Making wildlife videos
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- Making wildlife videos. What I have learnt so far.
Mike Lane wildlife photography www.nature-photography.co.uk
Equipment I use or are mentioned in the videos I produce for TH-cam. These are affiliate links and this channel will receive a small commission at no charge to you.
Olympus Cameras
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1X Camera amzn.to/36ebMR7
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 MARK II Camera amzn.to/2GljWfO
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Camera amzn.to/33ZUpRa
Olympus Lenses
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS Pro Lens amzn.to/2S3PzNm
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 IS Pro lens amzn.to/3jbt9px
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14 mm F2.8 PRO Lens amzn.to/343ZeJv
Olympus M.Zuiko DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 amzn.to/3ifEvY6
Other Lenses
Panasonic LUMIX 100-400 mm LEICA Lens amzn.to/3mYb8gD
Tripods
Manfrotto 502 Fluid video Head with flat base amzn.to/30j6fFg
Hides
Photo hide Buteo Mark II One Person amzn.to/2S6H4RF
Bag throw over hide in leaf amzn.to/30hXYBh
Bag throw over hide in army dpm amzn.to/34b9Xlc
Bag throw over hide in waterproof army pattern amzn.to/2G6mcHS
Camera Bean Bags
Grippa Camera Bean Bag, Prefilled amzn.to/3jcvn7Y
Grippa Camera Bean Bag , Empty amzn.to/3mYQHjs
Camera Bean Bag, Prefilled amzn.to/2S9sJE9
Grappler Camera Bean Bag, Army Prefilled amzn.to/2S83UZe
Grappler Camera Bean Bag, Leaf Prefilled amzn.to/2Gfbw9y
If you are 100% sure that your entire video is going to be shot outdoors using only natural light, then your fps doesn't matter. Shoot and publish at the fps what you want. It's only when you are mixing some shorts shot at night using artificial light when it becomes an issue, because you usually want all your video clips to be the same fps so that your entire video is at the same fps.
Using the 180 degree shutter rule we shoot at 1/60th speed when shooting 30 fps and 1/50th speed when shooting 25 fps. This makes it sync perfectly with the power frequency of lights in the US (30fps at 1/60) and sync perfectly with lights in the UK (25fps at 1/50). So when you shoot at night under artificial light using these speeds you won't get any weird flickering (called syncro scan). Because your frames are captured at exactly the same speed as the artificial light is flickering.
That's really the only reason and difference between PAL and NTSC in the digital age. And why we use these different frame rates.
I’ve just found the video button 😆 but as you say a whole new learning curve but good exercise for the brain.
You're not shooting for cinema, don't worry about it. If you think your video might be used for TV broadcast, comply with those standards. Usually, that's PAL. The major exceptions are USA and countries influenced by it - Canada, Japan, South Korea. A handful of countries use another standards, but it's still 25 FPS. If you get it wrong, or sell it across those boundaries, someone has to add or remove frames and the quality suffers. Sound has its own problems. Conversion between 24 and 25 FPS can often be handled by speeding or slowing, hardly anyone can tell the difference. The total elapsed time will be out a whisker.
Gerald Undone explains the conversion process.
The GH5 and GH5s are better for video than the G9. Not sure about the AF though. You can set the shutter angle (Google it), so when you adjust the frame rate the exposure changes correctly. They also have some scopes used in video editors. The GH5s includes Panasonic's LOG, it's optional for the other G series cameras. LOG is like Dolby compression, for video.
DaVinci Resolve. It's free forever. Unless you want the studio verson in which case there's a one-time fee, the license lasts forever.
Mike Lane FRPS.... an old stills film/photo dog teaches himself new skills, trips up, dusts himself down and takes you along with him without preaching. At the end you're happy for the experience and look forward to the next visit. Be well!
25p is much close to the "cinematic" look than 30p. It is basically indistinguishable. Luckily for us - europeans. Also, Olympus take its best 4K only in 24p, so you have cinematic look anyway. Americans kkep ranting about it because for them the difference is dramatic. 30p really gives this soap opera effect. Also sometimes monitors and almost always viewing platform interfere with your framerate as monitors have 60Hz refresh rate anyway. BTW have you seen Gerald's Undone video covering that topic? Great content.
