JVC-GY-HM150U

Last year I created a blog post for my holiday wish list, hoping that my wife saw it, read it and surprised me. She didn’t read it, she didn’t surprise me, and I’m no worse for the wear because of it.

That Wish list was for a JVC professional video camera that allowed you to simply drag and drop QuickTime movie files right into Final Cut.

Had I bought it, I’m sure it would’ve been a wonderful addition to the cameras I use both professionally and personally. Over the last few weeks I have been shooting a lot of professional video and have spent a good deal of time figuring out whether I need to upgrade my equipment.

My conclusion is that I still want a $3000 video camera. This year, technology has improved greatly, the size of the camera has decreased significantly and instead of the JVC professional camera from last year, my sights are lined on a professional Canon video camera.

Canon XF105

So here again is my wish list for my wife to read and hopefully, to surprise me. In all reality, she will never read this blog post, and despite pining for this incredible new camera, I will be no worse for the wear, using great video equipment already in my  backpack.

I have always said that it is not the size of your [video] equipment that matters (notice the tongue in cheek reference), rather it’s how you use that equipment. In addition, it is often not the camera that creates a great  video. Rather, as my good friend Dave Kaminski likes to say, it is what you do with the video footage and the recipe that you use to cook your videos that allows you to get great crystal-clear video onto the web.

Roslyn Duck Pond

I was shooting video by a beautiful duck pond this past weekend. It was a magnificent area. Rustic, timeless and filled with seagulls, geese and swans. Very picturesque. I set up my video equipment, made adjustments to the ISO and exposure settings, then started to work on my frame.

Once I think that’s all good, I did a few tests to see how it looks. It looked awful.

Why?

I was consistently out of focus.

My background was crystal clear, but me? Nooo. It’s as if I’m a total blur. Almost as if my camera was trying to tell me something. I talked to my camera. I asked, in a nice and pleasant tone if it would keep me in focus for the duration of this video. When it didn’t respond, I  gave it a directive. A direct command. “You will keep me in focus!”

It still didn’t listen. It was more interested in capturing the birds that were flying by and diving for food. I changed tactics again and pre-focused on a bag where I was standing in an attempt to get crystal clear focus.

That was better than before, but still not perfect. In a last ditch effort, I walked up to a couple at the end of the boardwalk and asked them for really big favor. I needed them to focus my camera while I stood in position where I wanted to shoot my video. It’s always a little embarrassing to ask somebody to take your picture and to focus your camera, but I quickly got over my embarrassment.

The problem was that 30 seconds after they focused, my camera inexplicably shut off because my battery had died. I now had to move out of position, switch batteries and start the focus process all over again.

I use a Canon 60D DSLR. I use a fixed focal length lens which gives stunning photographs and video. The downside to using a DSLR is that when I shoot video it requires manual input to get the settings just right.

CAMCORDERS v. DSLR’s

In contrast, a camcorder is really easy to use. Just set it up on a tripod and leave everything on automatic and it will automatically keep you in focus. Many video cameras now have a follow focus which means it will detect your face and keep your face in focus no matter where you are in the frame. For most lawyers looking for simplicity, I recommend sticking to your basic camcorder with this function.

In the end, I got my focus just right and created some stunning video. If you have somebody that can help with your equipment, then focusing is never a problem. However, if you are shooting video on your own, it does become an issue and can be frustrating.

Remember, stick to the basics and focus on your message. It’s not your equipment that matters.

P.S. Just one hour after writing this post, my good friend and teacher Dave Kaminski from Web Video University created a video to solve my problem…as if he read my mind. Click here to watch his video.

Canon T2i on the Soccer Field with 55mm-200mm zoom lens

It’s been a while now since I bought my digital SLR camera that also takes hi-definition video. I got it right before we went on a family vacation to Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. I wrote a blog post about 938 photos I took on that vacation.

Since that time I have taken over 7,000 pictures with this camera. Do I like it? You bet I do. It’s a great camera that I’m still learning about. I’ve learned that you don’t want to use your dSLR to shoot fast-action video on the soccer field. You can read that blog post here.

Here’s one key point that has now changed with some dSLR cameras:
There’s now autofocus on some dSLR’s when shooting with the newest cameras. Why is that important?

When you use a dedicated video camera, it has constant autofocus. Digital SLRs do not. That means you always have to re-press the shutter to refocus the camera. My camera does not have continuous autofocus. That’s ok since the videos I shoot with my dSLR do not require me to continually refocus my shots. You’ll see some of those recent videos shortly that I took while on vacation; I’m editing them now.

If you’re in the market for a dSLR that shoots video, make sure to ask whether it has continual autofocus. If it does, be prepared to pay a premium. Why? It’s a dSLR and only the high-end dSLR cameras have that new feature right now.

