Model 151 MovieCorder
(160-0852) Hints and Tips Faxback Doc. # 18469
If you are not familiar with camera techniques, there are many books
available at your local library. However, because the camcorder is simple
to use and because you can use tapes again and again, you can experiment
and learn as you go.
The following information will get you started.
LIGHTING
Lighting should be uniform. Even though the camcorder can record in low-
light conditions, more light is usually better. You can purchase a camera
light (Cat. No. 16-2001), and attach it to the camcorder's accessory shoe.
CAUTION: Do not place a light source too near the camcorder mechanism.
The heat can cause the camcorder to malfunction.
Lighting Conditions and Lights
Correct lighting is important. Use the table below:
Position the camcorder so the sun is at your back. By doing this, the sun
shines on the object evenly.
For a brightly lighted scene, such as a beach on a sunny day, the scene
might appear too white. You can get better result by using an ND filter
to reduce the amount of light. Go to your local camera shop for a 49mm
ND-4 filter.
When shooting indoors (artificial lighting)
You can shoot pictures using fluorescent lamps only, but additional lights
help you get more distinct pictures. We recommend our camcorder light
(cat. no. 16-2001) to mount on the accessory shoe of the camcorder.
Directing the lights
One light: Direct the light diagonally from the front. With a single
light, the contrast is always strong. Use another light to
eliminate shadows.
Two lights: To eliminate shadows, direct one light diagonally from the
front, and position the other light at the side of the
subject.
Snow-covered mountains
ND filter is Unit (lux) Ski slopes
recommended
Beach on clear summer day
100,000 Clear-sky sunlight at noon (100,000)
Clear-sky sunlight at 3 PM (35,000)
Cloudy-sky sunlight at noon (32,000)
10,000
Cloudy-sky sunlight one hour after
dawn (2,000)
Usable range 1,000 Next to window in an office with
fluorescent lighting (1,000)
500 Clear-sky one hour before sunset (1000)
Inside a department store (500 to 700)
Ticket gate of a train station (650)
Office with fluorescent lighting (400 to 500)
13-m (2) (43-ft (2)) room with two 30-W
fluorescent light (300)
Subway platform (300)
Shopping arcade at night (150 to 200)
100
More lighting
is suggested
Inside a movie theater at intermission
(15 to 35)
Candlelight (10 to 15)
10
More lighting
is needed
HOLDING THE CAMCORDER
If the grip belt does not fit your hand, unwanted camcorder movement can
occur during recording. Adjust the belt length.
Attach the lens cap onto the lens cap snap located on the gripbelt.
Hold horizontally
Have the left hand ready to use the controls.
Keep your right and left upper arms close to your body.
Keep your hands steady by resting on the wall or table for clear
images.
When recording at a low angle, raise the viewfinder upright.
BASIC SHOTS
Use angles and special shots effectively to make your recordings more
interesting.
People
Close-up
Close-ups emphasize a certain part of the subject.
Medium range
Excellent for showing both facial expressions and clothing.
Full-length
Show the entire subject and a clear view of the background.
Scenic shots
Close-up
Brings the subject close for emphasis.
Mid-range
The basic range.
Long range
The most effective range for showing surrounding conditions and to
express a sense of distance.
CAMERA MOVEMENT
Panning
Panning is moving laterally to record the over all view and express
dimensional breadth. A steady camcorder position is important for
wideangle shots to prevent picture vibration.
1. Turn your body in the direction you will be facing at the end of the
shot. Then, twist your upper body to point the camcorder in the
direction where you want to begin recording.
2. Record the first scene for about three seconds.
3. Turn your body slowly while shooting, until you are facing in the
direction where you want to stop recording.
4. Shoot the final scene for about three seconds.
Tilting
Tilting is moving up and down to show the height of the subject. Tilting
should usually be done at a somewhat faster speed than horizontal panning.
Support your back to make shooting easier.
ZOOM-IN AND ZOOM-OUT
As with camcorder movement, too much use of zoom-in or zoom-out can
distract from what you record. When you use power zoom, it is best to
zoom in or zoom out in one smooth motion, not in several jerky motions.
Movement from side to side combined with zoom-in or zoom-out can be very
effective in your video tapes.
SOUND PICKUP
If the sound source for your movie is only a few feet away, the built in
microphone picks it up clearly.
However, for distant sound sources or in a place quiet enough to hear the
inside motor running, use a super-directional shotgun microphone. Or for
professional results, use a FM wireless microphone (Cat. No. 32-1226).
You can attach an external microphone to the camcorder's accessory shoe,
and plug it into the external microphone jack. The built-in microphone is
temporarily disconnected when you connect an external microphone.
Recording in a high wind
A popping sound might be heard. Wrap the microphone head in a handkerchief
to shield it from the wind.
Recording distant object
Place an external microphone close to the subject to get a clear sound.
SMOOTH RECORDING
If you do not like a recorded scene, you can replace it with a new scene
by using the edit search function.
1. Press [RECORD START/STOP] to enter the recording pause mode.
2. Press [EDIT SEARCH] (+ or -), watch in the viewfinder to locate the
beginning of the scene you want to record over. Release the button.
The camcorder returns to the recording pause mode.
3. Press [RECORD START/STOP] to start recording.
To add a new scene to the end of a previously recorded scene, first
playback the tape. Press [PAUSE/STILL] when you see the point you want to
start recording at. Then, press [RECORD] to pause the picture. Press
[RECORD START/STOP] to start recording.
(CS 11/6/95)