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Gear / Technical Help => Photo / Video Recording => Topic started by: Elana on December 13, 2013, 02:15:36 AM
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I recently recorded a show w/ a Canon Vixia HF20 that was mounted on an ultrapod and strapped to a railing. It was really bass heavy and the image stabilization was on. Hence the video kind of goes in and out of focus. Very annoying. If I turn off the image stabilization will I still have these problems?
In this thread: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=161854.0 someone says they put memory foam under the tripod legs. Is something like that really necessary?
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I read the link to the other thread and think they've given some good thought to this situation.
Image stabilization is really there to be used when the camera is going to be handheld. If you have it clamped to a rail or tripod, I don't think you need it turned on. In fact, B & H Photo says there are instances when it should be off. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/photography/tips-solutions/image-stabilization-when-use-it-and-when-turn-it
If the rail is vibrating and that is coming through on your video, then you need to find another setup. Haven't tried it, but I understand sorbethane is the product to look for as a cushion if you want to go that route. It's sort of pricey, but you probably don't need much.
I wonder if you could use a longer screw on a tripod and then stick a layer of sorbethane between the tripod head and the camera to cushion out vibrations instead of trying to put foam under the tripod legs?
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Thanks for the tips. I don't really intend to be recording in this venue again any time soon, but in case I want to affix the camera elsewhere w/ the ultrapod, it's good to know.
I had some problems w/ my last video too (on a tripod), but I think it was because I left auto-focus on and it went a little crazy w/ the lighting, but I'll double check to make sure it isn't happening when the bass is heavy.
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The auto focus on camcorders can hunt for focus when the lighting changes. I think there is a camera setting to take care of that, too. Auto focus shouldn't change because of vibrations from the bass.
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Auto focus on many cameras hunts with any movement in the subjects. That can get very distracting. My old Sonys were pretty bad about that. The newer Canon I have seems to be slow to react, so would be much better but I still don't use the autofocus.
If the camera is fixed then the distance to the subject/s on a stage will not be changing nearly enough to need to change the focus.
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Right. I turned the auto focus off for this recent show. So next time I'll try it w/ AF off and Image Stabilization off as well.