Archive 2013 · shooting video with 5dmk2

gnod
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · shooting video with 5dmk2

hi all,

i was hoping this would be the appropriate area to ask my questions as i didn't see a specific video thread area.

i'm traveling to cambodia at the end of july to visit some orphanages and wanted to create a video documentary to share with others.

i was already looking into investing into a fast prime lens.. likely either the 35 or 50mm 1.2 but was wondering if anyone has any experience with shooting video with these 2 lens? i believe neither of them have IS which i think is pretty important for shooting video. i'll be shooting with a monopod most of the time so i guess the IS will be much helpful.

any feedback and experiences shared will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

May 25, 2013 at 11:47 PM

jefferies1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · shooting video with 5dmk2

I have only shot video with a tripod so I can't help. I bet you can find several comparisons doing a YouTube search.

May 26, 2013 at 02:22 PM

Ravitej
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · shooting video with 5dmk2

I would take a 24-105 IS for all around exteriors and bring a much wider lens for tight interiors. 16-35 2.8. Or 17-40 if the F4 works. I find it does for most things. Possibly get a Rode VideoPro Mic ($229). Very compact carry, it will make a huge difference for audio. It's good to have a shotgun mic to focus on the speaker or child and filter out much of the other sound. Small room echo is harder to remove in post and a shotgun mic will help a lot. You can also obtain the optional boom, wire and Micover Windscreen with the Rode VideoPro (around $100 Amazon) That will further up the quality and professional feeling of the end product. For shooting video in the orphanage the 24-105 will probably do well. I find using it more and more for video. But you may also have to enter very small rooms and need something really wide. And glad you had the 16 or 17. The Rode Video Pro will work well for interviews. I have also shot many times using a monopod because of space and time with interviews. Just practice bracing yourself against walls, chairs and such. Become part of the monopod. And get a good quick release for the monopod. And a monopod that adjusts fast. Sometimes you have to suddenly wing it without anything but your steady hand. Practice that as well.

A Zoom H4n can also be an option for creating a mini sound recording system. It's a bit more set-up and not as good for "run and gun" journalism type of shooting. But for music it can be nice. And you can record both into the camera and the H4n for later post sync. The shotgun will also plug into it for 4 channel and more serious shooting. From there it's more costly options that get into production shooting that require more than one person.

Best wishes!

May 26, 2013 at 09:30 PM

Ravitej
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · shooting video with 5dmk2

BTW. I also created an interview "rig" for the iPhone using the Rode VideoMic Pro, iPro Schneider wide angle lenses, audio adapter cable and a simple flash bracket to hold it all. Great for small spaces and quick interviews. Shockingly good quality for what it is. Fits in coat pockets. Also have a small led light that fits on the bracket for low light interviews. After seeing a POTUS briefing where all the reporters raised iPhones, started experimenting with a mini-sized interview rig. It works better then one might imagine. Especially if the final product is online and not on the big screen.

Just saw a movie named Girl Raising that used Canon DSLR cameras. The Regal Cinemas CEO was one of the sponsors and so it was shown for a week at all their theaters. Not absolute motion picture quality, but fine enough for a good documentary.

May 26, 2013 at 09:57 PM

gnod
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · shooting video with 5dmk2

^ dang.. thanks so much for all that info!!!

to be frank - i am a complete noob with video and sound. Probably photography as well compared to most pros on here. haha but I looked into the Zoom H1 and for what I'm looking for seems to be the safest bet? I'll likely be interviewing the main organizer of the orphanage during the day outside. I can't be certain of weather but from what I hear it's hot without much wind. I'll still be bringing a wind reducer (unsure about the technical name) and a small tripod for the zoom h1.

a note on the zoom h1 - i read that you can sync it with the dslr (i have a 5dmk2) via the 3.5mm with some minimal sound quality loss. would you recommend this method? or just use the zoom h1 independently and sync it post prod?

thanks so much!

May 26, 2013 at 10:38 PM

Ravitej
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · shooting video with 5dmk2

Any Zoom straight into the camera works better if you have the attenuator cable. http://www.pinknoise-systems.co.uk/Pinknoise_25db_35mm_90deg_Attenuated_Cable--product--556.html The Zoom has a pretty hot signal that can overwhelm the camera. Pink Noise in the UK has one that works very well. Specifically made for the Zoom and the Canon. I bought mine online and had it sent to the US. No difference from buying it in the US. Then you put the camera on manual and turn it way down. Almost to zero. Then run the Zoom through the attenuator cable at about 80. Nice signal and the low setting on the camera almost bypasses it's lesser audio circuits. That gives nice clean sound right on the camera and clip. I do that all the time and achieve fine audio.

So you plug the zoom into the camera via the out/headset 3.5 with the cable in-between. Set on manual in the camera and check your levels with a sound check. You can do that before. And then set the zoom up or down according to it's levels. You get used to doing it a little blind with experience. There is no headset on the zoom as you are using it to connect to the camera. The Canon 5D Mark III added a headset monitor and audio adjustment just for this. One of the reasons to move to a Mark III. You can also record on the Zoom at the same time. And if the camera audio is not quite right, sync the Zoom's in post.

There is a mount from the UK that also isolates the mics from the focus, IS and handling of the camera. Good thing to have. http://www.thomann.de/gb/rycote_portable_recorder_suspension.htm?sid=5cbb40d9e78dde4d79b579d32fac335d

For a wind screen on a Zoom highly recommend a Red Head from Hawaii. http://www.redheadwindscreens.com . They work very, very well for any kind of air movement. I also recommend the original red. It's like the tally light on a camera. Wow, red. What's that for? Microphone. Oh yes, of course. Lights, camera, action. Once you stick a microphone / Zoom with a red head windscreen on a 5D, you look like a pro. People will sit up and take notice. And act appropriately. It's amazing what you can get people to do if you look and act with confidence like a pro with a big camera and microphone. This is what a lot of the photojournalists from entities like the Guardian UK use.

All things I have found to make what could seem like an amateur video into a nice film. Audio is at least 50% of the success of a video. If you have bad audio with brilliant video it's not appreciated. If you have great audio with OK video it's still a winner. Make sure the audio is well covered.

May 27, 2013 at 02:31 AM


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