What is the "best" shutter speed for a live dance event? at DVinfo.net

Mike Barber · June 25th, 2006, 11:49 AM

I will be filming a live dance event, and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on what the ideal shutter speeds are for dance.

It will be live (belly) dancing on a stage, indoors, with a live band behind them.

I favour the manual setting (manual everything, really) and may use my wide-angle lense... maybe...

I am fairly novice, so am very open to advice from my experienced (and professional) peers.

Many thanks in advance!

Tim Johnson · June 25th, 2006, 12:55 PM

i always film at 1/60 if possible, but its not always possible and probably not the best. the problem is you dont mention how the lighting is?

Mike Barber · June 25th, 2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Johnson

i always film at 1/60 if possible, but its not always possible and probably not the best. the problem is you dont mention how the lighting is?

Stage lighting... spotlights, basically.

Dale Guthormsen · June 25th, 2006, 11:45 PM

Mike,

I would shoot 30 p and I would shoot at 60 or 120. any slowry gives a lot of blur to arm and body movement. any faster than the 100 can give flicker if the movements are particularly fast.

Don Palomaki · June 26th, 2006, 03:56 PM

Different shutter speeds and 30P vs 60i can give a different look/feel to the video. Try a test shoot with similar movement and lighting before the event, then watch the video to see what you like best.

To my eye, standard 60i at 1/60th generally looks good on typical SD TV where movement is important.

June 25th, 2006, 11:49 AM	#1
Mike Barber Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 731	What is the "best" shutter speed for a live dance event? I will be filming a live dance event, and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on what the ideal shutter speeds are for dance. It will be live (belly) dancing on a stage, indoors, with a live band behind them. I favour the manual setting (manual everything, really) and may use my wide-angle lense... maybe... I am fairly novice, so am very open to advice from my experienced (and professional) peers. Many thanks in advance! __________________ Mike Barber "I'm laughing to stop myself from screaming."

June 25th, 2006, 12:55 PM	#2
Tim Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 101	i always film at 1/60 if possible, but its not always possible and probably not the best. the problem is you dont mention how the lighting is? __________________ (Wishes to be more informative and helpful than a nuisance)

June 25th, 2006, 11:45 PM	#4
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Mike, I would shoot 30 p and I would shoot at 60 or 120. any slowry gives a lot of blur to arm and body movement. any faster than the 100 can give flicker if the movements are particularly fast. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 26th, 2006, 03:56 PM	#5
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Different shutter speeds and 30P vs 60i can give a different look/feel to the video. Try a test shoot with similar movement and lighting before the event, then watch the video to see what you like best. To my eye, standard 60i at 1/60th generally looks good on typical SD TV where movement is important. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com