Professional filmmaker Den Lennie offers his valuable insights into shooting video - covering everything from exposure basics to sound recording with the Sony FS5 II and α7 III cameras.
Introduction
This series is designed to help photographers who wish to shoot video as well as stills. Both the α7 III and the FS5 II can shoot high quality video and throughout this video series I’ll be showing you how to get the best results with each.
Form Factor
The most important decision is often what are you shooting and where are you shooting. There are some situations where you want a small discreet camera, such as the ILC, other times it’s all about the ergonomics and accessories.
Recording Media
With photography you generally shoot RAW, JPEG, or a combination of both. Video is a different story, efficient codecs and high-speed media are critical.
Shutter Speed
One of the biggest challenges photographers who start shooting video face is the relatively low shutter speed which is tied to the frame rate your shooting at. For realistic motion blur in our videos, we need to follow what’s called the 180 degree rule.
White Balance
In video, point the camera one way and get one colour temperature, point the camera another way and you get an entirely different colour temperature.
Controlling Exposure
When it comes to exposing correctly for photography, the three main pillars are your aperture, shutter speed and ISO. These still apply for video, but the way in which you use them has significant differences.
Sound Recording
Poor quality audio will ruin what might be an excellent video, and viewers will quickly tune off regardless of how great your shots may be. Pro audio XLR connections can make a significant difference.
Picture Profiles
These preset looks give you quick access to different creative looks when shooting video. The FS5 II has no less than 10 to choose from, including profiles optimized for HDR and log shooting.
High Frame Rates
One of the coolest features of the α7III and the FS5II is the ability to film slow motion – shooting at a higher frame rate, such as 100fps, and then slowing the footage back down in post-production or in the case of the FS5 II, in camera.
