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Posts Tagged ‘Camera’

DSLR cameras are expensive gadgets. Much like any other electronic device, they are prone to damage from extreme differences in temperature, weather conditions and shock. Pelican Cases, silica gels, rain sleeves, camera armor and a neutral density filter are only some of these devices. Most cost a bundle to buy but keeping your device clean and safe during your trip is worth the extra investment. 
 
Using a camera during a rainstorm provides a host of problems for cameras. Any moisture or condensation can damage the intricate internal mechanism inside the device. One quick and simple way of covering the camera and lens is by using a clear plastic bag. However, this type of covering has its limits. A rain sleeve is a costlier but more flexible alternative. It is made from a waterproof type of fabric that is tailored fit to cover the camera and lens without restricting its function. An additional eyepiece may be required when using the covering.
 
If you intend to use your camera in wet or dusty weather conditions, install skin or armor on your camera. Camera skins and armor add an extra layer of protection to your equipment from any scratches, bumps or accidental drops. Use of such a device is not always recommended as the material can affect the ergonomics of the camera or how the device feels on your hand.
 
Pelican Cases are airtight and watertight containers fitted with small compartments made from a special type of breathable fabric. Each compartment is designed to snugly fit specific camera devices and equipment. The design of the compartments effectively restricts the movement of each piece of equipment during travel while the hard case protects the devices from any shock if it is accidentally dropped or banged against another hard surface. This type of case is also dustproof, corrosion-proof and protects the devices from chemicals. 
 
Whether carrying a regular camera bag or a Pelican Case, you should always stock up on silica gels. These are small packets containing silica desiccant. Each packet is designed to soak up the moisture contained in the bag. The same types of packets can also be used with other types of equipment and even clothing. A cheaper alternative is using grains of rice to soak up the moisture. 
 
Another device to carry on a trip is a neutral density or ND filter. It is a simple device that you can screw on top of your lens to protect it from scrapes and scratches. Although use of the filter slightly reduces the amount of light that reaches the lens, most DSLR cameras are able to compensate for the loss automatically. It costs a few dollars but is capable of protecting several thousand dollars worth of equipment.
 
Rain sleeves, skin armor, Pelican cases, silica gels and ND filters are only a few examples of accessories designed to protect your camera from the elements as well as the rigors of travelling. You need not spend a bundle to protect your camera during your trips. However, the extra investment is worth thinking about and looking into to ensure that your camera kit works well for years to come.

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Digital cameras make it possible to shoot with a more affordable budget, and a wide array of accessories enhance every filmmaking process, from lenses and adapters to lighting and grip choices to post-production workflow.

Know the Features of Your Camera

Knowing the features of your camera maximizes its potential for your documentary work. As a filmmaking tool, a camera provides you with footage depending on the specifications you give. This allows you to explore how every camera setting can affect the quality of the video you shoot. You should know how to change in between auto and manual settings for basic things like exposure, focus, white balance, zoom and audio volume and channels.

Knowing the technical part is almost half the job. Yet, it’s the creativity and resourcefulness of the filmmaker that allows the technical side to work best. In documentary filmmaking, production work requires being always prepared to shoot even during the most unexpected moments. Spontaneity and uncontrollable situations are always part of the challenge to get the right shots. And a light, dependable digital camera that both has auto and manual settings are always very useful to the filmmaker.

Make a Checklist of Your Production Requirements

The format (HD or SD), aspect ratio (regular TV or widescreen) and running time of the film are the basic requirements that you should decide on even before you officially start producing the documentary. Then, you should know your camera, lighting, grip and sound requirements depending on your concept and treatment for the film. Make a checklist so that you don’t forget anything during the shoot.

You should be aware of how much storage space you need in every shooting day. Plan the shots according to how long your battery lasts and if each location can allow you to recharge your batteries there or if you can just tap electricity from the location instead of using the battery. Ideally, you should have at least 2 fully-charged batteries in every shoot.

