DLSR for event videography gigs

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natums

Well-known member
I have been doing event videography amongst many other video-type jobs for about 4 years. I originally shot with traditional video cameras, DVX-100, XL1, HVX200, etc. In September of last year I decided to jump to DSLRs for the 'cinematic' shallow dof look. I knew it was kind of a risk as in most events you have a few 'moments in time' that you NEED to capture perfectly and you only have one shot, a missed focus or shaky shot will ruin your entire shoot and reflect very poorly on you.

I had (and still have) several colleagues who say I'm crazy and stupid to add more elements to live event shooting when it is already a high stress job if you are fighting to prove you are of higher caliber than the competition.

After 8 or so months, I have not regretted my decision to change. I feel I have consistently given products to clients that take their breath away and have gotten way more jobs on referral since then. The cinematic styling of shallow DOF and being able to isolate people for emotional emphasis and make movie-like memories for clients has really allowed me to separate myself from the pack.

But, I notice that I am still the only one event videographer in the area that I have come across to shoot on DSLR. I know I am certainly not the norm but I am just wondering how many other people out there are in the DSLR live event shooting boat with me?

PS. When I am talking about live event videographer, I'm not talking about work as a press outlet covering trade shows or red carpet events, but being hired by a venue as the dedicated in-house videographer, or by individuals to shoot bat mitzvahs, weddings, etc. Though I'm not saying press jobs don't count, I just see DSLRs for online press a lot, but not in the private sector at all.
 
The file size limits alone are enough to render DSLR cameras nearly useless for good event videography. And, as you said, you have one chance to get a shot right and missed focus or shaky hand-held work means failure. They're being used for things like weddings (and bar mitzvahs and the like), but mostly as b-roll cams and in situations like receptions where short takes are the norm. I do a couple of events a year, and I still use a DVX... there's no way I'd use my DSLR.
 
I never use my DSLR's for events, except as dedicated B-roll cameras. Every time I see a dude recording a band's gig or a fashion show on a DSLR I just laugh a little, since I know these guys are all shooting at f/1.4 and will have shaky, out of focus footage.
 
There are people out there making a good living shooting events with DSLRs as their sole cameras. It can be done, but you have to be aware of the limitations and be ready to solve any potential problems in a myriad of situations.

Definitely not for the faint of heart.
 
"I know these guys are all shooting at f/1.4 and will have shaky, out of focus footage."

Maybe..... maybe not.

I'm with you natums. I've done a few events with DSLRs and a "normal" small chip camera as the master/wide shot. This was done primarily for aesthetic reasons and the client was really looking for something a bit more dramatic than a regular Imag look. The client was also fully briefed on the limits of doing this with a DSLR so everyone knew what we were getting into.

The response in the edit suite was "Oh my GOD that looks good."

I've done it a few more times for the same client and I've got another one coming up for someone else. If your aware of the downside and know the limitations of these little cams I think it can be a viable option for a very nice, un-event look. That doesn't mean it's easy and that a DSLR is the right tool for any event but if you can make it work it can look really nice.

Now if I can just get them to pony up for 5 F3's and some Optimo's for a show :)
 
Yeah I make sure to brief clients about the equipment I am using laymen's terms. Depending on if they want a video that is the entire event played back in real time or a highlight reel of just key moments and overall atmosphere of the event, I will shoot it totally differently as well.
 
I do Weddings, Concerts, and other random events all the time with my T2i. Magic Lantern has been a godsend. I always have my HVX with me and use it all the time for the Ceremonies at weddings. The thing that most of my fellow DSLR shooter friends can't believe is I shoot 100% Vintage Manual Prime. I shoot 10-12 hours a day with Manual Primes. I seems like everybody I know has a Nifty-Fifty, but they all shoot with EOS Zooms. The only one I own is the kit lens and it is for photos only for me. It is not as easy as when I shot DVX/HVX 100% but it is lighter and the results are amazing.
 
I shoot vintage primes too! haha. I hate the focus rings on modern lenses, I can deal with USM but it's not as smooth at a good manual vintage prime.

I had a 17-35L, borrowed a 28-135 and rented a 24-105, all gorgeous lenses, but I still prefer manual focus rings. Plus non-constant aperture causes weird issues in video mode for zooming while shooting.

I want to get a 24-105L primarily for IS (especially on the long end of the zoom where its hard to keep smooth, and it still may only be on my camera 50% of the time. I rented one for a week and I loved having zoom, but if I knew I wasn't going to be changing the zoom length, I still want my vintage prime's focus ring.

What lenses do you have? I have a couple Yashica and a Vivitar that I like, I keep considering getting the old C/Y Zeiss but I am unsure which one to start with.
 
natums said:
What lenses do you have? I have a couple Yashica and a Vivitar that I like, I keep considering getting the old C/Y Zeiss but I am unsure which one to start with.
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I use m42 screw mounts. Mostly Super Takumar, but I do use a Vivatar for my wide because it is f2.8 and my SMC only does f3.5.
 
hendosan said:
I never use my DSLR's for events, except as dedicated B-roll cameras. Every time I see a dude recording a band's gig or a fashion show on a DSLR I just laugh a little, since I know these guys are all shooting at f/1.4 and will have shaky, out of focus footage.
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I wouldn't necessarily say that's the case. Perhaps they are @ 1.4, but shakiness in the image can be reduced by a skilled camera op. Sure there is the jello effect, but a steady hand and an understanding of the motion limitations of a DSLR can overcome these issues.
 
