Campbell Cameras IN FOCUS blog

Bringing Handheld Recorders Into The Field

2012-01-27T09:54:00.000-06:00

Handheld Recorders In The Field

We at Campbell Cameras understand how the money that you invest in good video equipment can rack up real fast. If you are looking to mic up the cameraman and the hunter that will require dual channel wireless microphones that start around $700. Not to mention that if you have wireless microphones hooked to your camcorder, it will turn off the on-board microphone (except the Canon XHA1-s), that means you will have to buy a shotgun microphone to pick up the ambient noise. We have come up with a cost-effective audio solutions for those who are looking to mic up more hunters, spot & stalk hunters, waterfowl hunters, and any other situations that separate the cameraman and hunter. The solution is Professional Quality Handheld Audio Recorders starting at $86.

So how do you transform these handheld audio recorders into something that you can use? The Gorillapod.

Gorillapod Original with the Tascam DR-05

The Gorillapod has flexible, wrappable legs allow you to secure your portable handheld recorder, compact digital camera or mini video camera to virtually any surface.

Tascam DR-05 2 Channel Price: $99.00

TASCAM’s DR-05 brings high-quality stereo recording to an easy-to-use portable powerhouse with a size and price that anyone can handle. The DR-05 records in MP3 or WAV format – including 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio – to microSD or microSDHC media. A pair of all-new microphones handles up to 125dB SPL with the sensitivity to capture every detail. With new recording features like Peak Reduction and Quick Menu, the DR-05 puts film-quality recording in the palm of your hand.

What You can do with the Tascam DR-05:
• Attach it to a Gorillapod and use it as a mini tripod or wrap it around a tree limb to capture audio.
• Attach it to the shoe of your video camera or DSLR
• Add another microphone via the mini plug port. This includes adding a wireless microphone.
Example: Hunter and Cameraman are in different tree stands. You can capture the audio from the video camera and cameraman via the camcorder's microphone. Set the Tascam DR-05 on a Gorillapod around a tree limb, add the external wireless microphone and you can capture the audio of the hunter without being connected to the cameraman.

Tascam DR-07MKII 2-Channel Price $149.00

TASCAM’s DR-07mkII improves on one of the best-selling portable recorders ever with adjustable microphones, clear sound quality and a great new design. The stereo recorder features a pair of adjustable condenser microphones. The built-in cardioid pattern mics can be moved from an XY position, for tight imaging, to an AB position, for a wider ambient sound. Choose the best sound depending on the source and environment.
What you can do with the Tascam DR-07MKII:

• Attach it to a Gorillapod and use it as a mini tripod or wrap it around a tree limb to capture audio.

• Attach it to the shoe of your video camera or DSLR

• Add another microphone via the mini plug port. This includes adding a wireless microphone.

• Adjust the microphone to a XY position for tight audio recording or to a AB position for a wider ambient sound.

Tascam DR-40 4-Track Price: $199.99
The adjustable mics, four-track recording and extended battery life of the TASCAM DR-40 give you the flexibility you need to record tracks anywhere.
The DR-40 captures up to four tracks from built-in, high-quality condenser microphones, XLR mic or line inputs. The internal mics are adjustable from XY to AB position, helping you to tailor your recording to the sound of the room. A pair of great-sounding TASCAM microphone preamps welcome condenser microphones with phantom power, recording at up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution. It accommodates balanced XLR or 1/4" line inputs using locking Neutrik Combo jacks. The DR-40 accepts SD or SDHC cards up to 32GB, and a 2GB card is included.
Once recorded, play back your takes with EQ and the optional Level Align feature to avoid volume jumps. A stereo reverb effect is also built-in, as well as a speaker and chromatic tuner. Transfer recordings to computer using the USB 2.0 jack. Other features include overdub mode, variable speed playback, limiting and low cut filter, and much more – all with TASCAM’s simple-to-use interface. No other recorder makes home or live recording as simple as the TASCAM DR-40.

What you can do with the Tascam DR-40:

• Attach it to a Gorillapod and use it as a mini tripod or wrap it around a tree limb to capture audio.

• Attach it to the shoe of your video camera or DSLR

• Add 2 microphones via the (2) XLR ports or mini plug port. This includes adding a wireless microphone.

• Adjust the microphone to a XY position for tight audio recording or to a AB position for a wider ambient sound.

• You can add the optional wired remote (Tascam RC-10) so that you can stop/start record and mark your audio recordings.

Tascam DR-100MKII 2 Channel Linear Price: $329.99

The rugged TASCAM DR-100mkII offers high-end recording features to outdoor videographers who demand more from their portable recorder. It features four built-in microphones, two cardioid and two omnidirectional, for great sounding recordings. A pair of XLR microphone inputs with phantom power welcomes pro-grade condenser microphones, and line in and out connectors are also provided. The markII version adds balanced line ins, S/PDIF digital inputs, locking connectors and more.

What you can do with the Tascam DR-100MKII:

• Attach it to a Gorillapod and use it as a mini tripod or wrap it around a tree limb to capture audio.

• Attach it to the shoe of your video camera or DSLR

• Add 2 microphones via the (2) XLR ports or mini plug port. This includes adding a wireless microphone.

• You can add the optional wired remote (Tascam RC-10) so that you can stop/start record and mark your audio recordings.

Video School Graduate's Work

2012-01-27T08:46:00.000-06:00

We would just like to share a video put together by one of our camera school students just this past year. Mike (Shotgun) Mike Stephan , both the video work and the edit are that of a professional! Congrats to you on a job well done!!

Kansas from Mike Stephan on Vimeo.

Outdoor Videography School
Price: $1,295.00

Have you ever dreamed of having your own Hunting show or filming your own hunts?

Campbell Cameras has teamed up with Award Winning DrivenTV Producer Pat Reeve to bring to you one of the most informative and hands on training courses for outdoor videographers ever. This fast-passed hands-on training will give you the skills and the knowledge to bring you one-step closer to your dream.

