http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: low light - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:41:50 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74773 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:18:18 +0000 Ian James Smith 74773@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I am becoming a considerable fan of my Panasonic HDC SD-900, due to its great image-quality; but then, my speciality is natural history, so instead of basketball players screaming up-and-down the court, mine is likely to be crabs, creeping over mudflats ahead of an advancing tide. Also, the SD-900 is not one for 'big-hands' in my experience. And just for the benefits of converts, like myself. If ever carrying this camcorder tripod-mounted, 'between-shots', slip a rubber band around the flip-out screen to secure it to the camcorder body, since, somewhat incomprehensibly, this device has no positive lock, and the implications of it getting caught-up in an overhead branch, don't bear thinking-about.</p> <p> Anyway, you've already made your purchase; so why am I telling-you-this?</p> <p> Cheers,</p> <p> Ian Smith - Dunedin, New Zealand.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74756 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:05:16 +0000 MediaFish 74756@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Charles - I have 30 years experience in shooting sporting events everything from game film to player evaluation film with many game films that have been used to put the player into a college program.  One of the things I have found is that at many of the basketball games I film it is hard to use a tripod in the stands.  The last few years I have been using a mono-pod with much success.  </p> <p>The one thing I tell those who want to film their child's games is that you actually don't really get to watch the game like you think you will.  You need to be watching the camera monitor while recording (i use the monitor rather than the eyepiece).  You need to be able to anticipate the action of the game.  Following a player many times will miss the actual action - you need to become very good at leading the player and anticipating the game.  No need for continuous filming unless you like cutting in post production.  No need to film timeouts or if the ball gets knocked out of bounds (except for the throw in).  Keep the shot wide enough to see the play that is being run but tight enough to see the players numbers - this will come with practice.  SO keeping this in mind you want a camera that has a wide-to-zoom rocker that is easy to get to and easy to use.  You want to be able to gradually zoom in and out without having the zoom or open to wide be a distraction in your recording.</p> <p>Something else to consider is depending on the equipment you use, what format you record in battery life becomes an issue.  You want to make sure you have a backup charged battery with you.  Don't plan on being able to plug in to a power source.  Also make sure you have plenty of media to record to, not only enough to cover the game but a few backup media cards.  The worse thing that could happen is your card goes belly up and no extra card.  I learned this very very early on with tape.  I brought two cassettes certainly enough to cover a football game - sure if one of the tapes don't go bad.  So make sure you have both backup charged battery and extra media cards with you.</p> <p>Feel free to drop me a PM if you have questions.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74750 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:51:41 +0000 vid-e-o-man 74750@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Charles, I haven't any experience with the camera you have chosen but I have heard good things about it. I can give you some info from my experiences shooting my son's basketball games as well as other paying gigs doing same. From my experience, I tried to get to the games early to get a spot as near to center court and at the top level fo the bleachers. Using a tripod (with fluid head if possible but not necessary) will give much better results and save on shooter's fatigue. Set tripod as high as possible to shoot over the crowd. You may have to stand on the top bench seat to see the screen. I tried to shoot from court level but you have to choose one end (offense or defense?) or enlist another camerman. One things that I had to teach myself was to have the camera follow the action and not just my head turning to follow the ball. Start with lens on wide angle and as skill develops you can tighten in on the action. You will probably have to suppress your urge to cheer (or at least inappropriate remarks to the refs). Good luck with your shooting you will probably have a great highlight reel. Keep shooting.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74714 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:40:38 +0000 Brian Katz 74714@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>[quote] Thanks.  I ended up with the Canon XA10.   [/quote]</p> <p> </p> <p>Is it the best Cam , would you like it to recommend it to other also??</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.homemoviedepot.com/services/film/">convert 8mm to DVD</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74704 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:56:08 +0000 kingcharles3 74704@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Yes, I'll be happy to do that. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74685 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:10:35 +0000 EarlC 74685@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Charles, once you've put that Canon through its paces would you be so kind as to come back here and share your personal (objective, if possible ;-) evaluation. I always appreciate hearing from someone with information direct from the trenches regarding the many cameras available. I think others would as well.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74678 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:53:26 +0000 kingcharles3 74678@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks.  I ended up with the Canon XA10.  </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74472 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:29:49 +0000 Bill Bruner 74472@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Charles - most of the prosumer (and some of the pro) camcorders that might meet your needs are small (e.g., <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-G10-Camcorder-Internal-Memory/dp/B004HW7DZM?tag=battleforthew-20">Canon HF G10</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-XA10-Professional-Camcorder-Internal/dp/B004HW7DY8?tag=battleforthew-20">Canon XA10</a>). If you need a camera for big hands, though,I suggest the pro Panasonic HMC-40 for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Professional-AG-HMC40-Camcorder-Optical/dp/B002I9S9PE?tag=battleforthew-20">$1690</a> - or its big brother, the shoulder-mounted HMC-80 for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-AG-HMC80-AVCCAM-Shoulder-Mount-Camcorder/dp/B0045JA8F4?tag=battleforthew-20">$2076</a>.