audio on Canon 7D

[Nishi Sharma]

Bruce, many thanks or your very helpful reply. I have just got a Zoom H4N, which I will be using with Rode NTG1. Very pleaed with it.

I will be shooting an event about 1 hr long on Sunday, indoors, so will see how the sync issue works out. We are on PAL system here and most of the discussions on this forum and on others tend to be about NTSC. Still they are helpful.

I am aware that I can only film in 12 min chunks but that should be fine so long as the camera doesn’t shut down due to overheating. I think that filming this event will enable me to learn more about the capabilities and limitations of 7D.

Thanks again for your helpful contribution.

[Jiri Fiala]

I have shot a doc with our 7D. Unless you really have to, don’t shoot interviews with 7D. It’s fantastic for B-roll, but any longer take (than, say, 2 minutes) WILL introduce sync issues with sound no matter what. This has been covered on various blogs. DSLR make great pictures, but we cannot expect them to behave like a all-purpose HD camera for USD1700.

[Nishi Sharma]

Thanks Jiri. Since my original question I have shot lots of interviews in PAL using H4N and had no synch problems at all. I wonder if it doesn’t work in NTSC!

[Nathan Jongewaard]

Hi – so I take it you’re using 48kHz on the H4N when shooting PAL? I have to do some PAL work soon (first time), so I want to make sure it will work – thanks!

[Christopher Hicken]

I was wondering, does this sync issue include using an external mic plugged into the camera ?

I love the way the footage looks, but I also need to shoot interviews for my projects using wireless mics.

Thanks.

C.

[Josh Sliffe]

WOah speak for yourself.. wow you are out of the loop my friend. 7d is GREAT for interviews! I’ve done mannnny.

Go on vimeo and just check out one of the thousands of interview vids from 7d’s.

other than interviews watch the house season finale to see a full episode shot off a 5dmkii

there are also many films out there shot on these cameras also.

Just because you can’t get out of it what you want.. doesn’t mean other people can’t.

[Jiri Fiala]

Fear not my friend, I know how to get great picture from 7D, but it’s simply not that convenient for interview shooting. You have to stop in 12 or so minute chunks during interviews (which is okay if you plan your questions carefully). The sync error may or may not be a 7D or FCP issue, but it’s there:

https://blog.youdownwithfcp.com/2010/03/24/fcp-quirk-importing-25fps-audio-or-30fps/

It is not, however, present with DV/HDV setups, for me anyway.

[Matthew Nothelfer]

Don’t know what you’re doing to your footage/audio, but I synch my stuff up just fine and it doesn’t drift.

You’re making a goof somehow in post.

[Neil David]

Hey Josh
Really like the work you have been doing on vimeo. You have managed to produce great sound to go with the great pictures from the 7d. I have a question for you as Im about to film some interviews for a documentary with a 7d. I have the h4n and a rode ntg2 but I get very low levels on the sound?? What set up do you use for recording such great dialogue?? Your help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Josh Sliffe]

oh boy lol … i won’t even go into why your syncing is screwed up over time… but just know there are pro’s who don’t run into those problems.

and btw … any solution you use… or camera… has work arounds involved… whether you recognize them or not.

as far as interviews and 12 minutes… good lord man… how long is one question… just stop it and start it after every question or two… and use pluraleyes to sync everything in post… what the hell is the problem here. it’s totally worth pushing your thumb down twice every question.

Just please no one listen to this guy… if you want great looking stuff for super cheap and super EASY.. email me and i’ll teach you whatever i know.