The Beginners' Guide to DSLR Video
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The Beginners’ Guide to DSLR Video DSLR video guidebook EOS CAMERAS WITH HD VIDEO Canon first launched HD Video capability in the FULL HD VIDEO AT 1920X1080 PIXELS FULL HD 1920X1080 RECORDING EOS 5D Mark II camera of 2008. Since then, All models (as of mid-2016) except the EOS LIMITED TO 20 FPS it’s found its way into nearly every subsequent- Rebel T3 do offer full 1920x1080 video reso- The EOS Rebel T1i model (only) was limited ly-introduced camera. EOS cameras with HD lution; the Rebel T3 shoots its high-definition to a slower 20 fps frame rate when set to video capability (as of mid-2016) include: video at 1280x720 (sometimes called “720p”). its highest video recording resolution; at • EOS-1D X (all); Mark IV The EOS 5D Mark II does not offer this reduced resolution, it operates at a faster, 720p setting. smoother 30 fps. • EOS Rebel T4i~T6i • EOS 5D Mark II, Mark III 60 (OR 50) FPS VIDEO RECORDING We’ll discuss how resolution and frames-per- • EOS Rebel SL1 AT REDUCED RESOLUTIONS second settings work later in this document. Most recent Canon EOS DSLRs offer a high- For now, we simply want to distinguish be- • EOS 7D (all); EOS 6D er frames per second (fps) rate at the 720p tween some of the features in different EOS • EOS Rebel T3i, T3 resolution. Recording at 60 fps (or 50 fps, if models with HD video capability. Finally, there • EOS 60D~80D camera is set to the “PAL” system) gives very is no way to upgrade an earlier EOS model to smooth rendering of any movement in video; make it record HD video, if it doesn’t already • EOS Rebel T1i, T2i it can be played back at either this smooth have the capability built-in at the factory. 60/50fps, or at a web-standard 30 fps. The Not every model has the same capabilities and landmark EOS 5D Mark II does not offer video features; some of the differences include: 60/50 fps recording when set to 640x480. 2 The Beginners’ Guide to DSLR Video SETTING UP FOR VIDEO EOS 5D MARK II EOS-1D MARK IV; EOS-1D X CAMERAS WITH LIVE VIEW–VIDEO SWITCH This is the trickiest camera to switch from 2nd set-up Menu > Turn outer ring to the red still-image shooting to HD video shooting, Live View/Movie Func settings video icon. Mirror will rise although it’s a quick procedure once you (EOS-1D X—4th shooting Menu) and LCD monitor goes live. know the way. Unlike most other EOS HD- Press START/STOP button SLRs, it’s a menu-driven system: Press SET button (rear of camera) to begin video recording; 2nd set-up Menu > Scroll to LV (still icon/movie icon) settings; press again to stop. New Live View/Movie func settings Press SET video file is created each time video recording is started with START/STOP button. Press SET button > Scroll to Movies. Press SET button. scroll to LV func setting To actually record video with the EOS-1D Mark VIDEO SETTING ON MODE DIAL Press SET button. IV, press the SET button (rear of camera) to activate Live View. You’ll hear the mirror go Turn the Mode Dial to Scroll to Stills + Movie; up, and the LCD monitor will display what the the video icon. Some EOS Press SET button camera now sees through the lens. Press the models have a separate Scroll to Movie Display; top-mounted FEL button (it’s right next to the video setting on the Mode Press SET button shutter button) to start video recording; press Dial. Turn the dial here to the FEL button again to stop. set the camera to be ready This prepares the EOS 5D Mark II to shoot to record video. video. To actually record video, press the LIVE VIEW button (just to the left of the viewfinder); Press the rear button with Live Viewing off the LCD monitor will start. red dot icon to begin video Then, to actually record, press the rear SET recording; press again to button. A small red icon appears in the upper- stop recording. right corner of the screen to indicate live recording is taking place. Press SET again to stop recording. VIDEO SETTING AT ON–OFF SWITCH On many EOS models, video shooting is accessed with the camera’s main On– Off switch. A video icon appears past the ON setting—move the switch to that position to raise the mirror and have the camera ready to record. Press separate record button with red dot, usually on back of camera, to actually be- gin recording; press it again to stop. 3 The Beginners’ Guide to DSLR Video SENSOR SIZES VIDEO RESOLUTION SLR IMAGING SENSORS WHAT IS RESOLUTION? Video shot at 1920x1080 and then played A huge