Need help deciding on a frame rate!

Ken1212

Well-known member
I just shot a wedding at 1080/24p, was very happy with the image with the exception of slow motion in post, I was not impressed. The camera can also shoot 1080/60i and 720/60p. I don't have the time during a wedding to decide what slow motion shot I will be choosing, so should I shoot 720/60p or 1080/60i and in post finish in 1080/24p?
 
Definitely worth doing some experimenting, shooting random scenes with similar amounts of movement in them (to highlight any possible compression/data rate issues). In theory 1080/60i's better resolution will give you better detail but may choke if it can't cope with the required compression/data rate, whereas 720/60p will look a little softer (due to the lower resolution) but is less likely to have compression/data rate problems. A softer stylised look may suit the slo-mo shots anyway.
 
If you record in 24p, you can always fake the slomo in post with something like Twixtor. It is a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. If you have FCP, you can also get the same effect in Motion.
 
If you have the post-production resources... and you MUST have slo-motion moments, but do not know where or when... why not shoot everything you might use as slow motion in 60p, and in post, convert most of it back to 24p... then you can have true slow motion... twixtor further if necessary.

This isn't the best plan. The best plan would be to make the creative decisions on the spot and get what you need in slow motion and the rest at normal speed. This is the price you pay for not being able or experienced enough to get it done in the field.
 
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