HDSLR 101 #4: Setting up your HDSLR for shooting video

In episode 4 of HDSLR 101 we discuss how to get your camera ready to shoot video. Getting the right memory cards, batteries and settings.

[RielWoodBoards]

i love your website. i look at it every day

[NextWaveDV]

@Rolwhite The Canon's use a FAT32 filing system. FAT32 by it's nature can only recognize up to 4GB of data at one time. That's why computers couldn't break 4GB of RAM until 64bit processing came along. 4GB of recorded video at 1080p is roughly 12 minutes. Unfortunately, there is no way around that right now. You can hit record again as soon as the camera stops recording and you'll only have a second or two break...assuming your camera doesn't have any problems with overheating.

[NextWaveDV]

@BruckThatsMe Yes, one of the firmware updates for the 5D added manual audio control.

[Rolwhite]

wow Tony thanks for the fast reply, and the great info.

[NextWaveDV]

@kuunami Yes. HDSLRs are not the best cameras for long event videography. It can be done, it's just more difficult. When shooting weddings, it's good to have a 3 or 4 camera shoot so you have lots of cuts to edit between. That way when one person has to create a new clip, hopefully another person has a shot you can cut to.

[NextWaveDV]

@lastcomicleft Check out episode 2 of HDSLR 101 where we talk about the differences between the models. I would pick the 60D if you only want it for video.

[roathripper]

@NextWaveG Hi, thanx. I checked it out and it looks verrry sweet. Maybe another gamechanger!

[SXK]

Great Vid guys, but feel the need to mention that I've always used the cheapest 3rd party batteries I cud find online and had no problems whatsoever when filming for long periods of time, with or without the battery grip. I may be the exception but thats been my experience with my T2i.

[lastcomicleft]

@NextWaveG thanks for the reply, i actually do photography right now, so i want a camera that can do both, i've been hearing that the 5d is the best to do both jobs. i will check out episode 2. thank you!

[SXK]

"In-camera sharpness is the devil, it makes all you images just look like crap" - Philip Bloom I couldnt explain it to you, cuz you're right: make no sense whatsoever, But thats what I was taught and have always implemented with great results.

[radgiegadgie]

Thank you for the great advice, well explained! :)

[NextWaveDV]

@daveiskelly You can record more than 12 minutes of video, just not longer than a 12 minute clip.

[musguelha]

Sharpness doesn't really affect it directly but you want to get the flattest file possible. All colour, contrast, and sharpness should be modified of camera because algoritms on PC are much better that the ones on your little camera.

[roathripper]

@Jokker88 maybe ur workshopping a piece of improvisation, directing actors and operating camera, but for the most part, , yes, i take your point.

[mrd]

@AtlasHugged7

I just listened again and turns out he said sharpening loses details. I trust him!

[JannisKaske]

you'll need to sharpen it later in post, this will give you much better results

[ItsRyanStudios]

@jaysenstudios It's better to have a few smaller memory cards instead of one large one because if on the rare occasion the files on the card become corrupt, you'll lose a smaller amount of footage/ images than if you have them all on one big card.

[vidsontherun]

There is also import tax from a length over 29 mins for video recording. MK3 has an estimate up to 29mins of recording time.

[beauchampy]

3:55 for what you actually need to know.

[J]

As I understand, the sharpening is actually something separate from being in focus, and is an algorithm applied to captured images, which takes away from the 'film look'. This video >> /watch?v=pf_3gX_Z6Lo << does a good job of explaining over-sharpening. Hope that helps!