Shooting video with a DSLR

I refrained from using the phrase "learn me:", because I hate it...

Down to brass tacks... I have a Canon T3 that I shoot stills with now, and I'm looking to get into some short video shooting. I'll be doing a number of things with it, but mostly car stuff.

I'll be doing some flyby stuff standing at the side of the road as cars drive past. Some stuff with the camera mounted to the car (both aimed at the road, wheels, etc. and at the driver as they provide commentary). Some things will be done with the car stationary, and me filming sections of the car to show detail. I'll likely also be doing some interviews with owners and whatnot, so there will be some need for close up.

Primarily this will be for a series of automotive focused YouTube videos, but I will probably start getting into vlogging about cars as well.

My current shopping list includes the following:

1. Video Editing Software: thinking Cyberlink's Powerdirector 12 Deluxe at the moment.
2. External microphone: Looking at the Rode videomic directional mic.
3. Car mount: Stuff from CAMTREE looks good, but I believe I could build my own for that kind of money. (good suggestions on parts to use? suction cups and the like?)
4. Action stabilizing handle: Opteka's X-grip looks like a good value.
5. A lightweight aluminum tripod
6. A fluid drag tripod head
7. A panning dolly: Anyone have experience with a push type skate dolly? How sensitive is it to vibrations?
   Like this -
   
8. A fast lens. Currently thinking the 50mm f/1.8 might do the trick. Thoughts?
9. Should I get a fisheye? Sometimes it looks super cool, but other times I think it's just gimmicky.
10. Is a hood loupe mandatory, or will I be able to get by on my 3" digital display? I wish it was a tilt display like the T3i, but such is life.
11. An LED panel camera light.

Alright, so what am I forgetting? What can I live without?

Bump for morning traffic. I know a lot of people around here have some experience with DSLRs, just hoping for someone to chime in.

Maybe someone could make the case for the Cinemover?

Maroon92 wrote: I refrained from using the phrase "learn me:", because I hate it... Down to brass tacks... I have a Canon T3 that I shoot stills with now, and I'm looking to get into some short video shooting. I'll be doing a number of things with it, but mostly car stuff. I'll be doing some flyby stuff standing at the side of the road as cars drive past. Some stuff with the camera mounted to the car (both aimed at the road, wheels, etc. and at the driver as they provide commentary). Some things will be done with the car stationary, and me filming sections of the car to show detail. I'll likely also be doing some interviews with owners and whatnot, so there will be some need for close up. Primarily this will be for a series of automotive focused YouTube videos, but I will probably start getting into vlogging about cars as well. My current shopping list includes the following: 1. Video Editing Software: thinking Cyberlink's Powerdirector 12 Deluxe at the moment. I use Adobe Premiere, but most of the popular editing programs are all pretty good. I'd stick with Premiere (or Premiere Elements), Final Cut or Vegas, though. You'll get better plug-in support. 2. External microphone: Looking at the Rode videomic directional mic. Rode videomic or videomic pro. Also not a bad idea to invest in a lapel mic if you're going to be doing vlogging type stuff. Just remember one simple rule: On-camera mics suck. 3. Car mount: Stuff from CAMTREE looks good, but I believe I could build my own for that kind of money. (good suggestions on parts to use? suction cups and the like?) This will solve your car mount problem and your dolly problem with one click. And they're on sale. http://moveyourcamera.ambitiousme.com/cinespider/ The last couple GRM covers were shot with one. 4. Action stabilizing handle: Opteka's X-grip looks like a good value. Not as important as you think. Also, with the Cinespider bits, you can configure the arms into handy handles and whatnot. It's highly modular. 5. A lightweight aluminum tripod 6. A fluid drag tripod head At the bottom of the Cinemover page are some links to stuff I've personally used and can vouch for, including a couple of good heads. http://moveyourcamera.ambitiousme.com/products-page/ 7. A panning dolly: Anyone have experience with a push type skate dolly? How sensitive is it to vibrations? Like this - See 3 above. The smaller the dolly, the less stable it is. Those little skater dollies make GREAT platforms for point-and-shoots or GoPros, but not so much for a DSLR. 8. A fast lens. Currently thinking the 50mm f/1.8 might do the trick. Thoughts? For $100, that 50mm F1.8 Canon lens is awesome. It's not super versatile, though, and remember if you're using an APSC camera, it'll really be more of a 80mm lens. 9. Should I get a fisheye? Sometimes it looks super cool, but other times I think it's just gimmicky. Get a superzoom. Like the Canon 18-135 or 18-200. Both of them make AWESOME video lenses, and are extremely versatile and inexpensive. 10. Is a hood loupe mandatory, or will I be able to get by on my 3" digital display? I wish it was a tilt display like the T3i, but such is life. Yes. But a cheap one will do fine. LCDVF makes one for about $20, and it's soooo much better than trying to use the panel by itself. 11. An LED panel camera light. The bigger the better. But I really like those $3 Harbor freight magnetic LED lamps. I'd rather get 10 of those than 1 $30 video light. Alright, so what am I forgetting? What can I live without?