This three day course starts off going over the camera terminology and basic functions of the camera. You will learn about the importance of a good audio set up and the different tricks to create different lighting effects.

Then you'll head outdoors to stations set up based on different outdoor filming situations.

Tree Stand Filming: Learn about the different filming equipment needed in this situation, different camera set ups for self-filming or two-person filming in a tree, different angles for point-of-view filming and the process of filming a whitetail hunt from a tree.

Ground Blind Filming: Learn about the different filming equipment needed in this situation, camera set ups for filming inside of a blind, learn how to film in tight situations, different camera set ups for self-filming or two-person filming in a blind, different angles for point-of-view filming, special wide angle lenses to capture all the action inside the blind, and the process of filming a ground blind hunt.

Spot and Stalk Filming: Learn about the different filming equipment needed in this situation, learn how the hunter and videographer can communicate away from each other, learn how to film at different angles, how to use point-of-view cameras in this situation and the process of filming a spot and stalk hunt. You will also learn how to film the tracking and recovery process and re-creates.

Filming for Fishing: Learn about the special filming equipment made to create a production studio on a boat, learn how you can capture underwater action and views from above, learn how to protect your camera in the water environment and the process of filming your fishing adventures.

Filming Waterfowl Hunts: Learn how to use the filming equipment to capture every angle of your waterfowl hunt, learn how the hunter and videographer communicates on a waterfowl hunt, learn about special video equipment to capture your bird dog's point-of-view and learn the process of filming a waterfowl hunt.

Once you visit each station your have hands-on time with the different cameras practicing the techniques that you learned earlier that day.

You'll then head back to the classroom for lesson on basic video editing. You'll learn how to import your video from your camera and edit/cut video clips. You will also learn how to add music, sound effects and transitions to your movie. Then you will learn how to export your video to the web or burn it to a dvd.

After your editing class you will have hands-on time with the video cameras to practice different techniques that you have learned throughout the day. Of course, the staff will be there to answer any questions you have or to go over different techniques again.

The entire second day is all taught by Pat Reeve from DrivenTV. He walks you through his personal story on how he got to be the award-winning producer that he is now. He reveals tips and lessons that have taken him years to learn. He will walk you through video clips and explain exactly the process he used to film. (*Pat Reeve's class will be on the first day of the March school, and the second day of the August school)

On the third day, the Campbell Cameras staff will walk you through basic production elements needed for a successfully filmed hunt. They will talk about creating yourself as a character, developing story lines and filming recreates. They will have in-depth video analysis of top hunting shows as well as top tv shows in other genres.

Any time that there is a break during the day, the students are more than welcome to get their hands on the different cameras and practice, practice, PRACTICE!

This is a basic videography class, if you feel like you are more advance or if you have previously taken this course than we suggest looking into the producer class or editing class.

This class is open to anyone of any age, experience level or those with/without video equipment.

The classes are held at the Campbell Outdoor Challenge/Campbell Cameras facilities. The price includes Lodging and all Meals. If you choose to fly, transportation to and from the airport is not included. The local airport is Evansville, IN (45 min away) and the large airports close by are St Louis, Nashville, or Louisville.

Click here to view feedback from the 2011 school.

Show Openers- How To Hook the Viewer

2012-01-26T07:36:00.000-06:00

Show Openers - How To Hook The Viewer

Congratulations to DrivenTV's Pat Reeve and Nicole Jones for winning the 2012 Golden Moose for "Best Show Opener"

What make's their show opener a winner?
• Subject
• Shots and camera angles
• Editing
• Voice Over
• B-Roll Footage
• Music
• Speed

Subject- Make sure your opener contains subject matter that is going to instantly resinate with your audience. For example, DrivenTV chose to use the "kill shots" that will be seen throughout the season. This not only instantly draws the audience in but it also keeps them watching every episode to see that kill. Tip: Go back and watch the opener again and count how many of these "kill shots" that are there.

Shots and camera angles- Pat is a pro at capturing all angels of the action. This is done through having multiple cameras. Don't feel like you have to have 5 professional cameras to get these different angels; POV cameras are lightweight and capture HD footage and are a cost-effective way of adding more camera angels. Think creatively with this, imagine what the scene would look like if it was from above, imagine if you were hiding in the grass. Go high, low, tilt, behind, in front, with your camera. If you don't have the budget for multiple cameras, do recreates.
Example: You want to have your camera on the animal to get the kill shot, after that shot you go back and do recreates.
Recreate 1:If you are bowhunting, you want to get that video of the hunter pulling back the bow and releasing. (Hunter in Full Frame)
Recreate 2: Close up shot of the hand pulling back (Close up video on the hand)
Recreate 3: Post-shot Excitement (sometimes this can be hard to fake the real emotion, still take multiple cuts of this, you can always delete it later)
Tip to think creatively on different angles: Take a chair, or another object and set it in front of you. Look at this list of prepositions. Now apply those words to the chair as if you were filming it. Example: Different perspectives that you can get from one chair- the chair from above, film the chair across from it, circle the chair and film around it, film the chair from below it, film the chair from behind it, sit in the chair and get the perspective from among it, film the chair "despite it" by making the chair blurry and the background in focus, you get the point. Take a look at our Production Elements Blog for more information on different camera angles.

B-Roll Footage- B-Roll footage is extra footage that you film of random things around you that you can give to your editor so that he can use in post-production to help tell the story and help move the story along. Examples from the clip above: Time lapses, lightning, shots of animals that aren't the "kill shots", etc. Time lapses are great b-roll footage because they help convey the sense of time moving. You can film time lapses anytime and your editor can plug them in anywhere throughout the season. The viewer won't know that that sunrise or sunset didn't happen right after the clip before. Here is a great example of some B-Roll footage from one of our Video School Graduates. He created a short film, but he can go back and use some of these clips in his hunting videos as b-roll footage.

