–√√√
Video Tech - Camera Operation
PART I – GETTING STARTED
Initial Setup
1. Tripod fundamentals
2. Battery & AC adapter/charger (can’t charge battery and power camera simultaneously)
BEST PRACTICE – If there’s an outlet, plug it in.
BEST PRACTICE – Always return camera with battery fully charged.
3. Lenses
BEST PRACTICE – The lens cap goes in the camera case.
Protective UV filter – remains on lens unless adding other lens accessories.
Lens cleaning- Fluid goes on cloth/tissue, not lens.
4. Powering on
Camera Overview
1. Lens & lens controls – focus ring & switches, zoom ring, rockers & servo switch, iris
2. Viewfinder & LCD – diopter, EV DTL, focus assist; LCD image and display (Never use lens fluid on LCD)
3. Media – P2, Tape and SD
4. Audio – inputs, channel routing, phantom power, level controls, menu
5. Playback and menu controls
6. Ports – composite (rca, s-video), component, firewire, usb, headphone, remote
(others to consider – hdmi, sdi)
The Basis of Film & Videography
Photography (“writing with light”)
The process of capturing reflected light onto film emulsion or an electronic sensor.
Phi Phenomenon
An optical illusion in which we perceive constant motion when viewing a sequence of images.
Persistence of Vision
A phenomenon in which our perception of the decay of a visual stimulus is slower than the true decay of that stimulus.
Frame rate
The number of static images a camera records per second in order to create the illusion of motion.
The film look = 24 fps. The sports/news/soap opera look = 29.97 fps. HFR = 48 fps (?)
Craig
?Abaya
?
?Digital
?Video
?Intensive
?SF
?State
?University
?Extended
?Learning
?
?–
PART II – CAMERA SETTINGS
Focus
Controlling
a) Automatic – usually focuses on center of frame
b) Manual – most accurate focus = when zoomed-in on subject
c) Press Auto – While in manual focus mode, depress until camera focuses on centered object
Exposure
Controlling via camera
a) Shutter speed – usually fixed
b) Iris
c) ND Filter – reduces incoming light
d) Gain – artificially boosts the signal luminance (use with care)
Controlling light source
a) Boost artificial light levels
b) Use a silk to reduce sunlight – or- silk, scrim, ND gel to reduce artificial light source
Factors
Zebra = Exposure evaluation tool, to determine brightest white parts of the scene (set in menu)
Optimal shutter speed = the reciprocal of 2 times the frame rate (i.e. - 24 fps = 1/48 sec. or 180.0d)
Contrast
Controlling via camera
a) Choose appropriate re-set (“function” dial on the back of the HVX-200)
b) Make custom adjustments in camera menu (save all settings if camera has the capability)
Controlling light source
a) Use fill light or reflector to reduce (but not eliminate) shadows
b) Use silks to reduce hot spots
White Balance
Kelvin Ratings
a) Incandescent – Professional lighting = 3200°K, Household soft white = 2700°K
b) Daylight ~5600°K
c) Other – Various times of day. Various varieties of fluorescent.
Controlling via camera
a) Camera presets (usually daylight and 3.2k)
b) Manual – Press-and-release while filling screen with white board
Craig
?Abaya
?
?Digital
?Video
?Intensive
?SF
?State
?University
?Extended
?Learning
?
?–
PART II – LENSES
Iris
1. f-stop: Ratio between true focal length and diameter of lens opening (iris/aperture)
2. Largest iris opening = most light = shallowest depth-of-field
Focal Length
Wide Angle
1. Wider angle of view
2. Objects appear to be father
3. Greater depth-of-field
4. Distance between objects along the z-axis appear to be greater
5. Camera shake is reduced
6. Distortion occurs, making portraits and less flattering
Narrow Angle
1. Narrower angle of view
2. Objects appear to be closer
3. Shallower depth-of-field
4. Distance between objects along the z-axis appear to be lesser
5. Camera shake is magnified
6. Compression occurs, making portraits more flattering
Standard
1. Perceived distance is normal
2. Some distortion
Depth-Of-Field
Controlling directly
a) Iris - adjusts the size of the depth of field (smaller f-stop = greater d.o.f.)
b) Focal length - changes the perceived d.o.f. (wide angle = greater d.o.f.)
c) Proximity to the subject (farther = greater d.o.f.)
Supporting influences
a) ND filters
b) Gain
c) Light level of the scene
d) Distance between subjects
Other
OIS – Activate for handheld shots only.
USER 1 = quick review, USER 2 = backlight, USER 3 = backdark
Craig
?Abaya
?
?Digital
?Video
?Intensive
?SF
?State
?University
?Extended
?Learning
?
?–
PART III - SOUND
Setup
Signal routing
1. Select audio source for channel 1 and 2 (other two sources are automatically re-routed to channel 3 and 4)
2. If using input 1 and input 2, activate phantom power (48v) for condenser microphones
3. Select input signal level (mic/line)
Metering and adjusting
1. Camera’s audio sensitivity is adjusted in the “Recording Setup” menu (Mic Gain and ALC)
2. Adjust levels on rear
nd
3. A healthy signal averages above 2 horizontal line on display. Avoid red “peaks” (clipping)
4. Meters display whichever signals are sent to channel 1 & 2
Best Audio would peak at just under 0dB
PART IV – PLAYBACK AND IMPORT
MCR/VCR Mode
1. Depress “Mode” button to toggle between Camera and VCR mode
2. Highlighted thumbnail will be played back using vcr controls
3. Jump to next/previous thumbnail, ff/rev, pause
4. Press pause button to select/deselect clip
5. Press “menu” for options: delete, reformat, etc.
PC/Dub Mode
1. Connect camera to computer
2. While in MCR/VCR mode, press and hold “Mode” button.
3. P2 card(s) in camera should appear on computer desktop and, subsequently, in Final Cut Pro (for import).
Craig
?Abaya
?
?Digital
?Video
?Intensive
?SF
?State
?University
?Extended
?Learning
?
? |
|
