Night football Video at DVinfo.net

Pete Crawford · May 18th, 2009, 08:12 PM

I'm looking for a camera that will shoot good night football videos in so so stadium lighting. I almost bought a canon xl-2 a couple of days ago, but thought I had better wait. Any advice would be highly accepted. I also thought about the xh-a1s also. There really isn't anything to be found on this type of information.

Thanks in advance,

Pete

Don Xaliman · May 18th, 2009, 08:17 PM

If the players can see the ball then the XH-A1 will see it a bit brighter, even at full frame rate. The XL-2 will have lighting problems first.

John R. Kennedy · May 18th, 2009, 08:20 PM

I have had excellent results with my XH A1 shooting High School football under so-so lighting.

Aaron J. Yates · May 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM

Pete,

I've shot two seasons of high school football on the A1s. Even with so-so stadium lighting, the A1 picture looks brighter than real life. I shoot in manual mode with low gain, wide aperture, and manual focus to keep it from "hunting" proper focus.

I don't know if you're on a tripod or handheld, but it's a bit of a learning curve getting good at shooting fast-moving action with a light handheld like this. I did most of the second season on a monopod which worked out very well for sideline shooting.

Here are some example videos:

Tivy v. Beeville on Vimeo

Tivy v. Dripping Springs on Vimeo

Tivy v. Burbank - Playoffs on Vimeo

EDIT: The A1s are only the sideline shots. The press box stuff was a different camera.

Pete Crawford · May 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM

Awesome input! Is there any other camera that is recommended?

Thanks

Pete Crawford · May 18th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Aaron, thanks for the video samples. I think our lighting is less than what you have.

Pete

By the way, awesome videos!

Tripp Woelfel · May 19th, 2009, 06:24 AM

+1 for the A1s. I shoot motor racing under lights nowhere near as good as lights at the average high school football stadium and I get good stuff. I'm at the low end of the usable light at +6dB of gain, but it works. That doesn't, however, stop my from pushing the track to upgrade their lighting.

There are other cameras with better low light capabilities, but I don't think they're HD nor are they in the A1s's price range. If you can go for a bigger spend, there are other options.

Pete Crawford · May 19th, 2009, 11:56 AM

Thanks....You've all answered my question.

Thank you

May 18th, 2009, 08:12 PM	#1
Pete Crawford New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Collierville, Tn. Posts: 24	Night football Video I'm looking for a camera that will shoot good night football videos in so so stadium lighting. I almost bought a canon xl-2 a couple of days ago, but thought I had better wait. Any advice would be highly accepted. I also thought about the xh-a1s also. There really isn't anything to be found on this type of information. Thanks in advance, Pete

May 18th, 2009, 08:20 PM	#3
John R. Kennedy Tourist Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bremerton WA Posts: 3	Friday Night Lights I have had excellent results with my XH A1 shooting High School football under so-so lighting.

May 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM	#4
Aaron J. Yates Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kerrville, Texas Posts: 75	Pete, I've shot two seasons of high school football on the A1s. Even with so-so stadium lighting, the A1 picture looks brighter than real life. I shoot in manual mode with low gain, wide aperture, and manual focus to keep it from "hunting" proper focus. I don't know if you're on a tripod or handheld, but it's a bit of a learning curve getting good at shooting fast-moving action with a light handheld like this. I did most of the second season on a monopod which worked out very well for sideline shooting. Here are some example videos: Tivy v. Beeville on Vimeo Tivy v. Dripping Springs on Vimeo Tivy v. Burbank - Playoffs on Vimeo EDIT: The A1s are only the sideline shots. The press box stuff was a different camera. __________________ kerrvillephoto.com Photo & Video specializing in real estate and events Last edited by Aaron J. Yates; May 18th, 2009 at 08:41 PM. Reason: Clarification

May 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM	#5
Pete Crawford New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Collierville, Tn. Posts: 24	Night Football Video Awesome input! Is there any other camera that is recommended? Thanks

May 18th, 2009, 08:47 PM	#6
Pete Crawford New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Collierville, Tn. Posts: 24	Night Football Video Aaron, thanks for the video samples. I think our lighting is less than what you have. Pete By the way, awesome videos!

May 18th, 2009, 08:17 PM	#2
Don Xaliman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 96	If the players can see the ball then the XH-A1 will see it a bit brighter, even at full frame rate. The XL-2 will have lighting problems first.

May 19th, 2009, 06:24 AM	#7
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	+1 for the A1s. I shoot motor racing under lights nowhere near as good as lights at the average high school football stadium and I get good stuff. I'm at the low end of the usable light at +6dB of gain, but it works. That doesn't, however, stop my from pushing the track to upgrade their lighting. There are other cameras with better low light capabilities, but I don't think they're HD nor are they in the A1s's price range. If you can go for a bigger spend, there are other options.

May 19th, 2009, 11:56 AM	#8
Pete Crawford New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Collierville, Tn. Posts: 24	Night Football Video Thanks....You've all answered my question. Thank you