Using the zoom to create internet video
My zoom is bigger than your zoom
Using the zoom to create internet video
By Mark Shapiro, chief editor of Internet Video Magazine
Remember the War Between the States, the Trojan War, remember the Alamo? Now, those were the wars real. However, the people we video camcorder and have our own wars and battles as well.
What about the Beta versus VHS wars? Three chip front a chip? 8mm versus VHS? S-Video standard video front? Viewers of color versus black and white? What do you think the new battle video camera?
But, Have you ever heard of the wars of zoom? Camcorder manufacturers are struggling to see who offers the largest and most powerful zoom in their cameras.
I remember many years ago that if things had a 6x zoom, you're very hot. Gradually the zoom ratios crept up to 8x, 10x and 12x. (I always wondered by zoom numbers which always ended in even numbers?)
For many years, the plateau 12x zoom video cameras were more experienced. There is good reason. Even with image stabilization and the best technique of holding chamber experts, it is very difficult to hold a close-up of an image stable at 12x maximum zoom.
Recently, the zoom of wars have intensified. The numbers are once again beginning to creep up. Companies like Canon, Hitachi and Samsung, marketing camcorders with 40x optical zoom or more. There is no way to keep it stable with only their hands. This year, Panasonic deployed a video camera with 70x optical zoom!
Adding more fuel to the fire is the digital zoom. Recently, I've seen digital zoom numbers up to 1000x! This is marketing hype. Its all BS. Unless you really, really must not want to use the digital zoom.
If you used a zoom digital or electronic, probably realize that all digital zoom does nothing but magnify the image and make the larger milieu. Any distortion or electronic noise also be amplified.
The pixels of color and light that make up the image gets bigger too. As the digital zoom ratio increases, the image you see is made up of fewer pixels, each pixel only much larger. Finally, all you get is pixels and can not even recognize what you are aiming.
Finding the right camcorder for you, your family or your business? Check out our updated Camcorder Review Section.
Most camcorders offer three options for digital zoom. You can leave completely out, you can go to the first level or top, or you can maximize it. I personally prefer usually at my maximum digital zoom on the first level. If you need to capture your images with the highest quality digital zoom leave out and just walk a little more close!
In fact, there is no limit to digital or electronic zoom. As this is an electronic function, manufacturers can easily configure What increasingly wide they want. A manufacturer could offer camcorder 1000x digital zoom or more.
The secret of the evaluation of the quality of a digital zoom is the optical zoom level is based. For example, 100x digital zoom camera that offers 10x optical zoom means that the electronic image has been blown up 10 times. Moreover, 100x digital zoom on a digital camera with 20x optical zoom, you just need to blow up the image of five times. Therefore, the picture generated by the video camera with 20x optical zoom looks much better than the image generated by the video camera with 10x optical zoom only.
The result final: Ignore digital zoom Numbers!
Yes, there are technology solutions that can help improve the image, but in general, the higher the optical zoom, better be the image will look after digital magnification.
Adding to this conundrum is the quality of digital image stabilization compared with the stabilization optical image. As mentioned above, it is very difficult to maintain a stable image at 20x. With small camcorders today, I find it difficult to handle to a stable at only 6x or less. That is why image stabilization is so important. If there is going to use a tripod for extended zoom shots, the image stabilization can be a lifesaver.
The image stabilization technology of the first were a sort of funky and not working well. We notice Freeze effect sometimes as stabilization circuits tried to find out what image is stable in the last decade, has image stabilization made great moves forward.
There are two types of image stabilization, optical and electronic / digital. (Some companies call digital some call it electronic – is basically the same), optical and electronic / digital use of electronic technology, optics, but is based more on Mechanical and digital media is based on electronic technologies.
Digital and electronic image stabilization, such as electronic zoom, can degrade the image while the optical image stabilization, as the optical zoom is a mechanical technology that has minimal effect on image quality. Most electronic / digital image stabilization technology generation image degradation around 5% by increasing the size central image. The technology is still improving. In some of the latest video cameras could not notice any difference when you turn Image Stabilization front when turned off.
A good tip is that if the instructions of the camcorder, the stabilization is recommended to disconnect electronic or digital image when using the camera on a tripod.
The better images are generated by the combined optical zoom with stabilization optical image.
If you know in advance that will need to use large zoom ratios, or optical digital, use a tripod. Thus, once you have your camcorder firmly locked, you need Image Stabilization and can turn it off.
Tele Filters
Several manufacturers offer telephoto adapters that can be screwed into the front of your lens and increase the length optical telephoto. A lens adapter 1.5x zoom will increase by 50%. You still have the same proportion of 12 to 1, but will be 50% higher. Look at the front of your camcorder lens. Is there a set of threads of the lens screw will allow a target accessory? Consider the width of the lens you have. Most video cameras are in the range of 30 to 50 mm.
Telephoto adapters are not all alike. Sometimes they do not fit quite right and when you approach maximum wide angle you can see the sides of the adapter ring. The Quality is also a problem. Each time you add another goal between the subject and the camera, you end up degrading the image, however bit. The lenses are cheaper plastic and can distort the image too. Lens are made of glass best. However, a good glass telephoto adapter can cost more than the camcorder! I recommend taking your camcorder with you and treat different adapters and see what the image looks. And if you do not have one already, buy a tripod well while you shop Gallery.
To close or not to Zoom
While we're on the subject of zoom, to analyze how and why of zoom. In my classes, I always emphasized that the zoom is a crutch that should be avoided. It's much better physically to pick up his video camera and a tripod and simply approach the subject.
