Shooting Video on a DSLR Q&A
Hey everyone. Just thought I’d try and start a forum topic dedicated to shooting video on a DSLR. There is a lot of information on the Internet about the pros and cons and tips and tricks about using DSLRs for filming, as well as recommended equipment to buy and how to get set up.
Prior to buying my first DSLR set up at the beginning of the year I spent about 4 months researching all this information. Rather than browsing the Internet for hours on end, like I did, feel free to post any questions in this forum and I will try and answer your questions as accurately as possible, and also give my advice and recommendations.
Great idea for a thread. Thanks, Tom!
Is the canon 550d any good for recording? I’m deciding whether to get that or the Nikon D3100. Does the 550d have manual focusing whilst you are recording? what are your thoughts? Also how well do these cameras do in low light? can you also use the flash as a light source when recording?
Is the canon 550d any good for recording? I’m deciding whether to get that or the Nikon D3100. Does the 550d have manual focusing whilst you are recording? what are your thoughts? Also how well do these cameras do in low light? can you also use the flash as a light source when recording?
The Canon 550D is a great entry level DSLR for filming. I own a Canon 7D which is about $700 more expensive, but from what I’ve read the quality of video doesn’t differ between the two model, just the build of the camera and a few other features. The 550D also has the ability to shoot at 50 and 60fps, like the 7D, so it’s great for taking slow motion shots (as long as you have the right editing software).
At the moment all Canon DSLRs have manual focus only. This is good and bad, as you have full control over what is in focus in your shot. It’s not too dificult to get used to always having to manually focus your shot, however it does take a bit of practice, especial when your subject is moving away and towards the camera. You always have the option to auto-focus your shot before you start recording, but the auto-focus is disabled once you hit the record button. The Canons also have a nice function where you can zoom in very far and tweak your focusing so you get it just right. I could be wrong but I think there is a Nikon DSLR on the market with auto-focus, but it didn’t get great reviews. Personally I would go with manual focus until the camera companies develop better auto-focusing.
DSLRs kill in low light. Way better than your standard handy-cam and even better than some of the high end video cameras. To get the best shots in low light you’ll need a lens with good apeture, so a ‘f’ value of f/1.4 or f/2.8 would be much better than a lens that is f/4 for example. Unfortunately the lower the ‘f’ value of a lens, the more expensive. You can always increase the ISO settings on the camera but this increases ‘noise’ and reduces the quality of the picture.
I’m pretty sure a flash won’t work. You would need to by external lighting in this case. Some compact external lights can be fitted to the ‘hot shoe’ on top of the camera. I haven’t uesed any so I don’t know how good they are but I’d say the would do the trick at short distances.
I’d say go for the Canon 550D over the Nikon, purely because I know how good Canons are and they were the first to implement video into DSLRs, and from what I’ve read are more ‘video friendly’. I haven’t used a Nikon before so I could be biased.
Thank you for the advice man! I’ll be in this thread asking so many questions.
Wait I’ve got another one too :S
Do you have any advice or techniques for taking photos in a low-medium lit room without flash? I’ve tried putting the ISO up but the photo is still very dark and almost pitch black. I don’t understand, through the LCD screen it looks nice and bright but when I actually take the photo it turns out very low lit or pitch black. I’m not really sure what settings the “F” is supposed to be on either if I’m supposed to use that :S.
I’m gonna learn so much from you and this thread!
Thank you! 
Don’t know a great deal about photography as I mainly shoot video but setting the apeture as low as possible (i.e. the ‘f’ value) will let in more light. Another option is to decrease the shutter speed so that the shutter is open longer. This will also let more light in but you do need to hold the camera very still or mount it on a tripod otherwise your photos will be blurred. Don’t use this option if anything in the shot is moving cause it will also be blurred. Your last option is to edit the photo afterwards on a computer by lightening the dark areas, but doesn’t look as good.
Thanks dude!
This problem also happens when I film too :(
Please also feel free to ask questions you may have in regards to editing in Final Cut.
Hey tomstott
I just recently bought a 550D and I’ve only got the kit lens but when I’m filming at night it is still too dark.
The park I skate/film at is pretty lit up with flood lights.
My settings are
ISO = 1600
F = 3.5
Shutter Speed = 50 or 1/50 or whatever 
are these the right settings? what can I do to shoot better at night?
I didn’t know I needed a class 6 or higher card when I bought this camera and I was using my old class 4 8gb sandisk card and my videos stop recording after 5-10secs. So I’m thinking of buying a class 10 16gb 30mb/s Sandisk extreme SDHC card, but I’m not sure if they are any good?
