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How do I reduce noise when filming at night?

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slc_utahboiii
Posts: 1755 - Karma: 1,441
When I film with my t2i at night the blacks and dark colors are very noisy.

Help me!
Dec 3 2011 1:18PM
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Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
Get faster lenses....and don't turn up your ISO much past 800.
Dec 3 2011 1:19PM
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slc_utahboiii
Posts: 1755 - Karma: 1,441
What do you mean faster lens, and thanks for the ISO tip
Dec 3 2011 1:21PM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
Wider aperture, usually you can get a 50mm 1.8 for around 150$ or a 1.4 for around 400$, I think ehearth was selling one for like 150$ but I doubt that's still around.

You can also use external lighting
Dec 3 2011 1:24PM
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slc_utahboiii
Posts: 1755 - Karma: 1,441
Im just using the kit lens, so what should my ISO be at for night filming?
Dec 3 2011 1:32PM
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Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
I'm not sure what the kit lens is on a t2i, but get yourself something with an f-stop of 2.8 and below.  I'd suggest the Canon 50mm 1.4. 

As far as your ISO settings it totally depends on what your doing.  Try adding more lighting if you can.  If you can't, time to look into different lens options.  I've found 2.0-2.8 to be the sweetspot with some lighting. 
Dec 3 2011 2:18PM
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GreenHorn
Posts: 4896 - Karma: 1,209
pick up a cheap, older 50mm 1.4

I got a Nikon Nikkor 50 1.4 with an adapter for like $85

Dec 3 2011 2:29PM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
Yea totally you don't need af for video
Dec 3 2011 3:44PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
Ouch....
Dec 3 2011 3:46PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
haha
Dec 3 2011 4:24PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
hahahaha, us DSLR filmers just don't have it the same as your godly night vision FS100 Heath
Dec 3 2011 4:37PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
yeah i know, but i thought you guys could go higher than 800... my base iso is 500 lol
Dec 3 2011 4:52PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
I push 1600 on my 5d and it looks fine most of the time, but it all depends i guess.
Dec 3 2011 5:02PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
12800 on a gh2 doesn't look bad in black and white thanks to the hack
Dec 3 2011 7:04PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
screen shot or video? the fs100 is clean at 8000 (24db) but past that it starts getting noisy at 12500 and 160000
Dec 3 2011 7:17PM
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B1kessk1s
Posts: 953 - Karma: 691
with my t3i, iso1600 does not look bad at all. for night shooting i shot with my 24-105mm F4L at iso 3200 and it was not that bad...anyway it is going on the internet so whatever
Dec 3 2011 7:17PM
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Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
It's just a rule I lived by.  I would only go to 1000 when necessary. 800 was a sweet spot.
Dec 3 2011 8:08PM
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slc_utahboiii
Posts: 1755 - Karma: 1,441
Alright awesome, thanks for the help!
Dec 3 2011 8:10PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I have seen some samples, and it is noisy, but with black and white it doesn't look terrible, and is more than usable in the right situations. This is by no means good, but it is completely raw and looks alright with the style



this next video shows what the gh2 can do at night, not sure of the iso, but it is the olympus 12mm f2 lens. I feel like this look is one that would be much more useful to people looking to shoot urban

Dec 4 2011 4:29PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Man I wish I had a GH2.
Dec 4 2011 5:28PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
Yeah, IMO that 12800 is not usable, its similar to the fs100 30db (16,000), pretty noisy and the second video looks good but i bet thats at 3000-4000 iso max citys are pretty bright. whats most impressive with the fs100 is that 21-24db (6400-8000) is 100% clean, its crazy as fuck.
Dec 4 2011 5:34PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
a few weeks back you had a screenshot of some urban at like 1am you said. what was it there? im guessing 12800?
Dec 4 2011 6:26PM
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edd1e
Posts: 679 - Karma: 16
http://www.eoshd.com/content/5248/latest-gh2-hack-unlocks-stunning-iso-12800-with-film-like-grain
Dec 4 2011 7:12PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
this one?

