Working with Canon T3i HD footage and FCP X

jdm4given1 wrote: Yeah, it is the canon 50mm f1.4 with IS. I did a lot of research and the one common denominator for this camera was the canon 50mm f1.4 as far as an all around lens on a budget (369.00 US). I ordered online and am very pleased. Did lots of research first.
Hope this helped Fresh! :silly:

jdm,

Every bit helps. I'm also new to dslrs and have been doing research. I'll check into the 50 MM lens. Where did you purchase yours?

BenB wrote: Launch Motion 5, start a new FCP Titles Template project, delete the text layer, save it as "Adjustment Layer". Works like a charm!

Ben,

What did this post refer to?

fcpguru wrote: Thank you!
I primarily use a 17-50mm Tamron 2.8 lens.
I always shoot 24p and I overlay Cinegrain's film layers to give it that filmic look.

fcpguru,

Thanks for sharing your video. Well done. I also like the filmlook.

Does a Tamron lens require an adapter?

How difficult is it to overlay Cinegrain's film layers?

How did you decide on which film grain to select?

hcraig wrote:

BenB wrote: Launch Motion 5, start a new FCP Titles Template project, delete the text layer, save it as "Adjustment Layer". Works like a charm!

Ben,

What did this post refer to?

That was originally in another thread where someone asked about an "adjustment layer" in FCP X. How did it end up here?

I want to thank everyone again for responding to my first post. I've been away from FCP and editing with Macs for some time so please bare with me as I digest the feedback you all have shared. I have yet to begin using FCP X because I’m researching new Mac editing systems.

These are follow-up questions to some of your posts.

CAMERA LENS

What is a good but inexpensive Canon IS lens that can be used to shoot video?

If I’m not using a Canon lens what kind of adapter is recommended? Is there a universal adapter or does each brand lens need its own dedicated adapter?

AUDIO

What’s the best way to handle recording audio when using the T3i?

What accessories do you advise using?

DRIVES

How many of you use external drives in your edit systems? It’s been suggested to get an iMac with two internal hard drives – 1. System and 2. Media. Is it necessary to add an external third drive immediately as a back-up?

What is the reasoning behind transferring footage to an external drive first and not an internal media drive?

hcraig wrote:

Hi Simon,

Thanks for posting your videos. Nice job.

Do you need an adapter to use Nikkor lenses? If so, what kind? YOu also mentioned using older lenses with your dslr. Do thye also require an adapter?

What kind of car reader do you use - a portable one or does your Mac have a built-in reader?

Did you re-dub the audio during the interviews? I didn't see a mic on your interview subject.

Yes, I use a Fotodiox Nikon F to EOS adapter. The lenses are fully manual Nikkors, so it is not a smart adapter (no electronic controls). They are vintage lenses from the 1960's.

I use a portable card reader, that plugs into a usb port.

The interviews were all done on location, using a shotgun microphone on a boom out of shot. The microphone was plugged into a portable recorder, and synched in post.

The Tamron lens is Canon mount, so no adapter needed and it utilizes the same autofocus and digital controls that canon lenses do.

Overlaying the cinegrain filters is so easy! They are video files that you put on a layer above and then change the composite mode to "overlay"

For this project, I wanted it to be a bit dirty so I used the 16mm grain. Cinegrain also makes a 35 (for silky smooth) and an 8mm (for really dirty stuff). I also utilized some light leaks, splices, and other stuff to dirty it up a bit.

hcraig wrote: CAMERA LENS

What is a good but inexpensive Canon IS lens that can be used to shoot video?

Good, inexpensive, fast... pick any two. What is your budget?

hcraig wrote: If I’m not using a Canon lens what kind of adapter is recommended? Is there a universal adapter or does each brand lens need its own dedicated adapter?

Depends upon the lens. If the lens is made for a canon camera then no adapter is needed. Sigma, Tamron, and others make lenses that use the Canon EF mount.

hcraig wrote: AUDIO

What’s the best way to handle recording audio when using the T3i?

