5 Must-Have DSLR Accessories for Top-Quality Shots

Nowadays, having a DSLR has become a trend and the fact of the matter is it is one of the best ways that you can get top-quality shots. Even a cheap  DSLR can help you get beautiful shots if you are well aware of the basic photograph tricks. But, that doesn't mean buying a DSLR is enough.  A professional photograph understands the importance of accessories required for a perfect click.  

If you are new to this field or you're an experienced one, you must these DSLR accessories that can enhance your photography level to the fullest.  

1. UV Protection Filters 

 

One of the important things you should have on your bucket list is nothing but UV protection filters. A filter helps save your camera lens from any accidental damage. And the best part is that the filter helps a lot in providing utmost protection protects against dust, scratches on the front of the lens. Make sure you choose a good quality filter that will not affect the quality of the image.  

2. Consider Lens

There is no denying the fact that photographers love to click pictures of architectures and landscapes. While some work on wildlife or sports. That's the reason, the right camera lens is quite necessary to capture sharp and attractive photographs. However, there are many lenses available on the market, but choosing the right one as per your needs is not easy. If you are looking for top-quality shots, a prime lens could help you better. Otherwise, for daily shots, you can go with an 18-55 mm lens.  

3. Tripods

While taking photos in daylight or at the night, a tripod is something you must have as it helps to avoid shaky images and helps you capture the landscape. Needless to say, tripods help save your treasured night shots, hence, it is important for you to pick a good quality tripod that can save your DSLR equipment. Always keep in mind that while buying a tripod, place the camera on it and check whether it can handle the weight or not.  

 

4. Don't Forget Remote Shutter Release

Another important thing you must have as it helps to save camera shake. It has been observed that slow shutter speed can cause vibration which leads to blurred images. With the help of a remote shutter, you just need to tap the button and it will automatically trigger the shutter.  

5. Lens Cleaning Accessories

If your lens has dirt on it, then there are chances that you will get dusky images, regardless of shooting in daylight. Wiping off the lens with cloth might lead to scratches which you don't want even in your worst nightmare. That's the reasons, you should have lens cleaning accessories that can provide you with amazing cleaning like never before.

How to Get Top-Quality Shots With a DSLR

Whether you are a professional DSLR user or a novice, shooting film with DSLR camera is fun. Everybody wants to shoot top-quality videos, but the question that strikes the doors of our minds is "How"?. In this post, we'll talk about the tips that will help you get top-quality shots.  

1. Consider ISO

One of the important things you need to consider is ISO. It helps determine how sensitive a camera is to the light. As a rule of thumb, the higher the  ISO, the brighter your image will be. If you are shooting without having adequate light, consider using a higher ISO.  However, if you are shooting in daylight, then keep your ISO number low. The best thing is that you can raise and lower the ISO as per your needs.  

2. Don't Forget Aperture

Another thing to consider is Aperture. It helps to handle the light reaching the image sensor. Always keep this in mind, the smaller the number is, the more open the aperture will be. Talking about a scenario, if you are shooting outside, then you need to close the aperture to a large number.  

3. The speed of the Shutter

The shutter speed helps to evaluate the time the camera sensor is exposed to light. Keep this in mind, the longer the shutter is open, the more light will hit the sensor. With a faster shutter speed, you can freeze motion, resulting in producing a crisper image. Hence, it's important for you to find the aperture you want to choose, and then adjust your ISO as per your needs.  

4. Color  Temperature and White Balance

To get top-quality shoot, try matching the white balance preset to the light color you are shooting with. For instance, if you are shooting in daylight, then go for the sun icon. On the contrary, if you are shooting under fluorescent lights, use the bulb icon.  

5. Consider Different Lenses

It is important for you to consider two different lenses. Having a fixed lens will allow you to produce a better picture, which means you will get sharper images, good focusing speed, and most importantly, you will be more artistic. 
Coming to the zoom lens, it is quite suitable for on-the-fly shooting. It will help you get a multitude of perspectives from a single location.  

6. Choose Frame Sizes and Rate

With a DSLR, you will have an extensive range of frame rates and sizes. However, having 1920*1080 is considered as an ideal option. This will allow you to capture top-quality shots and they will look great when displayed on a large monitor.

6 Good Reasons to Buy a DSLR Camera

Whether you are looking for the best camera for videography or photography,  DSLR is something you should consider. Stands for Digital Single-lens Reflex camera, DSLR is much more than an ordinary camera as it can produce high-quality video and photo you've wished for. However, it's important for you to be well aware of  the basic rules of photography that will help you produce a good output.

Now, you must be wondering why should you need one? Following are the six good reasons you should buy a DSLR camera.

1. Quality

One of the important reasons to consider DSLR  is that it gives you the ultimate picture quality. A photograph taken on a DSLR and at any resolution always turns out better than the one taken on an ordinary compact camera. Having a high resolution, dynamic range, and color depth, the photos you take will look rich in color and contrast. 

2. Better Focus

It has been observed that shoot and print cameras fail to focus properly or sometimes take time to set the right focus on the subject. However, this isn't in the case of DSLR.  A digital SLR helps set focus quickly. And the best part is that you can even override manual focusing and set the focus quickly whilst rotating the focus ring on the lens barrel. This helps enable you quick control over focus.
 
3. Highly Versatile

If you are using a point and shoot camera, then you must have to know that there is a fixed type lens. You cannot change the lens of a point. However, on a DSLR you may use a different type of lenses for different purposes and most importantly, they will give you different forms of images. If you use a macro lens, then it can produce life-size images with stunning details.
 
4. Better Shooting in Low-Light

Some people have a misconception that photos couldn't look good in low-light conditions. But, the DSLR's large sensor helps to produce top-quality picture even in [poor lighting conditions.

5. Professional Appearance

If you have a DSLR in hands and you shoot for clients, then there are chances that people will trust you more. However, make sure you must be good at working with DSLRs.  

