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.

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 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.

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.

Why Choose the Best Tripod for Video?

Any idea what’s the fastest way to boost production value?

Using a good sturdy tripod plays a very imperative role when it comes to achieving vibrate free shots. These shots are instantly professional. Some tripods (one of the best DSLR video accessories) are light and don’t cost an arm and a leg, but you need to keep in mind that you’ll be shooting 24/25/60fps video and not individual still frames.

I advise you to keep away from still-photo specific tripods. This is because they won’t do any good to your motion video.

An awfully low-priced tripod may sound attention-getting, but you should not forget that they’re designed for stills and not video. You don’t want your camera blowing over half way through a shot, do you?

Tripods for Video

A tripod must be able to resist the weight of a heavy camera. It should even pan or tilt without having to jerk and getting stuck, which is a continuous battle with inferior quality tripods.

I’d like to bring to your kind attention that it’s in fact much easier to execute ultra-smooth professional looking pans if your one of the most vital DSLR video accessories (a tripod) has a crippled fluid-effect head. But don’t you forget it provides a lockable tilt function as well as an adaptable center post if you plan to use the same for still shooting?

What are features that make up the best tripod?

There are some tripod features that you must consider for reaping great benefits.

You must choose tripods “legs” that has adjustable pan handles matched with a ‘fluid head’.

“The fluid minimizes the risk of the camera operator introducing any irregularity or quivering to the shot during a pan or tilt through moistening. That’s not all! It cuts the friction down between moving parts of the head.” 

That way you’ll be able to effortlessly pan the camera in all directions - up, down, left and right favorably. Look for a tripod head that does not have an easy-to-level ball head, but comes with a carrying case. Not only will it give a professional look, but it’ll often leave a great impression on clients.

While you can buy a level separately, keep in mind that highest quality tripod legs and/or heads will come equipped with built in levels. 

What else you must look for in a video tripod

There are some vital features that are found on video tripod, including:

Elongated platforms which are created to accommodate and position various video rigs for optimal balance - it’s a main factor that will help you move the DSLR in the right way.

Various ball heads that can be locked in position for panning. These ball heads may have accessory handles for more effortless panning and tilting.

Plain or lit up bubble levels for leveling the legs and head for seamless panning with a natural looking horizon line.

Leg strut holds for needed stability as well as resistance to flexing. 

Is a tripod the top-notch must-have video accessory?

If you were to ask me the importance of a tripod (not forget to mention, it’s one of the most preferred DSLR video accessories), I’d never hold an opposing views to the fact that a tripod is an important accessory which not only helps one capture smooth, but shake-free video.

Essentially any tripod, even the pan/tilt with a medium size unit you’re using for stills, can be deemed into service as a video tripod. But if you intend to deal with smooth pans as well as shoot professional quality videos that not only engage your audience, but focus their attention on the content, what you need is a tripod that’s serves you better at every step. In simple words, it should be optimized for video.

A committed video shooter at any level? Or, have any intention of getting into the profession of videography in the coming days? Making your tripod a video tripod with kind of fluid head will be the best thing you can do. 

Final Words

It would not be wrong to state the fact that a tripod is the greatest photo accessory ever brought into action by humans. But do you have the one optimized for shooting video? 

Any It’s essential for any 3-legged used for video to have separable lockable pan as well as tilt controls. That way you’ll be able to lock the tilt at whatever angle you wish. Then you can pan your DSLR in a horizontal way with sound smoothness for the sake of following the action.