scorsesefan
Veteran
I'm planning on shooting a doc about alternative schools on my fx6. I already own a Tamron 28-75 2.8 and a Sony 24-105 f4. Would these two lenses suffice or should I add a third lens? Thanks
Filming in a classroom
- Thread starter scorsesefan
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Doug Jensen
Carbonite Member
Actually, I think you are lacking at both ends of the focal length spectrum. If it was me, I'd want at least a 20mm prime for interior classroom/hallway shots. Some people, such as Sam, might even argue you need a 16mm or wider. But for me, I almost never shoot wider than 20mm.
In addition, I'd also need something a lot longer than 105mm. I'd recommend a 70-200mm f/2.8 for getting in tighter on individual students, a teacher at the front of the classroom, etc.
I'd leave the 28-75 at home. You're already more than covered by the 24-105, and the difference between f/4 and f/2.8 won't be worth the time it takes to change lenses.
If ti was me, I'd bring three of my lenses: Sony 20mm prime; Sony 24-70mm ; Sony 70-200mm.
Or better yet, I'd shoot the whole thing with my Z200 or Z280 so I have far greater coverage options and could move faster and more efficiently. You're gonna miss some shots with the FX6 because sometimes you'll have the wrong lens on the camera and there won't be time to change it. But that is a topic for another day.
scorsesefan
Veteran
Ok, thanks, Doug. I was thinking of selling my 28-75 and picking up a 70-200, as that focal length is already covered by my 24-105 and the lack of OIS is a bit of a pain on the fx6....
Doug Jensen
Carbonite Member
Out of all the lenses I own, the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens is my favorite. Just a really great-looking lightweight lens that perfectly covers the focal length range I like best. With the exception of wildlife and a few other things were I need super-telephoto, I could easily get by just with my 24-70 and 70-200 for 99.9% of everything I shoot.
scorsesefan
Veteran
I wish Sony offered IS on their mid-range zooms the way Canon does because optically they're great...
Doug Jensen
Carbonite Member
The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II has optical Steady Shot image stabilization with three different modes.
drboffa
Well-known member
I've shot in classrooms before and I'll just second Doug's excellent advice: you are absolutely going to want the reach of a 70-200mm (in addition to the wider lenses).
Maybe you already know this, but action in schools moves pretty fast. You can get by with changing lenses so long as you're deliberate and purposeful and not trying to do it to get a shot. By the time you've changed the lens the kids have moved on to five different things.
A second shooter would be ideal, although I realize that may not be realistic.
Maybe you already know this, but action in schools moves pretty fast. You can get by with changing lenses so long as you're deliberate and purposeful and not trying to do it to get a shot. By the time you've changed the lens the kids have moved on to five different things.
A second shooter would be ideal, although I realize that may not be realistic.
scorsesefan
Veteran
Yeah, kids are pretty exhausting to film. I've been practicing filming my nieces, but a whole classroom of kids will be different.
Doug Jensen
Carbonite Member
All the more reason to have a long lens. I like to be able to shoot people from a distance without being in their face -- which always totally ruins the dynamics. After a little bit, they forget you are there and don't really know where you are aimed. Plus the compressed DoF and narrower compostions helps focus the viewer on the action I want them to see.
scorsesefan
Veteran
Do you ever use clear image zoom?
Peter C.
Veteran
I've filmed many educational docs but I have a differing opinion. I think the 24-105 is fine. There's nothing wrong with the 70-200 but what I don't like about it's often too long for classrooms and draws attention. I prefer to be able quickly switch between wide and long, I don't want to be changing lenses. Too me its capturing special moments that only last a few seconds. Everyone has their own style so do whatever you like.
scorsesefan
Veteran
Thanks, Peter. I think it's down to your filming philosophy. Some like to lay back and observe from afar and some like to get in and interact a bit more. The school I'm planning on filming is a an alternative school, so I guess I will need to see how formal the classes are and how much I'll be allowed to move around and interact with the students...
Peter C.
Veteran
I find for education the wide is more important for capturing student teacher interaction. I prefer being in the mix. When you're close with a wide it feels more immersive where as telephoto from the corner is a detached observer. Once students get involved in the activity they'll forget they are being filmed which is when you get your best shots.
scorsesefan
Veteran
So, do you think 24mm is wide enough?
Peter C.
Veteran
On a full frame I think it's good enough where as 28 isn't.
scorsesefan
Veteran
Yes, on the fx6. I think the 28-75 I'll use for sit down interviews to get a nice shallow DOF
scorsesefan
Veteran
Thanks, great tip!
DustinSchmidt
Well-known member
Ah, the educational b-roll! I've done a lot of this as well.
I second Doug's recommendation about bringing a 70-200. Classrooms can be very cluttered and busy and being able to isolate the viewers attention through a longer focal length with a shallow stop can be very helpful.
I also love Peter's note about being in tight with a wider focal length, but I've found that can be very dependent on how your coverage was explained to the teachers and administrators who may be granting you access.
Classrooms are not movie sets, so the ability to get your camera 3 feet away from a child's face when they're in the middle of actual instruction from a teacher can be very distracting and usually not what people had in mind when you say you want to get b-roll in a classroom. Of course, if you can have that talk well in advance and really explain what you're trying to do, then by all means get close. But most of the classroom b-roll situations I've been in over the years don't really allow for it.
Good luck!
I second Doug's recommendation about bringing a 70-200. Classrooms can be very cluttered and busy and being able to isolate the viewers attention through a longer focal length with a shallow stop can be very helpful.
I also love Peter's note about being in tight with a wider focal length, but I've found that can be very dependent on how your coverage was explained to the teachers and administrators who may be granting you access.
Classrooms are not movie sets, so the ability to get your camera 3 feet away from a child's face when they're in the middle of actual instruction from a teacher can be very distracting and usually not what people had in mind when you say you want to get b-roll in a classroom. Of course, if you can have that talk well in advance and really explain what you're trying to do, then by all means get close. But most of the classroom b-roll situations I've been in over the years don't really allow for it.
Good luck!
scorsesefan
Veteran
Thanks, Dustin. From what I understand the classrooms aren't traditional classrooms as such. It is an alternative school that isn't rigorously structured, so I'm hoping I'm able to move around the learning space freely.