6. Better Viewing Experience

When it comes to viewing, nothing could match the performance of DSLR. However, a compact camera can give you exact framing but the view will not as crisp as of DSLR viewfinder. With DSLR, you can check how much background area is blur in the image.

Things to Consider Before Buying a DSLR Camera

Whether you're new to the world of photography or you're upgrading your equipment, buying a DSLR camera is a worthy investment. Stands for digital single-lens reflex cameras, these DSLRs are available at the best price, making easier for you to shoot professional photographs. If you are looking for the best camera for photography, then nothing could be better than a DSLR camera.   

These days, every camera has so many features and specifications that it's become difficult to choose the right one. In this post, we'll talk about the things you must consider before buying a DSLR camera.  

1. Size of the Sensor

Probably, the most important thing to consider is the size of the sensor. There is an image sensor inside every DSLR, which helps record the image you are seeing with the help of your viewfinder. Always bear this in mind, the bigger the sensor, the clearer pictures you will get.  Needless to say, larger lenses tend to give you superior picture quality but they are also expensive. It's advisable to choose entry-level DSLRs that will provide you a perfect balance between the price and image quality.  

2. Don't overspend on the camera's body

Lenses of your camera help to add uniqueness and strength to your photography. The body of the camera is the base, but make sure you focus on getting some great lenses. Learn the design first. and then invest in lavish stuff.  

 
3. Decide first

These days, many DSLRs have HD videos now, and it has been observed that many photographers get cameras with a video option even if they aren't sure whether they'll need it or not. This would ultimately add to the cost of the camera. If you want the best camera for photography, make sure you consider the option you want to go with.

  

4. Consider Flash

If you are looking to shoot a lot out of the studio, then it's important for you to consider one having flash. Make sure you these little things into consideration, as they can hamper the quality of your image.  

5.  Megapixel

Needless to say, most people tend to confused when it comes to choosing megapixel. Generally speaking, any DSLR you buy will have more than enough megapixels. If two cameras are differentiated only by the megapixels, then you won't see any difference. However, if you do, it's likely due to sensor quality.

Important Things to Know About Gimbal for DSLR

In the current scenario of filmmaking, gimbals have become one of the hottest tools that cater to all your shooting needs perfectly. There is no arguing with the fact that everybody wants to get their hands on it as it helps DSLR owners to capture aesthetic images.  

Gimbal Upgrade Kit

In this post, we'll talk about some important things you should know about gimbal for DSLR.  

1. Good for Free Motion

Being lightweight and compact in design, gimbals allow operators to take their camera anywhere virtually or through anything. And the best part is, they will still get a good and smooth shot.  

2. Range of Motions

It has been observed that setting up a shot takes time and especially when each requires different camera different movement tools. And this is where gimbals come in. They allow the user to get similar shots in less time. Gimbals are good for those who don't have much space and time set up all extra gears.  

3. Gimbals aren't Replacements

Some people have a misconception that gimbals can do everything. There are some other sliders, dollies, and jibs that are still used in the cinematic industry. Make sure you don't be quick selling all your gears once you've got that smart gimbal.  

4. You become a  Story Teller 

Once you got a new gimbal, you may use it to capture all your amazing shots that you always wanted to do. Because you are shooting with a gimbal, your shots will tell a story and they will get motivated with the time.  

5. Invert your Gimbal

Because of the way gimbals are designed, it is important for you to know the correct method of using it. The natural position to hold a gimbal is near the waist or you can hold it near the chest too but with the gimbal situated below the handles. If you are not inverting the position of your gimbal, then you are not really choosy about your shots.  

6. Consider Balancing

Improper balancing your gimbal can lead to consequences. According to experts, there are some camera operators that can use a gimbal without knowing that it can overwork its motor, which results in battery drainage.  

7. Time and Energy Saver

Nothing could be as easy as shooting with the gimbal. Hence, it's important for you to rest up and don't you carry it if you don't even want to.

Things You Should Know About Wireless Follow Focus System

In this professional world of photography, it is important for you to have to have a system that can work wonders for you. Having a camera is quite good, but make sure you have something extra that can help you at every turn. And, this is where wireless follow focus system comes into play. Talking about the meaning, it can be defined as the set of parts that work together and allow you focus in an accurate manner while you are doing videography.  

Important Parts of Wireless Follow Focus System  

Following are the parts of a wireless follow focus system.  

1. Rail Clamp: It is the first part which is connected to the two rods that help a lot in forming the base of any camera. That's the reason, you have to have a base and most importantly, rods for the system configuration. Coming to the most cost-effective options, they come only in one standard, i.e. 15mm/60mm spacing.  

2. Arm: It is attached to the rod clamp. Hence, make sure you aim for the best arm that will help you work with a multitude of systems and lenses. You could get an arm that can help you push the system inside or outside.  

3. Gear: It helps to connect to the focus knob. There is no denying the fact that it is one of the most important parts of a wireless follow focus system. There are chances that you might want a larger throw which means you want a larger turn of the focus ring on the lens for a smaller focus knob turn. 

4. Focus Knob: It is more like a focus ring that helps you to turn the focus. However, you can do that by turning the focus ring on a lens by putting your arm on the camera. 

Why You Should Use a Wireless Follow Focus System  

Reasons to Consider a wireless follow focus system.  

1. The depth of Field: One of the biggest advantages of a wireless FF system is that it helps you get a shallower depth of field. Those days are gone when people used to do shooting with a 5.6. As far as a wireless FF system, you can use your 2.0 and 2.8 with gimbal work.  

2. Wider Focal Length: There is no arguing with the fact that the wider focal lengths offer comfortable focus work. When you introduce wireless focusing systems into your workflow, you can finally begin to reintroduce 50mm and even 85mm lenses back into your gimbal work. This would ultimately help you improve the production value of your work. 

3. A range of FF Systems: Getting into wireless follow focus systems can be cumbersome at times. But, now you will get top wireless FF systems online that can caters to all your shooting needs perfectly.

