7D Shuttle Launch, record it in 720 60p or 1080 30p?

Shuttle Launch, record it in 720 60p or 1080 30p?

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Thrash

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Hi everyone! I have been invited to shoot the next shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral and I am super excited about it! (Only 3 left) Though I have been trying to decide what format I should record in using my 7D. After watching other launch videos posted on the internet, I am not sure If I would benefit more from the extra frame rate of 720 60p or the size/resolution of 1080 30p. I have a looong lens set up, and a nice hefty tripod for smooth moves (hope I can steadily follow it up...)

Have any of you been to a shuttle launch? Any pointers? What format would you record it in?
 
One advantage to shooting 1080p is that you can stabilize in post a little better (then master to 720p). I feel like the 7D's 720p isn't the best image, especially compared to its 1080p.

I have never been to a shuttle launch (and sadly most likely never will) but I do know a fair amount about it and one piece of advice I can give is that the shuttle is not your stereotypical lumbering giant of a rocket that you think of...once it goes up it's out of there like a bat out of hell.

In any case, I would shoot 1080/30p and overcrank it to 24p in post for that subtle slow motion effect.
 
I'd suspect that slow motion wouldn't really show up as slow motion (since, with the exception of lifting of the pad, the sky won't give you anything to relate the speed of it's motion back to your camera's view). I think you'd be hard pressed to see a difference (slow motion wise) unless you dramatically sped it up (and that would be mainly from the frame trying to catch up to it and keep the shuttle in the window.)

With that in mind - I'd go for best possible picture, stabilization and exposure (which will be changing second to second).

Just thoughts though.
 
muonwave said:
I'd suspect that slow motion wouldn't really show up as slow motion (since, with the exception of lifting of the pad, the sky won't give you anything to relate the speed of it's motion back to your camera's view). I think you'd be hard pressed to see a difference (slow motion wise) unless you dramatically sped it up (and that would be mainly from the frame trying to catch up to it and keep the shuttle in the window.)

With that in mind - I'd go for best possible picture, stabilization and exposure (which will be changing second to second).

Just thoughts though.
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Agreed. Slow motion from that vantage point isn't going to offer much more dramatically. Go for best possible picture and resolution.
 
Tuff call but I'd go 1080 30p and use a third party program like Twixtor for the 2-3 secs of the pad lift off, fire looks cool in slo mo. Your going to want to have a little room to play with framing/stabalizing in post for something like that. 1080 30p and twixtor in post if it were me.
 
Get a GREAT telephoto and shoot 60fps. I've never shot it, but you'll want a 200mm at the very very least, and it sounds like a 300mm would be best, maybe even longer. They put you WAY far away from it.

It happens way too quick! Then you can play at 24fps, then re-play in slo-mo.

A second camera could be 1080/30fps, to play back at 24fps. Then you can play the 720 in real-time, the 1080 at slight slo-mo with a different angle and composition, then back to the 720 at "full" slo-mo.

Unless you are shooting for 30fps, but then I'd shoot the same way, just get a little less slo-mo.

0.02

Have fun!
 
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I have a 400mm lens and a doubler I was thinking about putting in-between light permitting. I was also thinking I'd bring my XH-A1 and lock it down, though it's lens/zoom is limited and it is 1080i HDV. The fire and smoke trail would look cool in slow-mo, but many of you make a good point with shooting 1080 30p and resolution/stabilization options.
 
I've never shot the launch with a long zoom but depending on where you are shooting from you can get some real nice shots with that lens. Are you shooting at the press booth? Turnbasin? The Causeway? The press area is a great place to shoot from cause it's sort of elevated and you will have a ton of folks with long zooms like yourself (those are the shots that usually end up on TV or CNN.com etc.).

The last time I shot a launch was with my HV20....but I got somewhat shakey footage cause I brought my young ones to work that day and had one of them sitting on my shoulders...lol. She freaked out from the noise...lol (yeah I know....what was I thinking).

I'm not sure if you would benefit from 60p... I'd go with 30p and a high shutter. I wish the cam at least had 120fps. But 60p might still look good.....it's just that if it were me using the 7D I'd go with the best quality and higher shutter. Good luck with your shot. We only have 3 launches left before the shuttle is "thrown away" (...a dang shame) for good.
 
Also..what are you doing with the footage? Just for internet..I would shoot 60p for sure. Get that fire in slow mo!
 