jg

Wow. Holy wall of text. Um. Let me separate my answers out a bit better and repost.

jg

Yup. Use a separate blockquote section for each line you're responding to

Maroon92 wrote:

I refrained from using the phrase "learn me:", because I hate it... Down to brass tacks... I have a Canon T3 that I shoot stills with now, and I'm looking to get into some short video shooting. I'll be doing a number of things with it, but mostly car stuff. I'll be doing some flyby stuff standing at the side of the road as cars drive past. Some stuff with the camera mounted to the car (both aimed at the road, wheels, etc. and at the driver as they provide commentary). Some things will be done with the car stationary, and me filming sections of the car to show detail. I'll likely also be doing some interviews with owners and whatnot, so there will be some need for close up. Primarily this will be for a series of automotive focused YouTube videos, but I will probably start getting into vlogging about cars as well. My current shopping list includes the following:

1. Video Editing Software: thinking Cyberlink's Powerdirector 12 Deluxe at the moment.

I use Adobe Premiere, but most of the popular editing programs are all pretty good. I'd stick with Premiere (or Premiere Elements), Final Cut or Vegas, though. You'll get better plug-in support.

1. External microphone: Looking at the Rode videomic directional mic.

Rode videomic or videomic pro. Also not a bad idea to invest in a lapel mic if you're going to be doing vlogging type stuff. Just remember one simple rule: On-camera mics suck.

1. Car mount: Stuff from CAMTREE looks good, but I believe I could build my own for that kind of money. (good suggestions on parts to use? suction cups and the like?)

This will solve your car mount problem and your dolly problem with one click. And they're on sale. http://moveyourcamera.ambitiousme.com/cinespider/ The last couple GRM covers were shot with one.

1. Action stabilizing handle: Opteka's X-grip looks like a good value.

Not as important as you think. Also, with the Cinespider bits, you can configure the arms into handy handles and whatnot. It's highly modular.

1. A lightweight aluminum tripod

Not an essential right away. Cinespider makes an awesome tabletop tripod as well.

1. A fluid drag tripod head

At the bottom of the Cinemover page are some links to stuff I've personally used and can vouch for, including a couple of good heads. http://moveyourcamera.ambitiousme.com/products-page/

1. A panning dolly: Anyone have experience with a push type skate dolly? How sensitive is it to vibrations? Like this -

See 3 above. The smaller the dolly, the less stable it is. Those little skater dollies make GREAT platforms for point-and-shoots or GoPros, but not so much for a DSLR.

1. A fast lens. Currently thinking the 50mm f/1.8 might do the trick. Thoughts?

For $100, that 50mm F1.8 Canon lens is awesome. It's not super versatile, though, and remember if you're using an APSC camera, it'll really be more of a 80mm lens.

1. Should I get a fisheye? Sometimes it looks super cool, but other times I think it's just gimmicky.

Get a superzoom. Like the Canon 18-135 or 18-200. Both of them make AWESOME video lenses, and are extremely versatile and inexpensive.

1. Is a hood loupe mandatory, or will I be able to get by on my 3" digital display? I wish it was a tilt display like the T3i, but such is life.

Yes. But a cheap one will do fine. LCDVF makes one for about $20, and it's soooo much better than trying to use the panel by itself.

