p.15 #1 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
n8rv wrote:
Thanks! I decided to skip the 35mm (for now) but might also consider adding it in the future. Definitely getting the 85 if and when it comes.
Another not-so-exciting video testing focus rack and breathing with the 24mm:
Nate,
Nice focus racking, I can't see any appreciable focus breathing. Did you do the racking by touching the back screen?
Rudy
p.15 #2 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
artsupreme wrote:
Well, I set a deadline for myself of Feb 1st to try and get something exported from Resolve and I missed it by a few days. But last night I was able to finally export a mashup of some of my clips from Indonesia. This is in no way a final edit, but simply a sample test for a youtube quality check as I've never uploaded anytihng to youtube. I would normally never upload a sample that's nowhere near complete but I figure this is progress for me to have finally have finished the whole process from Davinci import to Youtube upload. Some notes:
- The note about 4 men becoming true surfers is an inside joke to a few friends
- After uploading I see I have an aspect ratio issue which was the purpose of this test
- There was no stablization done and I was filming handeld on a boat so that explains some of the shakiness
- You can see the rivers of trash at the beginning which are flowing into our oceans on a daily basis
- The music thing is going to kill me and probably prevent me from sharing on youtube. I'm super picky with music for my slideshows as it's just as important as the visuals. Like Howie said above, I don't see myself searching for free music that I like as I already have my favorite music that I want to use and it won't be allowed on Youtube. IMO, the music/audio is what brings the edit together as I will be syncing my cuts to it and pacing the clips with music, so this will be tough to do for Youtube. As for this sample I just added a place holder chant to run for the whole 16 minute test
-Learning Davinci is quite fun. I still have no idea what I'm doing in there but at least I know the basics of how to cut/arrange clips now. As for color grading, I'm totally clueless and need to learn how to use the color tab so I can dial in the footage. I used a bunch of different color settings in this video for different scenes. Anyone know if there's a way in the color tab to put the playead on one frame and then scroll through the different luts wtih a simple L/R key stroke? Right now I'm having to click on each lut thumbnail for a preview and I'm hoping there's a more efficient way to scroll through Lut previews.
Anyway, the goal of this sample clip was to watch it on a large 4K TV to check video quality and it looks pretty good on my TV's. My TV adds a lot of contrast so I'll have to navigate how to process for viewing on different devices. I'm going to leave it up for a few days for some friends to watch and then probably take it down and start learning the things I need to start a final edit. It's long and repetetive but definitely serves it's purpose for a quality check on a large TV. If anyone has a chance to view on their large TV let me know your thoughts on video quality. Changing the youtube settings to 4k (2160) is key as Youtube defaults to 1080p for most players. The audio is going to be quite a task to figure out but for now you can mute it or play your own music instead of the place holder chant I have in there.
"TOAL" is a term I use for "trip of a lifetime"...little did I know it happens to be the name of a goth band on Youtube
Gear used:
R5, R5II, DJI Mini 3 Pro, RF 70-200 2.8, RF 14-35
Clog2 & Clog3
24fps and one clip of 120fps
4K DCI (during the process realized my drone doesn't match this format so I need to learn how to change in Davinci)
This 16 minute 4K export only took about 5 minutes on a baseline M4 Macbook Pro that I used for this. Uploading to Youtube took almost an hour for a 5.87GB file. Not sure if I'm exporting the correct format but that's it for now.
There were so many different things I wanted to comment on and ask about in my first response to your video that I forgot some. I remembered today that I forgot to ask about how you prevented the sky highlights from blowing out especially in your many sunrise/sunset clips? They look great by the way. You didn't mention an ND filter in your gear list. Also, are you able to set the drone exposure to protect the highlights?
Your drone footage and action99's has got me thinking again about the possibilities for the future. Problem is as I understand it, drones and wildlife don't play well together.
p.15 #3 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Brett,
There were so many different things I wanted to comment on and ask about in my first response to your video that I forgot some. I remembered today that I forgot to ask about how you prevented the sky highlights from blowing out especially in your many sunrise/sunset clips? They look great by the way. You didn't mention an ND filter in your gear list. Also, are you able to set the drone exposure to protect the highlights?
Your drone footage and action99's has got me thinking again about the possibilities for the future. Problem is as I understand it, drones and wildlife don't play well together.
I think I suggested you get a drone somewhere along the way being that you can fly when the birds aren't around. And, depending on how much of a purist you are, you can fly with the birds if you are okay with it. And you might even get an eagle or similar attacking your drone. There's just a lot of cool things you can shoot from the air that will supplement your video. For example, once you feel content you've got everything with your R5 from the ground, then you send the drone up and if the birds fly away or move then it doesn't matter as you've already gotten the footage you want. But you can also fly above them or next to them for some really cool footage. And you can also shoot RAW photos as well.
