View Full Version : Aerial Video with Canon XH-A1, HDV


Blake Avant
January 13th, 2008, 07:12 PM
Hello All.

I'm shooting aerial video with the Canon XH-A1 and still getting comfortable with the settings on the camera and learning more about my stabilization equipment that includes 4 Kenyon KS-8 mechanical gyros. I would like to get some inputs on the best settings for using the XH-A1 in aerial video applications.

Now that you know that, I want others who use the A1 to start posting settings for particular applications that might help others who are trying to get that perfect combination. I would like to use one of the presets that are offered here on the forum, but one more specific to aerial work. If you have anything to share with other A1 owners, that would be great.

For those located in my area and need some stabilized footage, as owner of the International Exposures video mount I would be willing to rent my mount system. Zipcode 32566. The footage captured by the mount is outstanding and can be placed into any aircraft, auto, or boat without modification or permits.

Thanks for any inputs you might have.

BA

Carl Middleton
January 13th, 2008, 07:35 PM
Awesome. =D I'm up in 32034 (near Jacksonville) and occasionally need random Florida aerial/establishing shots... I'll keep you in mind! Stabilization for aerial video is a beast from what I understand, nice work with building the rig!

Carl

Nathan Quattrini
January 13th, 2008, 09:02 PM
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=103450

I would prefer the VividRGB setting since the rest of my film uses it ;) If you can help me out let me know

Nathan Quattrini
January 15th, 2008, 02:08 PM
also can you upload samples of your best aerial footage so far?

Blake Avant
January 15th, 2008, 04:13 PM
Here's a short clip of some video shot over Destin, Florida. Helicopter time is so expensive in this area, I have not had the finances to capture much footage. This was my first attempt with the new mount.

http://www.citiesfromabove.com/galleries/index.php?action=showpic&cat=17&pic=393

BA

Bill Busby
January 15th, 2008, 06:08 PM
It must be IE only. Firefox no worky here :)

Eduardo Miguel
January 15th, 2008, 08:31 PM
works for me with firefox 2.0

Dave Pecunies
January 15th, 2008, 09:35 PM
Nice shots!

Nathan Quattrini
January 16th, 2008, 09:59 AM
very nice indeed. Would you be able to help me?Did you look at the post I linked?

Blake Avant
April 12th, 2008, 02:15 PM
I'm using the VividRGB preset now and that improves aerial video color. Another item that affected color in previous footage was the camera mount had a loose fitting and caused a very small amount of blurring in the final footage. That has been resolved and the current video capture is outstanding with the Aerial Exposures LSG-2 Video stabilization. Footage is crisp and solid as a rock. Takes some practice to use this mount, but results are outstanding.

Blake Avant
www.a1aerialphotos.com

Tim Ribich
April 16th, 2008, 07:09 PM
I'm using the VividRGB preset now and that improves aerial video color. www.a1aerialphotos.com


Hi Blake,

Very nice. What mode are you shooting in-- Av, Tv, M ?

Blake Avant
April 16th, 2008, 08:17 PM
Tim,

I shoot Av and adjust the ND filter as needed since the beach and white sand will change the aperature when moving between settings.

Blake

Tim Ribich
April 16th, 2008, 08:52 PM
Tim,

I shoot Av and adjust the ND filter as needed since the beach and white sand will change the aperature when moving between settings.

Blake

Oh please-- gimme' a break. Bad enough I have a friend in who lives in Navarre who enjoys calling me here in the frigid northern winter months to describe the sun & warm weather there! :-)

But seriously, thanks for the info Blake. How does the resulting shutter speed impact the video? IOW, is there a point where too slow or fast shutter speed would adversely affect the video?

Tim