Why You Should Consider Using a DSLR Camera

Are you looking for a high-quality camera that can cater to all your photography needs perfectly? If so, then no other option could be better than Canon DSLR camera. Talking about the specs, it is big in size and infused with a number of accessories that help enhance your photography experience to the fullest.  

However, it's difficult to point to out just one reason to consider using a DSLR camera, because there are so many of them. Without wasting time, let's talk about the reasons to consider using a DSLR camera.  

1. Image Quality

All DSLR cameras combine a huge CMOS sensor along with an advanced image sensor that helps provide you with top-quality images, regardless of shooting situations. Always keep this in mind that having a large sensor means all your photo memories can be captured in the way you always wanted to have while maintaining the image quality.  

2. Better Focus 

If you compose your images through an optical viewfinder, then it will help you connect with the thing you are trying to focus on. In addition, it helps to allow you to focus better as it moves in real-time and there will be no lag time between the pressing shutter button and getting the shot.  

3. A range of Choices

It doesn't matter if it's landscapes, travel, portraits, or anything else, a Canon DSLR camera stands tall in endowing all your needs perfectly. You can choose from a range of lens that can provide you with the best experience and outcomes.  

4. Speed

A DSLR camera always has a better speed while focusing on the subject. And the best thing is that DSLR cameras work best even in low light conditions. There is no denying the fact that DSLR  cameras are usually good at taking a sequence of photos of a moving subject and at the same time, can keep re-focusing as the subject moves too.  

5. Flexible in nature

  

Talking about the flexibility, a DSLR  camera always stand tall as it can a range of situations. Furthermore, you have the choice of different lenses and also, a range of flash options. Most importantly, the lenses on DSLR cameras have a much wider aperture, which means shutter speeds can be faster because more lights can enter the camera.

5 Essential DSLR Video Accessories You Should Have

Undoubtedly, shooting videos with your DSLR is quite simple and can be any camera professional. All you have to do is just switch over to motion mode and point your camera at something attractive.  

If you want some serious shooting motion, then it's important for you to have the right gears that will help you out. Below are the top 5 DSLR video accessories that would help you create better videos.

1. A Sturdy Tripod

It is the first accessory that you should have for sure. if you are looking to get smooth pans and tilts, then you need a tripod. The price of the tripod is based on different aspects, including material, manufacturer, height, locking mechanism, carrying capacity, etc. 

First of all, it is important for you to think about what type of video you are planning or shooting. If you are an event photographer, then you have to have tripod legs that extend very high so it can get over the people's head in the crowd. On the contrary, if you are a travel buff, then weight and the ratio of compression matters a lot.  

2. Screen Loupe

It has been observed that people tend to face difficulties when they are shooting in the sunlight. However, loupe can take care of that problem. It helps to provide magnification on your screen which would help you give a better look at the thing you want to focus.  

3.  Audio

Gone are the days when a great video is all about the picture, now it's about the auditory experience as well. Recording good audio is quite important that gives your video an ultimate touch. Make sure you have the internal microphone on your DSLR that will help you capture cleaner audio. In case, you don't have any in-built microphone, then you can get a microphone and attach it to the stand for a better audio.  

4.  Lighting

One of the popular DSLR  video accessories, lighting plays a crucial role in making your videos better than the best. Make sure you have a bright light that will work as a background light. If you don't have any option of plugging a light in, then the battery power options is a good source.  

5. Lenses

While selecting lenses, the first thing you need to consider is that which focal lengths you will need. If you are filming landscapes, then you need to have wider lenses. On the other hand, if you are filming scenery with a focus on people, then you should have a normal lens. When you want to capture sports video, you will need a telephoto lens.

How to Become a Good Follow Focus Puller

Are you facing difficulties using follow focus? Well, you're not alone. There are lots of people facing troubles as the act is easy but the mental pressure is quite huge. if you're a novice or an experienced, becoming a skilled expert requires much labor.

There is no denying the fact that a follow focus system is important because DSLR cameras don't have auto-focus capabilities. Now, the question arises, why do you need a follow focus system. Here's the complete guide.  

Why Do you Need a Follow Focus for your DSLR   

In simpler terms, the aspects of focus are quite complex and delicate. While filming, using your hands to make adjustments can be a perilous task to do and it can even lead to decrease the video production value of your video. And the reason behind is that because these cameras are lightweight and they wouldn't manage your subtle movements. This would ultimately result in the jumpy footage. 

These complications may be avoided when you are filming for a little audience as they are more of forgiving such technical errors. Talking about the scenario, if you are making videos of longer length, commercials or any other films, it is important for you to use a  follow focus DSLR to make sure that each shot should be crisp as possible. Attaining a follow focus puller helps you to achieve the best possible results you've always wished for.  

Steps to Become a Good Follow Focus Puller  

Following are the steps you can follow to become a good follow focus puller.  

1. Predict Distances

 

One of the easiest ways to become a better focus puller is to become accurate at guessing distances. Or in other words, you can say that you should become a human measuring tape. Make sure you start doing it by going into a room with a measuring device and sit in the corner. Take an object and note down the best guess for its distance and then write an estimation from where you were sitting. 
Once you've become good at this, you can choose an object and move on with the process of guessing and checking with an in-depth calculator. 

2. Start Paying Attention to the Public 

Make sure you go out to a public place like a park, a mall, and start paying attention to how people act around certain spaces. In addition, it is important for You to visit a variety of atmospheres where people will act differently. Talking about the settings, there are a plethora of settings like restaurants.  

3. Pretend the Motions 

To do this, just sit in a room and act like you are holding a follow focus DSLR. After that, look at the doorway and assume a character is walking in and sitting down in the room. Make sure you adjust follow focus if necessary. Furthermore, it emphasizes the motion of focus pulling and will get your mind to the direction in which you must pull to go a certain way.