As for exposure, yes I used ND filters but on this particular drone it's more difficult to manage exposure due to not having an aperture. On the bigger Mavic Pro line they have a better camera and aperture which make it very easy to control exposure, but I sold mine after getting the Mini because it's just so easy to travel with. There were a couple times I blew out highlights and I was completely aware at the time, and just didn't feel like flying back to the boat to change ND's.
I could have changed SS but like I said before I refuse to break that rule as I'm after cinematic footage. I'm happy with the results for it being from a mini that can be had for less than $500. If the new Mini 5 Pro has a 1" sensor and aperture it will be the ultimate drone IMO. But right now checkout how much you can get a used DJI Mini 3 Pro for as that is what I used. The Mini 4 is the same drone with a better obstacle avoidance but not necessary unless you are flying in trees often.
Wind is a factor for any drone, especially the minis.
p.15 #4 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Nate,
Nice focus racking, I can't see any appreciable focus breathing. Did you do the racking by touching the back screen?
Rudy
Thanks, Rudy.
Yes, the focus racking was done by touching the back screen. I should mention also that I had to change the AF mode to 1-Point (Locked). Otherwise the Servo AF really had a mind of its own and totally different ideas about what to focus on.
p.15 #5 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
artsupreme wrote:
I think I suggested you get a drone somewhere along the way being that you can fly when the birds aren't around. And, depending on how much of a purist you are, you can fly with the birds if you are okay with it. And you might even get an eagle or similar attacking your drone. There's just a lot of cool things you can shoot from the air that will supplement your video. For example, once you feel content you've got everything with your R5 from the ground, then you send the drone up and if the birds fly away or move then it doesn't matter as you've already gotten the footage you want. But you can also fly above them or next to them for some really cool footage. And you can also shoot RAW photos as well.
As for exposure, yes I used ND filters but on this particular drone it's more difficult to manage exposure due to not having an aperture. On the bigger Mavic Pro line they have a better camera and aperture which make it very easy to control exposure, but I sold mine after getting the Mini because it's just so easy to travel with. There were a couple times I blew out highlights and I was completely aware at the time, and just didn't feel like flying back to the boat to change ND's.
I could have changed SS but like I said before I refuse to break that rule as I'm after cinematic footage. I'm happy with the results for it being from a mini that can be had for less than $500. If the new Mini 5 Pro has a 1" sensor and aperture it will be the ultimate drone IMO. But right now checkout how much you can get a used DJI Mini 3 Pro for as that is what I used. The Mini 4 is the same drone with a better obstacle avoidance but not necessary unless you are flying in trees often.
Wind is a factor for any drone, especially the minis....Show more →
Thanks for the info. I'm not much of a purist and would be quite happy to have my drone, should I get one, fly with, over, under or beside the birds.
I just watched a video by a middle-aged drone guy with a lot of experience who sounds credible and he recommends the DJI mini 3 Pro for first-time drone buyers/users.
Do you use the RC controller? If not which controller do you suggest I consider?
I recently bought a 4K colour-accurate monitor so the budget has been blown for a while, but I'm excited.
p.15 #6 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Thanks for the info. I'm not much of a purist and would be quite happy to have my drone, should I get one, fly with, over, under or beside the birds.
I just watched a video by a middle-aged drone guy with a lot of experience who sounds credible and he recommends the DJI mini 3 Pro for first-time drone buyers/users.
Do you use the RC controller? If not which controller do you suggest I consider?
I recently bought a 4K colour-accurate monitor so the budget has been blown for a while, but I'm excited.
Rudy
Rudy,
Yes, use the RC controller for sure. Most every used drone for sale listing you will see comes like new with either the "fly more kit" or just the drone and RC controller. They can be had for less than $500 and some of them have only been flown a couple times. You can ask for the flight history log to see if it's been used a lot (high mileage). The Mini 3 Pro with RC controller is exactly what I would buy if I didn't already own it. I've owned all top of the line DJI drones since inception, but the mini is the one that changed that pattern as it convinced me to sell my Mavic 3 Pro. I miss the aperture but nothing else. The Mini 5 Pro is rumored to be announced soon, so if that happens used prices of the Mini 3 and Mini 4 should take a hit. Here's a couple listings that were sold here on the B&S:
p.15 #7 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
I'm a big fan of the Mini series, good image quality, very portable and the big plus it is way less regulated in Europe as you can fly it almost everywhere even over people.
I wish it would have aperture control, I'm very disappointed that even the new Air 3S 1 inch camera does not have aperture, boy my old Phantom 4 Pro had it in 2017!
A slightly used Mini 3 Pro is a great value, I also prefer the integrated RC. Make sure that it comes with NDs.
