Getting Ready for a Short Film

[tuckertota]

Hi, I've shot a handful of music videos in MLV format, and I've got the post-processing down. But I've got a few questions before jumping into the narrative format. (I'll be shooting on a 5D3)

Firstly, I'd like to purchase a couple CF cards, are 128gb 1066x Komputerbay cards a good choice? I've only used Lexar in the past and I read mixed things on Komputerbay, some people say they've never had problems. Budget is tight so looking for the best deal.

Secondly, I never realized that people expose differently for Raw. Is it generally the best idea to expose to the right? Expose brighter than usual? I wish I could experiment but I won't have the camera until a couple days before the shoot.

Thirdly, when shooting 1080p 24fps, I've never had any issues with corrupt files or pink frames or anything I read about on the forum. Have I just been lucky or are those issues more for non 5D3 cameras? Should I be checking all my footage dumps to make sure everything is coming out properly or can I rest easy and focus on the next shot?

And lastly, if anyone has experience shooting MLV in a narrative format, what issues did you run into? Did you record sound to help you sync in post? Or did you keep sound off and use a clap board?

[qqqavi]

Hi there.

1. A lot of people recommend Komputerbay. Some say are the best cards for the price. Maybe they're wrong. I use 32GB 1066x Lexar cards for my 7D and no problem. Yours is a 5D3 and since I don't want to compare apples and oranges, you can find a bunch of topics here: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?board=40.0

2. Yes, expose to the right. I highly recommend it even though some people say, you don't have to. However, be careful, sometimes it gets very tricky. I've done tons of tests (most of people have done none) and for my 7D I can overexposed 1-2 stops in most situation without clipping the highlights. Always use the Zone System and common sense. 

Read this .pdf (3 pages), very informative :http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/pdfs/linear_gamma.pdf
If you're lazy, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P5Fjxit4GM

3. I'll let the final question to be answered by someone with more experience in the field using ML. You get sound by shooting .MLV (not blockbuster film quality). I always shoot sound separately and sync in post.

[qqqavi]

This thread from 2013 talk about usb 3.0 readers vs usb 2.0 

http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=9362.0

[tuckertota]

Thanks qqqavi,

I just saw there is an AUTO ETTR module, any experience with that? I think I'd rather expose manually, but maybe it's helpful for getting an idea of exposure?

I also see there is a special histogram for RAW, not sure how it differs from the standard histogram. Gonna see if I can find more info on the forums.

I was asking about using sound just to help sync audio in post. Having some in camera sound would allow you to use software like pluraleyes to sync audio, rather than having to visually sync with clap. I'm just worried if having audio ON could affect the video recording in any way.

[Audionut]

I also see there is a special histogram for RAW, not sure how it differs from the standard histogram. Gonna see if I can find more info on the forums.

http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=12096.0

[tuckertota]

Thanks Audionut,

Question about the histogram: I like that zebra has a HIDE WHILE RECORDING feature. Is there any way to implement that for the histogram? Or do I have to turn global draw off? I like having the crop marks during filming and turning global draw off removes them.

Or maybe there is a separate way to keep crop marks on while global draw is off?