Kansas from Mike Stephan on Vimeo.

Voice Over- Voice overs are an important part of your show opener because it is the one chance you have to tell a new viewer what your show is all above. Pat and Nicole chose to explain why they are "Driven". If you decide to use a voice over in your opener, you need to make it dramatic, compelling, and intense. Watch the first 45 seconds or so of this episode of Swamp People to see how they used a dramatic voice over in their opener. http://www.history.com/shows/swamp-people/videos/swamp-people-the-last-battle
However, sometimes no voice over is needed at all, the music is dramatic enough, like the 2011 Golden Moose Award Winner for best Show Opener- DrivenTV

Music- Music is what will make your video clips and b-roll footage flow together. Go Back and play this DrivenTV Opener and close your eyes while you watch it and just listen to the music. Think about how the music changes how you feel and what you are thinking. The music should be captivating all by its self, especially if you do not use voice over. If the tv viewer was in the other room, the music from a show opener should draw them in without ever watching a second of video. To become good at choosing the right music to go with your clips you need to become more aware of the influence of music in video. Next time you are watching a TV program or a Movie just close your eyes for a few seconds and just listen or really start focusing how editors use music to convey an emotion. Explore video sites such as VIMEO to see examples of music integration into other people's work. It is important that you NEVER use copyrighted music for your video as you can get in a lot of financial trouble for this. You MUST read the agreement before you use so call "free" music because it will say that it is illegal to use if published, even to a site like youtube or Facebook. By a subscription to stock music for 100% security.

Speed- A key thing to remember is you want your music to match your video clips. Notice in the DrivenTV 2012 opener and when the music starts to move faster so does the clips, also the music gets louder as the clips get faster as well. Some editors prefer to find the music first and then edit the clips accordingly, others the other way around. There is no one set answer or one set way to do things.

Editing- The editing part is crucial. You can have the best clips in the world, but if you do not put them together correctly, it can loose its effect. A good rule to follow is take your "subject" clips and throw in some clips that don't really have anything to do with anything but help make the video flow- or B Roll Clips (time lapse, walking in the snow, etc.). To learn how to edit your hunts, I would recommend attending the Adobe Premiere Editing Class at Campbell Cameras Outdoor Videography School. Tip: Start watching your favorite TV Programs (inside and outside of the outdoor industry) and really pay attention to the different editing techniques that those shows are doing, transitions, graphics, titles, b-roll footage, voice overs, etc., to get ideas to incorporate into your show.

Don't try and create a show opener just like DrivenTvs or other shows out there, but use things you see, hear, and learn by watching different openers and transform it to make it your own! Good Luck and we would love to have you comment below with links to your show openers or if you have any question feel free to comment and we will answer them.

Tips on Editing with Adobe Premiere

2012-01-25T12:25:00.000-06:00

Tips on Editing with Adobe Premiere

Check out some of the videos with some tips for editing with Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere CS5.5 & FCP 7 - Intro & Roundtrip from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

Here is an in-depth video on editing

Detailed Adobe Premiere & Dynamic Linking Workflow from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5- Complete Pacakge for Windows or Mac

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 for Mac is professional nonlinear editing software that allows editors to work directly on the timeline with every major tapeless camera format, including P2, XDCAM EX/HD/HD50, JVC ProHD, AVCHD, AVCCAM, DPX, RED R3D, Canon XF, and Nikon and Canon DSLR. Support for these formats is native, so no transcoding or re-wrapping is required.

You can also import and export most other popular video, graphics, and audio file formats, such as FLV, F4V, MPEG-2, QuickTime, Windows Media, AVI, BWF, AIFF, JPEG, PNG, PSD, TIFF, and more. (DV and HDV capture via FireWire is, of course, still supported as well.) The powerful software allows you to mix these supported formats on a single timeline, with high-quality scaling and flexible interpretation rules that engender exceptional output from mixed-format footage.

To support flexible, fast, and powerful creative editing, Premiere Pro CS5.5 features the 64-bit Mercury Playback Engine, which delivers astounding software performance with or without GPU acceleration from your graphics card. For this version, CS5.5 offers additional GPU-accelerated filters and effects. Tight integration with other Adobe Creative Suite programs has long been a hallmark of Premiere, and for version CS5.5, Adobe adds round-tripping of projects with Audition CS5.5 for fast, flexible audio editing.

From more information and to learn editing techniques specific to the outdoor industry attend the July 25-27, 2012 Adobe Premiere Editing Class at the Campbell Cameras Outdoor Videography School.

Adobe Premiere Editing Class
This three-day, hands-on course teaches students hard-to-find editing and finishing techniques with an emphasis on outdoor production. Learn how to create polished transitions, edit multi-camera projects, creating a storyline, and learn how to composite like a pro. We also cover workflows for managing music and working with different video files.

On the first day of class, you will get to know Adobe Premiere basic functions including the layout of the software, importing files, and how to manage those files. You will learn the importance and creative process of building a storyboard. You will dive into the editing of different video clips and the timeline. Primary and secondary angles of a Turkey Hunt along with some B-Roll footage will be given to you for you to create and edit a basic story.

The second day of the editing class is all about fine tuning an edit. You will be given primary and secondary angles of an Antelope Hunt with interview clips and b-roll footage to build another basic story. The instructors will walk you through when to use and not to use transitions, sound effects, music, color correction, lower thirds, J cuts and L cuts. Close to the end of the day you will be preparing and starting the final edit of a Whitetail hunt with primary, secondary angles, interviews, and B-roll footage.

On the third day, you will learn about exporting formats and using Encore to burn a DVD. You will add the final touches to your edits before the class critique. There will be a class critique of all final edits in which you have the opportunity to see how others cut the same footage differently. After all the critiques and instructor tips are complete, a certificate presentation will follow.