I found this incredibly helpful, having just started trying out wildlife filming. A detailed, honest, and helpful video. I've only just started watching your channel and can't wait to see more. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
experimenting with FHD 60p high shutter speeds mainly because I constantly switch from video to stills (for BIF that suddenly appear) obviously making the use of ND filters less than easy, and also to avoid having not to mostly shoot wide open for shallow depth of field as soon as a little more light is available.
So far I could see, for instance - but still am at the very begining of this long and steep learning curve.
1/500s causes flying swans wings to appear "doubled", perhaps due to their relatively wide, though slow wing movements, and their size in frame (with 150-400mm Pro)
on the other hand, 1/2000s - 1/4000s with perched birds, that are constantly moving so quickly - but "in place" or with mallard fighting on water, gave smooth playback (with nice appearing frozen water drops)
As to your point of 24/30/60 vs 25/50 frame rates in various places in the world, might it only relates to local electric current being 60 vs 50 periods, therefore possibly only concerning filming under artificial lighting and/or displays used for playing our videos ?
thanks again for your TH-cam videos, which I always find full of inspiration
👍👍⭐👍👍
Very timely video for me as I'm beginning to do more video. You always produce very straightforward ,informative pieces. Thanks!
Great video Mike with some excellent tips. How you say about video bringing new life to your photography has been the same for me. Since I started my TH-cam channel and doing more video it’s been a great experience. Keep up the great work cheers Keith
Another excellent and informative video Mike, always worth your weekly dose! Like you I’m trying to get to grips with video, but I do find it difficult to do both stills and video together, in some ways I find it best to go out to do one or the other, it’s just such a different mind set!
What a delightful video, a very open discussion of how you are getting on adding a new skill to your wildlife image gathering. Very enjoyable. I look forward to seeing more video from you in the near future.
You never stop learning especially in the photography world .Very glad I started hitting the video button. Just had a wonderful Avocet
Experience . By no means perfect yet but throw in a few stills its amazing what you can come up with! Took a week to edit however keep up the good work Mike thanks for sharing!
Just found your channel and I like it. I did recognize the experiences you share in this video. They are almost the same that I have experienced since starting making wildlife videos. I wish I got my hands on a Sachtler, but as you say, they are very heavy and expensive :-) Looking forward to follow your upcoming videos 😊
This is great humble but actually very informative and helpful 👍, im on a similar path at the moment only im learning photography and video at same time! Not easy but I dont want it to be I like a challenge!
I reckon tripod and head of that size and brand was around £1,500 to £3,500 Mike. I still have my manfrotto with a Vinten head. Can't beat them, but hard to take out on field location. 24 frames is considered the frame rate of cinema. 25P is uk TV europe, 29.+ is USA TV. So, as you said, you double the frame rate. I don't have the luxury of the frame rates you get for slow-mo. Davinci Resolve video isn't intuutive at first even if you are used to broadcast editors, but it is professional and has the free version. I use the studio version, but tested out the free version first. This is a great video Mike. Hope you can keep it going.
Good work Mike, thanks for sharing.
Nicely done, time well spent on my part watching this.
Brillisnt Mike im soon going to have a go at video and now I know about the dead cat will get one keep them coming always a pleasure to watch your videos
Straight to the point, no bullshit video. Excellent.
Tripods every time for me too (I shoot 95% stills) and I too have used the 501 head since it first came out. It's pretty beat up now and getting a little stiff so have replaced it with the 502, highly recommended Mike.
I too am confused over video technology and have struggled to understand the things you have mentioned but now I know I'm not quite the idiot I thought I was I may have a go at it. Cheers Mike.
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. Recently found your YT channel and enjoying it very much.
Fantastic video. Sincere thank you!
Very informative and what you speak is rich with experience. Fantastic and many thanks for this.
Appreciate your honest thoughts.
