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What to know before starting filming with DSLR ?

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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
I searched around on NS but didn't be able to answer my question.. And i thought that it should have a sticky about it.. but anyway,

I was wondering what i need to know before getting my t2i (it's in the mail right now) if i only got a gopro before..

I know that:

ISO speed: A measurement of how quickly your camera’s sensor absorbs light.

Shutter speed: A measurement of how long your camera’s shutter is open for when you take a shot.

Aperture: A measurement of how wide the shutter on your camera’s lens opens up when you take a shot.

But on what base did i adjust them ? Is there are chart or something like that that tell me how to do? and why did i need to do it ?

Jan 5 2012 8:38PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
You are not ready for a t2i at all. Google is your friend. I'd advise that you not even open the box until you can answer all of the questions you posted.
Jan 5 2012 8:43PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
i just read what i writed and it does look like what i wanted to say..

it was more like how do you know what iso, shutter speed and aperture you need in what situation..

for example, if it's night and we only have spotlight on a urban setup, how can you be sure at 100% that you're doing it right?
Jan 5 2012 8:49PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
There is certain tools you can use to adjust these things. Get Magic Lantern if you want them. I use the Zebras for exposure along with the waveform/ histogram monitor.
Jan 5 2012 8:50PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
there is a light meter on the camera that will show exposure. all of the factors you listed effect the overall exposure (how light/dark the picture is) as well as doing other things like changing depth of field, motion blur, and noise. i would suggest reading this:

http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/

and i would suggest shooting photos for a little while before you start doing video with your new camera because it'll help you understand the basics of photo/video a little better.

also, i would read this at some point when you get a chance:

http://nofilmschool.com/dslr/
Jan 5 2012 8:59PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
I'm pretty sick and tired with kids getting fancy ass dslr's with little to no knwoledge of the subject. Why spend that much money on something you have no idea to use.
Jan 5 2012 9:00PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
no need to be rude bro.. calm down.

I recently discovered that photography/videography is something i really like and it showed up like a t2i was a good camera at low price and pretty good for beginners..

All i want is to have fun with mt friends by getting cool shot, pictures, make some nices edit, etc..

I just wanted to know some tips before starting to use it to be fully able to use it properly,

Thanks.
Jan 5 2012 9:07PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Hey will, im all about investing in something and learning over time how to use it. i did the same thing with my T2i 2 years ago. For the past year I've been reading so many forums on photography-on-the.net and I've learned soo much.

Regarding your questions, there isn't a chart, as lighting levels change with every picture. A great way to learn is to put it in auto mode and see what the camera does. Then switch to manual and put it to those settings. You can then play with them and c what happens and what you like. Eventually you will know what settings are right for a picture. hope this helps!

keep reading these forums, get ideas from other photographers and copy what they do to learn new things. enjoy the wonderful world of photography!
Jan 5 2012 9:38PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
thats what you think..
Jan 5 2012 9:43PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
haha soo true. $2000 later....
Jan 5 2012 9:45PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I'm pretty sick and tired of people hating on kids because they have an interest in a fun artform and own a piece of equipment that gives them basic controls and will help them learn.

A t2i is far from fancy; it's a cheap camera that does a lot for what you pay, which is why it's perfect for beginners. What's stupid is buying a camera that you already know how to use with no learning curve whatsoever.
Jan 5 2012 9:57PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
Thanks for the links !

And yeah, i think i will start by just doing pictures..

there is a big event at my homemountain next week-end and if i have the t2i by this time.. i will practice all night by taking pictures of people on the rails !

But i'm french so this is why i have so much question.. every time i got on a website or i see a video tutorial, i still have some questions because i don't know what some of the word means..

k+++
Jan 5 2012 10:00PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
Thank you, i will for sure take the time to know how to use it ! I like to learn new things so i will for sure always be searching around the net to be able to use my t2i.

I will try your tips, with the auto mode and the manual mode to see what i can get !

And if i have any other question about my t2i.. can i PM you?

k+++
Jan 5 2012 10:03PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
this exactly!
Jan 5 2012 10:03PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
starting with photos is deff a good idea, learn about what all the adjustments do, get that down pat, then start experimenting with the program and manual modes, then get into video.
Jan 5 2012 10:08PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
thanks for your help !

NS need more people like you!

k+++ (how the fuck this is possible.. you have so much karma) ahhahahah
Jan 5 2012 10:08PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Click for larger image
Jan 5 2012 10:22PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
Yeah this is what i will be doing for the first month probably ! Just to be sure i know everything about the camera ! Thanks !

