Chances are, you bought your DSLR for its incredible image quality. But did you know that modern DSLRs are more than capable of filming cinema-like footage? When you're ready to make your directorial debut, check out our guide to shooting video with a DSLR for beginners.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Before you press record, adjust your camera settings for video. The key DSLR video settings to consider are:
- Frame rate: This refers to frames per second (fps) and is a personal preference. For a video that reflects real life, go for 30fps. For a cinematic finish, try 24fps. For slow-motion, choose a higher frame rate such as 60fps — you can slow down the footage during editing.
- Aspect ratio: Select an aspect ratio that can be maintained during the output stage to avoid cropping out essential subjects while filming.
- Resolution: Most new cameras can record 4K video. But while you can record in 4K, that doesn't always mean you should. Many cameras can't produce their highest resolution at a high frame rate, so if you're hoping to film slow-motion footage, you'll need to decide what matters most to you.
Tweak the Exposure
In photography, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed make up the exposure triangle. They control how your footage turns out, but many people overlook these settings when filming. You can adjust all three to produce darker or brighter footage:
- ISO: This refers to your camera's sensitivity to light. A higher ISO suits indoor and low-light settings, but can result in image noise. Start with a low to moderate ISO and raise it as needed. If you're new to this, leave ISO on auto and manually adjust shutter speed and aperture.
- Aperture: This describes the size of the lens opening. A small aperture (e.g. f/16) shuts out some light but brings more of your shot into focus. A larger aperture (e.g. f/1.8) lets in more light and creates a shallow depth of field. Adjust to suit the scene in front of you.
- Shutter speed: This is the length of time your lens is open during exposure. When possible, double your frame rate to find your shutter speed — e.g. shooting at 30fps, set shutter speed to 1/60s; at 60fps, set it to 1/120s for smooth footage.
Change the Lenses
With a DSLR, you can switch out lenses as needed. It's worth investing in a few prime lenses for a range of focal lengths. We suggest using a wide-angle lens for landscapes and scenery, a standard-length lens for people and general filming, and a telephoto lens for wildlife and distant subjects.
If a prime lens doesn't fit your budget or skill level, a zoom lens is a versatile and easy alternative. Just don't zoom in and out while recording — it can be jarring and distracting. If you need a closer shot, change your position instead.
Pro Tip: Some modern camera lenses have built-in focus motors that are more suitable for filming. Look for this feature while shopping for lenses.
Control the Focus
In recent years, DSLR lenses have been designed with video in mind. That said, you might run into issues when your lens re-focuses mid-scene. Lenses can also be noisy when shifting focus.
Autofocus is great for fast-moving subjects, but for everything else, turn it off and manually focus your lens. This prevents automatic adjustments while you're rolling and encourages you to experiment with focus techniques for dramatic effect.
If you have a modern DSLR with a rotating touchscreen LCD, play around with touch autofocus and see how it works in real time.
Tune In to Audio Quality
Your DSLR will have a built-in mic, but those work best in quiet environments with close subjects and don't suppress background noise well. If you have an external mic output on your camera, take advantage of it — it's amazing how much of a difference it can make to your final footage.
Go for a simple hot-shoe mounted microphone, such as the Rode VideoMic Go. With this attached to your camera, you'll have a much better chance of capturing clear, crisp audio.
Use a Tripod
DSLR cameras are lighter than most video cameras, which can make them tricky to stabilise. For professional footage, put your camera on a tripod. A tripod will steady your camera, eliminate bumps and shakes, and help you with slow, controlled panning or following a subject.
To take your films to the next level, choose a tripod with a video head or pan-and-tilt head. You'll be blown away by the cinematic results!
Get Expert Advice on Filming With Your DSLR
Before you hit record, chat to the team at Ted's Cameras. We can help you choose a DSLR and any accessories you might need to produce top-notch videos.
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