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? |
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?
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Did you talk to Sean C. out at McCormicks? Im thinking he has a wealth of knowledge with this topic.
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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.
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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. |
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?
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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 |
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?
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Maybe your audiences won't care but to some folks the Twixtor slo mo stuff is played out. |
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?
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i hope you've won the lotto recently if you're considering the phantom. otherwise, look into the 60d: 720p@60fps.
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60 fps on a canon t3i :)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/deuSMXKFd1o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> |
I've been waiting for this for my boat camera.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/olympus-tough-tg-1/ |
Seems like DSLR has its advantages when it comes to frame rate.
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