I would try to get a vantage point that you can shoot across the water from, and maybe even do some research as to getting a rental boat or something to get to a closer vantage point (you need to research restricted areas so you don't get in trouble). I would think that if you can get close enough you'd get some cool reflections off the water from a good angle.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html
 
If your more confused now take a look at Twixtor, I think it'll give you the slo mo you are wanting and then you'll have 1080 footage to better frame/stabilize.
 
Ben_B said:
If you conform 30p to 24p you'll get that nice slight slow effect.
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Yea, use what the 5D guys where using all this time till the firmware came out. The conform retains very good quality. So you can definitely shoot 1080/30p and get real time, and ever-so-slight slomo from the same take. The 400mm should give you at least some detail, while making it an easier shot to track cause it won't be dead tight, no way... but you'll know what is the right combo once you get there.

The A1 gives you +600mm telephoto. You'll get something very decent, and definitely if all you want is a wide frame. However, if it is dark you won't get a whole lot of exposure.

Keep in mind that exhaust will be bright as heck, and if it is at night, it momentarily lights up E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G... So if it is at night, consider using the 400mmm and locking the 7D!! You'll get crazy exposure... money shot!
Just have to hope the 400mm gives you something wide, and tight enough... agh... might not be able to lock it down.

Whatever you do, the tripod head will be just as important as the camera and lens together if you are tracking!
 
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wildfly said:
I would try to get a vantage point that you can shoot across the water from, and maybe even do some research as to getting a rental boat or something to get to a closer vantage point (you need to research restricted areas so you don't get in trouble). I would think that if you can get close enough you'd get some cool reflections off the water from a good angle.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html
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My recollection is (and that could be wrong), that minimum safe distance is about 3 miles and that with special permission and visible badges (and those few allowed areas are with very special permission from launch control). If on the remote chance you'd actually find someone with a boat that "would" take you closer within the restricted zone (ill-advised, and that would be "not-very-legal"), and if you'd be spotted (entirely probable) - they'd be required to put the launch on hold.

Be safe and smart out there.
 
Heh! I will not be doing anything illegal. I have been invited by a NASA group whom I do a bunch of training related video work for. I honestly do not know which location I will be filming from, but hope it has a great vantage point. Since I will be there with NASA personnel, I assume it will be a good one. I will be flying down to do some work for them earlier in the week, the launch is really just icing on the cake. (FYI, its a day launch) I'm looking into Twixtor now, the standard after effects time remapping functions have worked well for me so far. What do you use, Twixtor standard or pro? I assume you'll tell me that it's worth the cost? :cheesy:
 
STS-5 in '82

STS-5 in '82

Thrash said:
I have been invited by a NASA group whom I do a bunch of training related video work for. I honestly do not know which location I will be filming from, but hope it has a great vantage point. Since I will be there with NASA personnel, I assume it will be a good one. I will be flying down to do some work for them earlier in the week, the launch is really just icing on the cake. (FYI, its a day launch)
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Chances are you'll be 3 miles away at the main press area so, as others have said, bring the most stable, strong tripod you have. I shot stills there many years ago with a remote camera set-up in the swamp very close to the pad. With video from the press area, I don't think you have to have the launch vehicle extremely close up - the drama of the shot is the billowing smoke and steam at ignition and the beauty of the shot is a slightly wider view of the entire spectacle and should be shot in 1080p! Nothing will prepare you for the explosive, thunderous sound of liftoff - your whole body will vibrate with the resonance of the boosters and the main engines!
 

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I was a NASA VIP guest 2 years ago for sts-126. I do video for a living and brought my HD camera along and filmed right up to the launch (countdown). I focused on my family and the setting we were in. When the launch happened I put the camera down by my side and used my eyes to watch one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen. When it was over brought it back up and filmed my daughters reactions.

After we got home I downloaded the HD NASA tv feed from their site (fair use) and cut it into my family's footage for an awesome video.

My recommendation: Don't watch a shuttle launch through a viewfinder.
 
dotconnproductions said:
I was a NASA VIP guest 2 years ago for sts-126. I do video for a living and brought my HD camera along and filmed right up to the launch (countdown). I focused on my family and the setting we were in. When the launch happened I put the camera down by my side and used my eyes to watch one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen. When it was over brought it back up and filmed my daughters reactions.

After we got home I downloaded the HD NASA tv feed from their site (fair use) and cut it into my family's footage for an awesome video.

My recommendation: Don't watch a shuttle launch through a viewfinder.
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TRUE THAT...

I was thinking of someone getting payed for it, but if you are there for yourself, you just said it all... I could only add that I'd lock it down behind my family for an OTS.

Well said!
 
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