The Video Camera and Support Equipment Chapter 3

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Objectives Explain the differences between the various video cameras available. Identify each part of a video camera and note the corresponding function. Differentiate between the focal length and the focal point related to a zoom lens. Explain the interrelationship between f-stops, the iris, and aperture in controlling light.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Objectives (Cont.) Identify the challenges and benefits involved in using hand-held camera shooting. Recognize the types of tripod heads available and cite the unique characteristics of each. Implement the proper procedures for cleaning and storing video equipment.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Types of Video Cameras Studio camera Camcorder Convertible camera Smartphone camera POV camera DSLR camera

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Studio Cameras Remains in studio –On tripod with dolly or studio pedestal Unsuitable for field work due to: –Size –Weight Paired with camera control unit (CCU)

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Tripod with Dolly Dolly has three wheels that tripod legs fit into Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Studio Pedestal Vertical column with base Three wheels on bottom Heavy Pneumatics or hydraulics assist movement Wheel or ring steers movements Vinten Broadcast Ltd.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Camera Control Unit (CCU) – Also called remote control unit (RCU) – Usually in control room Controls signals from studio camera, such as Color Tint Contrast Brightness Iris Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Camera Control Unit (CCU) (Cont.) Video engineer manipulates CCU to match signals from all cameras Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Camcorders Contains camera and recorder in one unit Lightweight and portable Sits on tripod or rests on operator’s shoulder Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Camcorders (Cont.) Records on a variety of digital tapes –Memory stick, P2 card, SD card, internal hard drive, external portable hard drive Connects to computer to download footage Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Convertible Cameras Can be accessorized to become studio camera or portable field camera –Larger viewfinder and CCU (studio) –Small view screen and viewfinder built into camera (remote camera) Less expensive than studio camera and more versatile

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Smartphone Cameras A very powerful HD camera in your pocket –Video specific apps, playability on social media Not a replacement for camcorder but good in a pinch Drogatnev/Shutterstock.com

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. POV Cameras “Action” or “Helmet” cameras Portable, high quality, inexpensive camera Can be mounted many ways or worn by users Can be placed in waterproof shell Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. DSLR Cameras Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera Produce stunning HD video and still photos Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Parts of a Camera Camera head Viewfinder Camera lens Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Actual camera Located in camera head –Light enters camera and hits target –Target is in front of CCD –CCD converts light to electronic signal –Signal passes through CCD and enters rest of camera Professional quality camera — three CCDs Consumer quality camera—one CCD Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. CMOS Sensor Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) Found in smartphones, web, and most DSLR cameras Nevodka/Shutterstock.com

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Viewfinder Small video monitors that allow camera operators to see images in the shot Two viewfinders on most camcorders Fold-out viewfinder –On side of camera –Convenient for tripod use Smaller viewfinder –Fixed on camera body

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Diopter Adjustment Adjusts magnifier to compensate for vision differences Allows for use without prescription eyeglasses Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Zebra Stripes Alert for camera operator Special feature on viewfinders Diagonal black and white stripes that appear when object in shot is too brightly lit

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Camera Lens Assembly of glass discs in tube in front of camera –Focuses incoming light rays on target’s surface –Image “in focus” when lines of contrast are sharp Auto-focus: keeps only center of picture in focus –Common feature on consumer cameras –Professionals do not use – removes creative control

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Zoom Lens Assembly Allows smooth transition from close-up to wide- angle shot by moving zoom ring Transition from wide-angle to close-up –Called zoom in (ZI), or tighten Transition from close-up to wide-angle –Called zoom out (ZO), or widen

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Focal Point Also known as optical center Physical place where image is inverted –May not always be in center of lens assembly Zoom lens: Piece of glass that moves forward or backward to magnify or shrink images − Lens is the focal point of zoom lens assembly Figure 3-13 Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Focal Length Distance in millimeters between the focal point and back of lens assembly Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Variable Focal Length Lens Another name for zoom lens Actual zoom lens moves back and forth within zoom assembly Zoom lens remains focal point Distance varies between zoom lens and back of lens

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Lens Control Rings Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Iris Metal blades that expand or contract Controls light that reaches back of lens/target of camera Operates like a human eye –Iris increases, blocks light –Iris contracts, light passes through

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Auto-Iris Circuit Circuit that automatically controls size of iris –Adjusts to standards of “good” picture Useful for most circumstances in television production

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Iris and Aperture Hole or opening through which light passes Adjusted by iris Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. F-Stop Settings on lens which indicate size of iris Iris size controls aperture which controls light Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. F-Stop (Cont.) Relationship: F-Stop controls iris size, iris size controls aperture, which controls light –Fast lens: lens that produces large aperture and lets strong light into camera (lower f-stop number) –Slow lens: lens that produces small aperture and lets little light into camera (higher f-stop number)

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Shutter Circuit that regulates how long CCD is exposed to light coming through the lens Manual shutter speed settings range from 1/100 to 1/8000 Higher shutter speed allows clearer images when played back in slow motion –Excellent feature for shooting sports

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Hand-Held Shooting Consumer cameras – easy to hold in hands Professional cameras – hard to hold for long periods of time –Rest on shoulder, right hand in strap holding zoom lens control, left hand holds focus ring –Becomes tiring, which produces shaky camerawork Always operate in “zoomed out” position

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Hand-Hold Mounting Methods Create tripod-like support: Glidecam Industries, Inc. With open car doors By leaning on a wall With a body mount Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Tripod Shooting Tripod: three-legged stand for camera –Each leg’s length and angle independently extendable –Pedestal column in center raises and lowers camera –Pedestal control raises and lowers column –Do not use when recording or hot, or screen will shake!

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Pedestal Column and Control vipman/Shutterstock.com Pedestal Control Pedestal Column

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Tripod Head and Pan Handles Allows pans and tilts to occur Attaches to top of pedestal column Camera attaches to tripod head Pan handles allows operator to stand behind the camera and move it Two types –Friction head –Fluid head Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Rear Lens Controls Controller attached to pan handles that allows camera operator to manipulate camera lens Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Friction Head Two pieces of metal squeezed together by tightening screw Found on consumer tripods and inexpensive Low quality because head is locked or loose –Locked: camera frozen in place –Unlocked: camera is loose and becomes shaky

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Fluid Head Two pieces of metal, separated by oil or grease, screwed together High quality Grease allows pressure to create resistance (drag) when panning and tilting

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Monopods Single support pole for camera Provide vertical support but no stability for horizontal support Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Slider Camera on track and moves side to side Imitates a dolly with much lower cost Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Jib Raises camera high over set Swings in any direction Operates like a seesaw Operator stays safely on the ground EZFX Inc.

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Lens Cleaning Do’s –Clean viewfinder with soft cloth –Wipe lens with lens cleaning paper –Blow dirt off lens with compressed air from a can Don’ts –Don’t touch lens with bare fingers –Don’t use cloth or tissue moistened with saliva to wipe lens –Don’t blow on lens with mouth

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. After Use of Studio Camera Lock pedestal and tripod head of camera Close iris and place lens cap on camera Move camera to safe location in studio Coil camera cable as instructed Store in protected and temperature-controlled location

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. After Use of Camcorder Remove and label media, if present, from camcorder Close lens and attach lens cap Power down camera Detach camera from tripod and fold up tripod Remove batteries from camera Secure camera in case

Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Career Page United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook Information on the career outlooks for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors