Hi guys! Canon Video question for all of y'all!

[MI6gunny]

Hi, this is my first post in this forum, and I hate it to be a classic "I'm having a problem" thread but my problem solving is going almost no where so I figure there has got to be honest people in the forums right? Anywho, here is the deal, I've been trying to shoot video off of my Canon 60D. As a stills camera it works nicely, but as a video camera, I have no clue where to begin. My research indicates that the Canon 60D is a popular video camera especailly in the realm of Youtube partners. I have yet to be able to pull good video off of the thing so I was thinking perhaps the issue was my post production workflow or operator headspace. So from shooting, it goes into my computer, where I use LR3 to import the stills and it also imports the video too. I use the software Canon provided with the 60D to import and export the video files where it goes to be edited in Windows Movie maker. My other question is, what is your work flow, and why is it setup like that? Thank you and have a nice day
--
D. Fortune

 

[ScottyNV]

Hi, your question is a bit nebulous, and the 'correct' answers depend on precisely 'what' you are looking for or trying to do.

I use a 5D2 for mostly stills, but the occasional video clip.

You say the 60D is 'popular' with the youtube set... what specific type of video are you looking to shoot? Are you wanting to make 'movies' or are you wanting to capture kids playing and make a DVD for Aunt May? The techniques are different for each, and demand a different set of skills to make work.

Remember that Depth of Field with the 60D is shallow compared to a 'video camera' and focus REALLY needs to be done manually - yes, it WILL AF, but likely not on what you want it to!

A tripod is pretty much a REALLY good idea, or a stabilized lens... otherwise you will get plenty of 'blair witch project' type of shots which do not generally make for good movies.

A plan, a plot, script, storyboard... these are all great things to have, regardless of the camera you are using..

We need more detail from you on what you are trying to achieve in order to give any sort of reasonable and productive advice.

S.
--
beam me up captain, there's no intelligent life down here!

 

[MI6gunny]

Okay, I am a stills photographer, I shoot video ocassionally to toss into a slide show or that kind of thing. My style is more documentary, and I have no prior experience with video. What keeps happening is that I get corrupted video files, or I can't get the video unto the DVD. Any ideas? anywho, I am also looking for a good video editing software for the PC platform

Hi, your question is a bit nebulous, and the 'correct' answers depend on precisely 'what' you are looking for or trying to do.

I use a 5D2 for mostly stills, but the occasional video clip.

You say the 60D is 'popular' with the youtube set... what specific type of video are you looking to shoot? Are you wanting to make 'movies' or are you wanting to capture kids playing and make a DVD for Aunt May? The techniques are different for each, and demand a different set of skills to make work.

Remember that Depth of Field with the 60D is shallow compared to a 'video camera' and focus REALLY needs to be done manually - yes, it WILL AF, but likely not on what you want it to!

A tripod is pretty much a REALLY good idea, or a stabilized lens... otherwise you will get plenty of 'blair witch project' type of shots which do not generally make for good movies.

A plan, a plot, script, storyboard... these are all great things to have, regardless of the camera you are using..

We need more detail from you on what you are trying to achieve in order to give any sort of reasonable and productive advice.

S.
--
beam me up captain, there's no intelligent life down here!

--
D. Fortune

 

[troutbum96013]

Here is how I do the post processing. First, I keep it simple and use Windows Live Movie Maker. Its easy and free. One thing to keep in mind is that the video will not look quite perfect until its finally rendered and saved for DVD. Ok, so lets start.

1. import the clips you want to use. Once they are all imported, arrange them the way you want. You can play each clip to see whether you want to keep it, delete it, or rearrange it.

2. once the clips are in the order you want, click on "animations." I keep it simple and use as blur/fade transition and use it on all of the clips. You can get more creative once you get the hang of using the software. You can adjust the duration of the transitions, too.

3. here is a nice addition to add. look in your clips for some moving action. then, place your cursor on the first frame, the click on edit under video tools at the top of the screen. under "speed", click on the diamond and then click on 0.5. that will give you some slow motion. its fun to play with this speed adjustment going either way, fast or slow.

Once you have all your clips arranged and with the transitions, animations and effects, click on title, and add a title and credits. You may have to rearrange the title and credits as they don't always land where you want.

4. Play the whole video to see if you like it. If so, great, and if not, edit some more. Once its done, its time to add music.

5. click on "home" and then place your cursor at the beginning of your video. click on "add music." find some music you like and insert it. Once the music is added, click on "options" under music tools at the top of the screen. Music tools will not be there until you add music. in options, adjust the various options and then click on "project" to adjust the audio mix between your video audio and the added music/audio.

6. play everything back and once you are satisfied, I save by clicking on the far left, and then I save it again by clicking on the far right under "save movie" and I always save at the highes setting, which is "for high def". you can always save another copy at a lower rating later.
that about covers it. good luck.

