7D : HD video - some newbie question

Hi

I had volunteered to make an unedited clip which should last about 12-15 mins, and plainly to be uploaded to Youtube later for friends to see. It will be outdoors , at about 7pm and should be in artificial lighted area of a mall.

I was thinking of doing HD video using my 7D.

Given that it is about 12-15mins, I would like to check :

a. Will the 7D spilt the footage into several smaller files ?

b. I have a 32Gb UDMC card. Will this be sufficient size ?

c. The microphone. Would those home karaoke mic be usable and (perhaps) be better for picking up the sound. Is there any special setting that I need to watch out for.

d. Will the IS of my 17-85 lens works during the entire filming ?

e. Assuming that the video clip are too big for Youtube. Is there anything I can do post-production to compress it or something.

Many thanks for your input in advance, this is my 1st serious clip here.

Cheers
Any hints will be welcomed.

a. Will the 7D spilt the footage into several smaller files ?
no, you have to do it, by starting the video once it stops.

b. I have a 32Gb UDMC card. Will this be sufficient size ?
Yes.

d. Will the IS of my 17-85 lens works during the entire filming ?
Yes. I would put it on a tripod. After 5 minuets your hands will get tired and the video will move around a lot. This sounds like it might be an interview? Things might get distracting if the video is moving around a lot. Practice before hand and watch the footage, its not as easy as it sounds, and you don't want to figure that out after you've done the gig.

e. Assuming that the video clip are too big for Youtube. Is there anything I can do post-production to compress it or something.
youtube does it for you. Check out vimeo.

What he said...

BUT

Youtube will reject any file over the size limit, just export your video as a Quicktime using H.264 encoding (you will see these options when you export) and you will be well under the size limit. Oh, and you can only upload up to a 10 minute clip.

EDIT:
Ok here are my tips -

1) Vimeo is great!!

2) if you shoot a lower resolution, like 720, you will get longer (constant) recording times.

JS

Thanks for the tip.

It is some street scene and I will need to pan around. I am not sure if a tripod is possible but will bring along (perhaps a monopod will do). Tired hands, yes, 7D isn't that light.

Vimeo - yes, will check it out too when the file is there. 500mb per week only.

Shoot at lower res. Yes, what is the next best choice for clear full screen online view ? We liked to have good sound and the video mustn't looked like from some handphone clips.

Don't shoot in 720p unless you want slow-mo footage -- that's what 720p is for. You don't normally want to shoot in 60fps either (for non slow-mo). Also, shooting in 720p won't make your files any smaller either even though it's at lower resolution.

jetswing - thanks for the hint. now am playing with the settings.

will set to 1920 x 1080p @ 30

12 minutes should be sufficient

I am still wondering how to set the ISO & WB on the video mode. Seems that pressing the photography-mode's ISO & WB button does not do anything.

something from here http://www.youtube.com …wx5S0jHCk&featu​re=channel

edit : Found about getting to this menu. Still trying to figure things out. ^-^

lensmen wrote in post #11388393
jetswing - thanks for the hint. now am playing with the settings.

will set to 1920 x 1080p @ 30

12 minutes should be sufficient

I am still wondering how to set the ISO & WB on the video mode. Seems that pressing the photography-mode's ISO & WB button does not do anything.

something from here http://www.youtube.com …wx5S0jHCk&featu​re=channel

edit : Found about getting to this menu. Still trying to figure things out. ^-^

Don't think Video. Just set the dial for M (This will keep you out of auto for the exposure, Etc), go into the menu an set your WB for what is appropriate, then set your ISO. You can also set them from the top window. I use the quick menu to get everything at once.

Then when you switch over to liveview and hit the video button, it's already set.

john stakes wrote in post #11383331
2) if you shoot a lower resolution, like 720, you will get longer (constant) recording times.

JS

Can you verify this. I thought that 1080 was 30p and 720 was 60p. Therefore there wouldn't be significant file size differences.

davidfig wrote in post #11390879
Can you verify this. I thought that 1080 was 30p and 720 was 60p. Therefore there wouldn't be significant file size differences.

1080 will also do 24 but aside from that, I can't see where you would get longer recording times or significant file size differences.

jetswing wrote in post #11386094
Don't shoot in 720p unless you want slow-mo footage -- that's what 720p is for. You don't normally want to shoot in 60fps either (for non slow-mo). Also, shooting in 720p won't make your files any smaller either even though it's at lower resolution.

720-60 is also somewhat less jerky during more active shots.

john stakes wrote in post #11383331
2) if you shoot a lower resolution, like 720, you will get longer (constant) recording times.

^^Incorrect

My apologies, you guys are right. Only when shooting 640 x 480 will you get a smaller file size.

peter nap wrote in post #11390242
Don't think Video. Just set the dial for M (This will keep you out of auto for the exposure, Etc), go into the menu an set your WB for what is appropriate, then set your ISO. You can also set them from the top window. I use the quick menu to get everything at once.

Then when you switch over to liveview and hit the video button, it's already set.

What will happen if I set it to P, Av, Tv ? Do i get the controls and semi-automations, similar to shooting stills. It is gonna be an evening outdoor event, but with sufficient street lights. From the video clips, I think ISO no higher than 640.

Likely to use the 17-85IS instead of the 17-40L. Will mount it on a one-leg tripod (i dun have a monopod) for some stability and reduced tired hands.

Hoped it works.... ^-^

If the dial on top is set to ANYTHING OTHER than M you get full auto exposure ONLY in video mode. No Av, Tv, P or other modes you are used to in still modes.

Now, here's how I set up with both the 7D and T2i:

1. Insure I'm in manual mode.

2. Select shutter speed, usually 1/60th or multiple (In PAL regions that should be 1/50th or multiple) so as not to have a flicker or "banding" problem if artificial light sources are in the scene.

3. Select aperture for desired depth of field characteristic (large for shallow zone of acceptable focus, small for a deep zone of sharpness, or something in between). In bright daylight you may need to have ND filters handy to cut the light if using larger apertures.

4. With ISO set to AUTO press the shutter release lightly to make the ISO value the camera wants to use read out on the LCD (if you press enough to take a still picture you can look at that with it's histogram if you know how to interpret them) and manually set that ISO value (using the ISO button on top of the camera).

Manually setting the ISO insures that it won't shift on you as you pan or as lighting or reflectivity of your subject changes. I want this constant and not changing on me.

At this point you can also try shifting the ISO up or down to change the exposure "look" on the LCD for whatever visual effect you want. CAUTION: To do this and be able to evaluate what you are seeing, you ABSOLUTELY MUST use some kind of viewfinder "loupe" to be able to "see" what is on the LCD with any accuracy. You cannot make good judgements if the image you are seeing is subject to extraneous light, a loupe blocks out all that and lets you see the LCD the same way each and every time.

I recommend the Hoodman Cinema Pro Kit for this (http://www.hoodmanusa.​com/products.asp?dept=​1066). $209 might seem a bit pricey but it is the best workable solution currently. I find there is minimal adjustment switching between the 7D and T2i.

Good luck

john stakes wrote in post #11383331
What he said...
Oh, and you can only upload up to a 10 minute clip.

15 minutes

@Bruce Foreman - thanks. I will try your method for a trial run before the actual shoot...

That loope, there are something similar available here but am unsure if I'd like to invest in 1 as yet. Not seriously doing video on 7D as yet. This time was a favour to a friends' request.