2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? at DVinfo.net

David Chien · February 3rd, 2014, 01:28 PM

http://emilycebula.files.wordpress.c...3-july-152.jpg
f/2.8 1/5th 400 iso

Not talking about the people up on the stage - are there any camcorders / DSLRs made today that can capture the audience nicely without adding extra lighting? Would want something that'll allow at least the usual 1/48 to 1/60th shutter during videography.

(Otherwise, what other non-intrusive ways to light a few without blinding them and the others next to them? - Floating China lantern?)

Thanks!

Steve Bleasdale · February 3rd, 2014, 02:05 PM

Canon 6d with a 50mm 1.4 lens or 1.2. Canon 5d iii same lens or if you had a 2.8 lens work at 6400 iso. No camcorder comes to mind to capture low light like that, got the money then a c100 canon.

Dave Partington · February 3rd, 2014, 02:09 PM

C100 / C300 can do it with the extended ISO ranges but it's not going to be noise free. I've done test shots on the C100 at ISO 80,000 and f1.4 in almost total darkness (lit only be a small TV 20 feet away) with the latest firmware and with a kiss from Neat Video I've been pretty amazed at how light the results were, but honestly, it's not something I'd advertise as a feature.

Regular camcorders? Not that I know of. There's just nothing out there.

Also, it would be good to clarify if you're looking for the backs of the audience (and zero light) or you're looking for the front of the audience, which would have some light from the stage (and be much easier to shoot).

David Chien · February 3rd, 2014, 05:49 PM

General audience coverage from all angles - mostly likely lots from front and sides, some from behind. Can't depend on the screen since the video will vary. Didn't want to do that annoying deer-in-headlights thing with on-board video lights...

Will look into the full frames... xks!

Taky Cheung · February 3rd, 2014, 06:09 PM

This is 6D shooting at ISO 12800

Clive McLaughlin · February 5th, 2014, 08:43 AM

What aperture Taky? It still doesn't blow my mind (and I'm a 6D owner). This can't be 1.4/1.8 I'm assuming?

Taky Cheung · February 5th, 2014, 10:43 AM

It was the stock lens 24-105mm F4L.

Do you own other DSLR other than the 6D? If so, you can see how the result is for using ISO over, say like 800 for T3i and over 2400 of 5D2.

Colin Rowe · February 5th, 2014, 10:49 AM

You will never make a lot of that (OP example), regardless of camera or lens, black is black. Short of using lights, a camera in front of the audience, using the lights of the stage may give you something useable

Taky Cheung · February 5th, 2014, 11:14 AM

I have no idea what you are talking about.

February 3rd, 2014, 01:28 PM	#1
David Chien Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LA, CA Posts: 43	2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? http://emilycebula.files.wordpress.c...3-july-152.jpg f/2.8 1/5th 400 iso Not talking about the people up on the stage - are there any camcorders / DSLRs made today that can capture the audience nicely without adding extra lighting? Would want something that'll allow at least the usual 1/48 to 1/60th shutter during videography. (Otherwise, what other non-intrusive ways to light a few without blinding them and the others next to them? - Floating China lantern?) Thanks!

February 3rd, 2014, 02:05 PM	#2
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? Canon 6d with a 50mm 1.4 lens or 1.2. Canon 5d iii same lens or if you had a 2.8 lens work at 6400 iso. No camcorder comes to mind to capture low light like that, got the money then a c100 canon.

February 3rd, 2014, 02:09 PM	#3
Dave Partington Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, England Posts: 1,323	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? C100 / C300 can do it with the extended ISO ranges but it's not going to be noise free. I've done test shots on the C100 at ISO 80,000 and f1.4 in almost total darkness (lit only be a small TV 20 feet away) with the latest firmware and with a kiss from Neat Video I've been pretty amazed at how light the results were, but honestly, it's not something I'd advertise as a feature. Regular camcorders? Not that I know of. There's just nothing out there. Also, it would be good to clarify if you're looking for the backs of the audience (and zero light) or you're looking for the front of the audience, which would have some light from the stage (and be much easier to shoot). __________________ Qualified UAV Pilot with CAA PFAW Aerial Photo / Aerial Video \| Corporate Video Production

February 3rd, 2014, 05:49 PM	#4
David Chien Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LA, CA Posts: 43	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? General audience coverage from all angles - mostly likely lots from front and sides, some from behind. Can't depend on the screen since the video will vary. Didn't want to do that annoying deer-in-headlights thing with on-board video lights... Will look into the full frames... xks!

February 3rd, 2014, 06:09 PM	#5
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? This is 6D shooting at ISO 12800 Canon 6D Low Light at ISO 12800 on Vimeo __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

February 5th, 2014, 08:43 AM	#6
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? What aperture Taky? It still doesn't blow my mind (and I'm a 6D owner). This can't be 1.4/1.8 I'm assuming?

February 5th, 2014, 10:43 AM	#7
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? It was the stock lens 24-105mm F4L. Do you own other DSLR other than the 6D? If so, you can see how the result is for using ISO over, say like 800 for T3i and over 2400 of 5D2. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

February 5th, 2014, 10:49 AM	#8
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? You will never make a lot of that (OP example), regardless of camera or lens, black is black. Short of using lights, a camera in front of the audience, using the lights of the stage may give you something useable __________________ Colin Last edited by Colin Rowe; February 5th, 2014 at 01:05 PM.

February 5th, 2014, 11:14 AM	#9
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Re: 2014/02 - Can any camcorder/DSLR capture the audience in this dark light? I have no idea what you are talking about. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator