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.

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.

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

Top 6 Accessories for Shooting High Quality DSLR Video

With rapid advancements made in technology, DSLR video is getting better and better with every passing day. That allows photographers to grab the opportunity to become part-time videographers.

Want to produce clear, stable videos?

Here is a list of 6 must have DSLR video accessories that are not only portable but also contribute to the quality of the video:

1.Lenses

What’s the main accessory you need to buy for your DSLR or mirrorless camera? It’s the lens. Of course, you want the best glass to be able to get the best quality video out of your DSLR. Taking a photo in natural light can give you some amazing results, especially when there isn’t much light.

There are several standard “kit” zoom lenses that come packaged with the DSLR camera, so you need to look for an alternative that can serve you better. The lens is one of the most important accessories for DSLRs that create the image.

2.Tripod

A tripod is the most important accessory for recording high-quality videos. The purpose of this device is to hold the camera still for preventing shakes that can easily spoil a video. You must look for a tripod which is not only light and stable but portable as well. Its weight should allow you to transport it from one spot to another.

Even if you don’t intend to record plenty of motion shots, you should go for a tripod with a panning head for extra flexibility. This video accessory for DSLR is vital when it comes to taking photos in low light. It helps even when tack-sharp focus is wanted. 

Well, there are several configurations you can try, but keep in mind that carbon fiber tripods are very sturdy and lightweight as well.

3.Dust Blower

One of the must have DSLR video accessories is dust blower. It’s a known fact that dust is attracted to lenses as well as filters like a magnet. Even it attracts to the sensor of your camera. Thus, having a dust removal device will help you take quality photos.

4.Microphone

Even though a DSLR has the ability to record stunning videos, its built-in microphone seems suitable for amateur recordings. To be able to obtain clear audio, you ought to use a third-party microphone or an audio recorder.

A shotgun microphone is the one that attaches to the camera and records audio directly into it. The lavalier microphone, on the other hand, which is sometimes called a lapel microphone, attaches directly to the person’s clothing. Well, it’s ideal for interviews, but may not seem the right choice for every user. You can also go for a standalone audio recorder. 

You can have this device placed anywhere close to where the action is, and shoot your video from wherever you like. But don’t you forget to sync the audio recording with the video later on?

5.Neutral Density Filter

A neutral density filter, or ND filter, is a vital accessory that helps one produce fluid motion shots. Shutter speed can be a tricky and complex thing when it comes to shooting motion. It allows users to use slow shutter speed when recording under conditions with bright light. 

When shutter speed gets too fast, the footage looks shaky as well as unnatural. This is where the role of a neutral density filter comes in. It helps keep the speed in check.

6.Screen Loupe

The screen on a DSLR camera is pretty small. It doesn’t always display the details that videographers are looking for when it comes to shooting videos. Using a screen loupe (one of the most important DSLR video accessories) will allow photographers to enlarge the image on their DSLR camera for a great look at what they’re recording.

Glare can cause you big problems if you’re shooting in the sunlight. A loop will deal with that for you so you can shoot videos without hassles.

Follow Focus - 3 Things You Must Know About

What is a follow focus?

Follow focus is an art....it really is!

A follow focus is a focus control device that’s used in filmmaking or shooting video. In other words, it’s a set of parts that work hand in hand allowing you to focus more accurately and effortlessly for video work. The main function of this focus control mechanism is to allow focus to follow the action.

The technique of changing focus is called a focus pull or rack focus. Well, a follow focus is not required usually when shooting, but having on a DSLR lets the operator become more accurate and skilled.

Let’s discuss three important things you ought to know about the follow focus:

1. Do You Always Need a Follow Focus? Not Necessarily!

I can sense it’s quite hard to believe, but it’s true. Anyone getting into making movies with their DSLR camera have a perception that the follow focus is the main accessory they need. But this statement does not always hold true.

Shooting handheld most of the time might make you spend a considerable amount of money on some kind of support rig. When you go for a rig with a single handle, your left hand is free to hold the lens and operate focus. This seems a comfortable position to shoot from and it provides you a direct connection to the focus ring.

2. Lens Gears are Excellent than Belts

The gears are part of the internal mechanism of most follow focuses. On the other hand, lens gears are part of the output stage, where a follow focus uses your lens.

A majority of follow focuses use a 32-pitch output gear that connects with gear teeth on the lens. Cinema lenses have these teeth framed in to the focus ring. Lenses which are appropriate to use for stills photography don’t have teeth molded in to the focus ring. Thus, it’s necessary for you to consider the installation of some type of lens gear onto the lens.

3. Do You Want to Plan Out Your Shots?

If we were to ask you when you need a follow focus, what would you say? A follow focus works to your advantage whenever when you can plan out your shots. As simple as that! If you have the ability to determine your focus points beforehand, you’ll be able to draw marks on the follow focus for each point. And that allows you to focus to those points right through the shot.

Final Words

If you want to master the skill of follow focus, there are some important things that you must know about.

Visit http://innovativefilmmakingtool.blogspot.in/2016/04/all-you-need-to-know-about-follow-focus.html  for details.