1. An LED panel camera light.

I really like those $3 Harbor freight magnetic LED lamps. I'd rather get 10 of those than 1 $30 video light.

Alright, so what am I forgetting? What can I live without?

jg

I'd suggest more cameras. The T3 is good, but you'll need versatility. GoPros are perfect for the work you don't want to do with your expensive T3, because you are talking thousands of dollars. Someone I now has over 15k sunk into his camera, and is still always running up to the store.

You will be building a hobby, so get what you want. Fisheye, yes. For sure. You can always pop i off when you don't want it. Crosshatch for some night time gimmicky crap. Pay attention to the masters at Top Gear. Filters filters filters. Most important are the Polarizer and UV Filter.

As soon as you have all the crap you like. Yest, thousands of dollars in, you'll want to upgrade the camera, so plan to expand. i think they use a 38mm lens, so work from there.

My friend is the expert in still shot, so let me know if you have any specifics for him. Don't expect him on this forum. He hates cars, he hates people, and he hates people who drive cars.

These photos were taken with an XT. I'd suggest getting to an autox or rallyx o get practice on moving cars.

Just please tell me you won't use one of these:

I guarantee I will see 10 of these in use outside SEMA this year by guys all making "sick vids bro" for their YouTube channel.

slefain wrote: Just please tell me you won't use one of these: I guarantee I will see 10 of these in use outside SEMA this year by guys all making "sick vids bro" for their YouTube channel.

I got your connotation that it is bad, but I know nothing about that thing. What is it, what is it supposed to do, and why does it suck?

@JG -

How important is the fourth leg for the cinespider?

How good are the included suction cups? Should I get the upgraded ones if I don't want to drop my camera from a car at 40 MPH and lose my entire fortune?

JoeyM wrote:

slefain wrote: Just please tell me you won't use one of these: I guarantee I will see 10 of these in use outside SEMA this year by guys all making "sick vids bro" for their YouTube channel.

I got your connotation that it is bad, but I know nothing about that thing. What is it, what is it supposed to do, and why does it suck?

It's a pretty bare bones slider. It offers slide shots, but that one looks awfully minimalist.

JoeyM wrote:

slefain wrote: Just please tell me you won't use one of these: I guarantee I will see 10 of these in use outside SEMA this year by guys all making "sick vids bro" for their YouTube channel.

I got your connotation that it is bad, but I know nothing about that thing. What is it, what is it supposed to do, and why does it suck?

It is a camera slider. It lets you take side-to-side or back-and-forth shots. It usually makes a shot that looks like the camera is peeking out, or the bringing the focus in or out of focus smoothly. And it is played out. If your audience is the paint chip dubber crowd, they will love it though.

I've seen top gear do that. I suppose it wasn't annoying because they don't do it all the time.

Maroon92 wrote: @JG - How important is the fourth leg for the cinespider? How good are the included suction cups? Should I get the upgraded ones if I don't want to drop my camera from a car at 40 MPH and lose my entire fortune?

As a dolly, you can use it three legged just fine. It's actually easier to set specific arcs with three legs.

For suction, I usually use at least three points of attachment, and four when I can. I have two of the upgraded cups and two regular ones, mostly because I'm always selling the stuff I'm using out from under myself. The upgraded cups are probably worth the money in confidence, though, just because they have the little pump dealies.

I'm lazy and never use a tether, but I always recommend one. My 60D and L-Series lenses have survived 80mph over the curbs at VIR on three suction cups. Not saying it was a good idea, only that I haven't been able to defeat it yet.

jg

Oh, and a question about lapel mics...

I have an olympus handheld audio recorder that I've used for interviews and such. Looks like this one -

Would I be able to record to this from a lapel mic and sync the audio to the video in post?

Maroon92 wrote: Oh, and a question about lapel mics... I have a sony handheld audio recorder that I've used for interviews and such. Looks like this one - Would I be able to record from a lapel mic and sync the audio to the video in post?

Sure.

Most DSLRs are Mono anyway, so you have to make a fake stereo signal to fill both channels anyway.

jg

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Off to get budget approval...