Oh, just what I feared! I don't want to buy a new heavy tripod! This video is exactly what I wanted to see, as I have been thinking of shooting videos to better capture the lives of birds than what mere stills can do. I thought you might also touch upon the need for ND filters, but I guess you have much gentler sunlight than I do. I have an a6400, which can shoot with autofocus at 120 fps in 1080p, so I guess I could shoot short clips at 1/250s. They would still be smooth, and lend themselves to being rendered at 30fps. It also helps with shooting a bird in flight hand-held, but it's not a very reliable trick. I really enjoyed watching the video, and learnt a lot from it and your experience, which is directly relatable and applicable. Thank you.
I had a the same head and carbon fibre legs 20 years ago and I used super 16mm film for wildlife tv work, and I sold it then for £3000, so it was a great gift!
Thanks so much for sharing, I too have started to enjoy cameras again after lifetime of stills. Your tips helped thanks,
Very informative and comprehensive video. Thanks, Mike.
Thanks so much; most informative. My Gitzo tripods and Really Right Stuff ballheads are going to have to do for now, but I will get my newish mirrorless camera out and give it another try.
Some interesting tips. Especially your comment regarding the use of a tripod improving the composition in still photography. I have thought that was the case for some time now and in conjunction with a really stable sturdy tripod. I have only just as you say, "found the video button" and you're absolutely right about traffic and wind noise. I even had the sound of an aircraft in some footage which I was completely unaware of at the time I was recording.
I enjoyed the video but have to comment on the height of your camera doing the recording. It was at an angle that made the viewer feel to be looking down at you. I would have thought it would be better placed at your eye level. Look forward to more videos.
Brilliant video, very helpful and informative, many thanks for sharing.
Very nice video 👏 Glad i stumbled across this 😁
Great video and nice sharing about your experience in wildlife videography Mike. Keep it up your good work. I'm a new friend here to support your channel. Greeting from Singapore birders. Happy weekend.
To the point. Picture clear. Would like to see video editing and sound dubbed process in future videos
Great video. Thank you. Would you consider demonstrating (in the field) how to shoot a 30 second wildlife clip.
Very honest and usefull infirmation. Like the way you present this. I have learn many things with this presentation. Thanks to you Sir and thanks to share your experiences ! I subscribe to your channel
Thank you, sir. I was searching, " what is the best frame rate for wildlife videography," and you said exactly what I have thought and experienced with different frame rates. Also, I will be quoting you in the future, "test it for yourself".
I am just getting my feet wet in video as opposed to shooting stills. I use the G9 with the Panasonic-Leica100-400mm for birds. The behavior of birds is best captured on video, however.
Most TH-cam presentations are aimed at reviewing new hybrid cameras. I am almost tempted to jump straight a head and get a new, compact camcorder that can take stills.
I just don't know enough right now to make that decision as to a camcorder or cinema camera. Thanks for the information on how to take videos. I will try with present equipment for the rest of this year and most of next year. I will also tackle video editing with some external sound recording equipment I have.
Another Top Notch video Mike. Next video on how to edit using PowerDirector18 ?
Hi Mike, just found your channel and busy going through your back catalogue. I am just starting out with video after some years of stills, so thanks for the tips. Interesting that you are in the midlands as I am in Worcestershire, where about do you go locally? All the best Rich
Thanks Mike, great insights . Any suggestions on further You Tube wildlife filming tutorials?
I have not found a channel on the subject.
Excellent Tutorial. I subscribed. Quick question. Do you ever use variable ND filters? Thanks
No never have.
Hello, you have an amazing channel! Great videos! Could you name the exact model of your Sachtler videohead?
There is no model number on it and it is very old. Maybe 30 years old so no longer available.
Without realizing it Mike, my mind was registering something as I watched video after video of yours - and that is you do not grow prolix. It seems to be a real temptation for other nature photographers to go on and on, saying the same thing in different ways. It's as if each point they are trying to make is like an old bone to a dog. Can't give it up! You don't and for that I am very grateful. Say what you want to say and move on.
Are you using the G9 for stills or just for video? What do you think of the Lumix products compared to Olympus? Trying to decide which one to go with. Nice video :)
I use the G9 for video only. I am used to Olympus therefore find it easier. Always easier to use a camera you are familar with, but there is probably little in it.