Leopard at Night (Nkorho-South Africa)

Wil Vermeesch · July 21st, 2008, 02:19 AM

During my last holiday at Nkorho bush Lodge (Sabi Sands - South Africa) tested my Canon XH A1 with Gain setting - 3 during night filming under difficult light conditions. Standard Canon preset used.

http://www.vimeo.com/1378508

Comments for better settings or ideas are welcome.

Thanks,
Wil

Bill Grant · July 21st, 2008, 08:36 AM

wil,
That was amazing. what a great find, and great footage if I do say so. Who was running the spotlight, that was awesome. Really.
Bill

Wil Vermeesch · July 21st, 2008, 09:48 AM

Hi Bill,

thanks for the positive feed back.
the spotlight was operated by the tracker in front of the jeep

Wil

Julian Frost · July 21st, 2008, 11:44 AM

Good footage... and you can't go wrong with Dire Straits (theme from "Local Hero"). :-)

Doug Davis · July 21st, 2008, 11:37 PM

I'm pretty surprised the lights didn't wig him out...

The biggest criticism I have is that you should have gotten a better angle... I think in that situation a tree climb would have totally gotten the "money shot"... : ) Just kidding...

I am really impressed at the quality... That is a great example of a quality low light video... It was amazingly clean video under less than ideal circumstances... Great job man, I was thoroughly captivated by your piece... What an awesome creature...

Prashanna Jayaseelan · July 22nd, 2008, 10:55 AM

That video was awesome - I have always wanted to shoot in Africa, in the wild. The low light is impressive indeed. Again Great footage.

Trish Kerr · July 22nd, 2008, 11:16 AM

in your original post you mentioned gain - 3

was that -3? or were you just using a dash before the number - therefore +3 gain?

I didn't even think you could get away with minus 3 gain in the dark - but I guess in this situation it's spotlit

trish

Wil Vermeesch · July 22nd, 2008, 01:08 PM

Hi Trish,

my setting was -3dB GAIN which you can program.

Wil

Graham Bernard · July 23rd, 2008, 01:52 AM

Wil! You lucky bloke!!! - And yes the footage is amazing. I would now have a go with post colour correction/grading. I think there is more to be gained.

Truly stunning results with this £2k+ camera gives.

Grazie

Annie Haycock · July 25th, 2008, 07:13 AM

Any idea what power the spotlight was, and how far away from the leopard?

Pretty awesome footage.

Wil Vermeesch · July 25th, 2008, 08:13 AM

The power I don't know but the distance was approx. 5 meters (16FT)

Annie Haycock · July 25th, 2008, 08:31 AM

Was this an organised trip? If so, who were the company? Were they geared up for photography/filming, or was it an ordinary safari holiday? Or did you just book directly to stay there? If so, can you give some contact details?

Lots of questions, but if you come back with that kind of film, I want a good chance of doing the same!! Though I don't know yet when I'll be able to afford to go.

July 21st, 2008, 02:19 AM	#1
Wil Vermeesch New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eindhoven The Netherlands Posts: 6	Leopard at Night (Nkorho-South Africa) During my last holiday at Nkorho bush Lodge (Sabi Sands - South Africa) tested my Canon XH A1 with Gain setting - 3 during night filming under difficult light conditions. Standard Canon preset used. http://www.vimeo.com/1378508 Comments for better settings or ideas are welcome. Thanks, Wil

July 21st, 2008, 11:37 PM	#5
Doug Davis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Birmingham Alabama Posts: 260	I'm pretty surprised the lights didn't wig him out... The biggest criticism I have is that you should have gotten a better angle... I think in that situation a tree climb would have totally gotten the "money shot"... : ) Just kidding... I am really impressed at the quality... That is a great example of a quality low light video... It was amazingly clean video under less than ideal circumstances... Great job man, I was thoroughly captivated by your piece... What an awesome creature... __________________ "The only thing the camera sees is light..." http://www.GoWildOlive.com

July 22nd, 2008, 10:55 AM	#6
Prashanna Jayaseelan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 47	That video was awesome - I have always wanted to shoot in Africa, in the wild. The low light is impressive indeed. Again Great footage. __________________ P-your VISION Productions {Canon XH A1 +FCP 5&6+Swit LED+Dino Studio Lights} http://pyvproductions.wordpress.com

July 25th, 2008, 07:13 AM	#10
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 332	Any idea what power the spotlight was, and how far away from the leopard? Pretty awesome footage. __________________ Canon XH A1; Sony HVR A1e; Premiere Elements 4

July 25th, 2008, 08:31 AM	#12
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 332	Was this an organised trip? If so, who were the company? Were they geared up for photography/filming, or was it an ordinary safari holiday? Or did you just book directly to stay there? If so, can you give some contact details? Lots of questions, but if you come back with that kind of film, I want a good chance of doing the same!! Though I don't know yet when I'll be able to afford to go. __________________ Canon XH A1; Sony HVR A1e; Premiere Elements 4

July 21st, 2008, 08:36 AM	#2
Bill Grant Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Columbia,SC Posts: 323	wil, That was amazing. what a great find, and great footage if I do say so. Who was running the spotlight, that was awesome. Really. Bill

July 21st, 2008, 09:48 AM	#3
Wil Vermeesch New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eindhoven The Netherlands Posts: 6	Hi Bill, thanks for the positive feed back. the spotlight was operated by the tracker in front of the jeep Wil

July 21st, 2008, 11:44 AM	#4
Julian Frost Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California USA Posts: 203	Good footage... and you can't go wrong with Dire Straits (theme from "Local Hero"). :-)

July 22nd, 2008, 11:16 AM	#7
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 285	in your original post you mentioned gain - 3 was that -3? or were you just using a dash before the number - therefore +3 gain? I didn't even think you could get away with minus 3 gain in the dark - but I guess in this situation it's spotlit trish

July 22nd, 2008, 01:08 PM	#8
Wil Vermeesch New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eindhoven The Netherlands Posts: 6	Hi Trish, my setting was -3dB GAIN which you can program. Wil

July 23rd, 2008, 01:52 AM	#9
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 2,642	Wil! You lucky bloke!!! - And yes the footage is amazing. I would now have a go with post colour correction/grading. I think there is more to be gained. Truly stunning results with this £2k+ camera gives. Grazie

July 25th, 2008, 08:13 AM	#11
Wil Vermeesch New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eindhoven The Netherlands Posts: 6	The power I don't know but the distance was approx. 5 meters (16FT)

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