Adjust Your Technical Requirements According to Your Needs and Schedule

Light sources could either be coming from the location or you bring your own lighting equipment. As a documentary usually means shooting on your own or just having a very small crew with you, it’s best to bring handy light sources and grip equipment like tripod so everything is easy to manage. Some even prefer to just use available or natural light, Styrofoam and other reflective or diffusing materials to control light (especially for close-up shots and interviews) and black cartolinas and illustration boards to block off unnecessary light and reflections.

A documentary almost, if not always, requires quality live sound readily recorded from the boom, lapel or shotgun mic and directly synched to the visuals. More than just being the more practical way instead of producing all the sound elements during post-production, using live sound definitely adds to the credibility and sincerity of what the visuals show on screen. It is always not a good idea to use the camera’s internal microphone since this records sound in all directions, including the noise around. It may be used for emergency situations, but the audio quality is often compromised.

Make an Outline and Shot List

A documentary film may not require the script as how a narrative film needs it; but this doesn’t mean that you should shoot a documentary without any plan or concept. Make an outline and a shot list so that you can focus on shooting the right footage every time. For amateur filmmakers, making an outline is as simple as the coming up of a distinct topic, then break it down to sub-topics and other significant details like how a title, paragraph and sentences are organized into one coherent idea that revolves around the chosen topic.

Write down a shotlist for your intended shots per location or per subject/interviewee. The shotlist can also describe the shots you need like: long shot or wide shot, medium shot, close-up or extreme close-up; panning, tilting or tracking shot; or any specific effect you plan to implement like slow shutter or fish eye effect. It may also suggest the features of the camera you want to use like: your suggested exposure; if you want to zoom at a certain part or you want the shot to be still in a tripod; or if you want to follow your subject while walking from an exterior location until she gets inside the house.

Remember that sudden changes in lighting conditions would result to exposure problems. And every camera movement could suggest or evoke a certain feeling or meaning like a very fast moving handheld shot may feel dynamic, action-packed or confusing. So, you should carefully plan your shots given all the technical and creative parameters you have.

Both the outline and shotlist should expose the theme, goals, motivations, conflicts and concerns of your documentary. They should also provide answers to interview questions that you ask your subjects.

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HP iPAQ Voice Messenger with Windows 6.1, GPS, WiFi & 3.1 MP Camera

Windows Mobile based devices have been around for a while but they were mostly considered to be expensive sophisticated business devices with lots of complicated business applications and no fun stuff. Most popular manufacturers of windows mobile based devices include HTC, I-Mate and HP. With HTC being the leader in the industry I-Mate and HP are doing well to keep up.  Recently windows mobile based devices have gained popularity mainly because of reduction in prices by the manufacturers. Today very cheap, quite reliable and very customizable windows devices are easily available. One such device to recently hit the Pakistani market is HP Voice Messenger. The device is available at a very attractive price range of between Rs. 13,000 – Rs.18, 000 with the best price quoted by a local web based seller.

Looking at the phone’s specifications it has everything one can dream of.Yes it isn’t anything like the boring older versions of blackberry phones the design is sleek the phone is very thin, the length, the screen size and the back of the phone are just perfect.

With all the latest specification the phone is also aesthetically very attractive.  The phone has a built in WI-FI capability which is very handy. I have checked the feature at different locations and different routers and found it be perfect. The speed is very good and you can actually download MP3s and watch YouTube movies. The built in internet explorer browser works smooth but the phone is also compatible with SkyFire. Windows Live messenger is also very compatible with the device. I did not experience any stalls or hang ups will browsing various mail services, YouTube and Facebook. The 3.1 MP camera comes with a LED flash provides a reasonable picture and video capability. But the camera is no cyber shot. Pictures quality is better in natural light then at night under fluorescent or indecent lighting. I have not been able to test the 3G capability of the phone since it is not available in Pakistan. The phone also comes with a Built-In GPS chip which I loved. Upon installing garmin XT for mobile the navigation system worked like a charm. Considering the fact that the cheapest of GPS handheld devices are available for at least Rs. 10,000 – 12,000, the device is a steal. Blue tooth for this device works fine except for some compatibility issues few models of Nokia. But with so many other features I don’t think it really matters. One disappointing factor for this phone is its lack of compatibility with SKYPE but in my opinion I think the issue will be resolved since this is a new phone and a lot of upgrades will be available in future.

