shooting motorcross

[ben157]

this weekend i am shooting an outdoor motorcross competition with my 100A. has anyone done that and would anyone have any suggestion about the scene selection and scene file settings? 60 i 30 P? detail level?

any help is appreciated.

 

[HansK]

I've shot action at 30 and 24 just fine. Use 60i for any shots that you plan to slowdown in post. With 24 and even 30 don't count on the auto-focus to keep up with the action.

I normally setup scene file 1 (the 60i default) so that it has many of the same settings as the other scene file I am using (24 or 30). That way, even though it's 60i, it is closer to the look and feel of the other scene file. I will toggle to the 60i setup for a slowmo shot and then back to the 24/30 scene file for normal speed.

Also, play around with the shutter speed. Try 120 and work up. I would recommend doing some practice shots to get a feel. Setup your scene files and then go film moving objects. Even cars driving past can be good subjects for testing various shutter speeds and frame rates.

Finally, you don't mention if the venue is outdoors or in a stadium. Lighting issues can be an issue when indoors. Be sure to white balance in either case.

 

[Rick Meyer]

I will toggle to the 60i setup for a slowmo shot and then back to the 24/30 scene file for normal speed.

Hansk-

When you toggle from 60i to 24p during filming, doesn't that cause nightmare issues in post?

Rick

 

[HansK]

When you toggle from 60i to 24p during filming, doesn't that cause nightmare issues in post?

I'm normally pausing between switching. It's possible to switch on the fly but you are probably right in that it would be harder to deal with. Since I pause the tape between switching, during import Premiere (check scene detect) will place each segment in a different clip(file). Then I can tweak the 60i footage, slowmo, for the 24 timeline.

Btw - Where are you shooting motocross? Down in Hollister?

 

[ben157]

thanks for the tips...
i will be shooting outdoor morning till late afternoon.
as i shoot fast moving subjects how should i set up my detail level-v detail etc...v detail freq?what would you recommend for 30p and 60i?
again thanks.
Ben

 

[HansK]

i will be shooting outdoor morning till late afternoon.

Then be sure to white balance throughout the day. Try to use the same white surface each time. This will save you a lot of hassle later when you try to get all the clips to match.

as i shoot fast moving subjects how should i set up my detail level-v detail etc...v detail freq?what would you recommend for 30p and 60i?

Selecting THICK or MED will reduce the resolution. But this will add blur between frames that can reduce jumps/jaggies. I usually keep it at THIN for both settings. You should expriment to see if you like the look it gives you.

One thing I do to save time is to setup scene file 1 and then save it with the name SLOMO. That way I can turn off/on the camera and switch back to that scene file and get back my settings.

Another note about shooting slomo. Use the 1/120th shutter speed for the 60i shots. Import those clips into a 24fps timeline and adjust their speeds to 40%. Note, for only a small amount of slomo, shoot 30p footage and adjust its speed to 80%. These setting should give you good results.