</p> <p>Good luck with your decision,</p> <p>Bill</p> <p><a href="http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com">Hybrid Camera Revolution</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-camcorder-less-than-2k#post-74420 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:47:35 +0000 kingcharles3 74420@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I am looking for a camcorder to record my son's high school basketball games.  Here are some of the features I'm looking for:  a) wide angle lens;  b) that takes good quality videos in low light; c) records in HD;  d)) records onto a card and/or internal memory; e) a large, easy to see LCD; f) a relatively big camera for my big hands;  and g) less than $2k. What do you pros and serious amateurs recommend, please?  </p> <p>Thanks in advance.  Charles.  </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71723 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:42:04 +0000 Kenkyusha 71723@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;That will pose a problem- most zoom lenses are not fixed aperture.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fast (fixed focal) primes can do the trick- a 135mm f2.8&nbsp;can be picked-up for not too much money and may dramatically improve your PQ.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71695 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:18:46 +0000 Original 71695@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>u know what im starting to think, when i wuz unsatisfied with the quality of the picture in low light, the targets are rather far in distance. if i'm 3 to 10 ft from the target oh its beautiful. however when i have my problem if the target is beyond 75ft then it starts to get messy. im wondering whats the science on that. and if there is a way to shoot far targets in low light with little to no noise.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71688 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:10:53 +0000 MediaFish 71688@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Have you checked to ensure you have the latest firmware updates etc?  This past Friday we shot a diner scene at night, rather low light, with a Canon 7D - little brother to 5D, and the video was great, low noise and we couldn't ask any more from the camera.  I think we were at iso 800 and not sure of the f/stop.  Regardless, the video was low noise and looked great.  You might want to run some test using different ISO in the same setting to see if there is a difference in the amount of noise - there should be.</p> <p> </p> <p>I can tell you this - these cameras are hybrids and you have to put the time in to set them up which means doing test shots to see what works best otherwise you don't always get what you are expecting.  We learned that the hardway.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71666 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:19:23 +0000 Original 71666@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>well from what i understand, from youtube and reading a few blogs on the 5d there are certain limitations as far as the control you have over certain setting in video mode such as the aperture. In still mode i have no problem, i set the camera to manual and all the setting respond accordingly, however in video mode if i change the aperture, i dont notice any change in the performance of the equiptment.  Ive seen tutorials that suggest that u have to trick the camera by offsetting the lens fixture. Trust me, i know there is whole lot that i have to learn and i'm by no means doubting what any of you guys are saying, i just want to know am i missing something as far as the settings are concerned other than the camera modes settings that will give me complete control of camera in video mode. (i always keep the camera mode in manual)</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71662 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:26:29 +0000 composite1 71662@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Understood. I also teach photography and most of my students have the latest rigs and a few sport the higher-end Canons and Nikons. That's the standard opening line from my lectures when I hear them say the very things you did. There's a huge difference between your dedicated video camera and the hybrid you're using. Not only do you have to contend with working the video, you must have working knowledge of how a still camera operates. The point we all were making is yes, the camera does have 'auto' settings but they will only get what they were programed to do. Which BTW, will often not be what you need. The way you get around that is learn how the other functions particularly the Manual settings work and what light conditions call for specific settings. You'll never do that in Full Auto. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71654 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:10:55 +0000 Original 71654@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Well, Moderator i wouldn't consider investing in a flip, cuz like i sed a already have and hvx 200,that i can use without experiencing that problem. and although i appreciate your advice on how to invest my money, im ok in that dept. My concern is this 5d, its settings and how to get it to do what i need it to do under certain lighting situations. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71649 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:13:06 +0000 composite1 71649@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><em>"i just think wen u press record on the 5d it does what the hell it wants...."</em></p> <p>That is a massive 'Negative' my friend.</p> <p>If you just want to point and shoot, get a Flip Camera. Don't bother spending all the money for a 5D and necessary accessories. The camera as Grinner said, can only do what you tell it to. Once you understand how the light around you works and the best ways to adjust, it is 'easy'.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71633 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:16:18 +0000 grinner 71633@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> really?</p> <p>It does what you tell it to do, brother. Adjust to the lighting offered and rock on. Doesn't have to be hard.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71630 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:43:39 +0000 Original 71630@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks to everyone who responded, it just seems as if its no easy way. i just think wen u press record on the 5d it does what the hell it wants lol</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71629 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:17:21 +0000 Original 71629@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>@RickS , thank u for your input, however, i must be way off becuz i go no where near 2400 iso setting. i have it at like 320 and i still get grain in the night with no video light, however the scene appears lit as it is accept for the noise.