Planning for a New Video Camera

Available in March: Canon 32GB VIXIA HF R52 Full HD Camcorder

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023205-REG/canon_vixia_hf_r52_full.html

In an effort to add more pizzazz to the blog, I'd like to start adding some videos.  I know very little about it, but have taken low quality videos before.  My Flip camera just died, and we have two kids that need filming before they are off to college, so my wife and I have been discussing it.

Electronic purchasing has gotten so complicated.  There are so many options, gadgets, add ons and things to consider.  My thought is that this is about a $1,200 purchase for us, which means lots of research and questions.

My most knowledgeable friend for video stuff is Rick Wade in Florida, who does this for a living.  He's been great at coaching me on what to think about.

So far I know this....

What I want to with it:

1. Railfan, taking pictures of running trains, both moving and from a tripod
2. Video clinics and presentations
3. How to videos for the blog
4. Oh...videos of my children in performances, usually under very poor light

Here are some things I know I need:

1. Must record in MP4
2. Need to be HD
3. All digital, no tape (solid state)
4. Additional memory ability
5. Good tripod (Bogan fluid head, maybe from B&H Photo.  Look at model 501)
6. At least a 15x optical (not digital) zoom
7. Microphone input plug for headset or lapel mike, or boom
8. Wireless mike
9. Also focus on audio quality
10. Jack for headphones (in case audio doesn't work)
11. Member on SD cards, not Sony
12. Avoid Sony Memory Sticks
13. Need memory stick capability as high as 120 gigs
14. Need to film for 4 hour blocks
15. Need optical view finder, don't rely on screen
16. Need to be able to switch audio off
17. Canon preferred.  I've had good luck with Canon, not with Sony.
18. Prefer it if lens attachments are available.
19. Wide angle option is a plus
20. Batteries need to be good quality, and need spares

I'm also going to need video software.  

• Adobe Premier U6
• Power Director
• Freeware options
• Elements

So I've started thinking and looking.  Camera equipment gets used heavily here, so I don't mind getting good stuff.  I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions!

Rick, did I get everything right?

Rick's Ramp Project 11 - Finished Ramp Photos

Here are the final photos of Rick's loading ramp.  I plan to put the whole project in a pdf booklet after I redraw the plans.  Will make a nice how-to project.

Wizdom:

1.  Taking good model photos takes a lot of time, effort and equipment.

2.  Take good notes when taking photos.  Document settings, lighting, all the details.

3.  Lighting is everything.  Invest in good lights, and plenty of them.

Model Railroad Photography

Ok, I'll admit it.  Model Railroad Photography is probably my biggest struggle.  In 2014, I'm going to change that and master it.

I'll start off with my friend Brooks Stover's excellent article on model railroad photography, a 34 full documentary on how to do it:

A MODEL RAILROADER’S GUIDE TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 
By Brooks Stover, MMR

Brooks is a Master Model Railroader and has a fantastic layout.  I'm always blown away by his modeling skills, but I never really thought about the fact that the reason I so enjoy his model work is because of his fantastic camera skills.  Naturally, I'm going to tap his knowledge and master my camera.

Other good links for model railroad photography:

John Sing's Photographing Model Railroads - a clinic I was able to attend.

SHOOTIN’ THE RAILS Basic Model Railroad Photography by Dan Lewis, MMR

How To Photograph Model Trains or Dioramas by Brandon Townley

Model Railroad Photography by David Latham

Introduction to Model Railroad Photography by Bob Boudreau

Today I spent time with the camera going through the settings.  First off I worked with the lighting balance setting.  I shot one picture of a model with each setting to see what happened.

I'm using a Canon Rebel XTi 50mm DSLR camera.  
Settings:
Shooting Setting: Av (auto-adjustable aperture)
F-stop: F29 (lowest setting)
ISO - 100
Lighting - 4 each CF 5500k bulbs and Sunlight Fluorescents overhead (room)
Light Setting - changed, see below
Shutter speed: automatic
Focus - manual
Capture: L - large and RAW

 Auto White Balance Setting

 Daylight Setting

 Tungsten Light Setting

 5200k Incandescent Setting

 Flash Setting

Custom Light Setting

As you can see, all other settings remaining the same, the white balance adjustment has a lot of options.  None of them did exactly what I wanted, so I changed other settings and kept tinkering with it.  Depth of field is bad in all of them.

After tinkering with the settings for a while, I finally started getting shots that had the right light balance and good depth of field.  I experimented with the shutter speed using these settings:

Settings:
Shooting Setting: M (manual)
F-stop: F29 (lowest setting)
ISO - 100
Lighting - 4 each CF 5500k bulbs and Sunlight Fluorescents overhead (room)
Light Setting - changed, see below
Shutter speed: variable, see bleow
Focus - manual
Capture: L - large and RAW

1"3 Shutter Setting

1" Shutter Setting

0"8 Shutter Setting

0"6 Shutter Setting

0"5 Shutter Setting

Of the bunch, the 0"8 setting had the best depth of field and lighting.   This isn't hard I suppose, but it does take an awful lot of time to figure it out and do it right.  I'll keep working to bring you better pictures, and open to good ideas!!!

019 The Utah Night Shift - I See The Light!

Hey!  The lights came in!  Wow, that was fast.  Two days for delivery.

 The carrying case is probably not the most sturdy in the world, but for what I paid all I expect it to do is to keep the dust off of everything.

 There are a lot of boxes inside.  I'm keeping the bulb boxes, but the rest will be thrown away.

 The tripod stands are more sturdy than I expected, which is great.  This will do fine!

 I bought the set with TWO bulbs.  Here is the contraption that holds the bulbs and the reflector.  All are easily adjustable and the unit is quite sturdy.  Oh rats...the battery in my camera went out.  Off to the charger!  I must have forgotten to charge it after the last outing.

  I've not configured the camera yet...lots to read and set.  But I did want to play with the lights some.  Here is a shot of a gray covered hopper using just the room lights and nothing else.  The room lights are CF floods.

 Here is a shot with the camera's flash.

 Here is a shot with the room lights and the camera's flash.

 Here is a shot with only one of each of the two new lighting sets.

And finally, here is a shot with both lights on both tripods...much better.  I'll work to set up the camera for this lighting and we'll try some more later in the week.

I like the lights!

My friend Popsicle Rick wrote a post recently on stacking photos....I've got to try this, too!
http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/7766