What accessories do you advise using?

Use an external recorder with external mics. You can get something like the Zoom H1 for < $100.

hcraig wrote: DRIVES

How many of you use external drives in your edit systems? It’s been suggested to get an iMac with two internal hard drives – 1. System and 2. Media. Is it necessary to add an external third drive immediately as a back-up?

How important is your data to you. If you don't care that it can be lost at any time then you can skip the backup drive.

hcraig wrote: What is the reasoning behind transferring footage to an external drive first and not an internal media drive?

Backup, I think. Some people are really, really paranoid about losing their data. Copy from the camera to an external drive for backup, then copy to a working drive (ether internal but not the system drive or another external drive), then unmount your backup drive and put it away, and finally erase the data from the camera.

See blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/06/workfl...kup-for-photo-video/ for a professional take on media backup (both stills and video).

I got my 50mm f1.4 from cameta camera through sears.com. Arrived in 4 days and very safely package. I would recommend them. I also use the zoom h-1 recorder and a giant squid audio lavalier/lapel mic but will be getting a shotgun mic as well in the future. I am just starting out so I try to do a lot of research before I get stuff. For the lapel mic and zoom recorder it was 140 bucks and has very good quality audio for one person talking stuff and for general audio it works great as well on a tripod. Giant squid also make a lapel mic with 2 heads for interviews and the can be plugged into the zoom recorder as well.

MotifMediaGroup wrote: Everything I shoot is on a T3I!! You can check out music video and model videos I do on our website or youtube! www.youtube.com/MotifMediaGroup

Hi Moti,

Thanks for sharing your YouTube Channel. I will be sure to watch your videos.

What kind of gear do you use with the T3i?

What do you edit on?

jdm4given1 wrote: I got my 50mm f1.4 from cameta camera through sears.com. Arrived in 4 days and very safely package. I would recommend them. I also use the zoom h-1 recorder and a giant squid audio lavalier/lapel mic but will be getting a shotgun mic as well in the future. For the lapel mic and zoom recorder it was 140 bucks and has very good quality audio for one person talking stuff and for general audio it works great as well on a tripod. Giant squid also make a lapel mic with 2 heads for interviews and the can be plugged into the zoom recorder as well.

Thanks for the feedback.

Is that Cameta Camera in NY?

What and whom do you find are your best sources for your research?

Hi Marchy,

Thanks for your post.

marchyman wrote: CAMERA LENS
What is a good but inexpensive Canon IS lens that can be used to shoot video?
Good, inexpensive, fast... pick any two. What is your budget?"

How about I pick all three. I know lenses can run the gamut for a few hundred to a few thousand. I don't have a big budget for lenses. Let's start on the smaller end of the scale, under $500, under $1000.

I appreciate the link to Chad Jarvis' site.

The T3i camera has the same size sensor as its big brother, the 7D. Lenses that are good for the 7D should also be good for your T3i. With that in mind I found this video on youtube that talks about good lenses for video recording on a 7D. Its message should be good for your T3i, too. I don't have the lenses this person recommends so cant comment on his specific advice.

Thanks for the video. I'll definitely watch it.

What is the best brand SDHC Class 10 Memory Card for shooting HD Video with the Canon T3i?

What is your opinion of the following brands?

Sandisk
PNY
Lexar
Transcend
Polaroid
Verbatim
Kingston

Thanks!

I've been using SanDisk and Kingston CF cards for years without any issues. In my Canon XF, I'm using Transcend. They have a bad reputation though (I got lucky so far).

Buy SanDisks only from reputable dealers. There are plenty of fakes on eBay.

Has anyone ever experienced a problem recording video to the Sandisk Ultra, PNY Professional and PNY Pro-Elite memory cards when using the T3i?

Are there any buffering issues with some SD memory cards when shooting video?

You don't need to convert the footage for FCPX. It works natively.