How does a pro set up his/her cam? at DVinfo.net

Ron Little · May 11th, 2003, 11:29 AM

What I would like to know is when you go to a location to shoot what are the steps you go thru to set up your cam.

What is the first thing you do right on down the list.

What conditions cause you to make certain decisions about your setup.

I think this would help a lot of people learn about their cams especially me.

Thanks

Chris Hurd · May 11th, 2003, 11:47 AM

One of the first things I do, after making contact with whoever is running the place, is to evaluate the best location for the tripod and find the nearest, safest way to run AC power to the camera, even though I try to stay on batteries all the time.

K. Forman · May 11th, 2003, 02:00 PM

I do the same as Chris, meet with owner/mgr, find the best place to set up- A/C power is usually not used. If so, run cords and tape them down.

Put a battery and tape in, and check the cam, check cam view, adjust settings. Put extra batteries and tapes in my oversized pockets, just so that I won't have to dig and search through my bag in a hurry. Put lens cap in shirt pocket and shoot.

Boyd Ostroff · May 11th, 2003, 04:04 PM

In addition to all these things, I carefully clean any dust or smudges off my filter (if used) and especially the wide adaptor lens. This is really important if I'm working outdoors (or if I was outdoors the last time the camera was used). I've found that a little mark on these can really mess up a nice shot sometimes, most notably if the camera is pointed towards the sun or other bright light source.

I've also learned to double check whether settings like white balance, steadyshot or custom preset have been left on or off from the last time I used the camera. I messed up what could have been good tripod-mounted shots by forgetting to turn off image stabilization.

May 11th, 2003, 11:29 AM	#1
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	How doses a pro set up his/her cam? What I would like to know is when you go to a location to shoot what are the steps you go thru to set up your cam. What is the first thing you do right on down the list. What conditions cause you to make certain decisions about your setup. I think this would help a lot of people learn about their cams especially me. Thanks

May 11th, 2003, 11:47 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	One of the first things I do, after making contact with whoever is running the place, is to evaluate the best location for the tripod and find the nearest, safest way to run AC power to the camera, even though I try to stay on batteries all the time. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 11th, 2003, 02:00 PM	#3
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I do the same as Chris, meet with owner/mgr, find the best place to set up- A/C power is usually not used. If so, run cords and tape them down. Put a battery and tape in, and check the cam, check cam view, adjust settings. Put extra batteries and tapes in my oversized pockets, just so that I won't have to dig and search through my bag in a hurry. Put lens cap in shirt pocket and shoot.

May 11th, 2003, 04:04 PM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	In addition to all these things, I carefully clean any dust or smudges off my filter (if used) and especially the wide adaptor lens. This is really important if I'm working outdoors (or if I was outdoors the last time the camera was used). I've found that a little mark on these can really mess up a nice shot sometimes, most notably if the camera is pointed towards the sun or other bright light source. I've also learned to double check whether settings like white balance, steadyshot or custom preset have been left on or off from the last time I used the camera. I messed up what could have been good tripod-mounted shots by forgetting to turn off image stabilization.