The real issue I have run into with shooting bands and any thing with lots of flashing lights is the rolling shutter. I hate it.

I can shoot at most concerts at 2.8 or 4 and I love having an APS-C vs FF sensor, so I can shoot with a 24mm and have most everything at a deep depth of field without being super wide, or swap for 50 or more even to get a shallow DOF. Camera shake is no big if you have a lightweight rig or steady hand and/or IS.
 
Dude, all these cameras are just tools. If you somehow have managed to use a nail gun to produce a fine piece of wood working, then you have done a great job. It doesn't change the fact that it's not the right tool to do the job. Your tool of choice just makes it harder to make good work, and you have to be more creative. But who am I to say you haven't created a masterpiece? if your clients like your work, you could be using an instamatic or iphone.

Chapman, I think that Nikon promo was to promote shooting stills with a Nikon. There is nothing in that video that makes me think it was shot with an HDSLR. And actually, if you look at the DOF on many of the shots, they look like a camcorder. Too much DOF. You can see from the lead singer to the back of the stage. I think you've been misled.
 
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8string said:
Dude, all these cameras are just tools. If you somehow have managed to use a nail gun to produce a fine piece of wood working, then you have done a great job. It doesn't change the fact that it's not the right tool to do the job. Your tool of choice just makes it harder to make good work, and you have to be more creative. But who am I to say you haven't created a masterpiece? if your clients like your work, you could be using an instamatic or iphone.

Chapman, I think that Nikon promo was to promote shooting stills with a Nikon. There is nothing in that video that makes me think it was shot with an HDSLR. And actually, if you look at the DOF on many of the shots, they look like a camcorder. Too much DOF. You can see from the lead singer to the back of the stage. I think you've been misled.
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All of it was shot with nikon dslrs, most of it with the nikon d7000. The video was shot to show off the abilities of the d7000. I know its not much and may not change your mind but if you go to 1:38 in the video theres proof for you.



natums said:
The real issue I have run into with shooting bands and any thing with lots of flashing lights is the rolling shutter. I hate it.

I can shoot at most concerts at 2.8 or 4 and I love having an APS-C vs FF sensor, so I can shoot with a 24mm and have most everything at a deep depth of field without being super wide, or swap for 50 or more even to get a shallow DOF. Camera shake is no big if you have a lightweight rig or steady hand and/or IS.
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Wouldn't a lightweight rig make it more shaky?
 
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Crazy like a fox. Folks love that "look" - the one that can only be gotten from a massive sensor DSLR with the lenses, etc. Sure it's a challenge - a big one. But it's made easier with the right gear.

Do yourself a favor gang, get a great external monitor like the smallHD DP-6. I've tried two lesser monitors that didn't even come close in performance, features, etc. FutureProof too!!!!

JJM
 
8string said:
Chapman, I think that Nikon promo was to promote shooting stills with a Nikon. There is nothing in that video that makes me think it was shot with an HDSLR. And actually, if you look at the DOF on many of the shots, they look like a camcorder. Too much DOF. You can see from the lead singer to the back of the stage. I think you've been misled.
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I think it's just the UWA lenses they are using, some of them hit infinite focus at like 4 or 5 ft so if you are more 4 ft away from the main subject you are going to have an infinite DOF.

JimboWHO said:
Crazy like a fox. Folks love that "look" - the one that can only be gotten from a massive sensor DSLR with the lenses, etc. Sure it's a challenge - a big one. But it's made easier with the right gear.

Do yourself a favor gang, get a great external monitor like the smallHD DP-6. I've tried two lesser monitors that didn't even come close in performance, features, etc. FutureProof too!!!!

JJM
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I am shooting w/ a T2i right now, I had a 7D and downsized since I was planning on shooting more lightweight with just a z-finder. I do want to eventually have 7D or 5DII so I can use monitors but for most my gigs right now I have a pretty solid bare-bones set up that is light-weight and I can pack it all in w/ tripods to carry in 2 bags which is awesome. I have been hearing amazing things about SmallHD monitors though so I plan on checking them out when I get a camera that can do live HD while recording (T2i can not, my biggest complaint about it by far).
 
well, have to "shoot" in my comment here. Really guys dslr rendered useless for events?.....huh?.......first off the gh1/2 bypasses the recoding time limit, second as to the shaky aspect?......well get or make a decent stabilizer.....done and done.

however non gh series cams make it difficult to pull off live events, it's not impossible with a 2 camera set up.

I can definitely see how useful a traditional camcorder can be in such an environment, but its a lil irresponsible the render the dslr useless. Maybe this is the reason the GH2 is considered less of a dslr and more of a hybrid cam. Personally i think the gh2 is revolutionary at its price point........dof, less aliasing/moire/rolling shutter, no rec. time limit.......1,000 bucks, this is unmatched.
 
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