DSLR Weddings
I'm going to DSLR this year and have two Canon 60D's. For my third camera should I get a conventional video camera like a Canon Vixia HF S20 or another 60D?
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Hi Geoffrey,
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60D, hands down. The quality will not match and you will notice it and I think your couples will too. We shoot on two 7D's and are getting a third to make our vids that much better.
Down paddle backwards getting a video cam. Embrace the change and go full steam ahead. |
I was thinking the same thing, adding a version of the Panny 700 to GH models. I got one from Amazon, did one test clip of my dining room at nighttime and sent it back the next day. Part of the clip's quality seemed pretty darn close, and then I got to where the cam blew out the white woodwork which was completely unacceptable. If you decide to try the Vixia, get it from somewhere that has a liberal return policy. Try it out on the worst scenario and then see what you think of it.
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It depends a bit on the product you deliver, but I'm guessing you deliver or have the option to deliver the full ceremony, toasts, etc? If that's the case, then I would make that 3rd camera a continuous-record variation to make your life waaayyy easier. We use one strictly for wide angle shots and cutaways for the documentary edits and it's totally worthwhile. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you won't be able to match the footage to your 60D footage. We match to 7D's all the time and I guarantee you that no bride (or videographer for that matter) would ever know.
Weddings are live, one-shot-to-get it events and it's really useful to have at least one continuous-record camera in operation. Just my opinion. |
I also match 5d2 footage with my XLH1 HDV and no couple has noticed. I notice that it's a little softer.
It's so nice to be able to run multiple XLR audio sources in, not have to worry about sync (or pushing record on a separate recorder). |
Geoffrey, a lot depends on how you are shooting, but my advice would be to make sure you have at least one continuously recording camera.
Are you shooting alone or do you have assistants? DSLR's are almost useless as unattended cameras because of the 4bg limit. Normally my wide camera is recording for 12 minutes before the bride even arrives, and it is often in a location that I cannot reach easily or quickly during a ceremony. Even if you have 3 shooters, consider that you'll need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively (but also silently) during the ceremony to make sure you stagger your recordings correctly. |
I have one shooting assistant and one assistant who would rather not mess with a camera. My product is short-form, cinema style, but in the past, I've offered to put the whole ceremony (and speeches sometimes) as a menu item on their DVD. Some brides liked to have this option.
I already bought the Canon video camera but was thinking about exchanging it for another 60D body. I was thinking after the ceremony it would be nice to have one body dedicated to the Blackbird steady-cam and that would still leave two cameras to cover the reception. I don't know. More undecided than ever. |
I shoot DSLR all by myself and use 2-3 camera's during the ceremony. I have no problem with the 12 minute limit and don't understand all the hysteria surrounding it.
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Hi Travis,
Exactly my opinion. I'm able to match up an Canon HV30 very closely. It actually matches my T2i's better than it matched my XHA1. I don't run it at receptions, but instead as a catch-all angle for the ceremony. I sell a full-doc version so its important to get it all. If I just offered short-form or had an assistant I wouldn't need it. Quote:
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Hi Geoffrey,
Three DSLR's is a good option if you want to get moving camera shots during the ceremony. I have an HV30 running on wide, two static T2i with 80-200 2.8 MF lenses that I reposition throughout the ceremony and one T2i that I use for the processional on a monopod, for creative moving shots during the ceremony and a then for a glidecam exit. Quote:
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Thanks! |
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Hey Travis,
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For a better looking conversion (fewer edge artifacts) I use JES: Home Page of JES But the workflow isn't a smooth. Below is a comparison of Compressor (on the left) and JES at 400%. I also I have a Compressor droplet linked below if anyone needs it - converts 24p/60i to native 24p via Reverse Telecine. http://tinyurl.com/45akmx3 |
24p?
I thought most wedding videographers used 30p.
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Hi Geoffrey,
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Tests
I'm still struggling a little with some of this so I did my own tests. I also posted this on the Canon 60D forum.
I shot 4 very short clips at different settings to try and determine what is going to work best for my upcoming wedding season. Questions: I can't find in the operator's manual, but the 1280x720 60 setting in the Canon 60D seems to be 60 progressive. I took a frame and put it in Photoshop and it appears to be progressive. But when I render in Vegas, there isn't a 60P setting - at least in "main concept AVC/AAC mp4. So, I rendered as 29.970 progressive and it came out fine. Is there a way to shoot 60i in this camera? Does anyone have an opinion as to which setting produces the nicest camera movement? 24P looks the worse to me, with 30P in second place and 60P looks the smoothest. Is there a reason people on this forum always recommend 24P and 30P? Do they think it's more important to have that extra resolution of 1920 x 1080 and have choppy movement? Is there a best setting if output to SD DVD's is most probable outcome? Isn't 60P the best setting that would allow me to do decent slow-motion (in After Effects/Twixor) every once in a while? Test 01 (1080 30P) Camera setting 1920 x 1080 30 1/60th shutter speed Vegas project setting HD 1080-30p Render setting MainConcept AVC/AAC mp4 Video 29.970fps, 1920x1080 Progressive 20 Mbps Uploaded to YouTube YouTube - 30P test Test 02 (1080 24P) Camera setting 1920 x 1080 24 1/60th shutter speed Vegas project setting HD 1080-24p Render setting MainConcept AVC/AAC mp4 Video 23.976fps, 1920x1080 Progressive 20 Mbps Uploaded to YouTube YouTube - 24P 1/60 Test 03 (same as Test 02 except for shutter speed) Camera setting 1920 x 1080 24 1/50th shutter speed Vegas project setting HD 1080-24p Render setting MainConcept AVC/AAC mp4 Video 23.976fps, 1920x1080 Progressive 20 Mbps Uploaded to YouTube YouTube - 24p test 50th.mp4 Test 04 (720 60P) Camera setting 1280 x 720 60 1/60th shutter speed Vegas project setting HD 720-60P Render setting MainConcept AVC/AAC mp4 Video 23.976fps, 1920x1080 Progressive 20 Mbps Uploaded to YouTube YouTube - 60p |
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Dslr weddings
I use a 5D II, T2i, and small camcorders (Canon HF11's). I wouldn't go without the small camcorders or a regular video camera, since it can keep recording beyond the 12minute or so limits that DSLR camcorders have. I just place them in various places, and keep them running. I check up on them every now and then to see if I need to change anything.
Then, you're free to move around with the DSLR's and do close-ups, extra wide, various angles, etc. Being able to have a video running till it reaches the 30 gig or so is just fantastic. ... and they're easy to review and analyze as far as which files you want to keep. |
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