I have a Mini 4 Pro as I need 360° obstacle avoidance as I use it a lot to film myself on MTB tours but for the rest the 3 Pro is more than adequate.
p.15 #8 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
n8rv wrote:
Another not-so-exciting video testing focus rack and breathing with the 24mm:
Thanks for the video! Super tempting for me as I continue to consider whether to trade in my 24-70 2.8L for a 24 VCM to complement my 35 VCM (50mm is covered by 1.2L and 1.8, and 70mm is covered by 70-200 2.8L).
But the other thing I do want is a wider angle prime. If they did a 16mm or 20mm VCM 1.4 I'd probably buy that and just keep my 24-70.
p.15 #9 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
action99 wrote:
I'm a big fan of the Mini series, good image quality, very portable and the big plus it is way less regulated in Europe as you can fly it almost everywhere even over people.
....
I have a Mini 4 Pro as I need 360° obstacle avoidance as I use it a lot to film myself on MTB tours but for the rest the 3 Pro is more than adequate.
Hey action99, what a fantastic video this is!
Is that you on the mountain bike and are you actually filming yourself with a drone?! Holy smokes, that is crazy amazing!!!
How did you do that?
p.15 #10 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Carlo_M wrote:
Thanks for the video! Super tempting for me as I continue to consider whether to trade in my 24-70 2.8L for a 24 VCM to complement my 35 VCM (50mm is covered by 1.2L and 1.8, and 70mm is covered by 70-200 2.8L).
But the other thing I do want is a wider angle prime. If they did a 16mm or 20mm VCM 1.4 I'd probably buy that and just keep my 24-70.
Funnily enough I just sold my 24-70 F2.8 L for similar-ish reasons.
Loved that lens but it felt redundant (and heavy) once I had these two VCMs - plus I've always preferred primes to zooms, even if it means changing lenses more often.
I also have the 70-200 F2.8 L to cover that mid-tele range. Though I definitely want to pick up the 85 VCM if and when that's unveiled. Maybe in that case I'd also consider trading the 70-200 for something like the 100-500 - though I'd miss the portability. And I don't know that I have a big need for anything much longer than 200, to be honest.
p.15 #11 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
This Bald Eagle had quite a journey after catching a fish and making its way to a far away tree. Several eagles tried to steal the fish, and many chased it. If you watch from 1 1/2 minutes on, you will get to see the hundreds of other Bald Eagles in the trees along the Illinois shore. Just when you think you have seen them all, there are more and more! I was there and took the video and was surprised when processing it how many there actually were. The Mississippi River is 2000 feet wide here, and the Eagle is maybe 1500 feet away when it catches the big fish. Then it gets further as it makes it way to a very tall tree further away. The frozen river limited open water for the eagles to fish. Below Lock and Dam 21 at Quincy, Illinois on Jan 20, 2025. Extreme temperature had a lot of thermal interference and distance effecting the quality of the video. Actual flight time is about 53 seconds, but slowed to one fourth speed, makes the video 3 1/2 minutes. Canon R5 MKII RF200-800 4k 120 fps Davinci Resolve.
p.15 #12 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
dj63401 wrote:
This Bald Eagle had quite a journey after catching a fish and making its way to a far away tree. Several eagles tried to steal the fish, and many chased it. If you watch from 1 1/2 minutes on, you will get to see the hundreds of other Bald Eagles in the trees along the Illinois shore. Just when you think you have seen them all, there are more and more! I was there and took the video and was surprised when processing it how many there actually were. The Mississippi River is 2000 feet wide here, and the Eagle is maybe 1500 feet away when it catches the big fish. Then it gets further as it makes it way to a very tall tree further away. The frozen river limited open water for the eagles to fish. Below Lock and Dam 21 at Quincy, Illinois on Jan 20, 2025. Extreme temperature had a lot of thermal interference and distance effecting the quality of the video. Actual flight time is about 53 seconds, but slowed to one fourth speed, makes the video 3 1/2 minutes. Canon R5 MKII RF200-800 4k 120 fps Davinci Resolve....Show more →
Dave, what an interesting video watching what this Eagle had to do to eat his meal in peace! Amazing that you could successfully track and keep the focus locked on this bird all that time over such a distance. Well done!
Rudy
p.15 #13 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Hey action99, what a fantastic video this is!
Is that you on the mountain bike and are you actually filming yourself with a drone?! Holy smokes, that is crazy amazing!!!
How did you do that?
Rudy
The recent DJI drones have a quite good Active Track, you select yourself on the screen, set the angle, altitude and distance and you go. It is smart enough to change angle, distance and altitude depending how the terrain is, and this is where there is the biggest difference with 360° obstacle avoidance of the Mini 4 Pro vs the 3 Pro, Flip, Neo etc it can track you parallel, in front etc and even change position.