- All computers brought by students must have a 7200 rpm hard drive! This is very important. Editing video won't work on a 5600 rpm drive. Its just too slow.

- Everyone needs to bring a pair of headphones.

- Even if using a laptop, we recommend everyone has a mouse.

- The class will be taught using Adobe Premiere CS 5.5 for Windows or Mac however there are several versions of Premiere that will be allowed if you have already purchased the software. You must come prepared with it pre installed on your computer. Call for details

When: July 25-27, 2012
Where: Carmi, IL
Price: $2,000/Person*
*Price includes lodging and food.
Taught by: Aaron Coston, Editor of the Campbell Outdoor Challenge

Neutral Density Filters

2012-01-22T01:43:00.000-06:00

ND Filters

In this video you will learn that on sunny days, outdoor videographers use ND filters on their cameras to be able to keep the same shutter speed and cinematography look to their film.

Shutter Speed Difference DSLR Video from Olivia Speranza on Vimeo.

DSLR’s are hugely popular these days. A contributing factor of that is their ability to give you a very shallow depth of field. A lot of shooters love achieving film like videos that speak to us artistically and visually. When shooting with DSLRs, the basic rule of thumb to achieving a film like look to your videos is setting your shutter speed to about twice the value of your frame rate. If you’re shooting 24p then you’ll have your shutter around 1/50th. If you’re shooting at 60p, then your shutter will be around 1/120th.
Your shutter speed plays the key role in achieving this look and will make or break the simulation of film like quality. A slowed shutter speed is desired but in daylight this will overexpose your shots when your aperture is wide open. Since keeping a shallow depth of field means that you will need to stop down to a wide aperture, attaching an neutral density (ND) filter onto your lens will cut out the amount of light coming in and allow you to keep your aperture wide open. If you adjust the aperture to accommodate the slowed shutter speed in daylight, you’re going to lose the shallow depth of field which is often associated to the film look. - From Olivia Tech

DIY Arial Video Mods- GoPro

2012-01-20T10:40:00.000-06:00

AR Drone / GoPro DIY Aerial Video Mods - RC Quadcopter from Chad Johnson on Vimeo.

AR Drone GoPro Undermount Kit
$79.00

How to modify a construction work light for video

2012-01-19T08:01:00.000-06:00

How to modify a construction work light for video

Modifiying a construction work light for video purposes. from LoweRuno Productions on Vimeo.

Here I share what I have done to modify some work lights that can be found at the hardware store for use as video lights. Keep in mind these lights become hot so take care where they are placed and keep a fire extinguisher in your equipment box just in case. I have never had a mishap but it is better to be safe then sorry. The good points about these lights are they are cheap and readily available. The cons besides the heat are they draw alot of amps so do not plug them all in one electrical outlet but use outlets on opposite walls to draw from different breaker circuits. This avoids tripping breakers needlessly. I have never had a mishap using these lights nor tripped a breaker and I have been pleased with my results so far. I do plan on purchasing cooler flouresent light banks in the near future, but until I can afford them, this offers a nice temporary solution.

Keep in mind you are using lights designed for one use and applying them to another use completely. You therefore proceed to modify/use them at your own risk and Lowe Runo Productions cannot be held liable in any way.

In addition I have found these lights to be very warm. Around 2300 to 2700 kelvin... So dont try to mix them with daylight or even 3200-3400 K lights unless you are going for a warmer mixed look."- From Lowe Runo Procuctions

Interview Lighting Techniques

2012-01-18T10:53:00.000-06:00

DSLR Lighting Techniques from Eve Hazelton from Realm Pictures on Vimeo.

Some different Lights that can be used for this type of set-up includes:

Bescor LED-95K Kit

Smith-Victor KSB-500 Economy Softbox Light Kit

Joby GorillaTorch Blade

Joby GorillaTorch Flare

Products Every Outdoor Videographer Needs

2012-01-18T09:53:00.000-06:00

Products Every Outdoor Videographer Needs

Here are some products that every outdoor videographer needs, but you might not think of or you might not know they exist.

Beachtek DXA-2T Audio Adapter

The Beachtek DXA-2T is an audio adapter that screws onto the bottom of your handycam and turns your camera's one audio port into two XLR ports. This allows you to run a shotgun microphone and a wireless microphone at the same time, allowing you to get pro-quality audio from your handycam.

Beachtek MultiMount 5D Accessory Bracket

The Beachtek MultiMount 5D Accessory Bracket is essential to the outdoor videographer because it gives you 5 additional shoe mounts than your typical camera. These shoe mounts can be used to mount your shotgun microphone on a shock mount, a handheld audio recorder, a video camera light, wireless microphone, monitor, etc!

Hoodman LCD Hood

Hoodman provides LCD screen hoods in various sizes (2.5-3", 3.5-4", and 4.5"). LCD screen hoods are important for when you are outside filming on a bright day. When filming in sunny conditions, the glare off of the LCD screen will make it hard to view the footage that you are capturing. The Hoodman LCD screen hoods are a simple and cost-effective way to eliminate that problem.

UV Filters

UV Filters are used to protect your lens against UV Rays that over time can damage your lenses. However, the main reason we suggest using UV filters is for protection for your lens against natural elements, such as scratching or cracking of the lens. Depending on the lens filter size of your camera, the prices range from $9.99-$24. This is A LOT CHEAPER to replace than it would be to replace your camcorders lens. They also do not alter the final outcome of your image.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE BLOG WHERE IT WILL LIST THE FILTER SIZE FOR MOST COMMON CAMERAS

Polarizer Filters

Polarizer Filters are important for those outdoor videographers that film on the water, film with snow around or those who are filming the daytime sky. If you're out hunting or fishing on a lovely day – and you want to get a fabulous shot of a cloud-filled sky or make the water seem more saturated, then a polarizer is the way to go. This filter is the best way to make the clouds stand out, increase or decrease the saturation of the ocean or increase or decrease the reflection off the water. You can also use this filter when shooting into glass or windows since it will, again, either increase or decrease reflections.