**

Since i will recieve my camera like the day before the event at my mountain (or the week after :( . do you guys think i should only use the auto mode for the first time to get good result?
Jan 5 2012 10:23PM
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TaranItUp
Posts: 1313 - Karma: 802
Finally someone is reasonable, thank you Landis.
Jan 5 2012 10:36PM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
for the white balance part, what do the colors mean
Jan 6 2012 1:03AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
I came in knowing next to nothing; my previous experience with a cam was a gopro and fcp7. It took a while to learn but once you get it down, dslrs become great tools IMO. Some people don't like them but I personally do
Jan 6 2012 1:07AM
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m_and_m
Posts: 44 - Karma: 18
Just go for it. Watch lots of tutorials! And practice a lot and you will be fine!
Jan 6 2012 1:13AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Really? Sell the t2i and pay for a tutor.
Jan 6 2012 1:14AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
Beat me to it. It's not that hard to figure out how to use a manual camera like the t2i, and once you do it's infinitely more rewarding to shoot with.


And for Will, honestly the first thing I did when I got my first dslr (with no previous knowledge of manual camera settings or photography rules) was to read the manual. Read it front to back, so you know what your camera does and how to do it. And read the basic background that people above have posted about those things, then play around with it until you get used to it. After enough practice you'll know what kind of settings will work in a given situation without having to blindly guess.
Jan 6 2012 2:12AM
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remster
Posts: 898 - Karma: 261
Fucking dick, didn't you read the posts above? Anyway I would like to see some photos following this 'event' so maybe we can give some feedback etc?
Jan 6 2012 2:15AM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
this is a really good idea !

if i get it before the event too ! :p

and k+ to everyone who help me!!

oh and to the guy said lpay for a tutor.. i will only tell you to shut the fuck up and learn french!


Jan 6 2012 2:43AM
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TaySwift
Posts: 3436 - Karma: 1,622
how do you learn how to use one then? I got a 60D(worked the summer to pay for it) without even knowing half the shit i needed to know. im not saying i am great at video or photography but by using it and asking around i am 1000x's better now. calm down
Jan 6 2012 2:47AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
Dude English is obviously not his first language. OP, the best way to learn is to take your new camera and just start shooting with it. Read the users manual, read for hours online about it. Go out and shoot random stuff and learn how everything works, play with your colour settings, different shutter speeds and aperture, and see what look of picture you like the best. Don't expect awesome results right away, it takes time to master your camera.
Jan 6 2012 2:47AM
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TaySwift
Posts: 3436 - Karma: 1,622
that's how the whites and lumas will turn out
Jan 6 2012 3:01AM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
seriously, not even just hating on kids for this but just how everyone says the same shit theyve heard from other people on this forum. it amazes me how often i see people repeating things they read on here whether its right or wrong and how little i see intelligent original opinions
Jan 6 2012 3:38AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
that's the thing i dislike most about ns and m&a (inb4 someone says i do it)
everyone just recommends t2i's, tamron 17-50, tokina 11-16, and act like glidecams are the only form of stabilization in existence. so annoying, oh but can't forget when they say "don't get a t2i because they're hard to learn on and you can't handle it", when they bought one themselves for their first camera. Video cameras are a dream to film snowsports with, especially in HD video where focus is so crucial. Peaking = orgasm. I'm not even going to begin to list all the benefits because I've done it 9999 times before.
Everytime an orange name or highly regarded member in m&a say something new everyone just starts thinking they're smart for saying the same thing
come at me
/rant
Jan 6 2012 3:57AM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
English isn't his first language he's french, give a a break and chiil out.
Jan 6 2012 6:32AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
FUCK. My bad man I automatically assume english is everyone's first language on here.
Jan 6 2012 9:07AM
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315jibber94
Posts: 880 - Karma: -39
Honestly, don't listen to all the haters, I bought a d3000 last winter and played around with the settings and asked a few questions from friends with dslr's but all you really need to do is play around with it, like go really drastic both ends of aperature and then from that go in the middle and then it'll make a mental note on when you need it, just take a bunch of sample shots and play around with it really, you can always reset the settings if you really suck at it but there not too hard to learn once you know where everything is, I learned from my d3000 that a low ISO like 200 and then a fast shutter speed and apiture all the way open maybe closed a little works greatt, rule of thumb, the brighter and more sunlight there is the faster the shutter speed so the sun doesn't wash it out good luck!
Jan 6 2012 11:50AM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
i just downloaded the t2i manual in french.. i will be reading it before i get my t2i !

Thanks for the idea, and i know i will not get the best result at first haha but with the time it will be better..

And i have a friend, she is chinese so she know camera aswell.. (jk)

But she really know everything about the Dslr (she own 3 of them right now), so she can answer every of my question so i'll be very able to know my problems with my t2i ! I'm really lucky to have her. ahahah

k+++
Jan 6 2012 12:16PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
thnaks for your help!

i will test what you say about the aperture, ISO and shutter speed !

i just don't understand very well on what you base your choice of..

