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Cameras and Other Equipment in Video Production, (Adjusting Settings …
Cameras and Other Equipment in Video Production
What are recommended cameras, audio equipment, lighting equipment and editing equipment in video production?
:
Recommended Cameras:
Types:
Smartphones, webcams, DSLRs, mirrorless, pro-cinema, action cameras, drones.
Factors to Consider:
Image quality, lens options, features (manual controls, focus, stabilization, viewfinder), audio capabilities, media type, battery life.
Popular Models: Canon EOS series, Sony Alpha series, Panasonic Lumix series, Blackmagic, GoPro.
Suggestion
For Professionals:
Pro-cinema cameras, Camcorders (HDV, SSD), Specialty cameras (e.g., Action cameras, Drones)
For Enthusiasts/Content Creators:
DSLRs, Mirrorless cameras
For Beginner/Casual Use:
Smartphones, External Webcams
Recommended Audio Equipment:
Microphone Types:
Lavalier, shotgun, studio, stereo, USB.
Essential Mics:
Lavalier/Lapel, Shotgun/Boom
Additional Options
Studio Microphones, Stereo Microphones, USB Mics, Audio Recorders
Factors to Consider
Directionality, sound quality, compatibility.
Popular Models
Rode NTG series, Sennheiser G3/MKE series, Shure SM7B, Blue Yeti
Recommended Editing Equipment
Computer
Specs like RAM, processor, graphics card are crucial.
Computer Software:
PC
Adobe Premiere Pro, Filmora, OpenShot, DaVinci Resolve.
Mac
Final Cut Pro, iMovie.
Mobile Apps
CapCut, KineMaster, InShot.
Additional Software:
After Effects (motion graphics), Audacity/Audition (audio editing), Camtasia (screen recording).
Motion Graphics & Effects:
After Effects, Blender
Audio Editing
Audacity/Audition
Screen Recording & Editing
Camtasia, ScreenFlow, OBS Studio
Recommended Lighting Equipment
Types
DIY kits, professional LED panels, reflectors, gels.
DIY Solutions
Paper lanterns, Work lights with clamp
Professional Lighting
LED Panels (e.g., Litepanels, Aputure), Kino Flo Kits, Lowel Kits
Lighting Accessories
Reflectors, Gels, Gaffer Tape
Factors to Consider
Light temperature, controllability, portability.
Popular Brands:
LiteGear, Fiilex, Kino Flo, Lowel.
What are the common types of video cameras?
1.Digital camcorder
Point-and-shoot video camera
3.DSLR Video camera
4.mirrorless video camera
Professional- Grade Camera
Sports and action video camera
Camera Drone
What are the basic video accessories and DSLR kits?
Basic Video Accessories
Jibs
Jibs
This is a smaller version of a crane.
It is a boom device with a camera on one end of it.
It operates like a see-saw.
But with the balance point located close to the counterweight, so that the camera end of the arm can move through an extended arc.
Monopods
It is also known as a unipod.
It gives a one-legged support for a camera.
An excellent way to support a camera as it can be carried around.
Tips on using a monopod
Stand with your own legs about 50cm apart and have the monopod in front of you so that your body forms a triangle with the monopod.
Hold the top of the monopod firmly but not too tight, using the wrist strap to anchor your grip.
Camera Rigs
This is called the shoulder rig, as you can see in the picture that it has a shoulder pad to support the whole assembled device.
It is a modular piece of equipment used to extend the usefulness of a camera.
It accommodates additional shooting styles, allowing for additional gear to be mounted safely or for smoothing out the motion of the shot.
Dollies
A wheeled cart or similar device used to create smooth horizontal camera movements.
Two types of camera dolly:
Lightweight dolly systems are more simple and affordable, and are best used with lighter-weight cameras. The operator needs to move alongside as these systems support only the camera.
Studio dollies are large and stable and can feature hydraulics. They are used with professional cameras. A specialised operator called a "dolly grip" (refer to Task 1 Question 4) could ride on the dolly with the camera.
Sliders
The slider has a movable “carriage” that you can attach directly to your camera.
It is commonly used with a smaller camera.
