Equipment/techniques for filming small-scale close-up work?
November 8, 2015 10:59 AM Subscribe
I do small-scale metalsmithing - sterling silver jewellery, specifically. I work VERY small (a delicate ring is about as big as I go). I'd like to make close-up films of my work and process.
I'm imagining a "slow tv" sort of thing - the story of a piece from beginning to end, definitely no narration, maybe some text on the screen when absolutely necessary.
I'm interested in equipment - everything from some sort of jury-rigged iPhone and chewing-gum setup to start, up to good-quality dedicated camera, tripods, software, etc. If it turns out that I enjoy it , I'm definitely willing to spend money for the right equipment, but I'd like to start small.
Also interested in technique and information on filming and editing - blogs and books are great, so is any advice you want to add here!
I'm imagining a "slow tv" sort of thing - the story of a piece from beginning to end, definitely no narration, maybe some text on the screen when absolutely necessary.
I'm interested in equipment - everything from some sort of jury-rigged iPhone and chewing-gum setup to start, up to good-quality dedicated camera, tripods, software, etc. If it turns out that I enjoy it , I'm definitely willing to spend money for the right equipment, but I'd like to start small.
Also interested in technique and information on filming and editing - blogs and books are great, so is any advice you want to add here!
Canon got ahead in the digital media game. The 5D Mark series with video are good. You have to find a macro lens with auto focus. The newest macros for that line are high but a few years older pro lens can be had for $750-$1200. Experiment to get your light and focus right. You can hire a good industrial photographer for a one time consult. I emphasize how useful that is. Then you work until you hit your next wall of understanding. Then get another consult. Often a high end camera place offers classes of all kinds. You can call around til you find the place, talk about what you want to learn and it helps them tailor their classes. Also if you have seen videos you want to emulate, then look to connect with the makers, sometimes folks love the positive feedback, and share info.
posted by Oyéah at 11:38 AM on November 8, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 11:38 AM on November 8, 2015
Agree heartily with lobsterMitten's observation that lighting is key.
Regarding tripods: I love my Vanguard Alta Pro 264 AT. Because it can be extended out away from the main legs. It will increase flexibility for shooting close and over a table (for a not-too-heavy camera).
BTW: I'm pretty happy with my Canon 60D. There are fancier models but this does everything I need. I don't do macro-photography though so it's possible that a full-frame sensor would be advantageous. As they say: Luke, let the budget be your guide!
posted by cleroy at 4:38 PM on November 8, 2015
Regarding tripods: I love my Vanguard Alta Pro 264 AT. Because it can be extended out away from the main legs. It will increase flexibility for shooting close and over a table (for a not-too-heavy camera).
BTW: I'm pretty happy with my Canon 60D. There are fancier models but this does everything I need. I don't do macro-photography though so it's possible that a full-frame sensor would be advantageous. As they say: Luke, let the budget be your guide!
posted by cleroy at 4:38 PM on November 8, 2015
To do this right you're going to need some kind of DSLR that shoots 1080p video, a macro lens, a stable tripod, & lights.
I would suggest getting a Canon camera. Many of the Canon DSLRs from the last 5 years will shoot good looking 1080p. You might look at buying a used Canon T2i, T3i, T4i, or T5i camera. These are in the mid-range of consumer/enthusiast range of DSLRs which means they have a pretty amazing feature to cost ratio. Used these cameras (without lenses) run ~$300-500. Remember to buy a SD card.
There are a lot of macro lenses to chose from. I would pick up a macro lens in the 100mm range. It's pretty standard and will work for most macro work. You might consider the Canon 100MM F/2.8 MACRO USM. Used it runs about $450.
Celroy's suggestion of the Vanguard Alta Pro is good. In your case the heavier the tripod the better. For many nicer tripods (including that Vanguard) you'll need some kind of head. Ball heads are good for video where the camera does not move. If you want to shoot video with the camera moving you might pick up a panhead/fluidhead.
As for lighting I would start by buying a few photo CFLs. They put out a bunch of light, don't get very hot, and tend to have pretty good color. I would pick up several of these style clip lamps. Make sure to get a lamp that exceeds the bulb's wattage. (Do be careful about not breaking CFLs because they contain mercury.)
With those four components you should be able to start producing very high quality macro video.
In the context of building smallish stuff on video, you might check out Clickspring for inspriation. There doesn't seem to be any macro in his videos, but they are excellent.
posted by gregr at 9:34 AM on November 9, 2015
I would suggest getting a Canon camera. Many of the Canon DSLRs from the last 5 years will shoot good looking 1080p. You might look at buying a used Canon T2i, T3i, T4i, or T5i camera. These are in the mid-range of consumer/enthusiast range of DSLRs which means they have a pretty amazing feature to cost ratio. Used these cameras (without lenses) run ~$300-500. Remember to buy a SD card.
There are a lot of macro lenses to chose from. I would pick up a macro lens in the 100mm range. It's pretty standard and will work for most macro work. You might consider the Canon 100MM F/2.8 MACRO USM. Used it runs about $450.
Celroy's suggestion of the Vanguard Alta Pro is good. In your case the heavier the tripod the better. For many nicer tripods (including that Vanguard) you'll need some kind of head. Ball heads are good for video where the camera does not move. If you want to shoot video with the camera moving you might pick up a panhead/fluidhead.
As for lighting I would start by buying a few photo CFLs. They put out a bunch of light, don't get very hot, and tend to have pretty good color. I would pick up several of these style clip lamps. Make sure to get a lamp that exceeds the bulb's wattage. (Do be careful about not breaking CFLs because they contain mercury.)
With those four components you should be able to start producing very high quality macro video.
In the context of building smallish stuff on video, you might check out Clickspring for inspriation. There doesn't seem to be any macro in his videos, but they are excellent.
posted by gregr at 9:34 AM on November 9, 2015
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For tripod, just for openers, Gorillapod has very cheap flexible tripods that can grab onto e.g. a broomstick, so you can position them e.g. above you looking down at your hands as you work.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:14 AM on November 8, 2015 [1 favorite]