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-   -   Video camera dorks, I need your help! (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=793457)

TheHebrewHammer 05-19-2012 7:58 PM

Video camera dorks, I need your help!
 
Hey guys, I'm going to spend the summer making short films for the internet, and I'm gonna need 2 new cameras. I've done some short documentaries (non-wake related), so I have some experience shooting HD video and editing with FCP X, but I'm self-taught so I never really got into some of the more technical aspects of the equipment. I'm very ignorant about this stuff! Here's what I need:

Main camera (for shooting from shore/boat/chase boat):

-Budget = roughly $2000
-Good zoom
-High frame rate so my slow-mo shots don't look like **** (is 120 enough? 240? more?)
-Long battery life/large memory (or tapes)
-Good image quality (vague, I know)
-I only need 1 audio channel
-compatible with FCP

Onboard camera (for POV shots and in/under water shots):

-unlimited budget (unless these ****s are more expensive then I thought)
-waterproof
-preferably not fisheye lens because GoPros make far away things look tiny
-high frame rate if possible
-small/mountable to boards, helmets, handles, poles, etc.
-Good battery life/large memory
-compatible with FCP

Can you guys make any recommendations? Would it be feasible to get a waterproof housing for the main camera and use that for in-water shots or would that be too expensive/too clunky? Are there any alternatives to the GoPro that have good quality but longer focal lengths? Should I get a DSLR or a camcorder?

What accounts for the difference between http://tinyurl.com/7e4caw7 and http://vimeo.com/32739981? Is it the camera? The shooting conditions? Color correction?

TheHebrewHammer 05-19-2012 8:16 PM

EDIT: What makes for smooth playback when editing for slow motion? From what I've read, it isn't frame rate. So what is it? How do guys like Flaxman get their slow-mo shots so crisp?

05-19-2012 8:16 PM

Did you talk to Sean C. out at McCormicks? Im thinking he has a wealth of knowledge with this topic.

TheHebrewHammer 05-19-2012 8:17 PM

Ya, Sean's a good guy and I hope to work with him this summer, but I haven't found much time to talk to him yet. I was hoping to come to him with specific questions.

superfluous 05-19-2012 8:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHebrewHammer;1753042

What accounts for the difference between [url
http://tinyurl.com/7e4caw7[/url] and http://vimeo.com/32739981? Is it the camera? The shooting conditions? Color correction?


Framerate is king for smooth playback.

Both of the linked videos are using Twixtor for the slo mo. Vid one does a better job (maybe shot at a higher frame rate?) even though I think the CC is better in vid two.

TheHebrewHammer 05-19-2012 8:44 PM

The cameras I'm looking at (Cannon XA-10 and similar) shoot 30p (29.97) or 24p. How does that translate into actual frame rate when using Twixtor?

superfluous 05-19-2012 8:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHebrewHammer (Post 1753051)
The cameras I'm looking at (Cannon XA-10 and similar) shoot 30p (29.97) or 24p. How does that translate into actual frame rate when using Twixtor?

Your source material will either be 29.97 or 24 fps.

If you used another capture device, like a cheapo Gopro HD at 60 fps up close (on a boom, from a tube for example) the slo mo will be much better and won't have as many Twixtor artifacts/morphing.

Or, you could just rent some high end gear like a Phantom:

http://vimeo.com/24262272

TheHebrewHammer 05-19-2012 9:43 PM

Word, I love the Phantom stuff I've seen, but that's probably quite beyond my budget/skill level. I guess what I'm asking is, if those videos I posted are shot with such low frame rates, then how come they look so good in slow-mo?

superfluous 05-19-2012 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHebrewHammer (Post 1753058)
Word, I love the Phantom stuff I've seen, but that's probably quite beyond my budget/skill level. I guess what I'm asking is, if those videos I posted are shot with such low frame rates, then how come they look so good in slow-mo?

The second vid looks like **** in slo mo. The first vid is just ok, still has morphing artifacts though(board grows). IMO of course.

Maybe your audiences won't care but to some folks the Twixtor slo mo stuff is played out.

TheHebrewHammer 05-19-2012 10:11 PM

Ya, I see what you mean, but those examples are good enough for my purposes, especially the first one. I could deal with the warping. What are some alternatives to Twixtor? Get a better camera like the Phantom?

dakid 05-19-2012 10:42 PM

i hope you've won the lotto recently if you're considering the phantom. otherwise, look into the 60d: 720p@60fps.

gnarslayer 05-20-2012 4:44 AM

60 fps on a canon t3i :)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/deuSMXKFd1o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

BrettHowell 05-20-2012 5:56 AM

I've been waiting for this for my boat camera.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/olympus-tough-tg-1/

TheHebrewHammer 05-20-2012 8:25 PM

Seems like DSLR has its advantages when it comes to frame rate.


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