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The Foundry Camera tracker focal length and film size
Posted by Daniel Ginzburg on September 30, 2012 at 4:06 pmHello 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
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Vishesh Arora
September 30, 2012 at 5:17 pmMr. 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 RajendraBlog:
https://digieffects.wordpress.comDemo Reel(3D):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8 -
Daniel Ginzburg
September 30, 2012 at 6:38 pm -
Vishesh Arora
September 30, 2012 at 7:00 pmAnytime Mr. Ginzburg
Vishesh Arora
VFX and Motion Graphics Artist
Films RajendraBlog:
https://digieffects.wordpress.comDemo Reel(3D):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8 -
Daniel Ginzburg
September 30, 2012 at 8:18 pmHi 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..
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Tom Daigon
September 30, 2012 at 9:11 pmI 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 pmThanks 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. -
Tom Daigon
September 30, 2012 at 10:27 pmGlad 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 pmIn 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!
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Tom Daigon
October 8, 2012 at 10:40 pmThe 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 pmHi Tom
Yeah…In that config you’d be looking at 7450.00 out the door.
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