Top Reasons Why You Should Choose a DSLR Camera

Do you feel disappointed with the quality of photos clicked from your phone? If so, then it's time to revamp your old camera with the best professional camera, i.e. DSLR. Needless to say, digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) are the choice of serious photographers as these cameras help to deliver a superior performance when it comes to clicking pictures.

Here are the top reasons why you should choose or prefer DSLR camera than anything else.  

1. Better Picture Quality:
This is the first and foremost reason you should consider investing in a DSLR camera. When you consider images taken with a 10MP camera and a 10MP DSLR, you will find that the image taken from DSLR seems to be clearer than the one taken from a normal camera. Although the pixel count is the same, still DSLR can produce better quality images. And the reason behind it is that DSLR's uses much larger images with bigger pixels which help improve color accuracy substantially.  

2. Sharper Images:
Since the small cameras or mobile cameras use a single focus point which means the camera keeps searching for something to hold onto before you actually hit the shutter. The things, however, is quite different in terms of a DSLR camera. DSLRs use multi-point focusing systems which mean there's no point of delay. And the best thing is that you may take sharp shots with focus point almost anywhere.  

3. More Lens Options:
If you go for a DSLR, you will be welcomed to the world of optional lenses that feature top-quality than the glass used by low-quality digicams. There are some DSLRs that offer more than 60 lenses. No matter what your artistic vision is, there's a lens to capture it.  

4. Lots of Add-ons:
Purchasing cool stuff for your DSLR is an exciting job to do. And why it shouldn't be? You can choose filters, flashes, GPS units, tripods, and some extra accessories. With these, you can give your shots a pro touch with the help of the best professional camera, i.e. DSLR.  

5. Sturdy Construction: 
Since you are making a good investment in DSLRs, it is quite important for you to know these units are built much more sturdy than digicams. However, it doesn't mean that you will drop them on the floor, but you can do long hours of shooting for years.  

6. Good Response Time:
Talking about the response time, no one could be better than DSLRs in this aspect. All you have to do is just press the shutter on burst mode, and then the camera will start clicking away. Since the latter is more powerful, DSLRs can take a handful of shots before slowing down.

Why You Should Consider Follow Focus Puller

If you are a professional cameraman or a filmmaker, then it's important to consider purchasing a 'follow focus system' for your DSLR. Needless to say, a follow focus system is important and that the reason behind is DSLR cameras aren't capable enough. And this is where the question arises.....Why do you need a follow focus system? 

The need for a Follow Focus Puller  

There is no denying the fact that mathematics of focus is quite complex. Using your hands to make adjustments will definitely degrade the value of your video quality. These things are alright if you are shooting a documentary film because there are limited people and can forgive such minimal technical errors.  

Talking about the feature-length films, you need to measure out each scene and a good-quality follow focus help ensure that each shot should be of top quality.

Nothing ruins a video much more than a soft focus and that's the reason follow focus system is there to help you achieve the best results.  

What is the role of a Follow Focus   

With respect to exceptions, almost all follow focuses nearly on a huge number of gears, which are manipulated by a circular knob.  

All the professional camera lenses are outfitted with a gear on the focus barrel that helps to match the pitch size of the gear. If you are working with lenses that are still, then you should use gears that can attach to your lenses and guess what, they can do the same thing.  

When you line up the gears on the follow focus, you just have to turn the knob on the follow focus. The main advantage of using a follow focus has to do with accuracy and that's what we all want. The series of gears helps to give you more fine control over focus, which would ultimately help to decrease your likelihood of completely missing your focus pulls.  

Tips for Follow Focusing  

Once you've set up a follow focus, now all you need is to start to follow focusing. And at the same time, you should follow tips as well.  

1.Creates Marks:
If you clearly see, there is an outer circle of white plastic around the knob itself which is usually for setting focus marks, which is a general practice on narrative sets. Make sure you get your hands on some dry-erase markers because now you have to create marks. If you’re working on a project where rehearsals are possible, you can even dry-erase markers in order to set focus marks for a given shot. 

2.Practice:
No matter how you’re interacting with your follow focus, always bear in mind you should try to practice your pull a few times. In addition, get your hand and wrist used to where close-focus and infinity are. Pulling focus is a skill and the more practice you do, the more successful you’re going to be. 

3.Don't Fidget:
If you watch movies carefully, you’d be surprised how many times you see a shot that’s either slightly, or sometimes get out of focus. However, it doesn't mean that you should not follow the action, but if you are regularly fidgeting the action, you will end up looking like an amateur.

Things to Consider While Buying a DSLR Digital Camera

Whether you're a novice or an experienced or upgrading yourself in the field of photography, buying a DSLR digital camera isn't a cakewalk. These days, people are taking their picture clicking ambition levels to the fullest and that's the reason, they look for a digital camera that can work wonders for them.  

Talking about the meaning, DSLR stands for a digital single reflex camera that allows viewers to look through a lens and see what will show up in the final image. The best thing about these cameras is that they are available at cheaper rates, making easier for professional photographers to shoot top-quality images.

  

However, choosing the best one is still a concern for many. Don't need to worry, in this post, we'll talk about the choosing the best DSLR digital camera. 

 
1.Size of your Sensor:
Needless to say, it is one of the most important features that you should consider first while buying a DSLR camera. In every DLSR, there's an image sensor that helps to record the image and send it to your memory card. Always keep this in mind, the bigger the sensor, the more information it can capture. 
However, there are a number of sizes available, but there is a simple fact, the bigger, the better.  

2.Resolution:
Another crucial factor that contributes a lot in making your photos clearer, most people think that mega pixels help to measure the quality of the camera. In an honest way, these days, DSLR comes with more than enough mega pixels. If two cameras are differentiated only by the number of mega pixels then you won't be able to see any difference. If you do see a difference, it’s likely due more to lens or sensor quality than the resolution. 

3.Video:
Before buying a DSLR, make sure you take a look at the options available. For instance, there are some entry-level cameras that can record up to 1080p videos while others can't. If you don't have a plan for how many videos you will record, then a camera with a better video might be useful in the future.  