ex: the darker you want your shot, the higher you put your ISO ? It's a little hard to vizualize..
Jan 6 2012 12:23PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
No, higher ISO will make your image brighter but more grainy. Usually I like to set my shutter speed to what I want, then set my iris/aperture to whatever it takes so that the image is properly exposed, if that isn't enough, then you can start raising ISO. Changing shutter speed changes how much motion blur is in the image, changing iris/aperture changes your depth of field which on a wide angle lens won't matter too much, that's why I like to control my exposure with iris/aperture instead of shutter.
Jan 6 2012 12:31PM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1395 - Karma: 776
How is a $600 entry-level DSLR a "fancy as DSLR". Entry-level is perfect for beginners to learn, and what's wrong with that? It's not like he's buying a flagship camera...
Jan 6 2012 1:03PM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
so basically if i have it set to say, tungsten, the picture will look sort of blue?
Jan 6 2012 1:07PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I've noticed this a lot as well. While I can't have a problem with people trying to help each other out, it's obnoxious to see people with little experience giving advice that they read about somewhere else. It's as if most people aren't aware that 90% of the stuff you read on the internet is complete horse shit, and regurgitating information that hasn't been confirmed first hand for the sake of coming off as adept only makes it worse.

The main thing that propelled me to actually learn about video is the fact that I was fully aware that I knew nothing. This was before the DSLR blog boom where everyone just repeats the same crap over and over. I had to learn every single thing through trial and error, and in the process I learned something very important: everyone is different. The adventure of videography is exploring new territory and ideas, not copying the answers off a website, filling in the blanks, then calling it good. Every great filmmaker has wildly different opinions about the design and technology of filmmaking, and to assume that you can be proficient by copying settings or buying a specific piece of equipment is just plain silly.

Of course, if you're just starting out, it's okay to copy settings if you're trying to learn their functions. The important thing is that you're experimenting-observing the effects of settings/techniques and thinking analytically as to how you can use them to your creative advantage.

I also agree that it's unsettling to see people recommend right off the bat: t2i, Tokina 11-16, Tamron 17-50, and Glidecam 2000. Why do people recommend that? Presumably, "because that's what legit filmers use." Hogwash! You should ask yourself what you want your footage to look like, then buy the least amount of equipment possible in order to fulfill that (remember, less is more). Glidecams aren't the end-all-be-all of stabilization, nor to beginners have the dexterity to use such a device. The Canon 50mm 1.8, isn't the best cheap 50mm, and there are dozens of valid reasons why. Some don't like the build, the look, the color the bokeh-I could go on.

Darren Aronofsky, a personal favorite of mine, would advocate the beauty in framing your subject super close up. Stanley Kubrick on the other hand, would endorse the exact opposite. And guess what? They're both right.

My point is, everyone has a preference. Think critically before you take someone's advice.
Jan 6 2012 2:12PM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1395 - Karma: 776
I don't know about Canon, but Nikons come with a manual that explains all these settings pretty well. If you don't want to set these settings by hand, there's the auto mode.

I reckon it's pretty important to know which settings can be set automatically and what the limitations of these automatic modes are. There's nothing wrong in shooting auto and gradually learning and stepping away from auto.
Jan 6 2012 2:30PM
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Will.T
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,281
this is probably what i will be doing for the first week/month then i will try to be able to use the manual mode and see what happens !
Jan 6 2012 3:32PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
its all a balancing act, sort of. you've got to keep your shutter high/low enough to induce motion blur or freeze action, depending on what you want, your aperture to give you the right dof for the shot, and a low enough iso to keep it from looking too grainy (preferably 800 or less) i generally try to set shutter first, then aperture, unless its a still shot where i can use a tripod for a long shutter if i want, then i compensate the rest of the exposure between 100-800, then make compromises to the rest of my adjustments (shutter and aperture) as i have to to get the right exposure.
Jan 6 2012 5:17PM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Try to keep shutter speed and iso constant and adjust to how much light you need with aperture. and will T what's your email and can shoot you a really good dslr filming guide!
Jan 7 2012 9:17AM
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p-nutt
Posts: 274 - Karma: 16
ISO- thickness of film (digital film with DSLR)
higher ISO thinner film, light penetrates easier, brighter shot

Shutter Speed- time that the sensor is exposed to light
faster shutter speed less time for light to penetrate film

Aperture- size of hole the lens allows light through
small hole less light, darker picture

White Balance- honestly dont know
just play around with it till you like the shot

Focus
leave it on auto when shooting movin things its just easier
Jan 7 2012 9:53PM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0wAyx3g_2MY?hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Jan 7 2012 11:40PM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
ooooops. this video is pretty much perfect for your predicament. I like to think im decent with my camera. Definitley just use your camera all the time, get tons of footage of stuff you won't even use. Just on the couch, at school, in the car anytime you can use your camera do. I always learn little things and what not by doing this. The more fammiliar you get with your camera the better. You can't become a better filmer just by reading blogs by philip bloom, get out and film! Its fun as shit. Not to mention you look pretty cool holding a camera no matter who you are.
Jan 7 2012 11:45PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
wat
Jan 8 2012 12:19AM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
I love how every T2i thread goes the same way, down the crapper. Haha
Jan 8 2012 1:28AM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Sooo true lol
Jan 8 2012 9:20AM
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