Video Capture Tips

ImBaron · 08-16-2010, 07:59 AM

Anyone have any tips to offer when using the K-x in video mode?

What's the best way to get good exposure control and white balance, and the least noise (grain)......I'm hoping to us my K-x for some short films....my testing so far has been okay. But inside I find the image to be a grainy...and when using a higher zoom I get a little distortion if I move. I'm sure using a tripod will help that, but I'm more interest in setting ISO, etc....

future_retro · 08-16-2010, 09:26 AM

Unfortunately there's no settings, you're at the mercy of the automatic settings, which I have found to be horribly noisy even in bright sunshine.

If you can I advice you to return it, evaluate your finances and see if you can afford a T2i, it offers full manual control over the video mode but is more expensive, much more of a filmmakers camera though and incredibly capable. The K7 really isn't an improvement over the Kx's video either, Pentax still has to get video down pat

I'm pretty sure the only way to control noise levels on the Kx is to get a really fast lens and hope for the best

mikemike · 08-16-2010, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by future_retro

I'm pretty sure the only way to control noise levels on the Kx is to get a really fast lens and hope for the best

This works. f/2.8 and down you should be good. You can also hit with some denoise when you compress the video.

ImBaron · 08-17-2010, 05:02 AM

Future Retro....you can control settings on he K-x ... you do that in the 'P' mode, then switch to Movie mode. I'm learning what the better settings are. I've seen some amazing video taken on the K-x and the K-7....go to Vimeo.com and search under Pentax k-x .... lenses do make a difference, my 50mm prime f 1.4 does look better than the kit lenses, but with a little practice I can improve the look on the kit. The video I took outside with the kit lenses was great, it was the low light were I had settings off.

Hemi345 · 08-18-2010, 09:14 PM

The distortion you're seeing from movement is the rolling shutter. Almost all dSLR with a CMOS sensors have this issue. The T1/2i has the problem too. Actually while I was deciding which camera to get, I thought the T1i had a little clearer video but the rolling shutter distortion was much worse.

You can minimize it by holding the camera steady (or tripod) and reduce side to side panning speed.

08-16-2010, 07:59 AM	#1
ImBaron Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 3	Video Capture Tips Anyone have any tips to offer when using the K-x in video mode? What's the best way to get good exposure control and white balance, and the least noise (grain)......I'm hoping to us my K-x for some short films....my testing so far has been okay. But inside I find the image to be a grainy...and when using a higher zoom I get a little distortion if I move. I'm sure using a tripod will help that, but I'm more interest in setting ISO, etc....

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08-16-2010, 09:26 AM	#2
future_retro Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 572	Unfortunately there's no settings, you're at the mercy of the automatic settings, which I have found to be horribly noisy even in bright sunshine. If you can I advice you to return it, evaluate your finances and see if you can afford a T2i, it offers full manual control over the video mode but is more expensive, much more of a filmmakers camera though and incredibly capable. The K7 really isn't an improvement over the Kx's video either, Pentax still has to get video down pat I'm pretty sure the only way to control noise levels on the Kx is to get a really fast lens and hope for the best

08-16-2010, 11:19 AM	#3
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Originally posted by future_retro I'm pretty sure the only way to control noise levels on the Kx is to get a really fast lens and hope for the best This works. f/2.8 and down you should be good. You can also hit with some denoise when you compress the video.

08-17-2010, 05:02 AM	#4
ImBaron Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 3 Original Poster	Future Retro....you can control settings on he K-x ... you do that in the 'P' mode, then switch to Movie mode. I'm learning what the better settings are. I've seen some amazing video taken on the K-x and the K-7....go to Vimeo.com and search under Pentax k-x .... lenses do make a difference, my 50mm prime f 1.4 does look better than the kit lenses, but with a little practice I can improve the look on the kit. The video I took outside with the kit lenses was great, it was the low light were I had settings off.

08-18-2010, 09:14 PM	#5
Hemi345 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 127	The distortion you're seeing from movement is the rolling shutter. Almost all dSLR with a CMOS sensors have this issue. The T1/2i has the problem too. Actually while I was deciding which camera to get, I thought the T1i had a little clearer video but the rolling shutter distortion was much worse. You can minimize it by holding the camera steady (or tripod) and reduce side to side panning speed.

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