4.Editing  Features:
There are many quick editing abilities that help you edit photos right from the screen on the back by automatically making adjustments, applying filters or changing the exposure settings. Make sure that the DSLR  you choose, you be equipped with a variety of modes, including Action, Night, Portrait or Landscape.  

5.Appearance: 
Almost all DSLRs look good in appearance, however, there are still some considerations that you should keep in mind. Like, there are some cameras having LCD screens that are much better than the ones included on cheaper models. It has been observed that now, these cameras come with a touchscreen that is easier to navigate and offers a comfortable user experience.

How to Maintain a Focus on Moving Subject While Filming It Alone?

Keeping your focus on the moving subject and making adjustments with the lens to capture the subject with the best attributes is one of the most challenging tasks. And it can even worse situation if you are short on staff and shooting the film along with the moving subject. To make your task bit easier, this blog has shared few tips on how to maintain your focus on moving subject.

With the great advent of technology and innovation, many cameras come with autofocus in-build feature. This advanced feature can make your life easier and help you shoot the film like a pro if you know how to maintain your focus on the moving object. Until or unless you don’t know how to use this smart feature, you can’t reap the benefit.

Shifting your focus from the nearby object to faraway object within the same shot can be a daunting task for you, but with the smart follow focus techniques and setting up a system, you can easily shoot what you actually want to present to your audience. Shoot your video like a pro, a good composition, perfect lighting and colour are some of the essential things to get a clear and crisp image.

So if you're a beginner, here's how you can maintain the focus on the moving object:


1. Set the Focus
The most common technique to use follow focus is to use your hands smartly. Put your one hand on the camera and another on the focus ring to make instant adjustment throughout the shot. This is the most useful technique but sometimes beginners don't get the results due to lack of knowledge that when and how to keep their camera steady and pulling focus. With the little bit of practice and patience, this technique can give you the decent results.


2. Maintain the Distance
Another technique to keep your shot in focus while filming a moving object is to maintain a good distance between the camera and the subject throughout the shoot. Before you begin the shoot, determine the length and set the distance between the camera and subject to adjust the focus accordingly. You can ask your subject that while moving around the camera, they should maintain a certain distance to get the best shooting results.


3. Shoot At a Higher Aperture
If you're constantly shooting the moving objects then it is worth investing in the camera that comes with the inbuilt autofocus system. Not only these cameras can provide you better results but also allow you to target a subject and have the camera followed them around as they have superb motion tracking feature as well. If you can't afford to invest in these high-end cameras, then go for the best technique to use higher aperture get the object clicked in the best posture.

When it comes to shooting the film like a pro, everyone can’t afford to buy such a high-end camera, so in that case, you can use these tips to use follow focus in the best way.

3 DSLR Filmmaking Tips to Dramatically Improve Your Work

Have been curious about the DSLR videos and looking for the tips to bring great improvement in your work? This blog has rounded up some of the basic DSLR Video shooting tips to bring a great change in your work.

Now gone are those days when DSLR's were only limited to capture HD quality images, in fact, you can shoot amazing films if you are equipped with right DSLR video Accessories and have perfect shooting skills on hand. The latest version of DSLR cameras has revolutionized independent filmmaking with their ability to deliver stunning professional-looking videos in a cheap and compact package. They are fast becoming the camera of choice for cinematographers around the world, and reap the best benefits of this latest technology.

Here are the few tips that you need to keep in mind while shooting the film with DSLRs:

1. Know Your Camera Limits

All the DSLR cameras are not meant to shoot HD videos, so make sure the model you choose must be appropriate and inbuilt with all latest video shooting features. Before directly taking them to the shoot, it is advised to study, test and shoot with your camera as much as possible because some DSLRs work best in low light but have poor dynamic range, whereas others are fantastically sharp but may not produce good quality images. To get best from your product, you must know your camera inside and out.  

2. Slow Pans Are Your Enemy

Sometimes, shooting in 24p mode have a very difficult time to move your pan at slow speeds. In fact, the judder effect would be absolute worst when planning across an image with vertical lines. Actually, you should avoid unnecessary pans whenever possible. Simply shoot the second setup and get your take in two shots instead one to avoid having to pan too often.

3. Keep Changing Your Perspective/ Angle

People will see the things from the eye level of photographer. So does your photographer constantly record the world with the same altitude? The photographer should have good angle perspective to represent the things in the best way. You can bring a great change in your film by shooting it from your knees or high ground. See how other professionals move their gear and capture the things in an interesting manner.

Aside from having right skills and experience on hand, it is important to keep your video kit ready with all latest DSLR video accessories to shoot high-quality film with DSLRs.

4 Must-Have DSLR Video Accessories to Shoot HD Quality Film

Buying a DSLR camera is just the first step in your video journey. The most fun part is kitting and adding perfect DSLR accessories to your kit here and there and learning ins and outs of video production along the way to shoot a high-end quality film. So this blog has listed 4 essential DSLR camera accessories that can help you improve the quality of your video.

Shooting the film with a DSLR is simple but only when you are equipped with the right gears. No matter whether you are venturing into the world of DSLR videos for the first time or a high experience photographer, all you need to do is to just keep upgrading your DSLR kit with the latest accessories to bought up superb high-quality results. So here's the list of stuff that will make your movie making experience more interesting, enjoyable and more productive.

1. Have a Variety of High-Quality Camera Lenses

So if you have finally purchased that shiny DSLR camera body, the first main accessory to purchase is a lense. No matter how much you have spent in your DSLR, it can't do anything without a lense. The lens is actually to capture the image and broadly there are two main types of lenses. Zoom lenses as its name suggest and allow the user to zoom in and out to click the picture from a fixed position. Whereas prime lenses come with fixed width and do not offer any flexibility.

2. LED Panel

When shooting video, you will want a sharp dependable, controllable source of light and an LED panel is the perfect accessory to have a pitch. The higher you spend, the better you can buy LED panel for your DSLR kit, but there are few companies or brands that offers very decent bang for your buck at a competitive price.

