General Work around the 12 min time limit movie mode

Taky

Taky

Well-known member
I have been wanting try shooting weddings or events using DSLR. However, the 12 min time limit will be a major issue to deal with. I currently shot with 2 XH-A1s. One main cam for medium and close up shots. One B-cam at wide most of the time.

So here's my setup plan,

- One T2i as main cam. Operate by me.

- Two T2i mounted on a rail side by side on tripod as B-roll. My assistant will take turns to record with each with a bit of overlapping time. In that case, I can overcome the continuity issue as well as the heat issue. Then editing will be cutting between these 3 cameras.

What do you guys think about this?

Still deciding between T2i or 7D.
 
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That won't work. Are you planning to cut back and forth between two shots an inch apart? That would look terrible, and you won't be hired again. The second camera has to be far enough away that you can cut to it and look like you meant to. If you really want to shoot single operator weddings with an HDSLR I recommend getting a GH1 instead. Personally, I use a 7D and a GH1, with the GH1 being the only solo camera when that's needed.
 
I'm currently shooting with two XH-A1s on tripod from different angle. B-roll is always at wide shot. The ultimate approach is to have FOUR 7D (or T2i). Two to replace each XH-A1. However, I might just go with 3 for the moment. Just one 7D as main cam. Then two 7Ds as B-roll. Between the 2 cams setup as B-Roll, that was what I refered in the first post. I will also have another 7D as main cam to cut back and forth.

I asked several people shooting weddings with DSLR. They seem to take a "highlights" approach. Say like, the ceremony chapter is made with several clips put together, not the entire ceremony in full. Since I also do corporate event and press conference, I need to have the entire event captured.
 
I've never liked the highlight model for the ceremony portion. It's fine for the rest of the wedding. Although I haven't seen many complete wedding videos, I would like to research how other people do it a bit more.

The way you've described it here would work, as long as you have something to cut to, but I still think it's a waste to use two cameras from one angle when you could just get a camera that records continuously, or keep one of the two you already have.
 
I don't like the "highlights" model too. Besides, when I shoot corporate event or press conference, the entire event needs to be recorded.

(I revised my original post to show my entire plan)

I know using two T2i might be a waste.. however, consider the amount of money.. it's almost half the price of 7D. The ultimate goal is to get rid of tape and shot full HD. Also, the new Canon memory card based camera cost over $7000. So this setup might work.

Now the challenging part is... since my assistant will be operating the second cam. He has to be alert at all time about the 12 min limit. Also, it will be a bit of time consuming in sychronize all the clips. But I can deal with that. =)
 
And the Panasonic GH1 costs less than two T2i's while getting, in most situations, really similar footage. I mix footage all the time on mine.
 
Hi,
we shot with both 7d's and T2i's the entire event,
what you have to do with the 12 minutes is to cut when there is a dead moment,
could be 8 minutes into the shot , every time is diferent
during a ceremony or a toast , you can cover it with the second camera, yes it's more editing and sinking video and audio
it's more challenging to shot with DSLR, but the results are fantastic,
i recommend you to buy one, take it to the job and start slowly incorporating the cam into your work, once you feel it on location you will learn by yourself your needs,
 
Taky said:
Also, it will be a bit of time consuming in sychronize all the clips. But I can deal with that. =)
Click to expand...

I'd recommend getting something like a Rode Videomic for the cameras then... depending on how far the camera is away from the bride/groom. The T2i internal mic doesn't really have much of a pickup. And syncing with good sound makes that sort of thing SOOOO much easier.
 
I just synced a wedding with the on board mic... it was windy, so I had to wait for the really quick parts where I could hear a word, especially since the groom whispered the vows. As much as I say syncing isn't a problem, that one was kind of a pain.
 
Does the Panasonic GH1 has any time limit on the video? If not, how's the quality? I might just buy 2 GH1 to do the job.
 
Taky said:
Does the Panasonic GH1 has any time limit on the video? If not, how's the quality? I might just buy 2 GH1 to do the job.
Click to expand...
No time limit. If you can get one that can still be hacked you will get better video (IMHO). I ordered a new one from B&H yesterday. I will soon see if it can still be hacked.

BTW, absolutely love the 2 Comer 1800's I got from you.
 
pjsssss, glad you like the Comer lights. They work very well for me at weddings too. =)

Are you using the Comer on Gh1? There are a few incidents showing the Comer lighty shoe mount punched a hole in the GH1 hot shoe.
 
Magic Lantern does this too, either by lowering the bitrate or by restarting recording.

With the first method, you can try CBR 0.4-0.5x and record continuously up to 30 minutes (maybe more with the Kiss X4, I didn't try).
See http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Bit_rate for details.

In the second case (with "Movie Restart" option), you will have 1 or 2 second gap between clips.
 
Interesting discussion. Thanks for the reminder that
the SD chip is FAT32. I knew that, but forgot it's
limitations. That translates to no more then about
12min. I think the longest clip I've rolled up so far
is about 5min.

FWIW my editing machine is Mandriva 2010.2 Linux
running on an ext4 file system. Maximum single
file size on that is:

16,000,000,000,000 ( 16 Terabytes )

I have in fact formated an SD, and Compact Flash,
Chip to ext 3&4 but that won't work in my T3i.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ext4
 
Right, the limitation is not at 12 minutes, but at 4 GB. Depending on bitrate, you can choose to fit either 5 minutes in 4GB at high quality, or 30 minutes at average quality...

With the default bitrate, there will be around 12 minutes in 4 GB.

There is a 30 minute limitation, because otherwise it would be considered a video camera.
 
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