Does that mean that I don’t use my regular video camera to shoot video? No. In fact, I use my regular hi-definition video camera often. However, when I go on vacation and I intend to take a lot of photos, my dSLR does double duty as a hi-def, hi-quality video camera and also an 18 megapixel digital camera.

Canon T2i dSLR

I love my Canon T2i dSLR. The quality of the photos are stunning. 18 megapixels. Focusing has 9 imaging points. It takes 3.7 frames/second with rapid shooting. The manual functions make taking pictures in all types of lighting a breeze and lets you get creative too.

I have a zoom lens attached to my camera in the picture in this post. I often use it to take action photos of my kids on the soccer field.

At today’s soccer game, I didn’t have my video camera and instead of going back to my office to pick it up, thought I’d try my dSLR to shoot fast-action video today.

Here’s what’s great about using the video capabilities on my dSLR:

• It shoots high-definition video that has incredible, stunning moving images.
• It can shoot video until the memory card is full; about 12 minutes of continuous video, which is huge. (I have a 16 Gigabyte, class 6 memory card.)
• It has a built-in microphone to pick up all the ambient sound a/k/a noise

Here’s why a great dSLR should NOT be used to shoot your kids at a soccer game:

• It does not have instant “On” like your regular dedicated video camera has.
• It does not autofocus as you move the camera from one image to another. Each time you want to move the camera to a different point, you must press the shutter half-way to re-focus.
• Since a dSLR has a mirror that normally must be lifted up and out of the way to take the photo, this creates a delay when you request a ‘live’ view from your digital viewfinder. The mirror must be lifted up, and you can view your live action in the digital viewfinder screen. Viewing through the optical viewfinder is not available with a live view.
• The live view image shuts off automatically after 15 seconds if the record button isn’t pressed. This is annoying especially since I do not tape the entire soccer game. Rather, I tape segments when my daughter is involved in the action. There are times when I’m watching other players with the ball, waiting for my daughter to get the ball. The camera kept shutting off the live view. Then I’d have to re-press the live function, have a delay to activate, and then we’d be good to go.
• The auto exposure function is not as good as on a normal video camera. Then you have to manually set the exposure. The problem with that is that the sun moves and clouds pass by, changing the exposure during play. That explains why sometimes you’ll have great exposure, then it’ll get dark, then it’ll get really light. With most good video cameras, this doesn’t happen since their auto exposure adjusts automatically to most lighting situations.

My daughter loves to watch and re-watch how she performed at the end of each game, and having these videos are perfect for her. It’s a great learning opportunity for her to see what she did well, and what needs to be improved. In addition, I get to create short clips of her performance during each game and often get creative with slow-motion, fast-motion and crazy color effects. She really likes that.

Want to shoot video of fast moving action events?

My recommendation is to stick with your regular video camera for now. In the near future I am sure that dSLR’s will be able to do everything that video cameras do, but even better.

Canon T2i dSLR camera

If you’ve been following my blog posts, you know I use a Canon Vixia HF S10 to shoot my own videos. Great camera, excellent quality and it does everything it’s supposed to do.

I recently sold my Sony digital camera to a great trial attorney in Virginia (thanks Sandra!) and needed to upgrade. I took the plunge and bought a Canon T2i dSLR. It takes 18 megapixel photos, has a 3″ viewing screen and also takes hi-definition video. I justified my purchase by convincing myself that I could use it to shoot my videos that I make to market my own practice. Oy, what a production.

You may have also seen a recent blog post I did while I was on vacation, testing out my new camera. Yes, I took 938 photos and 35 videos. It was awesome. (Just try color correcting and cropping 938 photos- it’s enough to make you bleary eyed for weeks). Anyway, I recently shot 2 videos about medical malpractice. The videos were about 4 minutes long.

I spent a really long time playing with the settings. Why? Because this is not a ‘point-and-shoot’ camera. It’s not a ‘press the red record button’ and start talking.

First, it has no flip out monitor. That means you can’t tell exactly whether you’re in the frame or not when shooting your own video. That means you have to repeatedly go back and forth to see if where you were standing is good. I could have hooked up a separate TV monitor, but didn’t want to go that route. I wanted to see how easy/difficult it would be without it. Also, the camera doesn’t come with a remote control to press record or stop. Aggh. That means I press record, then walk to where I’ll be taping.

Wait…there’s more. Remember how cool your autofocus function is on your video camera? No matter where you stand, your camera will automatically bring you into focus? Not so with my shiny new dSLR. Why not? Because it’s not a point and shoot camera. You must pre-focus, either manually or by autofocus and press the shutter down half-way.