3. Own a Professional Level Tripod Kit

A strong and sturdy tripod kit is essential for video and if you want smooth camera production, then it would be worth investing in a quality pan head. While buying the tripods, make sure that it should be super cheap, lightweight and inexpensive and not only meant for the still photos.

4. Quality Headphones

Since audio monitoring is the important part of shooting videos, it is vital to invest in right headphones for the job. There are such brands and companies that specifically designed monitoring headphones for sound professionals that ensure what you are hearing is what you're getting.

What DSLR Accessories Do I Need for Shooting High Quality Wedding Videos?

Looking to shoot the best wedding videos? There may be many like you out there who’ve just ventured into the world of videography. For them (including you), there is an endless number of DSLR video accessories that can seem overwhelming giving them a hard time when choosing the right camera gear. 

Did you think that choosing a camera body was a hard thing to do? You’ll come across a wide range of accessories you’ll be needing to shoot one’s wedding video.

No shooting a superior quality wedding video will require as much gear you need as shooting a small film. So here are the some of the most indispensable items that you must take into account for shooting the special day. Not only are these accessories compact, they can be used effectively in the wedding environment. No videographer would ever want quality to be compromised while shooting a wedding video.

So here I go shedding some light on some of the best accessories you’ll need to shoot wedding videos : 

Camera

It goes without saying that the most important thing you need to shoot a wedding is a premium quality DSLR camera. These cameras regarded as the low-priced alternatives to those used for cinemas. No doubt DSLRs provide fantastic resolution and excellent ergonomics.

If you were to ask me, I’d definitely agree that these highly advanced devices do deserve a post of their own, as in what kind of camera will be suitable for a startup company, or the quality cameras under $1000, or what questions must be asked when buying the right camera for one’s videography needs.

Before you select the right camera for your shooting needs, it’s important for you to know that each of these cameras functions in the same way. Some of the best-known brands that manufacture the world-class cameras include Canon, Sony, and Panasonic. Most of these cameras can be found within a similar price range.

Lenses

One of the most important accessories for the pros, lenses are also known as “glass”, and they’re what the DSLR uses to see the world. Want to know what makes them the most feasible and unique pieces of camera gear affecting the look of the video significantly? Their mind-boggling light-transmitting speed and characteristics.

A DSLR or mirrorless camera (no matter how advanced it is) will not serve your purpose or do you any good when shooting a wedding video if you lack high-quality lenses. Keeping this in mind, I strongly advise you to not shell out all the money you’ve got on the camera, as you need to have some for buying a top-grade lens. 

Don’t you forget lens plays an equally vital role as your camera? If you have a top-notch DSLR, it’s likely to deliver you a poor image just because you had it paired with the low-quality lens. So it’s better not to save some bucks on the glass.

Tripod

What shall I say about the tripod - not only one of the best DSLR video accessories but the single greatest accessory ever put into motion by humans?

A crucial accessory on its own, you’d certainly need a tripod when taking photos or videos in low light or when the crisp focus is wanted. Deemed to be the golden standard of all steady footage, a lot of users think that they need the up-to-the-minute stabilizer piece of equipment to acquire a great footage and if you think it’s a lot further from the truth, you’re mistaken. A solid tripod and fluid head will do a lot more for your video than you could possibly imagine.

A tripod can serve as the best assistant during the wedding ceremony. You can have it set in the back of the venue. Now allow the device (your camera) to roll while you meticulously work on another angle. Can it get better?

Monopod

Have a camera on a tripod capable of recording the ceremonial occasion on its own? Now you’ll need something to hold the other camera you’ll shoot with. Look no further than a monopod - one of the best options that do not cost an arm and a leg.

Many reasons make for the fact why monopods are the best accessories when shooting wedding videos on DSLRs. Not only are they versatile and compact, they don’t have much weight. There are plenty of carbon fibre monopods that can hold an unbelievable amount of weight. It allows you to make adjustments to the height according to your needs. Not only that, you can switch to a high-angle shot from a low-angle one in a fraction of seconds. Need I say more?

Wait…there’s more to come! These accessories play an effective role when it comes to steering through crowds. Even if you don’t have much space, you can shoot fabulous footage. 

On-Board Camera Microphone

Does your DSLR have a microphone built in? Make sure you have it recording. Even if you don’t plan to make use of the same, it’ll be better if you can have it as a backup (you never know when you might feel its need). Moreover, it’ll help you adjust the footage when you’re making some edits.

Using a DSLR camera? If so, then you’ll need to get the microphone attached in order to get adequate audio. Don’t forget that adding a mic to a DSLR is not the best possible option. This is because these cameras weren’t designed to capture the best sound. So it’s good to use it as a backup.

Audio

The way you’re going to capture audio will certainly depend on the type of DSLR you’re using. A DSLR is the most common camera used to shoot wedding video, there are a number of audio sources that you will be needing.

Handheld Stabilizers

One of the most preferred DSLR video accessories, a handheld stabilizer is the one that does not go over one’s shoulder nor will it require battery or computer assistance to work. Why? Because they’re handheld. As simple as that…!

These accessories are at their best when used during the reception. Not only do they capture incredible dancing footage, they also allow you to work your way in and around the dance floor.

Thought I’d like to share a great tip with you (for your benefit): AVOID following a bride walking down the aisle with a handheld stabilizer. Because what could possibly be more worse than getting in the way of the ceremonial occasion? This isn’t your moment, so it’s good to keep out. Don’t you forget you’re hired to capture the wedding, and not being a part of it?

Batteries

Make sure you have numerous batteries to suit your varying needs. Camera batteries, AA, and 9V batteries for your audio recorder or microphones, and batteries for your lights. Don’t have enough batteries at hand? Make sure you set up a charging station so the batteries serve you better when you need them.