Remote Controllers

Remote Controllers are important to the outdoor videographer and hunter because it allows you to control basic functions of the camera with little movement and noise, all at the end of your fluid head handle. Your camcorder must have whats called a LANC port to hook up the LANC remotes. Look up your video camera under the specifications tab and see if it has a LANC input. If you are using a small Canon camera that does not have a LANC port but does have a hot shoe you can use the Canon RA-V1 Remote Adapter that slides into your hot shoe and gives you a LANC port. Does your camera have the AV-R Remote Input? No worries, there is an adapter that goes from AV-R to LANC so that you can use the LANC remotes!

Zoom Handheld Audio Recorders

2012-01-17T10:26:00.002-06:00

Zoom Handheld Audio Recorders

A handheld audio field recorder is becoming one of the most commonly used tools in outdoor production, but how it connects to other videoing equipment can be confusing. There are so many different models available with varying capabilities (some have time code, multi-tracking, remote capabilities, etc.) that it can be confusing as to which recorder would best suit your needs. This blog will go over the three available Zoom Handheld Audio Recorders.

Why would I want a handheld recorder?
The primary reason handheld recorders have become so popular is that you can use them just about anywhere to record anything - the hunter/'s voice, interviews, ambient nature sounds,- the list goes on. The first thing you'll notice about all these recorders is how small they are. You can literally hold them in the palm of your hand! They're also really easy to use with a minimum of setup necessary. Just point them at the source, press "record," and go. You can even attach them to a Gorillapod and wrap them around a tree branch.

One thing that surprises many people about the new handheld recorders is their audio quality. They sound amazingly good - much better than you might expect for the price. Part of that sound quality is due to the fact that these recorders have no moving parts to generate noise.

These portable digital audio recorders are compact, record high-quality audio recordings on removable digital media and run off of batteries. You can also connect these handheld recorders to other devices, such as DSLRs, Video cameras, etc. to record audio from an outside source. These Zoom models feature a USB port in order to transfer your recordings directly to your PC or Mac to be integrated into your video production. These can also be used as voice over microphones when connected to your computer. These models allow you to select the quality of file you want to record in (WAV, MP3, etc.)

As many of you are probably aware, electronics can malfunction all the time. You can use the handheld recorders as instant backup of your audio files. Have your audio devices connected to a Mixer (like the Azden FMX-32 3-Channel Portable Mixer) and the mixer connected to your handheld recorder and video camera/DSLR. The audio will not only be recorded onto the handheld recorder but also on the video camera.

The audio recorded into the portable recorder typically sounds better than the audio recorded into the camera. Video cameras also compress audio as they record, which further decreases the quality of the sound. Hooking up your audio and handheld video recorder to a mixer allows you an instant backup incase the audio fails on either end.

When your out all day in the field and recording hours of footage, it can be very time consuming in post production to link up the audio with the video, that is where time coding and marks are important. The Zoom H4n recordings carry time stamp information, and can accept cues/markers to support the Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) used in professional applications. The Zoom H2n and the Zoom H4n accepts marks from the optional remote control.

Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder

The H1 Handy Recorder from Zoom is an easy-to-use, versatile stereo digital audio recorder that fits into the palm of your hand. Following in the footsteps of the popular H2 and H4n, the H1 brings pro-level recording to a more compact and affordable design. Perfect for the outdoor videographer, the H1 records high-quality WAV and MP3 files to meet any professional need. The H1 has a stereo X/Y microphone configuration that captures perfect stereo images. A built-in speaker lets you listen to your recordings right away.

The H1 records your audio onto easily-found microSD or microSDHC flash memory cards, supporting capacities up to 32GB. A 2GB card is included so you can begin recording right away. The H1 records WAV audio at rates up to 24-bit/96kHz, and MP3 audio at rates up to 320kbps and VBR. The pocket-sized device runs on a single AA battery to provide up to 10 hours of continuous operation.

The simple, intuitive interface provides you with 1-button recording, while a backlit LCD display shows vital information. The rear of the recorder features controls for the low cut filter, automatic level control, and format selection. Physical controls are provided for input level and record/playback functions, so you don't have to navigate through complicated menus in order to find the features you want.

A 3.5mm mic/line input lets you connect an external microphone or music player, while a 3.5mm headphone/line output lets you connect your favorite headphones or small external speakers. A high-speed USB 2.0 port allows you to easily transfer data to your Mac or PC. A threaded tripod mount socket makes it easy to mount the H1 on a tripod, gorillapod or stand.

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder
The Zoom H2n Handy Recorder Portable Digital Audio Recorder combines Zoom's years of experience in portable recording with enhanced technology and features to present a versatile device that can be used for film and broadcast applications, as well as outdoor videography, and much more. The H2n has an unprecedented 5 microphones built in, providing you with 4 selectable recording patterns to choose from. A simple dial on top of the recorder lets you switch between traditional XY stereo, 2-channel surround, 4-channel surround, and a mid-side stereo mode. The mid-side mode allows you to adjust the width of your stereo field for terrific flexibility. When recording in RAW mode, you can even adjust the field after you've made a recording.

The H2n records to widely-available SD and SDHC flash memory cards, and supports capacities up to 32GB. A 2GB card is included so you can use the recorder right away. When using a 32GB card, you can capture up to 50 hours of CD-quality WAV files, or up to 555 hours of stereo 128kbps MP3 files. An integrated reference speaker makes it easy to review your recordings to make sure everything has been captured properly. The streamlined and intuitive interface puts critical controls right at your fingertips. The large 1.8" backlit LCD display makes it easy to navigate through system menus and monitor audio levels. The analog-type mic gain wheel lets you make precise adjustments on-the-fly.