Video is a medium close-ups of tight shots of faces and things. In most home TV sets, see blueprints of buildings and landscapes not working well. With the advent of widescreen HDTV High this may change, but now is now.
The zoom is more that make the picture bigger, but also reduces the depth. A wide angle shot seems to have more depth, more of a sense of a close extended 3D follow-up. Maximum telephoto shots always give you a flat appearance compared to the truer picture wide angle
I'm sure you remember your first video recording experience. You appeared on the tape, hit record and started to make a movie. You started to zoom in and zoom out, zoom in – zoom out, is a first step all the time videographers experience. And then while looking back on your TV, you wonder why you got dizzy?
The zoom should be avoided at all zoom on objects. I recommend getting a shot of a picture, press pause and zoom for a tight shot, then start recording again. No need to see the zoom in
If you want to get away from a shot to a telephoto, wide angle, movement and try to move the camera as you zoom out. Instead of zooming out, try moving the camera left or right, as the wide-angle zoom. That way you will surprise the audience – showing parts new and different image. By the way, when you move the camcorder, you camouflage swaying and shaking.
I prefer camcorders with variable speed zoom. Variable speed medium zoom the harder you push the zoom lever, zoom video camera faster. Most camcorders provide variable zoom. A quick zoom allows you to follow a fast moving object, a slow zoom lets you focus on one topic, while zooming out languidly.
The problem Focus Zoom
If you insist on zooming in on something, at least try to stay in focus. (Unless you really do not want) Most camcorders have a decent auto focus function that controls the focus to zoom from one object to another. However, the autofocus can be slow, or you can shoot in situations where not working well. Shooting in dim light or shooting an object with a lot of bands can be difficult for the autofocus. Many auto focus circuit also have problems shooting through the glass and screens or shots with a lot of foreground objects.
If you have to use the approach manual, the secret is to use the zoom at maximum telephoto and focus on the object. Now zoom out to wide angle. While the distance between you and the subject does not change, you must be able to zoom in and again and again, with the image stay in focus all the time. Of course, if you follow my advice than ever to zoom and only zooming, images are also in focus as they withdraw from the fence.
Why not wide angle?
Although the zoom is war many of my cohorts cameraman and I wonder why the manufacturers is not a battle of wide angle? Why not fight to see who camcorder can provide a wider angle?
Using a wide angle lens lets you get close to object and show a wider angle of coverage. Remember the joke about cameraman trying to get a photo of his family standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. He continues to say that a backup and a backup for what you get whole family in the shot? Having a wide-angle lens lets you capture a group of people in one shot, without bread side and top to bottom.
I love wide angle – away from the sight deep approach is easier shooting wide angle. You do not have to worry about focus or focal depth. Everything is in focus. I love be able to get within inches of someone's face during an interview. I love the look of wide-angle use in tracking shots and the incredible feeling 3D creates.
You can create spectacular photos as a closeup of someone's face in perfect focus in the foreground, while the backdrop of the Grand Canyon is also sharp and focused. For example, check out the classic movie Citizen Kane all the wonderful deep focus, wide angle.
Wide Angle also minimize tremors and shake. It's easy to walk with someone and videotapes for the use of wide angle. You need not use image stabilization. Because image is so broad and open, the camera movement is not as obvious to the audience when played.
I've never seen video cameras, including wide-angle true in the bottom of your zoom ratio lens. The face and semi-pro Canon XLI-S includes a wide angle lens that can be used instead of the standard zoom lens that comes with the video camera. However, that wide-angle lens is very expensive. One of my favorite video cameras, the Sony PD100 came with a high quality adapter angle lens that screws into the front of the extension. It was great.
You can find various angle adapters for many makes and models camcorder. However, as telephoto adapters, quality can vary from a terrible wonderful. Unfortunately, with a wide angle lens price is worse than the use a cheap telephoto. Because everything is in focus, a small defect, or even a spot of the lens can be very obvious.
While I'm raving about the objective wide angle adapters, remember you can always use its maximum wide angle zoom camcorder. When I am shooting events and parties for my family, especially using my personal video camera in wide angle and avoid touching the maximum zoom.
Zoom and the Internet
Internet video does not like zooms. This movement of live camera is not easy to handle compressed video and can make your software compression and conversion to low quality in order to handle as much information. Much better job cuts from a compression point of view.
You do not have to live zoom to create an interesting video. Indeed, it may be far more dramatic and exciting to cut between shots at different zoom lengths. For example, start with an overview of a place and then cut to a medium shot shows two characters talking. Then cut to a closeup of one to try to make a point. Bam, bam, bam. It will be more dramatic and best when transmitted over the Internet.
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Launched in 1999, Internet Video Magazine is the premier online resource for those who see and make Internet videos. In addition to the thousands of videos large we also feature hundreds of articles about how to shoot, edit, and post video online. Whether you make Internet video for fun or business, we have articles and content for you. We also provide reviews of many of the latest Internet and video transmission software packages, hardware and books.
About the Author
Mark Shapiro has been writing about, and promoting, consumer, broadcast and Internet Video for over 20 years. Recognized as a leading expert in consumer and business video trends and production, he has written for numerous industry publications including VideoMaker Magazine, Digital Photographer, and Camcorder & Computer Video Magazine. He is currently editor in chief at Internet Video Magazine. http://www.internetvideomag.com
Launched in 1999, Internet Video Magazine is the premier online resource for those who watch and make Internet Videos.
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