Advice on Shooting Movies

I only once took video pictures from my Canon T2i (550D) camera, so I don't know a whole lot about it.  I only wanted to see what it would look like, but I wasn't really interested in video.  But later using video could be something to pursue.  What I've read is that the STM lenses should work well with your Canon T4i (650D) camera, but again I don't have any first-hand experience with that system.  It sounds like the best Canon video DSLR camera/lens combination is the Canon 70D with the STM lenses, but one of the newer Rebels with the STM lenses might work out good too.  At least that is what we hear.  I hope someone sees your post and can help you.

Merry Christmas.

Thanks, neither am 1 really interested in using the camera for video at the moment. I used it only because it was there and we wanted a family video.

I am intersected in knowing how to make better use of it next time though.

I feel compelled to answer this query because a lot of people don't take video in this forum and I take as much video as with still pictures. Video is very different from still photography because it shows actual movement, the size of the subject, the changing colors, the drama and most especially the sounds that we capture from the people,from the event or animals, etc. which could project different human emotions. People's reaction from video is very different from still photography especially years after when people in the picture are gone. It is priceless! But that is only my opinion.

I am not an expert or pretend to be. I only suggest things according to my own experience. The first step is to set your camera to Auto. When you become proficient then you can always experiment with Manual setting. I am still using Auto because my only aim in taking pictures whether still or video is to capture the moment. You can select 1080p/25 if you are using PAL system or 1080p/30 for NTSC. The 1080p/24 is used to get cinematic effect. I check the net for the meaning of "cinematic" effect and was more confused than informed. So I assumed "cinematic" means "hollywood" effect but since I don't see any difference between 30 and 24, I use the 1080p/24 for boost my confidence but nothing more. There is nothing much to set for video. You can set the sound to manual or auto. I set mine to manual to get more sound. Some experts suggest that for AF method, tracking is better so I set mine to tracking. The last setting is to make sure you set your camera to Movie Servo AF. Using a monopod is also very important in reducing jerkiness or shakes. The difference between a good video and a bad video is practice- the more time you do it better you become. Good luck.

Thanks,

I had the f stop/DOF equation the wrong way round, that's pretty basic.

I did think to turn AF on and off as required I am concerned about it hunting whenever I turn it on. At the moment, fiddling with AF is just one more distraction at the moment, hopefully I will become familuar enough with the procedure over time.

The AF on my current lenses is MUCH too noisy. I have my eye on the Canon 20 mm or 24 mm STM lens.

Frlee wrote:

From what I've seen, if your subjects are moving in and out too much, your focus will flip out (even with the STM lens). DSLRs don't seem to be there just yet in terms of continuous auto-focus.

That has been my experience as well. The AF will suddenly start hunting made all the worse by a noisy lens motor. At least an STM lens would be quieter The Canon blurb for the STM 22 talks about smooth silent focussing for movies.

Thanks Wilba.  I saw the first part of the three parts of video picture-taking.  Then I actually looked at my manual again.

Next this evening, I attempted some video again.  Even with my Canon T2i (550D) the video was pretty good.  I did not shake the camera and moved it around very slowly.  I did listen for the focus noises with my non-STM lenses.  But the video quality was very good despite the (sound) noise.  I can see some of the newer Canon DSLR cameras with the STM lenses could turn some of us into videographers.

To see the MOV files on the computer, I loaded the Canon software that came with the camera.  I didn't know if there was a better way to see and edit video from these cameras, but that worked for me.

WilbaW wrote:

I've just added links to three videos on Canon's YouTube channel in the Where can I learn more about shooting video? section of the unofficial Rebel Talk FAQ. Let me know if they're any help.

Thanks, that was very useful. There are so many options, knowing where to start is a big help.

I think that I will start with A+ and AF, using the touch screen to set the focus point and see where I go from there.

Any thoughts on lighting? I think that the Manfrotto 36 LED array is more effective than the single LED Speedlite 320EX.

I am thinking of investing in a prime STM lens, if for no other reason that it will be quieter. I get the impression that they are supposed to be stable for movie shooting as we'll. I think test I saw a 22mm at a reasonable price.

I did mean to ask about zoom. There is plenty of official advice from a Canon not to use zoom while shooting but an STM zoom lens would provide more flexibility even if you don't zoom while shooting.

So the 18-55 STM manages tp focus reliably?

Sorry, I meant the 18-135. I will probably get the 18-55 mainly on price. It obviously provides more flexibility than the 22mm prime.

As for zooming in mid shoot, I won't tell Canon if you don't. In fact I will try it myself. I assume that Canon doesn't want to be taken to task if focus isn't maintained 100% focus during zoom.

Thanks again. When I graduated from university 43 years ago, stepper motors were the new thing. STM refers to stepper motor technology I believe.

Thanks for really helpful replies.

I went out and purchased the 18-55 IS STM. It solves the focus noise issue but sill gets out of focus (and hunts) at times when presented with big change in subject distance. At least it does this silently now.

With a nominated focus point to track under realistic conditions I am guessing that it will cope.

I did some zooming and it does loose focus at times then regains it. I assume that Canon recommends against using zoom during a shoot so that they don't have lots of complaints To deal with

I have pretty much decides on QuickTime Pro over Ex Browser because it allows you cut segments anywhere out of a video clip, not just the beginning and the end, for example to remove out of focus segments. It also allows you export to a lower resolution so that I can shoot in full HD all the time and export to a lower resolution for web posting.

The Rebel Talk FAQ page is very good by the way. I have book marked it for future reference.