and I had always assumed that the lower the frame rate, the more cinematic the video looks (please tell me if I am wrong).

Here is what I need to know:
-Video editing software: I was thinking premiere, but what about converting the video files?
-mic?: What do I need to get the job done?
-Rig?: I can shoot handheld and I have a tripod/monopod, but without a fluid head. If I get a fluid head, I will be putting it on a new set of legs.


Anything else you feel like throwing my way, I would appreciate it.

Thanks all.

Here is a great link to an awesome pdf that I just started reading. It is very informative and best of all, free! No worries about spam. This guy is legit and has some great info in there. Give it a read. I just started last night and have about 50 pages down. Awesome info...

http://nofilmschool.co​m/bcry8f8q9w7vbqtc4c9u​8/

If I were to start over again, I would choose Premier. There's just a bigger user-base for it. CS5 is where you want to be and edit the native canon's .mov.

Start w/ a tripod. Manfrotto 501hdv is a good start.

Thanks Trey. That is what I was thinking. Can Premiere decipher canon's native movie files? How will audio be handled with that?

audio is limited on all canon's dslr except for 5DII. IIRC, 1D mark IV does not have audio level control so you will have noise.

Premiere CS5 can edit the Canon video files as is. No need to convert.
The 5DII, and 60D have manual audio control. I know for certain the MKIV and 7D do not have manual audio, and I also believe the T2i is also limited in this way.

Gotcha. Thanks guys. I got production premiere suite today from adobe. So i guess time to learn how to use it lol.

Hi Dave,

Even though you've made a purchase I thought I'd mention this:

http://www.grassvalley​.com/products/professi​onal

I use Edius Neo 2 Booster with great results. Runs smooth as silk. No need to convert. Just edit the raw .mov file and export. Got it from B&H Photo.

I also use a Azden external mic. An external mic will eliminate camera noise in the audio. IS lens noise is an issue as well - the ext mic will fix this too. There are different kinds of mics, i.e., shotgun and directional. Rode makes some good ones as well. B&H is a good resource for these too.

X2 for Edius Neo 2 Booster. Fast and smooth.
And Sony Vegas.

Final Cut Pro is the industry standard. Audio is handled by a completely seperate crew and does not pass through the camera. It is synced up later with a clap board. We use Sachtler tripods and heads.

All this is probably more than you want to get into but it is really the best solutions.

Final Cut pro is on macs though isnt it? Im a windows based user.

If you want just basic editing, I really like the Sony Vegas. I think there is a nice package for about $125.00

Alright coming back to this... now the discussion is going to be audio and stabilization.

Id like to get a shoulder mount although, it isnt the highest on my list.

As suggested in another thread (not mine) my audio set up was looking as so:
Rode Shotgun mic
H4n (Do I really need the H4n over the H1?)

Total: 448 including shipping/tax

If I went with the H1 I could probably go with some type of stabilization rig of some sort. I thought about the DV tec DSLR Extreme rig. My only concern with said rigs are with focusing. I do not have enough money to get the rig plus a focus follower, so I need to understand how difficult it will be to do focus.

Do you all use FF when using rigs? Do you even use shoulder rigs?

Thanks all...

I have used the follow focus rigs. They are cool looking but not as useful as people would pretend or as useful as a follow focus on a real cinema camera like a Red. This is mainly due to the incredibly small amount of motion it takes to focus with a standard autofocus lens and also how easy it is to shake the camera when moving the follow focus.

Much more useful, and really mandatory if you want to rack focus, is a radio controlled remote follow focus. These are very expensive, however.

I have been pretty much focusing, and not touching it during takes. I did this whole spot without moving the focus:

(No audio, just the video)
http://clientshare.lau​nchmedia.tv …Bully_Preview_N​oAudio.mov

thanks teddy. Im not as worried about the follow focus for the wedding, but it was just something I would ask about.