If you'd like to connect external equipment, the H2n provides you with a 3.5mm mic/line input, allowing you to hook up your favorite microphones, instruments, and other sound sources. A 3.5mm headphone/line output makes it easy to connect headphones, portable speakers, and other devices. A remote jack lets you connect the optional wired remote to start, stop, and pause recordings, as well as add marks. It also reduces handling noise for the cleanest possible recordings. A high-speed USB 2.0 port lets you transfer recordings to your Mac or PC. You can even use the H2n as a live USB mic, terrific for VoIP chats and podcasting. Steinberg WaveLab LE 7 software is included, giving you audio editing and mastering tools to help you turn your recordings into finished masterpieces.

The H2n offers a number of versatile powering options. It offers over 20 hours of continuous operation on a pair of standard AA alkaline batteries. It can also be operated via USB bus power, or an AC adapter (sold separately). In the event of battery failure or accidental power loss, your recordings won't be lost. A data recovery function will automatically restore you data the next time the recorder is powered on, so you don't lose one-of-a-kind audio moments. Other features of the H2n include a lo-cut filter, a compressor/limiter, auto gain, pre-rec, auto-rec, a tuner and metronome, variable speed playback, key control, A-B repeat, file dividing, normalize, MP3 post-encode, marker, and surround mixer to give you useful tools for a variety of applications

Zoom H4n Handy Mobile 4-Track Recorder
The Zoom H4n Handy Recorder picks up where the H4 left off and adds additional features to an already popular audio recorder. Ideal for recording the hunter/s in outdoor videographer and more, this palm-sized unit packs the ability to record up to 4 channels of audio at greater than CD quality.

The H4n features onboard true X/Y stereo microphones to pick up clear, natural sound without phase shifting. The mics can be rotated to select a 90° or 120° recording pattern for terrific versatility. The digitally-controlled preamp, combined with the high-quality microphones, allows you to capture Linear PCM audio at rates up to 24-bit/96kHz. The recorder captures audio to SD or SDHC cards with capacities up to 32GB. A USB 2.0 port allows you to quickly transfer files to a Mac or PC, or use the H4n as a live audio interface.

For connecting your own microphones or instruments, the H4n features XLR/TRS combo input jacks with phantom capability. A 3.5mm line output is provided, and a reference speaker is built-in for quickly reviewing your recordings. The unit operates on a pair of standard AA batteries, and features a Stamina mode to provide up to 11 hours of continuous recording at 16-bit/44.1kHz. Other useful features of the H4n include variable playback speed, automatic and pre-record functions, a low-cut filter and limiter for improving the sound quality of recordings, time stamping, a metronome and tuner, and more. The backlit LCD screen and intuitive controls are easy to use, even for the recording novice. A collection of accessories are included so you can start recording right out of the box.

New Video Products Launched at CES 2012

2012-01-12T15:48:00.003-06:00

Here are some of the new products that were launched at CES 2012

JVC WiFi Camera

Why is this cool?
Set your Video Camera up on a tripod or tree arm and use your smart phone to view what is being recorded and zoom in/out, stop and record! It also can be used as a "trail Camera" (they call it security camera) that when it senses motion it can take still pictures or short video clips

Joby at CES

Sony launches HDR-PJ760v and HDR-PJ710V Handycams at CES 2012

The new high definition camcorder lineup and their accessories will be available in March. A complete list is provided further down the page.

Topping the line-up is the video enthusiast-level consumer camcorders, HDR-PJ760V and HDR-PJ710V, which capture full HD 24p and 60p recording with 24.1-megapixel still images.

A newly developed feature is Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization which controls the entire optical path, including the image sensor, as one floating unit to enable image stabilization that is 13 times more stable than its predecessor (compared to standard mode of HDR-CX700V). Balanced Optical SteadyShot advantages apply to the full zoom range from wide to telephoto. Other new features include Wide Angle (26.0mm) Carl Zeiss Lens, tilting Electronic View Finder (HDR-PJ760V), and 17x extended zoom. Read More at Hindustan Times.

JVC Previews a 4K Camcorder at Consumer Electronics Show
From The Hollywood Reporter

The camcorder, which lists for $4,995, will be available in March.

LAS VEGAS—JVC is previewing a 4K camcorder with a list price of $4,995, this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The JVC camcorder records 3840x2160 footage at 24p, 50p, or 60p.
4K resolution -- roughly four times that of high definition -- is building momentum in the professional and also now in the consumer space.
At CES, for instance, Sony is previewing a 4K home theater system, and LG unveiled a 4K x 2K 84-inch “Ultra HD” 3D Smart TV.
The JVC camcorder records to SDHC or SDXC memory cards. It is expected to be available in March.

Canon camcorders stay the course at CES 2012
From CNET

LAS VEGAS--Canon's consumer camcorders for 2012 make for boring news, but will probably be pretty good products.

Compared with the whizzy C300 debut, any subsequent consumer camcorder announcements from Canon are bound to be pretty dull. Luckily for Canon, the updates to its 2012 camcorder line look like a decent set of upgrades that will improve on already solid products.

Certain things haven't changed since their debut a year ago. The G10 continues at the top of the prosumer line without replacement, and Canon didn't mention the HF S30 at all during our briefing. The company instead concentrates on revving the mainstream HF M series and entry-level HF R series, streamlining the interface, adding Wi-Fi, and in the case of the M models, claiming improvements in the low-light video quality.

For the M series, Canon has refined the microlenses and color filters on the sensor, and says it delivers 20 percent better low-light performance--down to 1.2 lux from 1.5 lux. In fact, Canon claims the new models will outperform the G10 in low light. Though they use the same 10x zoom lens as their predecessors, the M models are smaller than before. Sadly, though, Canon has jettisoned the EVF from the top-end model, despite it being more expensive than the M41 it replaces.

