Tips for Handheld for Documentary

denzlite

denzlite

Active member
I am shooting a small documentary with the T2i in a couple weeks. I have the kit lens and a 50mm 1.8 II. I might be able to borrow a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8. One of the things I love is playing with depth of field, but I also realize shallow DOF and handheld do not mix very well with the CMOS sensor. Given the nature of this documentary (a musician here in Chicago) I'd rather not use a tripod, especially when filming his performances.

Any advice appreciated. Any Chicago folks in here? Thanks.
 
I use IndiRAILSpro XV sm ( 24"). I mount the camera towards the front. Shoulder 2/3 back, and wrap ankle weights to the very back to somewhat balance.
 
Tripod as Steadicam

Tripod as Steadicam

I use my tripod as a Steadicam, the legs snapped open but not extended. I grab two of the legs as handles and use the third as the "point." Of course, you need to use the widest lens with a setting that allows everything in your range to be in focus.
 
Just try and go as wide as possible with the lens. Handheld footage from the 50mm 1.8 is gonna look pretty shaky without some really nice stabilization.
 
7Dpimpin said:
Just try and go as wide as possible with the lens. Handheld footage from the 50mm 1.8 is gonna look pretty shaky without some really nice stabilization.
Click to expand...

Agreed - with a 50mm 1.8, you're going to have "shake" if you're hand held and standing with the camera in front of your face. So if you are infact, going for a "shaky cam" look, you won't have to exagerate the motion with the 50mm 1.8 on the camera.
 
stop the lens down to f/3.5-f/4 if there's a lot of movement so you have a better chance at keeping things in focus
 
Yes, I'm looking at good monopods on BandH's site.

I am going to go wide. Results with the 50mm are just too unpredictable unless on a tripod. Am looking at trying to rent or borrow another good wide lens.

Thanks for the tips.
 
denzlite said:
Yes, I'm looking at good monopods on BandH's site.

I am going to go wide. Results with the 50mm are just too unpredictable unless on a tripod. Am looking at trying to rent or borrow another good wide lens.

Thanks for the tips.
Click to expand...



What's wrong with the kit lens? The kit lens is probably one of the best lenses you will ever own, people just need to learn their gear. The 50mm 1.8 is very hard to stabilize hand held, I shoot music videos and it just requires some amazing editing skills to make it look good.

The Kit lens though is probably my favorite lens, why spend $600-700 on a lens when you can achieve the same results with the kit lens? The key is lighting, supply at least 500watts of light and an on camera light ( shoe mount ) and you can shoot almost anything with the kit lens.
 
I've used a Tiffen Steadystick on a number of 5d shoots I've done and the results have been great. Turned the handle around to brace on my shoulder and it worked like a dream. Very nice results that look like legit handheld camerawork. Not jittery or wobbly or anything.

~~Dave
 
I use the 50mm on my T2i hand held all the time. Reason is, its the only lens I have, as of now. I'm getting a wider one next week.
It is pretty hard with the 50mm, but after a lot of practice on my RR shoulder rig, I can now get smoother movements.

Since its a doc. its really not necessary to shoot in low dof. Many docs. I've seen, are shot in large dof, and only several time (during more important times) its in low dof.
Its also easier when going hand held, or on the shoulder.

Tripods can get quite annoying sometimes when trying to use them as a stabilizer. I wouldnt recommend it. I'd also recommend the mono-pod with weights on the bottom.
 
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