TEKNOTE Using video on a DSLR
Here are some first thoughts for beginners on using a DSLR’s video functions.
Forget panning and zooming unless you are fully geared up. Heavy DSLRs wobble when hand held and zooming is jerky when you are forced to turn the lens itself. (Serious users get around this with platform mounts, shoulder mounts and gear systems, which seem to work well but seriously pimp up the camera. Lots of extra weight and cost.)
Internal mikes are hopeless and pick up camera noise. Simplest is a flash bracket mounted quality mike with a dead cat (or kitten): the fluffy thing that cuts down the wind noise outdoors. The mike needs a vibration reduction suspension system. I use a Rode mike. Beyond that it is mixers and mikes closer to the subject or worn (not easy if you are supposed to be 5metres away from wild creatures)or separate sound recording and mixing. Look more closely at the closing credits for sound recording the next time you see a movie.
Also people don’t get that you are recording so they talk anyway and its best not to be too precious about that. If possible record some clear background sound so you can replace the sound of others chatter where needed. I use iMovie on my mac system.
You also need some sort of viewing gizmo. It is really hard to see the viewfinder outdoors and you are filming through live view. At worst carry a hoodman type loupe or better still improvise a way of attaching it to the camera with elastic (there are systems for this). As a bonus with loupe attached you getter better three point bracing as the camera is pushed up against your eye using the attached loupe.
Lastly you do need a good tripod and head (aren’t you sick of hearing that) and need to plan fixed shots for latter editing. Wide scene (recompose), medium shot (recompose), close shot (recompose) etc.
However with a minimum of a separate mike, a good tripod with a suitable head and some planning of shots you can make a good fist of HDVideo that with a little editing can capture some aspects of nature or culture rather well.
see also REFLECTION on still vs video & nature photography