Lighting

Needless to say, you’re not going to set up any three-point lighting during the wedding ceremony or reception. But there’s something that you will definitely want to use to capture the best wedding video. Want to know what’s the most feasible option to use here?

Using an LED light that you can easily use on camera, handheld, or on a stand will be the best bet. Being portable in nature, a small LED light can easily be tossed in the bag. Chances are you won’t need to make use of this light until it’s time for you to capture the reception ceremony.

Memory Cards

How does it feel to run out of juice when you need it the most? The feeling cannot be expressed in simple words. You may know that shooting a wedding video seems more like shooting a film with a small budget. So it’s better to shoot everything on a large card. Having many cards may not seem a good idea, but if something goes bad it’s a lot easier to lose 16GB of footage compared to 64GB.

New cameras record video onto SD memory cards with a high capacity. When recording 4K or full HD 1080p videos these cards can fill up soon before you even know it. The speed class and capacity are the major factors to consider while building your video kit for shooting wedding videos. 

Final Thoughts

The camera itself makes you embark on a journey leading to the world of professional videography. You don’t only want to improve performance, do you? Even maximizing the footage quality plays a very crucial role. Considering these, what you need are the essential accessories or camera gear that will help you deliver the best there is.

Looking for the right camera gear? 

Contact 24shots - a top-notch company (led by a team of camera gear enthusiasts) that’s been serving amateurs and seasoned videographers with top-quality DSLR video accessories. These accessories help them shoot high-quality videos.

Why Do You Need a Follow Focus Puller on a Film Set?

In this article, we’ll shed some light on the importance of a follow focus puller on a film set.

The First Assistant Camera, also known as focus puller, 1st AC, Assistant Camera , or B Camera, is an integral part of the camera department. During a film shoot, these exceptionally talented people shoulder their responsibility to keep the camera in focus. 

I’m fond of my camera assistant…I really am! This is what you’ll hear from the Director of Photography (DOP) - someone who overlooks the camera department, lighting department, electrical, and grips. These people are deemed to be the chief of the camera crew.

Do you really need a follow focus puller during a film shoot?

Well, you don’t seem to be the only one who expresses his great concern about exploiting the finest skills possessed by the 1st AC. I’m fully aware of the fact that being a professional follow focus puller can be the toughest job on the crew. This job is the one that comes literally loaded with endless responsibilities than you could possibly think. There’s a lot of stuff these people do on a film set. In short, I’d consider an experienced focus puller to be the backbone of the camera crew.

Being one of the challenging jobs on the crew (even though I consider it to be the only hardest job), the Camera Assistant has the responsibility of taking care of not only human bit mechanical counterparts as well. If you ask me, these personnel need to be not just one, but innumerable steps ahead of the game. Not only should they have the capability to predict the diverse needs of the camera crew, they should be able to offer necessary solutions whenever asked upon.

A focus puller should always “Come Prepared”.

If you were to define the job of the 1st AC, you’d probably fall short of words. These highly trained technicians extend necessary support to camera operators when it comes to setting up gear. Wait….there’s more coming your way! They even keep the sensitive equipment in the best shape.

What are duties of a follow focus puller?

The follow focus puller has to make sure that the picture remains sharp, because doing so is their prime responsibility. They work in close accordance with the camera operator (who’s under the direction of the DOP) for measuring the distance between the lens and the actual subject. They work their way out when it comes to maintaining proper focal distance during movements of the camera.

The first AC has to collaborate with the camera operator and the dolly grip for tracking shots and crane movements to make sure the focus is consistent. This would definitely need a focus puller to have a keen eye and a sound judgment of distance.

Focus pullers are accountable for both focusing and refocusing the camera lens as subjects move within the frame of each shot. Well, they avoid looking through the lens to perform this activity but consider pulling focus according to intricate marks which are placed on the set, floor and other vital things when a rehearsal is in progress.

Their job does not end with what’s all mentioned above. They take care of camera equipment, including lenses, filters and matt boxes. They assemble the camera as well as its accessories for capturing contrasting shots.

Do you know camera assistant make it to the set or in the studio before it’s time for the Director, Director of Photography and Camera Operator to arrive on a film set? When these people reach they make sure that the camera and all lenses are prepared for the shoot to be held during the day

What if the Director or DP wants to give a try to a specific lens? The follow focus puller will assemble the camera so that it becomes easy for them to look through the eyepiece to evaluate the given shot.

When the shooting day comes to an end, the Camera Assistant will not only clean the equipment but have the same packed up for the next day. In case there’s a problem with the rushes (a scratch on a film), they will initiate talking terms with the film lab so that any faults can be taken care of with the camera.

The First Assistant Camera is tasked with judging the distance between the camera and a subject. They even manipulate the lens physically on the camera so that they can keep the required subject in focus. Even though it may sound easy, doing so is one of the difficult jobs on a film set. The job is full of pressure. Need we say more?

The Director of Photography (DOP) or the Camera Operator usually asks for the follow focus puller. Their work hours are long and their work can be physically challenging as they have to deal with a plethora of things on a film set.

Experienced and talented focus pullers have an endless number of tricks for pulling focus in hard situations or when precise measurement seems next to impossible. 

What skills are necessary for the camera assistant?

The camera assistant or the follow focus puller you’re likely to hire for the said job must be trained in the proper setup and camera equipment. Not only that, they should have a sound knowledge of film handling and diverse photography techniques. It’s important for a good camera assistant to comprehend concepts of color, light, and exposure as well. 

The International Associate of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE in short provides training programs on a selective basis. Classes or experience in still photography can be useful.

It’s important for a professional focus puller to:

Have outstanding knowledge of cameras, lenses and other necessary equipment

Have excellent eyesight

Pay accurate attention to detail

Have quickness as well as speed

Keep abreast of latest techniques and equipment

Meticulously measure distances

Be able to work together

Be tactful and responsive when working with camera crew and other artists

Have the right knowledge of photo-chemical and digital film processing

Know about health and safety legislation and policies

What are the top 10 must have tools for every focus puller?