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71620 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:11:08 +0000 Original 71620@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>RickS what lens were u using?</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71553 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:04:30 +0000 MediaFish 71553@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>1. Turn off auto mode.</p> <p>2. Set ISO Speed manually - READ THIS -&gt; <a href="http://terragalleria.com/blog/2011/03/22/best-iso-for-low-noise-on-canon-5d-mk2/" rel="nofollow">http://terragalleria.com/blog/2011/03/22/best-iso-for-low-noise-on-canon-5d-mk2/</a></p> <p>3. ISO settings on the 5Dmk2 does matter just as it does on 50D, 60D, 7D.  As pointed out by Vincent LaForet you should shoot at multiples of ISO 160 on these camera for the lowest noise.</p> <p>4. 2.8 f/stop or less(1.x) a must.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71550 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:53:51 +0000 RickS 71550@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Shoot in manual. Shutter speed of 60 if you're shooting 30FPS. Shutter of 50 if you're shooting 24fps. ISO should be as low as you can go and still get it to read what you need. Noise is a result of shooting at too high an ISO. Anything over ISO3200 is "too much" noise. 2400 should be enough without too much noise.</p> <p>I occasionally blog on the 5D: <a href="http://www.rickseefried.tumblr.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.rickseefried.tumblr.com</a></p> <p>Nightclub vids I shot with the 5D:</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OEHJo4Cv_U" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OEHJo4Cv_U</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GgMi7sfVkY" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GgMi7sfVkY</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_VA4VA0sDY" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_VA4VA0sDY</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71514 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:15:57 +0000 Kenkyusha 71514@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Check ISO, shutter speed and, as the gents above mention,&nbsp;get yourself faster lenses (there are f2.8 zooms, but they tend to be pricey).&nbsp; You can get a&nbsp;nifty/thrifty fifty (50mm f1.8) for around $80 in many places- this will be money well spent for work in low light.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71493 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:49:13 +0000 composite1 71493@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Rob's right. If you're shooting on full auto, turn it off. Do it now. Also, he's right about your lens speed. 4.0 is too low to do low-light work. You'll need a 50mm (normal angle) or better wide-angle lens with a lens speed of 2.8 or better. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71488 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:11:25 +0000 robGRAUERT 71488@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Since I don't have that much experience with HDSLRs, I don't know if you can shoot on automatic settings. If you can, then yes, the camera is probably boosting the ISO, which causes more noise.</p> <p>If you're shooting with full manual control, there are certain ISO settings that are better than others. Use ISOs that are multiples of 160.</p> <p>Also, the 24-105 is an F4.0 lens. Maybe try using a Canon 50mm F1.2</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71464 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:44:39 +0000 Original 71464@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ok im shooting with the 24-105 lens</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/digital-noise-while-shooting-video-with-the-5d-in-a-nightclub#post-71463 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:19:40 +0000 Original 71463@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I shoot video in the clubs and most of the time i use either the hvx 200 or the canon hfs 20. i have no problem with these cameras wen it comes to digital noise due to low light. However, wen i attempt to use the 5d mark 2 no matter what i do, i always seem to get plenty of noise in the video, i see ppl use the 50d 60d and the 7d, i dont know how their footage comes out b.u.t im assuming its coming out better than mine. when i had this problem with the hvx or the hfs i just limited the agc to 9 and that solved the problem, no more noise. i dont know how to resolve this issue with the 5d it seems that the camera is boosting the iso or sumn in order to compensate for the low light however its just making things worse with the noise. Can someone pls help me????????</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/panasonic-sd90-too-much-noise#post-71223 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:12:56 +0000 Kenkyusha 71223@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Unfortunately, HD cameras eat light.&nbsp; There might be some mode changes that you can make while shooting in low-light that may redeem at least some future shoots-things like&nbsp;decreasing shutter speed make a huge difference.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/panasonic-sd90-too-much-noise#post-71208 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:14:34 +0000 spiross 71208@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I am completely new to video editing, and I started by buying a panasonic sd 90 which was what my current budget would allow me (+ batteries sd cards tripods etc). </p> <p>Before purchasing I read some reviews (all where good to excellent) and I researched some sample videos online, all of which looked pretty good for a cam of this budget.</p> <p>Now that I use it though, have noticed that the camera produces allot of noise, even in bright light- which is not very visible after the video is compressed, so I did not notice on the samples I watched online. Videos taken after dark, even in relatively well lit environments (such as bussy bar streets) are pretty useless. Is this normal for such a camera? I am bluffed because I thought it would produce at least decent videos.</p> <p>Thanks allotÃ? </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/gh2-as-good-as-5d-mark-ii-video#post-69947 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:57:00 +0000 Reynand 69947@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>wow, that's a great suggestion.  but i'm looking at HD.  i wonder if there are any other camcorders with such low 1 lux.  HMC150 has 3 lux; i was considering this.  i'm was surprised even that the sony nex-vg10 is as high as 11lux for a 23.4 x 15.6mm Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor. </p>