LONG recording

[Captain Matt]

Hey all,

I've been recording student music recitals at my school for awhile now and I think I need to get a better camera.

I had two issues when recording an opera last night - The autofocus basically ruined the footage during dark scenes, and another similar camera I was using stopped recording after 30 minutes.

 

Could you guys point me to a camera that does LONG, continuous recording times (over an hour) and a camera where framerate is not linked to bit rate (stupid Canon..)?

 

Thanks!

[ALwin]

Which specific camera are you using at the moment?

 

Almost any camera can record video on a continuous basis, as long as there is sufficient storage space and power, and with the right setup/accessories.

 

If you are using a DSLR/Mirrorless, to get the long continuous recording you need an external recorder like an Atomos Ninja 2.  But even then you have to check the camera settings that might auto turn off live view mode to conserve power (and for long recording, an AC power supply for a DSLR/MILC is preferable).  I would also prefocus the scene instead of relying on autofocus, with the aperture stepped down a bit to get a nice enough DOF to keep the important bits in focus.

 

Video cameras on the other hand are specifically designed to record video on a continuous basis as long as there is enough power and storage space.  A camcorder like the Sony handycams (e.g. this model) can record for 5+ hours straight given the use of a higher capacity battery and memory card.

[ALwin]

On my Sony PXW-FS7 video camera:

• Using the highest capacity Sony battery available (BP-U90), non-V/Gold mount battery
• With a 128GB XQD memory card
• At 1080p25 XAVC-I which records at a bit rate of slightly over 100Mb/s for this resolution and frame rate
• The battery provides me about 6 hours of recording time (as I am not using a servo zoom lens or image stabilization), using a Nikon lens mounted with a cold adapter
• Each 128GB XQD card records about 2 hours of footage, the camera holds 2 memory cards

[Captain Matt]

lol

My budget is around 1k to get started. 

 

[ALwin]

1 minute ago, Captain Matt said:

snip

Well first, what camera do you have?

 

Almost any camera can record video on a continuous basis, as long as there is sufficient storage space and power, and with the right setup/accessories. Even a DSLR/MILC.  Which is why I asked that question in the first place.

[Captain Matt]

6 minutes ago, ALwin said:

Well first, what camera do you have?

 

Almost any camera can record video on a continuous basis, as long as there is sufficient storage space and power, and with the right setup/accessories. Even a DSLR/MILC.  Which is why I asked that question in the first place.

Canon HF R600

[ALwin]

1 minute ago, Captain Matt said:

Canon HF R600

With this camera, for a longer recording you simply need a higher capacity battery and memory card.  As for autofocus issues, I don't think it will let you set the focus to manual so you will most likely have to rely on the camera being "intelligent" enough to figure out what should be in focus... which I doubt.  A majority of AF systems primarily try to focus on objects closest to the camera first.

 

For your max budget of around $1000 you wont be able to buy anything other than a more expensive camcorder (brand new) or perhaps find an old professional style camcorder on the second hand market.  Higher capacity storage and battery will solve the issue of recording duration, autofocus will always depend if the camera sees something bright enough, with enough contrast, etc. to focus on.  There are some consumer level camcorders with a small dial near the lens that gives you some control over focusing the lens manually.

 

Like this camcorder for example, see the small dial just below and to the side of the lens.  In the camera's menu you could probably assign that dial for manual focusing instead of relying on the AF system.

 

If you have a DSLR/Mirrorless photo camera capable of recording video, I would say invest in something like an Atomos Ninja 2 external recorder to overcome the internal recording limitations (e.g. recording limits of 12-30 minutes or FAT32 file size limits) of the camera.  Autofocus will perform worse than a camcorder so you will have to prefocus manually and use a smaller aperture for a wide DOF.  For stabilization, a tripod is best.  The main issue with this setup is that not everything is in a single package, extra parts are attached externally.

 

This is an old DSLR video setup of mine, not even streamlined with proper rigging.  Camera on tripod and Atomos Ninja attached to the rig via a small magic arm, cables everywhere, sound recorded externally, etc.

 

 

[Captain Matt]

On 3/11/2016 at 0:37 PM, ALwin said:

With this camera, for a longer recording you simply need a higher capacity battery and memory card.  As for autofocus issues, I don't think it will let you set the focus to manual so you will most likely have to rely on the camera being "intelligent" enough to figure out what should be in focus... which I doubt.  A majority of AF systems primarily try to focus on objects closest to the camera first.

 

For your max budget of around $1000 you wont be able to buy anything other than a more expensive camcorder (brand new) or perhaps find an old professional style camcorder on the second hand market.  Higher capacity storage and battery will solve the issue of recording duration, autofocus will always depend if the camera sees something bright enough, with enough contrast, etc. to focus on.  There are some consumer level camcorders with a small dial near the lens that gives you some control over focusing the lens manually.

 

Like this camcorder for example, see the small dial just below and to the side of the lens.  In the camera's menu you could probably assign that dial for manual focusing instead of relying on the AF system.

 

If you have a DSLR/Mirrorless photo camera capable of recording video, I would say invest in something like an Atomos Ninja 2 external recorder to overcome the internal recording limitations (e.g. recording limits of 12-30 minutes or FAT32 file size limits) of the camera.  Autofocus will perform worse than a camcorder so you will have to prefocus manually and use a smaller aperture for a wide DOF.  For stabilization, a tripod is best.  The main issue with this setup is that not everything is in a single package, extra parts are attached externally.

 

This is an old DSLR video setup of mine, not even streamlined with proper rigging.  Camera on tripod and Atomos Ninja attached to the rig via a small magic arm, cables everywhere, sound recorded externally, etc.

 

 

Alwin,

 

I read your complete DSLR or video camera guide. Wow. I learned a ton!

After reading that and shopping for awhile, I feel like this setup would do me well.

 

Sony a6000 OR Panasonic GH4 (can I get an opinion here?)

Atomos Ninja Blade

A lens with some zoom for capturing subjects no more that 30' away

[ALwin]

5 hours ago, Captain Matt said:

snip

With a GH4 which has a MFT sensor, you won't need such a long lens due to the crop factor.  While with the A6000 which has a larger sensor and smaller crop factor, you need a slightly longer lens than for the GH4.  Also I think the A6000 doesn't have a mic port, so you will have to record audio externally.  But again, Camera + Ninja + lens + Mic is just one part of the setup, where is the rig for mounting all these things?

[Captain Matt]

9 hours ago, ALwin said:

With a GH4 which has a MFT sensor, you won't need such a long lens due to the crop factor.  While with the A6000 which has a larger sensor and smaller crop factor, you need a slightly longer lens than for the GH4.  Also I think the A6000 doesn't have a mic port, so you will have to record audio externally.  But again, Camera + Ninja + lens + Mic is just one part of the setup, where is the rig for mounting all these things?

Static cam and I already have a fine tripod.

I will be recording audio with a whole other setup.

Scarlett FocusRite 2i2 + Shure KSM137's + Adobe Audition

[ALwin]

Look at this guide I wrote, there are references in there that will teach you some stuff.  Look on YouTube or Vimeo, lots of resources from professionals there.

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, Captain Matt said:

Static cam and I already have a fine tripod.

I will be recording audio with a whole other setup.

Scarlett FocusRite 2i2 + Shure KSM137's + Adobe Audition

As you work, you will gain experience and figure out what works and what doesn't.  That's been my experience so far.