1st dances

David Barnett · December 6th, 2014, 09:42 AM

I have a Sony zoom handle tripod with LANC controller & can stand far back to the edge of the floor, yet zoom in & out as the dance goes on. Works really well imho for a single shooter. I usually time it wide, zoom, wide, zoom, wide slowly zooming when I am doing so.

Sony VCT-1170RM Tripod with Two-Way Head and Remote VCT1170RM

Clive McLaughlin · December 6th, 2014, 04:52 PM

Bit late to the discussion - but here's my set up.

Two full dancefloor autofocus cams on light stands from two different angles. I normally like to get one from high behind the band just for something different.

Then whilst these two are unmanned, I hover with my Sony A7S on my 'steadycam'. I step in and do a few loops of the B&G.

I don't do too much because I don't like to annoy the photographers (it's a tricky time for them too).

So the edit is 75% switching between the two wides, and dropping in my steadycam 360s as I did them.

Of course - a few times I've failed to hit record! Had to complete the edit with wide shots of me on the dancefloor circling the B&G whilst not recording! So annoyed with myself when I realised!

Jeff Cook · December 6th, 2014, 05:24 PM

Hi Clive, It happens to the best of us. I remember about 3 weeks ago I was shooting the 1st dance with a great shot. I always look for my flashing record light on my 70d to insure I am recording. To my surprise I wasn't. It was at that time I sighed and said...this is why I have to constantly check I am recording.

Peter Rush · December 7th, 2014, 03:51 AM

For you guys using steadicams - what lenses are you using - on my A7s I use a Samyang 14mm but usually have it wide open at f2.8 - the focus drifts a little as, when I circle the couple keeping a consistent distance is a little tricky but at that wide angle it's barely noticeable - just me!

December 6th, 2014, 09:42 AM	#16
David Barnett Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 951	Re: 1st dances I have a Sony zoom handle tripod with LANC controller & can stand far back to the edge of the floor, yet zoom in & out as the dance goes on. Works really well imho for a single shooter. I usually time it wide, zoom, wide, zoom, wide slowly zooming when I am doing so. Sony VCT-1170RM Tripod with Two-Way Head and Remote VCT1170RM

December 6th, 2014, 04:52 PM	#17
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Re: 1st dances Bit late to the discussion - but here's my set up. Two full dancefloor autofocus cams on light stands from two different angles. I normally like to get one from high behind the band just for something different. Then whilst these two are unmanned, I hover with my Sony A7S on my 'steadycam'. I step in and do a few loops of the B&G. I don't do too much because I don't like to annoy the photographers (it's a tricky time for them too). So the edit is 75% switching between the two wides, and dropping in my steadycam 360s as I did them. Of course - a few times I've failed to hit record! Had to complete the edit with wide shots of me on the dancefloor circling the B&G whilst not recording! So annoyed with myself when I realised!

December 6th, 2014, 05:24 PM	#18
Jeff Cook Major Player Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 214	Re: 1st dances Hi Clive, It happens to the best of us. I remember about 3 weeks ago I was shooting the 1st dance with a great shot. I always look for my flashing record light on my 70d to insure I am recording. To my surprise I wasn't. It was at that time I sighed and said...this is why I have to constantly check I am recording.

December 7th, 2014, 03:51 AM	#19
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: 1st dances For you guys using steadicams - what lenses are you using - on my A7s I use a Samyang 14mm but usually have it wide open at f2.8 - the focus drifts a little as, when I circle the couple keeping a consistent distance is a little tricky but at that wide angle it's barely noticeable - just me!