Video on a Canon 550D

[lucky_13]

Hi I need some tips on how to video on my canon 550d, I have only used it once before and it was far from smooth sailing but that might just be user error, I was experiencing noise from the AF motor and the picture was often going from bright to dark!
Do I need to use manual focus instead?
Do I need to use a certain white balance instead of auto WB?
What sort of light metering should I be using?
What other settings do I need to change?
Any advice welcome and excuse my ignorance...

 

[CSB]

Change the exposure mode to manual so that the picture wont change from light to dark. Set the shutter speed to 1/50 if you are shooting 1080p at 25 or 24 fps or 1/60 if you are shooting 1080p at 30 fps. If you are shooting at 50 or 60 fps in 720p mode set the shutter speed to 1/120.

Change the aperture and ISO to get the exposure and depth of field you need. What I sometimes do to check my exposure it set up the shutter speed, aperture and ISO, then take a picture and check the histogram. You can then adjust the aperture or ISO accordingly to make sure your footage it exposed properly.

I would focus manually, you will get better results. For white balance I find the auto setting isn't too bad but its best to do a custom white balance to get it spot on. Any more questions just ask.

 

[lucky_13]

Change the exposure mode to manual so that the picture wont change from light to dark. Set the shutter speed to 1/50 if you are shooting 1080p at 25 or 24 fps or 1/60 if you are shooting 1080p at 30 fps. If you are shooting at 50 or 60 fps in 720p mode set the shutter speed to 1/120.

Change the aperture and ISO to get the exposure and depth of field you need. What I sometimes do to check my exposure it set up the shutter speed, aperture and ISO, then take a picture and check the histogram. You can then adjust the aperture or ISO accordingly to make sure your footage it exposed properly.

I would focus manually, you will get better results. For white balance I find the auto setting isn't too bad but its best to do a custom white balance to get it spot on. Any more questions just ask.

Thank you for all the info, I will have a go tonight when I get in from work, just one more stupid question, how do I turn the exposure to manual?

 

[CSB]

There is a setting for exposure in one of the menus when you are in movie mode, I cant check right now, my camera isn't with me.

 

[lucky_13]

There is a setting for exposure in one of the menus when you are in movie mode, I cant check right now, my camera isn't with me.

Found it, cheers