You can also attach it to a tripod head between your camera and the carriage for more panning and angle options.
It makes the camera movement smooth and avoids shaking.
Techniques:
Pushing forward
Panning while sliding
Single axis movement
Panning and tilting while sliding
Tilt the slider
Tripods
Three- point stance tripod is very stable.
To get steady and jitter-free shots.
More stable and versatile.
Support and stand for a camera.
Stabilizers (Gimbals)
To hold a camera in a manner that prevents unwanted camera movement.
The best feature of it is its “stability”
Camera Support:
Hold cameras, of varying sizes, in order to ensure a smooth and steady recording.
Balance:
When loading a camera onto a thin pole, which is how most camera stabilisers are designed, you need something to adjust the balance, so that it doesn’t tip over.
Shock Absorber:
Most camera stabilisers take measures to ensure that the stability of your recording is not rattled by any bumps.
Lightweight and Convenient:
The designs of camera stabilisers are meant to make it easier for whoever is recording, that is why their rigid structure is also light and equipped with certain measures to ensure comfort.
Cranes
It is a large piece of equipment that can move a camera from a very low angle to a very high angle.
Most cranes accommodate a camera and an operator.
Used outdoors or in a huge studio to capture top-angle shots.
DSLR Kits
Microphones
An external microphone is used rather than the built in camcorder microphone to record high-quality audio.
It picks up sounds more clearly and accurately.
Monitors
The footage can be viewed on the spot.
Most monitors in the market are HDMI cable ready.
Matte boxes
Matte box
It is used to cut down unwanted lens flares.
It allows for easily changeable filters in front of the lens.
You can use one when needed only as in if you need filtration or the flares of the lens and the profile.
However, a matte box shows the “real film” more than perhaps any other accessory, which is why a large portion of filmmakers run around with one attached to make it look legit.
Follow focus
It is a mechanical system which connects to the lens and can control it.
The video camera can now be focused using a larger side knob.
This helps the focus of the camera better.
Rail systems
Rail systems
A rail system is the foundation upon which all kinds of video equipment is mounted.
The equipment includes the camera and some sound equipment, follow focus adjuster, matte box, additional displays and interfaces, lights, batteries, shoulder mount, tripod mount, and even teleprompter.
The rods come in standard sizes (15mm or 19mm) and are arranged in standard configurations with respect to the centre of the lens.
It is strong enough and it can support a large variety of smaller cameras and bigger cameras as well.
Cages
Protection: The benefit of a cage is the added protection for your camera a metal shell will provide.
Follow Focus: Moving the focus ring whilst recording will create camera shake, so to minimise this you can attach a follow focus to the bottom of the cage using a rail attachment.
Improved Handling: Attaching handles above or on either side of your camera body provides smooth camera operation. A cage gives you all the necessary connection points for these accessories, and you can select which ones are going to be most useful depending on your shoot.
The camera cage is an important tool and specific to the camera body.
It is an open metal casing for the camera with multiple screw threads for attaching other accessories.
It is a quick release and a height adjustable cage which fits a smaller DSLR.
What are the contributing factors in choosing a video camera?
How to adjust the settings and exposure of your video camera (shutter :speed, aperture, ISO)?
What is white balance? Why is white balance important in a video?
DEFINITION:
A camera control that ‘adjusts the colour’ of the image by changing the camera’s colour sensitivity to match the current surrounding lights
FUNCTION:
To adjust the picture by taking into account the colour temperature of the light.
To instruct the camera computer on how to interpret the colours it sees.
Incorrect white balance can cause colours that are too warm (red) or too cold (blue).
COMMON TYPES:
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Flash, Tungsten
COLOUR TEMPERATURE:
Colour temperature is recorded in kelvin, the unit of absolute temperature.
Each type of light has a numerical temperature.
Adjusting Settings
balance the 3 element for proper exposure
Creative effect
exposure setting for artistic purpose
Exposure Triangle
control brightness and image quality
Ex: slow shutter for motion blur
Aperture
: Control depth of field and light entering camera
ISO
: Control sensor sensitivity to light. Determine sensor sensitivity and noise level
Shyutter Speed
: Control motion blur and light entering camera
