Hand held shooting in 24P?
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Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I've shot a dialogue sequence that consisted of one follow shot, and I didn't have a steadicam available, and the location didn't allow for a dolly.
I used a tripod as somewhat of a counter-balance, turned on the optical image stabilizer, and shot away.
The result wasn't as good as if I had a trained steadicam operator shooting it, but it was definitely smooth enough, and not distracting...
I've shot a dialogue sequence that consisted of one follow shot, and I didn't have a steadicam available, and the location didn't allow for a dolly.
I used a tripod as somewhat of a counter-balance, turned on the optical image stabilizer, and shot away.
The result wasn't as good as if I had a trained steadicam operator shooting it, but it was definitely smooth enough, and not distracting...
Stas_Tagios
Well-known member
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
It really depends on the look you're going for. If it's a gritty, documentary-style aesthetic you want (think "24", for example), then shaky hand-held is the way to go.
Pulling off a more typically polished Hollywood Steadicam/dolly move look is comparatively difficult with handheld shooting, though it is possible to accomplish fairly smooth-looking push-ins or pull-backs handheld provided the move is fairly short and your focal length is fairly wide.
You can even get away with a minor handheld move at a longer focal length (whether you move in, out, or laterally) if you're really adept at steady hand-holding, or if there's a lot of action/character movement in the shot, which will help to distract from any potential camera shakiness. The camera's OIS can come in handy in situations where you want to achieve a smooth handheld move.
It really depends on the look you're going for. If it's a gritty, documentary-style aesthetic you want (think "24", for example), then shaky hand-held is the way to go.
Pulling off a more typically polished Hollywood Steadicam/dolly move look is comparatively difficult with handheld shooting, though it is possible to accomplish fairly smooth-looking push-ins or pull-backs handheld provided the move is fairly short and your focal length is fairly wide.
You can even get away with a minor handheld move at a longer focal length (whether you move in, out, or laterally) if you're really adept at steady hand-holding, or if there's a lot of action/character movement in the shot, which will help to distract from any potential camera shakiness. The camera's OIS can come in handy in situations where you want to achieve a smooth handheld move.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
We used to do a half-hour car show, all shot 24P handheld (using the Glidecam 4000). Looked excellent...
We used to do a half-hour car show, all shot 24P handheld (using the Glidecam 4000). Looked excellent...
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I shoot 100% of my show hand held - no extra tools, just hold the camera by the top handle and cradle it in my gut or hold it out away from my body.
I use the lens wide when possible, but even on full zom with OIS on the shots can be smooth with practice.
these cameras are pretty light, but just heavy enough to be stable.
I have some accesories on board that add about a pound to mine.
(2 radio lave recievers with hot plate adapter, CAvision matte box with rod support, large battery...)
I shoot 100% of my show hand held - no extra tools, just hold the camera by the top handle and cradle it in my gut or hold it out away from my body.
I use the lens wide when possible, but even on full zom with OIS on the shots can be smooth with practice.
these cameras are pretty light, but just heavy enough to be stable.
I have some accesories on board that add about a pound to mine.
(2 radio lave recievers with hot plate adapter, CAvision matte box with rod support, large battery...)
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I'll second that idea... 18 years of martial arts/4 years of high school marching band has helped me tremendously in this regard.
I'll second that idea... 18 years of martial arts/4 years of high school marching band has helped me tremendously in this regard.
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
..ill third that. even the trained breathing helps to steady the body, and the control and balance learned really helps get some nice shots. in combo with OIS you can pull off shots that would take an up to an hour to set up with conventional equipment in only a minute.
im editing a short right now, and actaully suprised myself with one shot that was floating the camera on all axis for about 10 sec, and was smooth as butter
..ill third that. even the trained breathing helps to steady the body, and the control and balance learned really helps get some nice shots. in combo with OIS you can pull off shots that would take an up to an hour to set up with conventional equipment in only a minute.
im editing a short right now, and actaully suprised myself with one shot that was floating the camera on all axis for about 10 sec, and was smooth as butter
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I shoot all of my videos handheld. Check it out in the HARD series on my site (thos are the only two videos on my site filmed with the DVX in 24p handheld)... http://pizcofilms.com/cspmovies.html
I shoot all of my videos handheld. Check it out in the HARD series on my site (thos are the only two videos on my site filmed with the DVX in 24p handheld)... http://pizcofilms.com/cspmovies.html
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
Zoom in all the way to the subject, and focus. Then, when you zoom out, the part you focused on *will* be in focus.
Someone once posted a feet/inches to M# (the focus numbers in the viewfinder) a while ago - I'm not sure where it is though.
And If you're shooting anamorphic, Barry's guide can tell you all you need to know
Zoom in all the way to the subject, and focus. Then, when you zoom out, the part you focused on *will* be in focus.
Someone once posted a feet/inches to M# (the focus numbers in the viewfinder) a while ago - I'm not sure where it is though.
And If you're shooting anamorphic, Barry's guide can tell you all you need to know
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I hold the camera with my left thumb on the bottom, just in front of my quick release plate. I wrap my fingers around the lens barrel and that puts my middle finger right on the focus ring. It's quite stable and comfortable and it allows me access to the focus ring without having to fumble around looking for it.
I hold the camera with my left thumb on the bottom, just in front of my quick release plate. I wrap my fingers around the lens barrel and that puts my middle finger right on the focus ring. It's quite stable and comfortable and it allows me access to the focus ring without having to fumble around looking for it.
ddh
Well-known member
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
taichi chuan training is an excellent way to go for smooth movement. I'd suggest that anyone going into camera movement mode get that kind of training. I'd also suggest that people look into bagua as the foot movement training is very well suited for steady cam operators.
taichi chuan training is an excellent way to go for smooth movement. I'd suggest that anyone going into camera movement mode get that kind of training. I'd also suggest that people look into bagua as the foot movement training is very well suited for steady cam operators.
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I agree 100%. I've studied both of those arts and they are top notch for many reasons (including camera operation)
I agree 100%. I've studied both of those arts and they are top notch for many reasons (including camera operation)
magicdavek
Well-known member
Re: Hand held shooting in 24P?
I point my fingers of my left hand upward and place them under the camera, right where you would put a quick release plate. My left elbow props up against my gut. This is the "poor man's DV Caddie." It steadys shots quite a bit, but when zoomed in, any little movement can cause shake.
In 24p, I learned from this site (and should have learned from my 100A manual) there is no true autofocus, only a focus assist, which is VERY slow. Since I learned that, I set my camera to manual focus when I'm in 24p.
I point my fingers of my left hand upward and place them under the camera, right where you would put a quick release plate. My left elbow props up against my gut. This is the "poor man's DV Caddie." It steadys shots quite a bit, but when zoomed in, any little movement can cause shake.
In 24p, I learned from this site (and should have learned from my 100A manual) there is no true autofocus, only a focus assist, which is VERY slow. Since I learned that, I set my camera to manual focus when I'm in 24p.