“But wait!” you scream. “How can I focus on myself, if I have to pre-focus the camera and stand next to the camera to do that?” you ask. A great question! One that perplexed me for some time; especially since I was shooting the video on my own and there was nobody to stand behind the camera and press the shutter half-way. Needless to say, that required a creative solution that I’ll save for my video coaching group (which you are invited to join).

When I played back the videos I was stunned. Amazed. In awe. The quality was magnificent. The depth of field was wild to see on a consumer level video camera. Depth of field is where one object is in focus and everything behind it is blurred. You can often tell the difference between a soap opera, where everything is in focus compared to a feature film where people are often in focus but the background is blurred.

Stay tuned for the herculean effort needed to now get those videos off the camera and into my non-linear video editing software; also known as Final Cut Express.

Final point. If the technical stuff bores you, as I’m sure this will for some attorneys reading this, why trouble yourself figuring out how to do this stuff yourself? Stop wasting your time struggling with getting the video off your camera. Stop trying to get those edits and transitions just right. Don’t worry about how to do lower third graphics with fly-in effects. Have you really gotten those compression settings just right? Do your videos look anamorphic?

Take a breather and pick up the phone to schedule a phone conference with me. 516-487-8207. Go back to doing what you do best; practicing law. Let me take the burden off you. I make creating video fun, simple and easy. Stop struggling and wasting hours of your day. Give me a call. I guarantee it will be eye-opening and refreshing when you realize you don’t need to do this yourself.

“What kind of wacko takes 938 pictures on vacation?”

Canon T2i dSLR camera

That’s exactly what my brother asked me when I returned from vacation from the Caribbean after having just purchased the Canon T2i camera with an 18-55mm lens and a 55mm-250mm zoom lens. I was super excited when my camera was delivered the day before we were leaving. I had just sold my previous Sony Cyber Shot DSC F828 camera and had bought the Canon dSLR primarily to shoot video. I am a medical malpractice and personal injury trial lawyer in New York and have created a business where I help lawyers produce educational video to market themselves online. I had been using my Canon Vixia HF S10 video camera to create excellent quality video up until that point.

When the reviews came out about this Canon digital SLR I was fascinated with the fact that it took full high definition video, and importantly had an external microphone input that would allow me to connect my wireless lavalier microphone. This was the perfect opportunity for me to try out the camera’s functions, quality and importantly, video capability.

Another dolphin to swim with

The primary reason for buying this particular camera is that it allows me to create depth of field when shooting video. Standard video cameras keep everything in focus. This dSLR allowed you to have your video image crystal clear in the front, and had your background blurred to create depth of field. The difference is remarkable and is comparable to watching daytime soap opera or watching a feature length movie.

This camera has a super-fast high speed shutter and high-speed exposure, up to a maximum of 3200 ISO. It shoots 3.7 frames per second in continuous shooting mode. The camera comes with a very smart booklet on photography that provides a quick read that explains what the different settings are on the camera. Importantly, it shows you how you can utilize those settings with actual photo results.

Swimming with the dolphins

We were away for five days and I was actually stunned by the quality of the 18 megapixel photographs that were showing up on the 3 inch LCD screen on camera. The low light capability was incredible. We were in a steak restaurant for my mother-in-law’s birthday, and the lighting was very dim. The pictures I took that evening in the restaurant were among the most memorable.

We took the kids to swim with the dolphins one morning and I’m extremely pleased that this camera had the ability to shoot high speed photos and take great action shots. My wife was getting frustrated since she has a small point and shoot camera and every time the dolphin would jump in the air and do tricks she would miss the shot since her camera took too long to compose the picture, autofocus, and then take the picture. My camera was able to take beautiful, crystal-clear photos and video of action shots showing the dolphin in midair and interacting with my kids.

Swimming with the dolphins

The 18 mm-55 mm lens produced great quality photo and video images. There was abundant light generated from this lens that I was really happy with. The zoom lens worked perfectly. It was a perfect complement to the smaller lens.

The settings are easy to learn, and even my eight-year-old became very proficient at shooting great quality photos and video with this camera. Each of my kids had a chance to play around with the camera and each of them said “Dad, this camera is great and takes great pictures.”

Don’t worry, I won’t show you all of my vacation photos…only some of them

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Gerry

“What kind of wacko takes 938 pictures on vacation?”

Canon T2i dSLR camera

That’s exactly what my brother asked me when I returned from vacation from the Caribbean after having just purchased the Canon T2i camera with an 18-55mm lens and a 55mm-250mm zoom lens. I was super excited when my camera was delivered the day before we were leaving. I had just sold my previous Sony Cyber Shot DSC F828 camera and had bought the Canon dSLR primarily to shoot video. I am a medical malpractice and personal injury trial lawyer in New York and have created a business where I help lawyers produce educational video to market themselves online. I had been using my Canon Vixia HF S10 video camera to create excellent quality video up until that point.