Cheers!
BKM - I have good quality SDHC cards at cheaper than retail prices.
What your after (16BG class 10); at about $42
With your night shooting you can drop the shutter speed to 25fps 1/25 or even 1/20 (about what our brain processes images at).
Try taking the ISO up another stop (newer cameras deal with ‘noise’ much better)
Your F-stop is good (maybe the biggest for your lens?) but this means being more accurate with your focus.
Video lights that fit on a hot shoe work well but can be bulky or blind your subject. I sometimes use the one I got with my canonXL1 on other cameras - even my still camera or even set it up on a spare tripod or hang it in another location to create shadows. Carry spare batteries - these guys need power!
Hey tomstott
I just recently bought a 550D and I’ve only got the kit lens but when I’m filming at night it is still too dark.
The park I skate/film at is pretty lit up with flood lights.
My settings are
ISO = 1600
F = 3.5
Shutter Speed = 50 or 1/50 or whateverare these the right settings? what can I do to shoot better at night?
I didn’t know I needed a class 6 or higher card when I bought this camera and I was using my old class 4 8gb sandisk card and my videos stop recording after 5-10secs. So I’m thinking of buying a class 10 16gb 30mb/s Sandisk extreme SDHC card, but I’m not sure if they are any good?
Cheers!
Awesome dude.
Spaz pretty much summed it up. I own a 24mm lens which is a f/1.4 and I still need to increase the ISO quite a bit when shooting in low light. You want to stick with ISO values that are divisions of 160 (i.e. 160, 320, 640, 1280, 1600, 3200 etc). These ISO setting have the least amount of noise. Ideally you want your shutter speed to be set at twice the value of the fps you are shooting at (i.e. shooting at 24fps you want 1/50th shutter speed, shooting at 50fps you want 1/100th shutter speed). This can cause problems as it may be too short when shooting at night hence the picture is darker or too long shooting in the day which will over expose the shot. Try and slow down the shutter speed so more light gets in and see if you are happy with the footage. Its all trial and error work.
It is important to remember when filming under artificial light (i.e. the flood lights at the skatepark) that you try and avoid getting this annoying flicker in your shot. No doubt you will eventually come across it. If you look very carefully you can see the flickering on the LCD screen on the camera. All you have to do is change the shutter speed until this annoying flickering goes away. I could be wrong but I think you need to set the shutter speed at a value which is half of the hertz (hz) of the lighting in the country you are shooting. So for Australia our lighting is 50-60hz so the best shutter speed to avoid the flickering is 1/25th or 1/30th or something like that. I can confirm this if you are having trouble.
Sanidisk is a good brand. I own a couple of 16GB 60mb/s CF cards for my 7D which work very well, but 550Ds take the SDHC cards. I remember reading that you want at a card which is at least 50mb/s. It looks like a class 6 card will just get you that speed, but If you have the money try and get a class 10 one. The one you mention above seems really good to me. Remember cards are very important. Try and get the best you can. A 16GB is a good size card and should get you through a decent day of shooting but I would recommended getting at least 2 if you go away on holidays or plan to be shooting a lot.
Thank you so much! Both of you guys gave me a lot of great information!
Next time I go to the skatepark at night I’ll try fiddling around with these settings and see what happens. I’ll probably eventually get a video light later.
Hopefully I’ll be getting the SDHC card later next week, so I can actually film properly! 
Cheers guys!
Hey guys I’m looking for a lens for low light filming and I was wondering if the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II is any good? Some of the footage on Youtube looks pretty good but I’ve heard people say the lens is very bad. I’ve also seen the lens for around $120 and was wondering if its worth it? Would this lens be good for low light/night skating?
Cheers!
How much do you want to spend on the lens? I believe there is a Canon 50mm f1.4 lens for around $500 which is meant to be really good. Any lens f2.8 and under should work well in low light but try and get one around the f1.4 if you can. A 50mm lens will be equivalent to an 80mm lens on your camera so it will be good for medium distance shots. It won’t be good for follow shots or tight up close shots as you won’t get the full body of the skater in frame. When I purchase a lens I like to have a look on http://www.bhphotovideo.com. It lets you narrow your search down into what type of lens you are after and provides user reviews and prices. Also go to a camera store and test out a few lenses to make sure you know what field of view you will be getting.
Thanks for the info Tom I’m just looking for a cheaper lens for some basic night filming but I’ll check out the site you gave me. There aren’t any camera shops here that sell lenses so if I do decide to get a lens I’d have to order it :(