Given how much I've complained about the touch-screen user interface for the recent generations of Canon's camcorders, it was nice to see that it's been greatly streamlined, tossing the poorly placed inner scroll bar for more icon-driven operation. It's coupled with a new, more responsive 3-inch LCD and navigation controls.

Canon has also introduced some more automation in the audio controls, with audio preset options (such as music or speech). Plus the Story Creator now offers more-specific tips.

For both the R and M series, models with built-in memory will also have Wi-Fi. There will be an iOS app for streaming or storing footage on a mobile device. (According to Canon, "building onAndroid is a little difficult.") Canon will also offer an image gateway server for uploading via an access point, and support DLNA for wireless transmission to a TV, though the latter only for MPEG-4 files (720/30p or 24p). Also, there'll be direct-to-disk archiving for memory-equipped models.

The R series gets a slightly updated sensor and Intelligent IS in its longer lens--it's up to 32x--plus it's smaller and lighter, and includes an MPEG-4 recording option.

All is not forward motion, however. For the past couple of generations, Canon supplied two card slots in the mainstream Vixia models. This year's models only have one. And it's a bit disappointing that the lenses remain fairly narrow; it's about time to see some wide-angle views on these models.

The HF M series is slated to ship in late March, while the R series will ship in mid-February. They are configured and priced as follows:

Vixia HF M52, 32GB, $749.99
Vixia HF M50, 8GB, $649.99
Vixia HF M500, 0GB, $549.99
Vixia HF R32, 32GB, $549.99
Vixia HF R30, 8GB, $449.99
Vixia HF R300, 0GB, $349.99

Given the extra capabilities bestowed on the camcorders by having the built-in memory, I'm changing my usual tune--that the no-memory models are usually the best buys--and singing the praises of choosing the model with the lesser amount of memory. While most people will probably be drawn to the budget-friendly R series, I suspect the M50 will end up being my recommendation for best consumer buy out of this group. We'll see once I've gotten a chance to test them.

CES 2012: Hands on with Canon PowerShot G1 X and Nikon D4

From Dpreview

The PowerShot G1 X handles much like the PowerShot G12. However, its fixed 28-112mm (equivalent) zoom and fully-articulated rear LCD are coupled with a sensor only slightly smaller than that used in Canon's APS-C format EOS DSLRs.

The 16MP Nikon D4 is the latest in a long line of professional SLRs going back to 1959. The fifth full-frame digital SLR from Nikon, the D4 follows in the footsteps of the 12MP D3S, and although the improvements to its still image shooting capabilities are relatively modest, the D4 boasts a completely overhauled movie mode and a host of ergonomic improvements.

MiVue's iPhone POV Mount

from Cult of Mac

LAS VEGAS, CES 2012 — I hate having three different cameras to address various situations in life – iPhone for when I’m lazy, DSLR when I want to pretend I know how to take pretty pictures, and a GoPro for when I’m doing something adventurous. Thankfully it looks like I’m going to be able to discard at least one of those cameras from my bag now that the MiVue is in existence.

The MiVue is a wearable Point Of View iPhone camera-system that increases the viewing angle past 180 degrees so you don’t have to worry about whether or not your buddy’s triple-backflip was caught in the frame or not. Making its debut at CES 2012, the MiVue system comes with 3-water resistant skins that free users from the dread of splashes and rain puddles ruining their precious phone.

We’ve tested a few similar devices while we’ve been at CES, but the MiVue is the best iteration we’ve seen. The video quality on other POV systems usually looks distorted and pixelated, but he MiVue captures wide-angle video that maintains clarity throughout the frame. After the conception of the idea the MiVue creators spent over a year coming up with the perfect glass for the lens. Rather than going with a hard plastic to reduce the unit’s price they decided to use the same type of glass used on most DSLR camera lenses which ensures a long lasting quality build. Read More Here

LifeProof Adapter Compatible with GoPro Mounts

Share your greatest adventures with the world! Take your LifeProof on all your adventures and share the experience with everyone. Attach your LifeProof to your GoPro ® mounts with the LifeProof Adapter and capture crystal-clear 1080p HD video in any environment. Film that intense mountain biking adventure, that ‘killer’ surf wave, or even that family kayak trip with your LifeProof and LifeProof Adapter.

GoPro Wi-Fi BacPac and Remote Control Kit hands-on (video)
By Mat Smith posted Jan 9th 2012 11:16PM

We're certainly not going to say no to more functionality for GoPro's rugged camera units. Here at CES's Digital Experience, we've got to get a glimpse at both the WiFi BacPac and Remote Control Kit. The WiFi Bacpac does what you'd expect it to do -- but with an extra twist. Alongside WiFi connectivity, it'll also play nice with both Android and iOS devices. The apps will display any captured content immediately, with a free-to-download app that will connect with the camera.

The remote control kit, meanwhile, is capable of stringing together several different cams, with a largely dual-button setup that looks an awful lot like a heart-rate monitor. Check the hands-on after the break and expect to see these arrive later this year -- price to be confirmed.

Click Here to Watch the Video on the GoPro Wi-Fi BacPac

Tiffan Steadicam Smartphone and GoPro Stabilizer

From PRWeb

The Tiffen Company, a leading manufacturer and distributor of award-winning accessories for the still imaging, video, motion picture and broadcast markets, today announced in addition to showcasing its award-winning Steadicam® Smoothee™ systems for Apple® iPhone 3, 4/4S, iPod touch, Flip and GoPro Hero®, the company is demonstrating a brand-new Smoothee prototype for use with Contour cameras at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at booth 31133. Developed by Steadicam, the leader in camera stabilization, the patented Smoothee eliminates shakes associated with handheld video recording, letting users “fly” through their video capture moments — up and down steps, indoors and outside, through crowds — almost anywhere, with precise, elegant control and ease. Designed for all skill levels from novice to expert, the ‘out-of-the-box’ Smoothee system requires little set-up. “With thousands of units sold out of the gate, the Steadicam Smoothee is a favorite among video enthusiasts, and we are very pleased to unveil the new Contour camera prototype mount here at the world’s largest consumer electronic show — CES 2012,” comments Steve Tiffen, President and CEO, The Tiffen Company.

