Originally posted by Tas I got a B&H email today Bruce, the one with the articles, not just a 'what's on special' type of email. In it is this article:
Running Around with the Zoom F1 Field Recorder | B&H Explora that reminded me of the thread you'd started about video mics etc. Through B&H they offer this beastie with a Lav mike or a shotgun mike. For the presentations I reckon the Lav might be good if you can get them to wear it, and that shotgun mike might come in very handy too. But as previously stated there's plenty of people who know way more about this stuff so ignoring my suggestions here is a logical choice.
I also noticed you were asking about video monopods. I have a couple of monopods including a fluid monopod from Manfrotto, the MVM250A:
Manfrotto MVM250A Video Monopod | Digital Camera Warehouse I also ended up getting a fluid head but instead of a straight video head I went with one that could be used for stills as well:
Manfrotto MH055M8-Q5 Magnesium Photo/Video Pan Head | Digital Camera Warehouse Of course this meant it was a lot more money than a number of other options but I was actually after a head that would give me a more flexible set up for sports/action stills and if need be, video if I should ever get into it.
Anyhoo, thought you'd be interested.
Tas
Thanks Tas, I'll read that article later.
Yesterday was indeed the actual 'day' for the video/recording event. I honestly have no idea how it really all went, not until I review footage properly and start the editing process.
I ended up with
3 Smartlav+ mics, but only 2 phones to use (two of my own), the sound files were around 0.5-1gb each, if I used other peoples phones (speakers or hosts of the event) it presented problems in getting the sound files off quickly after the event, and I couldn't exactly keep their phones awhile, I kinda need some more cheap phones lol.
One phone + mic for the speakers, one for the presenters. But it still presented some audio gaps on the day. We had a surprise local MP guest speaker, who took the Microphone (but not my mic!) and proceeded to talk for 2-3mins, so not sure any of that footage will work :/ And then there was Q&A time, the audience members questions will be hard to hear (due to no mic), but we tried to make sure the question was repeated by the speaker so that everyone could hear the question, but there was still the odd occasion the speaker didn't really repeat the question.
Getting a proper mic on the camera might be something I eventually have to do. Thing is, this particular gig is very low pay, Yesterdays gig I didn't make a dime seeing as I needed to buy more Smartlav+ mics anyway... I know there are many better solutions to recording this event (and juggling a 20-25min timer on the two cameras during a two 40min presentation is annoying af!) but I can't really justify buying whole new equipment (video and audio) for such a low paying endeavour. Right now I'm weighing up my reputation really vs cost.
The experience itself taught me that I don't really like videoing, there's something missing for me, like still images I get excited about reviewing and seeing, video feels a little 'flat' for me. It was tiring as well, as all I could do was monopod a K-1 for two blocks of 30-40mins... definitely felt my core system get tired and fatigued in a harder way than taking stills ever could.
I'll check out those manfrottos you linked also, once again thanks for the post.
Originally posted by Fenwoodian .
I record videos for my Udemy.com courses with my Pentax K1 camera and an adapted Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 lens. I record at 1080p at 24fps (sometimes 30fps).
Udemy has a maximum file size that I can upload - 4GB. That's equal to about 25 minutes of recording. I've not recorded for 25 minutes continuously yet, but have done 15 - 20 minutes a few times, with no problems with overheating.
For sound I use a Rode Broadcaster Condenser Microphone. I set up my camera about 10 feet from where I sit. You always want the microphone very near the speaker. I have the microphone on a long cord (15 foot) and the microphone is held by a stand that sits on the desk just a few inches in front of me.
For the best quality sound you need to run your mic into a pre-amp before it goes into the K1. This is the pre-amp that I use and it works great - Beachtek DXA-MICRO-PRO Active XLR Compact Adapter
Overheating was starting to kick in on the second run. The first speaker was a longer one, his entire talk + Q&A ran to a little over 45mins. I had to stop the A roll camera (KP tripodded) at around 20min mark and restart, and then I had to unfortunately stop it one last time before restarting again for the final 2-3mins (grrr). The B Roll (K-1 monopod) was toggling off and on as I changed position to record throughout the speech, but at the end of both talks my cameras were definitely hot. I ejected the warm batteries, but new fresh cool ones in and they had a break for about 10mins before the next presenter and speaker took the stage, this time a quicker talk of around 30mins.
So I think swapping batteries definitely helps, I doubt on one battery you could do three runs in a row (of 25mins each). I would say twice is the max, with a battery change and if possible some turn off time.
I used Smartlav+ mics and phones for audio (^ see above).