When the reviews came out about this Canon digital SLR I was fascinated with the fact that it took full high definition video, and importantly had an external microphone input that would allow me to connect my wireless lavalier microphone. This was the perfect opportunity for me to try out the camera’s functions, quality and importantly, video capability.

Another dolphin to swim with

The primary reason for buying this particular camera is that it allows me to create depth of field when shooting video. Standard video cameras keep everything in focus. This dSLR allowed you to have your video image crystal clear in the front, and had your background blurred to create depth of field. The difference is remarkable and is comparable to watching daytime soap opera or watching a feature length movie.

This camera has a super-fast high speed shutter and high-speed exposure, up to a maximum of 3200 ISO. It shoots 3.7 frames per second in continuous shooting mode. The camera comes with a very smart booklet on photography that provides a quick read that explains what the different settings are on the camera. Importantly, it shows you how you can utilize those settings with actual photo results.

Swimming with the dolphins

We were away for five days and I was actually stunned by the quality of the 18 megapixel photographs that were showing up on the 3 inch LCD screen on camera. The low light capability was incredible. We were in a steak restaurant for my mother-in-law’s birthday, and the lighting was very dim. The pictures I took that evening in the restaurant were among the most memorable.

We took the kids to swim with the dolphins one morning and I’m extremely pleased that this camera had the ability to shoot high speed photos and take great action shots. My wife was getting frustrated since she has a small point and shoot camera and every time the dolphin would jump in the air and do tricks she would miss the shot since her camera took too long to compose the picture, autofocus, and then take the picture. My camera was able to take beautiful, crystal-clear photos and video of action shots showing the dolphin in midair and interacting with my kids.

Swimming with the dolphins

The 18 mm-55 mm lens produced great quality photo and video images. There was abundant light generated from this lens that I was really happy with. The zoom lens worked perfectly. It was a perfect complement to the smaller lens.

The settings are easy to learn, and even my eight-year-old became very proficient at shooting great quality photos and video with this camera. Each of my kids had a chance to play around with the camera and each of them said “Dad, this camera is great and takes great pictures.”

Don’t worry, I won’t show you all of my vacation photos…only some of them

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Gerry

Today’s blog post is about VIDEO equipment. Notice the double entendre in the title?

Most people think that in order to create good looking video, you must have a “professional” video camera that costs over $5,000 and looks like it came from a video production studio. That type of thinking is so wrong, on so many different levels. But it’s a typical expectation.

If you show up for a video shoot with little more than a rinky-dink handheld camcorder, people look at you like you’re an amateur. Guess what? They’re wrong.

Professional cameras cost anywhere from $2,500 up to $10,000. They weigh anywhere from 3 lbs to 10 lbs, which is really heavy when shooting without a tripod. B&H Photo in NYC has a great selection if you’re interested. They’ve also just built a neat little interview studio that showcases all of their pro cameras and equipment.

By contrast, most good consumer-level video cameras cameras cost anywhere from $500-$1,300, can be carried in the palm of your hand and typically weigh less than a pound.

So, does the minimal size of your equipment mean your quality suffers? The answer is no.

I use a top-of-the-line consumer-level camera made by Canon; the Vixia HF S10. It weighs nothing. My seven year old loves to play with it, thinking it’s so small and easy to use.

I used to own a professional grade Sony video camera that weighed a ton. It was a great standard digital (SD), miniDV camera and built like a rock. But I got tired of lugging it around. (It’s the camera at the top right of this page).

My Canon not only is tapeless and weighs next-to-nothing, but the quality of the HD video far surpasses what I used to own for a fraction of the price. Don’t worry about size. Instead, concern yourself with the quality.

Thanks for reading my blog and have a great day!

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“Gerry single handedly has changed the way attorneys are viewed by their website visitors. You see, Gerry “gets it.” He decided that instead of using online videos on his website to pitch his firms’ expertise and how he can handle your case, he decided it was better to educate his website visitors about the questions they have, prior to calling an attorney.”

Mike Acosta is a video production expert with www.HBProductionGroup.com.

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ABOUT GERRY

Gerry is a New York medical malpractice and personal injury trial lawyer in practice for over 21 years. He has produced and created over 250 educational and informative videos to help consumers understand how lawsuits work in the State of New York. If you want to see how Gerry has used video to promote his own practice click here.

Gerry created the Lawyers’ Video Studio to help other lawyers get onto video. To get started with creating video to market your legal services, Gerry offers a simple and cost-effective turn-key video creation system where he does everything for you except appear on camera. To get onto video today, learn more in The Lawyers’ Video Studio.