 

[harrygilbert]

You mention not being able to "pull good video" from your DSLR, but don't explain exactly why you do not consider it "good". There are a number of elements that are essential to "good" video production. I use my 1D4 to make training videos. Here are some points to consider:

1. Adequate and even lighting (don't mix sources, such as tungsten and fluorescent)

2. Camera on a tripod. If you need to move, make a series of clips, moving the camera between clips. If you must follow a moving subject, you need a fluid head and possibly a follow-focus attachment. If you must traverse the camera while recording, do it slowly.

3. Don't shoot wide open, use a smaller aperture to get enough DOF so subject movement does not cause loss of focus

4. Control extraneous noises, and if possible, use an external microphone. This is especially important to avoid pickup of IS noise.

5. Shoot more than you think you'll need; it's easy to cut extra, and not so easy to add after the "set" is broken down and the actors dispersed.

As far as PP, I use either Sony Vegas or Techsmith Camtasia to assemble the clips into a final product. I usually separate the audio from the video, and process that separately to even sound levels between clips and remove extraneous sounds. Use of a Hollywood-style "clapper" at the start of each clip helps synchronize the audio and video after audio refinement. Both of the software products I mentioned allow selection of appropriate codecs and output formats, which are determined by the distribution method and media (web vs. DVD vs. computer kiosk display).

Hope this helps.

 

[MI6gunny]

Thanks!

Here is how I do the post processing. First, I keep it simple and use Windows Live Movie Maker. Its easy and free. One thing to keep in mind is that the video will not look quite perfect until its finally rendered and saved for DVD. Ok, so lets start.

1. import the clips you want to use. Once they are all imported, arrange them the way you want. You can play each clip to see whether you want to keep it, delete it, or rearrange it.

2. once the clips are in the order you want, click on "animations." I keep it simple and use as blur/fade transition and use it on all of the clips. You can get more creative once you get the hang of using the software. You can adjust the duration of the transitions, too.

3. here is a nice addition to add. look in your clips for some moving action. then, place your cursor on the first frame, the click on edit under video tools at the top of the screen. under "speed", click on the diamond and then click on 0.5. that will give you some slow motion. its fun to play with this speed adjustment going either way, fast or slow.

Once you have all your clips arranged and with the transitions, animations and effects, click on title, and add a title and credits. You may have to rearrange the title and credits as they don't always land where you want.

4. Play the whole video to see if you like it. If so, great, and if not, edit some more. Once its done, its time to add music.

5. click on "home" and then place your cursor at the beginning of your video. click on "add music." find some music you like and insert it. Once the music is added, click on "options" under music tools at the top of the screen. Music tools will not be there until you add music. in options, adjust the various options and then click on "project" to adjust the audio mix between your video audio and the added music/audio.

6. play everything back and once you are satisfied, I save by clicking on the far left, and then I save it again by clicking on the far right under "save movie" and I always save at the highes setting, which is "for high def". you can always save another copy at a lower rating later.
that about covers it. good luck.

--
D. Fortune

 

[MI6gunny]

Thank you it does, I have been having issues at almost all steps, some of them problem solved though. I will take your advice however. I was just wanting to streamline the workflow and possibly make it easier to make batches of dvds

You mention not being able to "pull good video" from your DSLR, but don't explain exactly why you do not consider it "good". There are a number of elements that are essential to "good" video production. I use my 1D4 to make training videos. Here are some points to consider:

1. Adequate and even lighting (don't mix sources, such as tungsten and fluorescent)

2. Camera on a tripod. If you need to move, make a series of clips, moving the camera between clips. If you must follow a moving subject, you need a fluid head and possibly a follow-focus attachment. If you must traverse the camera while recording, do it slowly.

3. Don't shoot wide open, use a smaller aperture to get enough DOF so subject movement does not cause loss of focus

4. Control extraneous noises, and if possible, use an external microphone. This is especially important to avoid pickup of IS noise.

5. Shoot more than you think you'll need; it's easy to cut extra, and not so easy to add after the "set" is broken down and the actors dispersed.

As far as PP, I use either Sony Vegas or Techsmith Camtasia to assemble the clips into a final product. I usually separate the audio from the video, and process that separately to even sound levels between clips and remove extraneous sounds. Use of a Hollywood-style "clapper" at the start of each clip helps synchronize the audio and video after audio refinement. Both of the software products I mentioned allow selection of appropriate codecs and output formats, which are determined by the distribution method and media (web vs. DVD vs. computer kiosk display).

Hope this helps.

--
D. Fortune

 

[harrygilbert]

FWIW, I use DVD Architect (which came with my Sony Vegas Platinum). Works well, and you can save / reload / edit project files, so once you have an arrangement worked out, it is easy to duplicate with different content.

 

[MI6gunny]

Roger that, I will get that with vegas in that case. Thanks for your time eh?
--
D. Fortune