Click for larger image

it was actually 6400 i believe, 21db @ 1/48 and f2.
Dec 4 2011 7:17PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
You shouldn't ever, ever, ever go to 1000. That's a foul, shitty ISO. Don't use it. Only use native ISO or, even better for video: native -1/3 stop. You'll get a flatter image (which is good for video shooting) and less ISO.
Multiples of 250 are weird, fucked up ISO's.
Dec 4 2011 7:36PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
yeah that one. wow, thats crazy. how much light were you working with? yesterday i was filming some urban and i had 4 500w halogen lights, and 2 800w stand lights and I could barley get away with 1600. and my aperture was still at like 3.5 Im talking like a 15 yard by 10 yard confined area here. i guess thats a huge down fall for a DSLR.
Dec 4 2011 7:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
well there are no lights in that screen shot....


but when I have shot with lights, i shoto 18/21db 1/188 f4ish at 1080p60. I could shoot 24p f2 and 1/96 and probably have db12-15.
Dec 4 2011 7:49PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
i didnt know if there were some out of the shot.

do you ever get any motion blur when shooting at those shutter speeds?
Dec 4 2011 7:58PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
Thats why I shoot 1/188 to eliminate motion blur with 60p.
Dec 4 2011 8:01PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
I wish I had a GH2 + the f0.95 lens they make for it. holy shit that'd be sick
Dec 4 2011 8:08PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
ahh okay. that makes sense.
Dec 4 2011 8:12PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
too bad it looks awful at .95 doesn't even start looking good til 1.4... which i guess is one stop higher than I can rock my 50mm at but whatever haha
Dec 4 2011 8:26PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Haha well duh...shooting all the way open is for noobs.

But for real, I'm seriously considering selling my 7D for a GH2. Longer telephoto reach + no moiré = sex.
Dec 5 2011 12:42PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
i love mine, you get intra with the hack, you can adapt nearly any lens, and they are getting very cheap, i think i saw them down to $699 for the 14-42 and $999 for the 14-140. My only complaint is the focus by wire lenses, which is easily fixed by using vintage/full manual (samyang 35mm 1.4 etc) lenses, but it is nice to have AF once in a while
Dec 5 2011 1:50PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
Oh my god, you wouldn't beliebe how many dumb ass fucks on DVX user LOVE SHOOTING WIDE OPEN OMG SHALLOW DOF drives me fucking crazy.
Dec 5 2011 2:04PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I give zero shits about auto focus. My only complaint with the GH2 is that there's no solid 11mm lens for it. Specifically, I just wish I could adapt my Tokina 11-16 to it. If I could, I would sell my 7D in a heartbeat and never look back.
Dec 5 2011 2:31PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
I mean, if you sold your canon one (which would be so fucking easy) then bought a nikon one and used this adapter http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-cameras-Olympus-Panasonic/dp/B003Y2XN9G you'd be set...
Dec 5 2011 2:34PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
there are a few 12mm lenses, an f2 ($800) and an f1.6 (full manual, dampened focus ring $500). Also there is a crazy wide 7-14 f4, this video has some shots with it

Dec 5 2011 2:43PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
wha? what models are they? Literally the ONLY reason I chose the 7D over the GH2 is because of the Tokina 11-16. If there's a solid alternative for 4/3 sensors, I'm switching.
Dec 5 2011 2:49PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
slr magic 12mm 1.6 hyperprime - should retail around $500, i'm currently looking for somewhere selling one, very new lens, said to be very cinematic in every review
olympus OM zuiko 12mm 2.0 i believe it is $800, has gotten great reviews (besides price) and is insanely sharp, every review raves about this
panasonic 7-14 f4.0 just under $900, haven't heard much about this one, i think there was a lack of interest because of the price and it is f4, and because it is "big and heavy" compared to other m4/3 lenses and bodies

there is also a 14mm f2.5 pancake, but it and the 7-14 have the focus by wire
Dec 5 2011 4:00PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Hmm. Turns out I can't afford a GH2 setup yet because the only telephoto that fits my needs is the Olympus 35-100 f/2, which costs $2400. Soon...

Also, the lack of filter rings on the 7-14mm is a real bummer. How the hell are you supposed to expose for sunlight? High shutter and stopped down until it's soft? No thank you.

I am also thinking of a dual camera setup. GH2 with 35-100 f/2 and Olympus 12mm f2 + Canon 60d with Tokina 11-16.
Dec 5 2011 4:15PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,042
Why wouldn't you just get a nikon 80-200 for long stuff?
Dec 5 2011 4:26PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
you can adapt virtually any lens, and there are new panasonic lenses being announced later this month, a 12-35 and a 35-100, f2.8 or faster, and I think they are supposed to be $1000 to $1500 each. Any reason the 12mm f2 over the f1.6? I know the differences, I'm simply wondering your opinion on it
Dec 5 2011 4:59PM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Threads.
Sep 18 2012 2:20PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
well well well
Sep 18 2012 3:21PM
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mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
some good discussions here

threads
Sep 20 2012 3:07PM
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