As you can see, I have the remote mounted on the handlebar so I can setup the drone but also from time-to-time check if it is still with me.
One trick is to wear something flashy and that has completely different color that the rest of the image so he can track you better.
It is not perfect, but I have done even 10+ minutes of continuous tracking that it means a few km. One stupid thing is that the return to home point is where it starts... so if he sees that is short in battery he will try to go back that could be quite a distance. You can in the menu set a new home point, but it should keep the remote as home point.
In this video at 1:25 you can see how good is reading the terrain and avoid crashing into the hill.
p.15 #14 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
action99 wrote:
The recent DJI drones have a quite good Active Track, you select yourself on the screen, set the angle, altitude and distance and you go. It is smart enough to change angle, distance and altitude depending how the terrain is, and this is where there is the biggest difference with 360° obstacle avoidance of the Mini 4 Pro vs the 3 Pro, Flip, Neo etc it can track you parallel, in front etc and even change position.
As you can see, I have the remote mounted on the handlebar so I can setup the drone but also from time-to-time check if it is still with me.
One trick is to wear something flashy and that has completely different color that the rest of the image so he can track you better.
It is not perfect, but I have done even 10+ minutes of continuous tracking that it means a few km. One stupid thing is that the return to home point is where it starts... so if he sees that is short in battery he will try to go back that could be quite a distance. You can in the menu set a new home point, but it should keep the remote as home point.
In this video at 1:25 you can see how good is reading the terrain and avoid crashing into the hill. ...Show more →
p.15 #15 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Dave, what an interesting video watching what this Eagle had to do to eat his meal in peace! Amazing that you could successfully track and keep the focus locked on this bird all that time over such a distance. Well done!
Rudy
Thank You Rudy!
A few places were a little softer than I liked, but I probably look more critically than most to my work.
Dave
p.15 #16 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
action99 wrote:
The recent DJI drones have a quite good Active Track, you select yourself on the screen, set the angle, altitude and distance and you go. It is smart enough to change angle, distance and altitude depending how the terrain is, and this is where there is the biggest difference with 360° obstacle avoidance of the Mini 4 Pro vs the 3 Pro, Flip, Neo etc it can track you parallel, in front etc and even change position.
As you can see, I have the remote mounted on the handlebar so I can setup the drone but also from time-to-time check if it is still with me.
One trick is to wear something flashy and that has completely different color that the rest of the image so he can track you better.
It is not perfect, but I have done even 10+ minutes of continuous tracking that it means a few km. One stupid thing is that the return to home point is where it starts... so if he sees that is short in battery he will try to go back that could be quite a distance. You can in the menu set a new home point, but it should keep the remote as home point.
In this video at 1:25 you can see how good is reading the terrain and avoid crashing into the hill.
That is quite a video showing the tracking capabilities.
Very nice.
I would not want to backtrack up that hill to retreave a drove, so I can see why that feature would bug you.
Dave
p.15 #17 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
The tracking technology has come a long way (skydio drones used to dominate) but it only works if you have a wide open area like Action99's clip. It's cool to track yourself if you don't have a pilot when the terrain allows for it. Once you get into an area with any trees or obstacles the drone starts getting confused and will either lose tracking, hit a ghost branch, or do something very funky that you would not include in an edit. This happens with the top of the line drones so obstacle avoidance does not prevent this. A pilot will still do a better job in all other scenarios as the tracking features make unwanted yaw movements that you don't usually want in drone footage.
As for the return to home feature on low battery I agree it's not cool and has caused many near heart attacks when flying over water in the past. The drone would continually try to override the pilot and return to its home point which for me was right into the saltwater. The new drones make it easier to update the home point to the controllers, but it still needs work.
p.15 #18 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Been watchig a few beginner Utube videos for Davinci Resolve, I have a question, when you have your inital clip in Video 1 of the project timeline, and then put a B role clip on Video 2 which is on top of it, how will it play back, when you have more clips on Video 1 after your inital clip, that has B role on top?
Perhaps the question is how does Video 2 or for that matter even Video 3 get injected to the main time line of Video 1 ?
p.15 #19 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
IndyFab wrote:
Been watchig a few beginner Utube videos for Davinci Resolve, I have a question, when you have your inital clip in Video 1 of the project timeline, and then put a B role clip on Video 2 which is on top of it, how will it play back, when you have more clips on Video 1 after your inital clip, that has B role on top?
Perhaps the question is how does Video 2 or for that matter even Video 3 get injected to the main time line of Video 1 ?
I'm just a beginner but if I'm understanding your question correctly it's just whatever clip is on top of the stack will play.
