How do I start taking videos with the Canon 5D MkII?

[Ammo 7]

Hi, new here although I have been lurking for a while.

Although I bought the 5D MkII camera for stills I would like to dabble a bit with video. I need to do the firmware upgrade for different frame rates. Eventually I would like to shoot a music video for my son who is a musician.

So the main questions I would like to ask are: at what frame rate do I shoot for TV / Youtube, what external mic should I be using, what software do I need for viewing / editing? I have a PC laptop at the moment but have been toying with the idea of a Mac.

Are there any websites or books that could be useful to me? General video technique and 5D MkII in particular? I have Googled and found some stuff but thought you guys might be able to point me in the right direction.

I am sure I can think of more questions once some kind people have anwered the ones I have already asked!

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

[GetCarter]

As for the software - on your PC you have Movie Maker - if you are filming in HD you'll need to upgrade this (free) to the latest HD version. On a Mac you get iMovie HD. I use them both, they are pretty good.

YouTube will destroy the quality of anything you film, so I wouldn't worry too much about frame rates (though for playing bak on TV, the more the better).

As for mic - well it's going to sound rubbish if you use a mic from the camera... if they have a recording you can add that over any footage when you edit. If you REALLY MUST record them live with a mic, be very careful where (no 'live' rooms -soft surfaces or outside), and how loud!

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 22 March 08:20

[Bacardi]

Recording sound into the 5D is best done with balanced mics into a preamp using the Magic Lantern firmware hack (currently being updated to wrk with latest Canon firmware), or use a separate recorder.

Tons of info about shooting video with 5D (and 7, amongst others) here: http://www.cinema5d.com/index.php Scroll down for forums on Audi solutions and editing.

[Ammo 7]

Many thanks GetCarter and Bacardi

I've updoaded the latest version of Movie Maker. I appreciate that Youtube quality is incredibly low but I want to play around with HD seeing as the camera can do it. For lack of complication I was thinking initially of using something like a Rode Stereo Video Mic or something similar using the cameras audio recording rather than a separate recorder for the time being. If I get the hang of it a pre amp and better mics could be on the cards.

I also have quite a few vocal mics in the house. Three oldish but unused AKG D660S. Hypercardoid, wahtever that means. Could a couple of these be used with the pre-amp or am I totally wasting my time even thinking about this?

Thanks for the link. Very useful.

[JustinP1]

Ammo 7 said:

For lack of complication I was thinking initially of using something like a Rode Stereo Video Mic or something similar using the cameras audio recording rather than a separate recorder for the time being. If I get the hang of it a pre amp and better mics could be on the cards.

If you do that, it will sound awful. Trust me. A whole live band recorded live on a stereo mic without mixing will sound rubbish and no-one would want to listen to the video.

I'll save you the time and disappointment.

However, the 'pro' way is to record the song first and mix it, and then simply record the video whilst you mime/play to it.

Then all you do is synchronise the good soundtrack with the playing. Bingo!

[Simpo Two]

JustinP1 said:

However, the 'pro' way is to record the song first and mix it, and then simply record the video whilst you mime/play to it.

Then all you do is synchronise the good soundtrack with the playing. Bingo!

For corporate video we'd usually record the soundtrack first then lay the pictures to it, but for live music you'd lose the 'live ambience' wouldn't you?

My thought would be to mike each player, take each input to a mixing desk then take a feed from that for the recording. So you'd get decent audio but still a live genuine performance.

[JustinP1]

Simpo Two said:

JustinP1 said:

However, the 'pro' way is to record the song first and mix it, and then simply record the video whilst you mime/play to it.

Then all you do is synchronise the good soundtrack with the playing. Bingo!

For corporate video we'd usually record the soundtrack first then lay the pictures to it, but for live music you'd lose the 'live ambience' wouldn't you?

My thought would be to mike each player, take each input to a mixing desk then take a feed from that for the recording. So you'd get decent audio but still a live genuine performance.

That would be the other way, however, that is really, really, rare. I think Blur might have done it for a video recorded in Abbey Road(?) 'Love's the Greatest Thing' I think. However, if you are good enough to record a track as live anyway, then it is a cheap and authentic way to video. However, the audio track was in effect a studio recording. You could not get the same effect by walking around with a stereo mic or the perspective of the sound would change as you moved around and you would lose the vocals etc. Plus in small places the drummer is always too loud...

Usually however, if you look at the 'performance' music videos of the 80's they were all live shows synched to the studio recording.

Even today where you get concert DVDs, a lot of the time at least the vocals (and sometimes more) of the performance are overdubbed in a studio later.

[Simpo Two]

JustinP1 said:

I think Blur might have done it

Oh well if I'm on the same lines as Mr Albarn I can't be far wrong - must be something about Colchester!

[JustinP1]

Simpo Two said:

JustinP1 said:

I think Blur might have done it

Oh well if I'm on the same lines as Mr Albarn I can't be far wrong - must be something about Colchester!

Just had a brainwave... it was called 'Tender':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNy0ZRLrtis

That would be an example if you were to set up mics record from them and film at the same time.

[Ammo 7]

Thanks everyone. A few things to think about.

Luckily my son (who will be getting his music degree this year at Colchester Institute) has some high quality studio recordings of his work but can also play live pretty well. He should be a pretty willing victim. He will also be playing live quite a lot soon so a few opportunities for me to film.

His videos on YouTube vary a bit from live recordings done on a digicam with internal mic at home, to studio recordings with collaged stills and even a version of Voodoo Chile posted by a punter from his mobile phone. It would be nice to see something slightly higher quality.

Here is some of what he does http://www.youtube.com/robcastellani?gl=GB&hl=...

I come from a film background and find digital slightly difficult. My brain doesn't seem to be wired in a way that makes operating computers intuitive. Sometimes I get well and truly stuck and very frustrated. My youngest son who is still only 19 is a bit of a whizz kid and would be quite useful to have around. Unfortunately (the selfish little bugger) has moved to London to do rotoscoping and compositing. He did some work on this video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9vAOzYz-Qs

A bit of a coincidence since Colchester, Albarn and Blur were mentioned in the postings!

When I see the quality of that video I want to give up! Having said that I only have a DSLR, a few lenses and some ideas. They had a big film crew and a big budget. It will be nice to see what can be done on a shoestring over the next few months.

Hopefully with your help, if you don't mind answering a myriad of stupid questions from someone who is a total computer nincompoop.

Thanks again for all your help so far.

Ammo