advantage of the imaging sensor in a Simply stated, it’s the number of pixels used back directly on an HDTV looks absolutely digital SLR is its size. Compared to the sensors in a video frame in its finished image. Video fantastic, especially if the TV is a true Full of even a high-end video camera, a digital SLR’s files are recorded with EOS HD-SLRs at HD 1920x1080 type. sensor is far larger. This means the quality and any of three available settings, depending even the basic appearance of video files with on the model: The catch with Full HD 1920x1080 video is HD-SLRs are different from those recorded that the files will be massive in size, even if with traditional pro-level video cameras—let Full HD 1920x1080 you edit and save them in a more highly-com- alone compact amateur camcorders. This is the highest resolution available for pressed file type. They’re often far too large most EOS HD-SLRs (as of mid-2016), and for internet use on commercial web sites, and Low-light sensitivity it matches the highest normally-available beyond what can be used on some popular Since the sensor is so much larger, each pixel HDTV resolution of today’s flat-screen TVs. video web sites. can be a lot larger as well. As pixel size on an Furthermore, it matches or exceeds the reso- imaging sensor grows, all else being equal, its lution of many laptop computer monitors, as Furthermore, if you plan to burn DVD disks, light-gathering sensitivity grows as well. This well as most digital projectors used for pre- be aware that most consumer-level DVD isn’t terribly important in bright outdoor light- sentations and similar applications. players can’t read high-resolution video files. ing, but in dim lighting indoors, it can be a Beyond that, true Blu-Ray disks—the only real significant advantage. There’s no question that 1920x1080 Full HD high-definition disk type now in common use— And you’ll see that EOS HD-SLRs have a tre- video has a wonderful clean, detailed and usually require specialized disk-burning soft- mendous ability to record excellent quality sharp look when viewed on a compatible ware, special disk-burning “drives” dedicated video in dimly-lit conditions, with far less output device. As the highest resolution to Blu-Ray production, as well as a true Blu- need to introduce additional artificial light setting for video recording with EOS Ray disk player for viewing. into the scene. Digital SLRs often have far cameras, it makes sense in situations higher ISO abilities, vs. professional digital such as the following: HD 1280x720 cameras, making them ideal for available - • Video files you know you want to burn This is still considered High Definition video light recording. to Full HD Blu-Ray™ disks or similar in today’s world, and actually a very commonly- super-high resolution disks used setting in many of the HD broadcasts we Depth-of-field watch over the air today (regardless of the The larger the imaging sensor, the less ap- • Videos where you want the option to actual resolution of our HDTVs). It’s practical parent depth-of-field will result at similar be able to edit and deliver a finished for several reasons for HD-SLR shooters who distances and lens coverages. This means product that can be reproduced at the are recording video: it’s far easier to throw backgrounds out of highest possible output quality • The files still have lots of information in focus with an EOS HD-SLR than it usually • Video files to be displayed at high- is with a traditional video camera. them, but are at least slightly smaller in est resolution (normally) possible file size, a benefit for storage and possi- on web sites bly editing time at the computer later. 4 The Beginners’ Guide to DSLR Video • They’re ideal for certain HD online One is the internet. Whether you’re uploading FRAMES PER SECOND, OR FPS video sites, and still represent a good a finished video to many typical photo & Video recording is a series of individual still starting point for files you intend to video-sharing sites, shooting video for your images, or frames, shot and then displayed at reduce in size for final actual use. friend’s business web site, or any similar a fast enough sequence that our eyes and brain • Many EOS HD-SLRs let you shoot purpose, remember: the vast majority of perceive them as continuous moving images. at 1280x720 using higher frames per web-based video today is still at resolutions EOS digital SLRs can record video at various second rates, such as 60 or 50 fps.