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Activity Forums Adobe After Effects The Foundry Camera tracker focal length and film size

  • The Foundry Camera tracker focal length and film size

    Posted by Daniel Ginzburg on September 30, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Hello people,
    I have a question regarding specifying the camera focal length and film back size in camera tracker,
    I used a Canon power shot SX30 IS to shoot 1280 x 720 (30 fps)video,
    I need to specify the Focal Length and Film back size X,Y.
    I am not a professional photographer and have little knowledge of it…
    I have tried looking for the camera specs on the internet but couldn’t really understand what is the film back size.
    I would appreciate any respond.
    Thank you.

    Nathan Russo replied 13 years, 7 months ago 4 Members · 12 Replies
  • 12 Replies
  • Vishesh Arora

    September 30, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Mr. Ginzburg

    In the actual Camera the Film Back refers to the plate where the negative is placed when it is exposed to the light. THe size of the film determines the film back settings, so 35 mm film uses 35 mm film back.

    This also means Sensor Size.

    If you are entering the Focal Length, then you have to be critical for Film back size.

    You can see your camera Specification here:

    https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_sx30is

    So for your camera, It is 6.17 x 4.55 mm.

    Vishesh Arora
    VFX and Motion Graphics Artist
    Films Rajendra

    Blog:
    https://digieffects.wordpress.com

    Demo Reel(3D):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8

  • Daniel Ginzburg

    September 30, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Thank you very much for the respond Mr. Arora.

    https://ginz.tv

  • Vishesh Arora

    September 30, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    Anytime Mr. Ginzburg

    Vishesh Arora
    VFX and Motion Graphics Artist
    Films Rajendra

    Blog:
    https://digieffects.wordpress.com

    Demo Reel(3D):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8

  • Daniel Ginzburg

    September 30, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Vishesh,

    I am sorry but something doesn’t work I must be doing something wrong:
    from your response I assumed that the focal length is 35mm,
    (even though in the site you sent me it said Focal length (equiv.) 24 – 840 mm).
    the film back size X is 6.17 mm.
    and the film back size Y is 4.55 mm.
    I have inserted these parameters to the camera tracker solve setting like in the image attached.
    and the tracking data was way off…

    Thank you for your time sorry for the trouble..

    https://ginz.tv

  • Tom Daigon

    September 30, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    I am providing you an alternate method of using the 3D tracker. I have used this approach successfully with a variety of shots needing 3D tracking.

    If you are interested in a technique that that doesnt use camera information but gives rock solid trackers, here you go.

    https://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/3d_truck_compositing/

    Tom Daigon
    PrP / After Effects Editor
    http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRIg6h-LIm0 (Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
    HP Z820 Dual 2687
    64GB ram
    Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

  • Daniel Ginzburg

    September 30, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks for the advice Tom,
    I don’t have element 3D but I do use cinema 4D, I hope the after effects 3d tracker it will give me solid results to export to cinema 4D, I would give it a try now.
    Thank you.

    https://ginz.tv

  • Tom Daigon

    September 30, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Glad to help. I dont use C4D so Im not sure about that work flow. I just know its works great for most shots in AE. Good luck!

    Tom Daigon
    PrP / After Effects Editor
    http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRIg6h-LIm0 (Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
    HP Z820 Dual 2687
    64GB ram
    Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

  • Nathan Russo

    October 8, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    In regards to your post. Check it out!!!
    HP Z820 Workstation.
    Processor: 2 X Intel Xeon processor E5-2660 (20 M Cace, 2.20 GHz, 8.00 GT/s Intel QPI).
    Memory: 24GB RAM
    Storage: 1TB 7.2K SATA Hard Drive.
    Graphics: Quardo 5000 2.5GB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16.

    $ 5350. In stock!

  • Tom Daigon

    October 8, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    The diff is I got the fastest processors which these are not, 64 GB of ram and 4 internal hard drives. Those boost the price quite a bit 😀

    Tom Daigon
    PrP / After Effects Editor
    http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
    (Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
    HP Z820 Dual 2687
    64GB ram
    Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

  • Nathan Russo

    October 8, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    Hi Tom

    Yeah…In that config you’d be looking at 7450.00 out the door.

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