Well, there are some tools that are very crucial and used almost 100% of the time on a film set. A camera assistant will have a hard time to complete his work without the use of these efficient tools.

Screwdrivers

Wrench

Scissors

Pliers

Flashlight

Camera Tape

Lens Tissue

Lens Cleaning Fluid

Dry Erase Marker

Measuring Tape (Soft, Hard, or Laser)

Pen

Pencil

Grease Pencil or Marking Pen

Hex Keys/Allen Wrenches

Velcro

Compressed Air or Blower

Sharpies

It’s very important for a follow focus puller to get his own toolkit. This is because you’ll find it hard to get started as a 1st AC. You’re expected to have the right gear so that you can get the most out of it on a film set. This may seem expansive in the beginning but it’s good to have your own gear instead of borrowing someone else’s. Don’t you forget having your own toolkit will leave a positive impression on your superiors?

Besides, a camera assistant has to learn as much as he can not only about camera gear but lighting as well. 1st ACs have to know their stuff and be aware of the up-to-the-minute gear available on the market. They should even know technical updates as well (if any). A professional focus puller would never want to lose the confidence of camera departments in him.

Final Thoughts

A follow focus puller is not only in charge of the maintenance but take good care of each camera. The Camera Assistant, during pre-production, will visit rental houses just for the sake of testing the necessary gear and ensuring everything is right on schedule. Being a first assistant camera is not a job that can be achieved in the blink of an eye. 

Boost your Camera Skill with these Simple Tricks

Getting best shots out of the DSLR in tricky lighting condition is a tedious task. As you have noticed that in autofocus mode camera hunts for focus point to make subject sharper, but they failed to do so most of the time. In this article, we will discuss the different array of focusing trick which can enhance your current level of photography. 

Image Credit: switchbacktravel.com

The first trick is switching to manual mode, as we know that autofocus does a fairly good job in good lighting condition but in low light, it just falls apart. Nonetheless, you can opt the modes like program mode, shutter mode, aperture mode, or full manual mode .All these mode let you choose the desired focus point. 

Moreover, for detailed and sharp focus point you just need to activate the focus grid and lock the rendering focus point. Some advanced DSLR are now packed with joystick focus controller which let a user target the focus point in a much more conducive way.

The second method is a focus and recompose, this trick comes very handy in offset object focusing. For instance, if you want to target the centre focus point by the offsetting the object this method can do wonder for you. Here you just need to put the focus point on the subject. Thereafter, hold the shutter button a halfway to lock the focus. Then recompose the camera position slightly and click the button.  

However, this method failed in the portrayed mode scenario in which DOF become relatively thin. Well, in that case, do not try to swivel the camera too much instead move it along the body. This is because you cannot get the focus right until the camera sensor becomes parallel to the subject. This will provide you smooth transition of motion with less focus rendering.

Let's talk about the third method i.e. Edge contrast. This trick caters the poor focusing in low contrast condition. If you are the using DSLR for a while then you have definitely noticed that camera always struggled to focus in auto mode while capturing low light shots. While pointing your camera towards the wall or sky it fails to lock the focus most of the time. 

This is because the camera looks for the bright and dark area and then offers the focus lock, but due to the lack of sufficient contrast it focus points renders annoyingly. In that case, you just have to swivel the camera little bit with the center focus on all the time. 

Meanwhile, the accessories like follow focus system can be used to acquire subtle focusing. With this gadget in your armoury, you can focus on different lighting condition quite easily. The wireless variant of this system comes really handy in professional videography as it allows you to focus the subject via simple trigger action.  

Get the Best Out Of DSLR Manual Focusing

For a nascent photographer, its become impossible to taste the full potential of hi-tech DSLR camera. They have to play around with its different setting to get a basic idea of generating optimum images. Furthermore, when they switch to manual focusing, their objective of snapping crisp images get shattered.

The autofocus is standard setting developed and encoded by the company to cater various focusing conditions. The autofocus offers an advantage of eliminating the need the tedious manual focusing. You target the subject and it automatically focuses on it give you clear image without any hectic interference in the camera setting.

Then why do you need manual focus?

The reasons are many and a first and the foremost factor which provoked the need of manual focus is “macro” shots. While executing macro shots, the depth of field DOF become so shallow most of the time. Its leads to focus peaking condition in which camera was not able to focus on one object. The focus point becomes distracted and photographers end up with getting sub-par image output. The autofocus works like a hell in this situation most of the time.

Another condition is focusing on a subject in a crowd of similar objects. The modern day DSLRs are equipped cutting-edge lenses but the algorithm part is somewhat not well synchronized enough to snaps that intelligent shot. Most of the time camera find it hard to identify the target subjects like blades of grass.

In case of landscape shooting, the autofocus lead to generates a blurry image with focus render on the wrong object. To get the crisp output you have to deal manual setting in which you to alter the key factor like aperture, ISO, white balance, and manual focus peaking to get the perfect shots.

In the low light scenario, autofocus is not able to deliver the good images. However, in this case, camera aperture can play the huge role. Higher the aperture, brighter the shots. Meanwhile, in the low aperture situation, switch to manual mode, crank up the ISO little bit, focus until object becomes sharp and click the photo. Done!

Moreover, if you want a subtle focus transition during the filmmaking than you can opt the wireless follow focus system as an optional accessory. This product has raised the bar of traditional filmmaking practices. This product offers a diverse range of focus transition with is belt drive and gear assembly units. All this hardware is assisted by the wireless trigger which used the control the focus speed. Moreover, you can also alter transition speed with respect to the pressure sensitive wireless trigger.

Steps to get subtle manual focus

1.On the lens side, switch from auto mode to manual mode.
2.Precisely turn the focus ring until the target subject sharpens.
3.For the close-up shot, zoom towards the object and switch the camera to viewfinder mode.
4.Focuses until the subject become absolutely sharp
5.Tap the click button