ML 2.3 Video Workflow Help

[Fireman77]

I hope dont bother you guys again, i´m searching some info about the last magic lantern that i have and the cinema picture style that i just to bought it a few days ago, i saw some videos everywhere, specially those made it with the canon 60d, like my camera, i´m the owner of this camera, with the last firmware 1.1.1, required for the 2.3 ML and i have some issues here that i want to resolve, well i considering myself as a noob in the dslr world, coming from the P2 workflows, now traying to do some art with this camera i need some advice for use my canon correctly, specially with the workflows.

My gear: Canon 60D, a SanDisk Extreme 32Gb 45Mbps 300x speed, a fast card i guess, a rode mic with a stereo mini jack plug and my favorite lens are a canon 50mm f1.4, a Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC and other stuff for video.
I´m using 1.4x  CBR mode.

I am not satisfied with the video results, appears quite noise (i use ISO160) and low quality, dont like it, i need , if you guys dont mind, to achieve the same results of this videos, for example:

videolog/?p=10681
http://vimeo.com/41883190#

I mean, very clear, with low noise, with nice colors and something that i cant or i dont know to say, i cant achieve the same results.

Could you please show me or share with me your whole workflow, starting with your ML settings and, WB, ISO, shutter speed, outdoor and indoors? importing to an NLE and other please? in the last days i was shooting some fast movement people in video and i was using the 24p mode at 1080 and 30fps too.

I see some videos around here that you guys shoot at 24p and in vimeo, youtube and other i can see it very fluid and smooth, i cant do that, when i shoot and play the videos before to edit i see very jerky.

I´m really, really sorry to bother you guys with all that, i´m really desperate cause i dont have how to work properly with best results and as i said i hope you can help me with the HDR photos too, I do not think that a good camera like this and the lenses that i have gives me such bad results like these, something I'm doing wrong.

Best regards..

Sorry for my english level, spanish is my native language

[Malcolm Debono]

Here are some tips based on your sample video:

- Keep the shutter speed locked at 1/(fps * 2). For example if you're shooting at 24fps, keep the shutter speed at 1/48 or 1/50. Most probably this is the reason why your footage appears choppy. If you need to adjust the exposure (for example if you're shooting outdoors at the lowest ISO possible and don't want to shoot at f16), get a variable ND filter (this screws on to the front of your lens and allows you to darken the scene as much as you want by rotating it, without changing any exposure settings).

- Try a different picture style, ideally Neutral Flat (google it to find the exact settings). The picture style could be affecting the noise.

- Stabilization is key. Either try to use IS lenses, or if not possible, get a monopod. You'll get much smoother results.

[he56ys5ysu7w4]

How do you view your videos? I use an iMac so I first screen my clips by playing them directly from the memory card as quicktime will play the h.264 clips.

Check your settings for Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation and Tone. Many flat picture styles recommend setting the in-camera sharpness to zero and add it in post if needed. Like Neutral Flat (built in picture style). However, I like to add 2-3 to in-camera sharpness as I think that gives me a better sharpness than adding it in post.

I had similar problems like you until I started shooting outdoor with excessive light. So exposure is very important.

Focus!! If you're focusing manually then try Quick Focus if your lens has autofocus. Zoom in before recording to check that the subject is in focus.

What Malcolm said about 1/(fps * 2) is important. Your videos will be choppy like hell if you go for faster shutter speeds. Only do it if you're shooting a clip for slow motion.

Lastly, your gear should give you crisp and clear looking video so keep testing.

[Fireman77]

Here are some tips based on your sample video:

- Keep the shutter speed locked at 1/(fps * 2). For example if you're shooting at 24fps, keep the shutter speed at 1/48 or 1/50. Most probably this is the reason why your footage appears choppy. If you need to adjust the exposure (for example if you're shooting outdoors at the lowest ISO possible and don't want to shoot at f16), get a variable ND filter (this screws on to the front of your lens and allows you to darken the scene as much as you want by rotating it, without changing any exposure settings).

- Try a different picture style, ideally Neutral Flat (google it to find the exact settings). The picture style could be affecting the noise.

- Stabilization is key. Either try to use IS lenses, or if not possible, get a monopod. You'll get much smoother results.

When i shoot video i always follow the speed locked rule, sometimes i shoot at 24fps with 1/50 ML, and sometimes 30fps with 1/60 my results are not choppy i see some fast movements with a strange results, specially when i shoot people dancing, is quite dificult to get a nice results with people dancing i guess. I use the lower iso possible (160) and i ordered two Light Craft Workshop FADER ND mark II for my two lenses cause in indoors i cant achieve the shallow depth of field trying to get the correct exposure.

I was using the Cinema Picture Style, and now i´m trying the Marvels Cine Picture Style v.3.4 and reviewing the results.

About the stabilization when i use my Canon 50mm 1.4 lens i use a monopod, but when i use my tamron wth the VC activated, does its job =)

How do you view your videos? I use an iMac so I first screen my clips by playing them directly from the memory card as quicktime will play the h.264 clips.

Check your settings for Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation and Tone. Many flat picture styles recommend setting the in-camera sharpness to zero and add it in post if needed. Like Neutral Flat (built in picture style). However, I like to add 2-3 to in-camera sharpness as I think that gives me a better sharpness than adding it in post.

I had similar problems like you until I started shooting outdoor with excessive light. So exposure is very important.

Focus!! If you're focusing manually then try Quick Focus if your lens has autofocus. Zoom in before recording to check that the subject is in focus.

What Malcolm said about 1/(fps * 2) is important. Your videos will be choppy like hell if you go for faster shutter speeds. Only do it if you're shooting a clip for slow motion.

Lastly, your gear should give you crisp and clear looking video so keep testing.

Well i download the videos from my card to my hard disk and review it with Media Player Classic.

I have to make some changes and some tests with the Picture Style settings, i will add 2-3 sharpness in camera for avoid make it in post.

Please tell me how exactly works the Quick Focus.

Because all my gear gives me a nice looking video results that´s why i bought it, but its hard for me right now. Thank you guys for your help, any other advices?

[he56ys5ysu7w4]

Please tell me how exactly works the Quick Focus.

In video mode press Q-button. Now you see a menu on the left side. At the top you have the autofocus mode. I use AF Quick mode for more accurate and faster focus.

Do you have a clip for us to see?

[Fireman77]

Ok, i remember that, i always use the quick focus when i have the oportunity, in AF mode of course, i will try to upload some my last video in a few hours.