Steve Crow
Forum Replies Created
-
Check out the reviews for their upgraded package (only about $30 more) and see what people say:
https://www.amazon.com/Fancierstudio-RIG-Follow-Focus-Matte/dp/B005UF3G2Y?tag=tiku-20
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
I’d investigate recommended “film look” camera profile settings for the FS100 – most cameras have ways to select and customize how the camera handles color, sharpness etc.
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
Ideally there would be some sort of wireless device (like a wireless follow focus) that could adjust your aperture but lenses with aperture rings are not the norm…in any case this kind of system is expensive.
The only other solution I can think of (besides redesigning the shot!) is to set a fixed aperture and ISO in the camera before filming and try and adjust the overall brightness in editing to match as closely as possible. Neither indoors nor outdoors are going to be perfectly exposed in camera. Keeping the inside area as well lit as possible (assuming a bright sunny day outside) should help minimize the issue.
Keep a second camera running too that isn’t on a steadicam and which can be quickly set up and moved to get better exposed shots – that way you will have footage to cut to at the critical transition points (outside to indoors and vice versa)
Bottom line, some shots are just not very feasible with current DSLR technology and the best you can do is a workaround.
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
Totally agree on RAW. After Effects would indeed be a great choice for the editing I agree there too but during the production phase, I think running the camera through a laptop application made specifically for stop motion animation is the way to go. For instance, I’m thinking of the capability to compare the still image just taken with a live view of what the camera is seeing now so that you can align everything exactly and make the necessary very minute position changes – I think they call this “onion skinning” from the old paper and pencil days of animation
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
Oh I just found this page on the iStopMotion Web site
https://boinx.com/istopmotion/support/inputdevices/
they seem to have lots of great training and support materials there which might be worth checking out even if you are a PC user
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
If you are on a Mac, I hope you are familiar with the program iStopMotion which seems to be the one I hear of most often – particularly for people just starting out although their applications are quite powerful
https://boinx.com/istopmotion/overview/
I found some basic tips on how to do stop animations on this site: https://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5657_use-istopmotion-animation-software.html
but I wouldn’t think that filming with a Canon 7D would have any particular issues or differences as compared to any other camera. Just from a common sense perspective I think one big issue is always going to be maintaining consistent lighting levels from shot to shot otherwise your animation will flicker – so I’d think you would want to start with a dark room and then set up specific lights that you can control and set up the same exactly the same each time you work on your animation.
Hopefully someone who has actually done this hands-on will chime in and give you more solid advice as I can only generalize.
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
That doesn’t sound right to me, but I wouldn’t recommend any type of welding or other glue because yes that would make the “fix” permanent. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer directly or looking on their support web site (I assume they have one, maybe not)
Post a picture of your rig, I’d love to see it.
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
What a story! Disorganized and everything-at-the-last-minute clients are very normal. I always include a quote for hourly work for when a client mistake results in going over the project scope. If its my mistake then I eat the extra costs. You did the right thing in many respects, I hope they come back to you for any future work
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
For me the answer is no – you seem to be filming, like I do, in situations where you basically have good light (or can improve it) and an opportunity to capture great sound too. The Mark II is going to be great for you and why not invest the extra money in lenses and other gear that will have a big impact on your look?
Here’s a comparison table that might help you make up your mind.
https://f-stopjournal.blogspot.com/2012/03/quick-comparison-canon-eos-5d-mk-ii-vs.html
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
Cool – how did the quick release plate attatch to the rails?
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com