Last updated: June 2026
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, here’s our beginner’s guide to shooting video with a DSLR.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Before you press record, adjust your camera settings for video. The key settings to consider are:
- Frame rate: This refers to frames per second (fps) and is largely a personal preference. For footage 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 the footage down in editing.
- Aspect ratio: Select an aspect ratio that can be maintained through to the output stage to avoid cropping out essential subjects.
- Resolution: Most modern DSLRs can record 4K video, but that doesn’t always mean you should. Many cameras can’t produce their highest resolution at a high frame rate simultaneously, so if slow-motion is a priority, you’ll need to decide what matters most.
Tweak the Exposure
ISO, aperture, and shutter speed make up the exposure triangle. They control how your footage looks, but many beginners overlook these settings when filming. Here’s how each one works:
- ISO: Controls your camera’s sensitivity to light. A higher ISO suits low-light settings but can introduce image noise. Start low and raise as needed. If you’re new to manual exposure, leave ISO on auto and adjust shutter speed and aperture manually first.
- Aperture: Controls the size of the lens opening. A small aperture (e.g. f/16) brings more of the scene into focus but lets in less light. A larger aperture (e.g. f/1.8) creates a shallow depth of field and lets in more light. Adjust to suit the scene.
- Shutter speed: The length of time your shutter is open during each frame. A useful rule of thumb: double your frame rate to find your shutter speed — e.g. at 30fps, set shutter speed to 1/60s; at 60fps, set it to 1/120s for smooth, natural-looking motion.
Change the Lenses
One of the great advantages of a DSLR is the ability to swap lenses. It’s worth building a small kit of prime lenses across different focal lengths — a wide-angle for landscapes and scenery, a standard lens for people and general filming, and a telephoto for wildlife and distant subjects.
If prime lenses don’t fit your budget or workflow, a zoom lens is a versatile alternative. Just avoid zooming in and out while recording — it looks jarring on screen. If you need a closer shot, move your position instead.
Pro tip: Some lenses include built-in focus motors optimised for video, with quieter, smoother operation. Look for this when shopping for lenses.
Control the Focus
Autofocus is useful for fast-moving subjects, but for most video work, manual focus gives you more control and prevents the lens from hunting or re-focusing mid-scene. Switching to manual also encourages you to experiment with focus pulls for dramatic effect.
If your DSLR has a touchscreen LCD, try touch autofocus — it lets you shift focus between subjects smoothly and intuitively while recording.
Tune In to Audio Quality
Your DSLR’s built-in microphone will get the job done in quiet environments, but it won’t suppress background noise well and will pick up handling sounds from the camera body. If your camera has an external mic input, use it — the improvement in audio quality is immediately noticeable.
A hot-shoe mounted directional microphone is the simplest upgrade. The Rode VideoMic Go II is a compact, lightweight option that delivers clear, crisp audio and mounts directly to your camera’s hot shoe.
Use a Tripod
DSLRs are lighter than dedicated video cameras, which can make them harder to stabilise handheld. For professional-looking footage, mount your camera on a tripod. It eliminates bumps and shakes and allows for slow, controlled panning or tracking shots.
For the best results, look for a tripod with a fluid video head or pan-and-tilt head — the difference in smoothness compared to a standard ball head is significant. Browse our tripod range.
Get Expert Advice on Filming With Your DSLR
Before you hit record, the team at Ted’s Cameras is here to help. We can help you choose the right DSLR and any accessories you need to produce great video.