Sony NEX5n / Steadicam Smoothie / Car Show at DVinfo.net

Chuck Spaulding · May 6th, 2012, 12:30 PM

This is the first time shooting with both the NEX5n and the Staedicam Smoothie.
Took the camera and the smoothie out of their boxes, mounted it to the Smoothie, balanced it and shot this in about two hours.

Chuck Spaulding · May 8th, 2012, 08:39 PM

Considering this was the first shoot with the NEX5n, literally right out of the box, I was fairly happy with the results, however, I would like to make it much better and would appreciate it if after you watch this video and have some suggestions for improving it that you guys share them. Especially if you have experience with NEX's.

I realize that is is a prosumer camera but I'm shooting a documentary in Kenya with Canon DSLR's and would really like to be able to integrate footage from this camera.

Thanks.

John Friedman · May 14th, 2012, 08:16 PM

Chuck, it's hard to be critical of such a great looking video. I'm really impressed with the footage and your steadicam work. The only thing I find noticeable are your reflections in the shots. Anytime I noticed your reflection, it caused me to totally ignore the vehicle. I compare it to "Where' Waldo." There's probably a term for this in video ;)

If you're looking to integrate footage with your Canon DSLR's, maybe getting some nice ND filters to control the aperture and match shots with more shallow depth of field could be a consideration. This particular video has very deep depth of field, which is appropriate for steadicam glide shots.

Chuck Spaulding · May 16th, 2012, 11:47 AM

Thanks John.

I have recently got a variable ND filter and will try that. I'm thinking that on the steadicam I'd still like to have a fairly deep DOF, something around f/8 should be better than f/16-22.

Regarding reflection, I agree, first like a lot of people I hate seeing footage of myself but this was literally the first time I had used the Smoothie so instead of trying to control where it was shooting I kind of just "followed' it around. Many of my best sweeping shots where because the wind blew the camera in a direction and I just tried to keep up with it.

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

May 6th, 2012, 12:30 PM	#1
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,099	Sony NEX5n / Steadicam Smoothie / Car Show This is the first time shooting with both the NEX5n and the Staedicam Smoothie. Took the camera and the smoothie out of their boxes, mounted it to the Smoothie, balanced it and shot this in about two hours. Sony NEX5n / Steadicam Smoothie / Car Show on Vimeo

May 8th, 2012, 08:39 PM	#2
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,099	Re: Sony NEX5n / Steadicam Smoothie / Car Show Considering this was the first shoot with the NEX5n, literally right out of the box, I was fairly happy with the results, however, I would like to make it much better and would appreciate it if after you watch this video and have some suggestions for improving it that you guys share them. Especially if you have experience with NEX's. I realize that is is a prosumer camera but I'm shooting a documentary in Kenya with Canon DSLR's and would really like to be able to integrate footage from this camera. Thanks.

May 14th, 2012, 08:16 PM	#3
John Friedman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Snellville, Ga Posts: 34	Re: Sony NEX5n / Steadicam Smoothie / Car Show Chuck, it's hard to be critical of such a great looking video. I'm really impressed with the footage and your steadicam work. The only thing I find noticeable are your reflections in the shots. Anytime I noticed your reflection, it caused me to totally ignore the vehicle. I compare it to "Where' Waldo." There's probably a term for this in video ;) If you're looking to integrate footage with your Canon DSLR's, maybe getting some nice ND filters to control the aperture and match shots with more shallow depth of field could be a consideration. This particular video has very deep depth of field, which is appropriate for steadicam glide shots. Last edited by John Friedman; May 14th, 2012 at 08:22 PM. Reason: extra thought

May 16th, 2012, 11:47 AM	#4
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,099	Re: Sony NEX5n / Steadicam Smoothie / Car Show Thanks John. I have recently got a variable ND filter and will try that. I'm thinking that on the steadicam I'd still like to have a fairly deep DOF, something around f/8 should be better than f/16-22. Regarding reflection, I agree, first like a lot of people I hate seeing footage of myself but this was literally the first time I had used the Smoothie so instead of trying to control where it was shooting I kind of just "followed' it around. Many of my best sweeping shots where because the wind blew the camera in a direction and I just tried to keep up with it. Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.