My Ratings for HP Voice Messenger

Design -              9.50/10.00

Battery Life -              9.00/10.00 (lasts about 2 days with 2-4 hours of WI-FI usage)

Camera -              7.50/10.00

Blue tooth -              7.50/10.00

WI-FI/GPRS/EDGE -              10.00/10.00

GPS -              10.00/10.00

VOIP -              7.00/10.00

Overall navigation experience -              9.00/10.00

Overall value for money -              9.50/10.00

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If you’re the kind of person who likes to take pictures occasionally, but you don’t feel putting money into a camera is worth it, then there may be options you should consider. There are an increasing number of gadgets out there that host a built-in camera that may suit your needs.  I don’t suggest you buy these to substitute for a camera, but they can do a nice job if the device is something you want and use anyway.  Here are a few to consider:

Camera Phones
Camera phones are popular for good reason. Most people own a cell phone and keep it with them constantly. This means that the camera is very portable and nearly always on hand, so that catching an impromptu shot is easy.  The other advantage that these cameras offer is simplicity. They tend to have fewer features than a standalone camera and are therefore easier to master. They also make sharing photos easy as you can send them immediately after taking them.

The disadvantage of camera phones is that the quality of the photos, although greatly improved in recent years still doesn’t compare to most compact point and shoot cameras on the market. These phones generally have a lower resolution and fewer features to help you get a high quality shot.  For instance, optical image stabilization which helps to reduce blurry images due to small movements of the hand, is rarely present on a camera phone. Some camera phones also tend to do poorly in low light situations, as they have weak flashes and their lenses don’t tend to be as good. However, if you won’t be shooting in a variety of situations, such as at night time, and don’t have a need to create large prints, they may do a reasonable job for you.

Camcorders with Still Image Capabilities
Modern camcorders generally offer the ability to take still images. Some allow you to do this by taking a photo independently and others allow you to simply grab a still image as you’re recording video. These devices still don’t produce as good of a still image as a standalone camera but they can do a pretty reasonable job. You have to be sure that the features you want can be used for the still images as well as for recording video.  For instance, if you want optical zoom, you need to be sure that you can use it while taking still photos. You also want to verify how many effective pixels it has for still images. I would suggest 2 as the minimum acceptable.

Camcorders with still image capabilities can be a great choice for those who do want to record great video with the ability to take still images occasionally. The drawback is that most camcorders are larger than the average point and shoot camera and often more expensive. There are exceptions of course, as many pocket camcorders such as Flip Mino and others are very small and affordable.

GPS Devices with a Built-in Camera
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, a GPS device with a built-in camera may be a good choice. These devices provide the map information needed to find your way and the ability to take pictures as well.  They are great for geotagging pictures, for sharing route information with fellow hikers, backpackers, hunters, and so forth, and for obtaining a camera with a rugged design that can survive some rough handling and the outdoor elements. The Garmin Oregon 550T is the first of these to be introduced. The photos are still lower quality than most standalone cameras and the camera works primarily in well lit conditions. Still, it’s ideal for someone whose priority is a GPS device and only secondarily a camera for photos. If the priority is reversed, and photography is the main need with a GPS function merely for geotagging photos, then a digital camera with GPS capabilities would be a better option.

MP3 players with a Camera
There aren’t many of these on the market, but that might be changing. Again, the current offerings provide a very basic digital camera. Names like V-Touch and V-Motion are among the manufacturers but it sounds likely that the iPod line may add a camera to their players in the near future.  Again the advantage, just as with the camera phones, is that these devices offer portability. However, they tend to offer only 1 to 3 megapixels, and some don’t even have a flash or control over focus. Carefully reviewing the device to assure it has such minimum features is important if you want to be satisfied with even basic portrait type shots.

These devices might be right if music is your main interest and taking photos just an occasional need. Of course if photography is a greater interest and music secondary, there are digital cameras with MP3 player capabilities on the market. The Samsung NV3 is one such option.

When it’s all said and done, if you want the best photos, a standalone digital camera is still the best choice. However, if your needs are basic and money is tight or you want to minimize devices, then these other options might work. Which one is best depends on what other types of functions you will use the most.

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