2012 Trade Show Schedule

2012-01-09T11:49:00.002-06:00

Stop by the Campbell Cameras Booth to get your hands on the latest video cameras and accessories!

2012 Trade Show Schedule
	January 10-12, 2012
	February 4-12, 2012
	February 9-12, 2012
	February 24-26, 2012
	April 20-22, 2012

DrivenTV: Wrapping up 2011 and Kicking Off 2012 with a BIG BANG!

2012-01-06T13:25:00.000-06:00

DrivenTV: Wrapping up 2011 and Kicking off 2012 with a BIG BANG!!
from DrivenTV Blog

Happy Happy NEW YEAR to all the Driven Fans out there! We had a great 2011 with family and friends but 2012 is going to be better!

First of all I'd like to start out by telling everyone after 4 1/2 years together Pat proposed to me on Christmas Eve night with the 4 children there. It was a very special time for us as a family. Everyone cried and the kids were so excited that we are now making it "official". They all told us this was the best Christmas ever! Pat and I have been very blessed over the past years and all we ask for that 2012 brings good health, safety and happiness to everyone out there. We know our 2012 is going to be the best yet as a family! Lots to celebrate and be thankful for!

I kicked 2012 off with a bang, literally! After 2 years in the making I tagged a nice Iowa Buck at the Zoo. The weather has been warm and windy, not good for deer hunting. I lucked out and caught this big 8 coming into an Evolved Foodplot one evening and let my Pink T/C bark! A special thanks to Chad Yates and Donnie Hansen at the Zoo for a great hunt!!

More to be THANKFUL FOR!
Over the past 5 years everyone here at Driven TV has worked day in and day out to make our television show one of the best out there. The quality of footage, animals and personalities have come together to make Driven one of the top rated shows on the Outdoor Channel. The 12th Annual Golden Moose Awards are coming up and we couldn't be more excited to announce that Driven has been nominated for 6 different awards. (The Golden Moose Awards are like the Country Music Awards for the Outdoor Industry.)
The categories we are nominated in as follows:
1) Best Overall Production
2) Best Videography
3) Best Show Opening Montage
4) Best Big Game Footage
5) Best Deer Footage
6) Best Sound Design

Most of you know that Pat has worked over the past 20 years in the outdoor industry. His time and dedication that goes into filming and producing Driven TV is over and above what anyone probably understands unless you have walked step for step with him. It's not nearly as easy as it looks on tv. You don't see the many hours spent in the editing room with editor Adam Helwig helping to produce the show, as well as the hours and days afield helping to get the right shots and animals needed to produce the quality television that Driven TV brings the viewer. We wanted to take this time to thank each and every one of you out there that has ever watched and supported Driven TV. Our family and Friends/Fans are all very valuable to us here at Driven and we wish each one of you and your families much happiness, good health and safety in 2012.

Always remember to Stay Driven and Happy Hunting! Show season is coming up, stop in and say hi to the Driven Team if we are attending a Deer Show near you! We'd love to hear your hunting stories!

Nicole, Pat and Driven Team

Get YOUR Hunt on SOLO Hunters!

2012-01-06T08:35:00.002-06:00

2012 SOLO CHALLENGE

The CampbellCameras.com Solo Hunter Challenge is back in full swing. We know that most hunting seasons are now over and that many of you out there were able to kill some great trophies. Congratulations!! It is now time to see what kind of Solo Filmed hunts are out there. Did you film your own hunt? Do you have a captivating story to tell? Now is the time to let us know about it. We are looking to fill 12 segments on the Solo Hunters TV Show on Outdoor Channel for 2012 beginning in June. You have until May 1st to get your entry in.

All entries must be sent in by May 1st but the twist is that you need to get it in early this season. We are putting the votes out to the public to help us decide. All hunts MUST BE uploaded to Huntvids.com for consideration for use on the Solo Hunters TV Show. Due to the hundreds of tapes, DVD’s and SD cards that we dealt with last season we have made the process easier for everyone. Here is the process.

We need a maximum of 10 minute video clip of you and your hunt. We want to see the best of what you have in that amount of time. You don’t need to have music and professional editing skills. Leave that to us. We are looking at the video quality, story telling and uniqueness of your Self Filmed Solo Hunt. Upload that video to Huntvids.com under the “Solo Challenge” Category and look for your video to be posted. We will sort through them and then put them out for the votes and views to come in. It is up to you to get people to Solohuterstv.com to view and VOTE for your video. The more views and the more votes the better chance you will have at being selected for this seasons shows. Here is a good example of story telling, filming technique and overall video quality from last years Solo Challenge participant Adam Rainey.

Looks simple enough right. Here’s your punch list to include in your video. BE SURE to keep your original tapes or Files in their original format for editing on the show if selected. ALL VIDEO MUST BE SHOT IN 1080 HD for use on Outdoor Channel

A. 1 minute of face time of who you are and what makes you a Solo Hunter.
B. Pick out the highlights of your hunt and footage and put it to a 10 minute video (no music or editing required unless you want to)
C. Log in or Sign Up to Huntvids.com
D. Upload your video under the “Solo Challenge” Category
E. Send everyone you know to www.solohunterstv.com to click the VOTE button and go to your video to give it a star and make a comment.
F. Voting on www.solohunterstv.com will begin February 1st 2012.(Votes must go through the solohunterstv.com website to be counted)

That’s it! The more STARS, COMMENTS, RATINGS and PLAYS your video gets the better your chances at being selected. Good Luck!

Go Hard Go Solo!

Tim Burnett
facebook.com/TheSoloHunter
twitter.com/solohunters
solohunterstv.com/

2011 National Fly Fishing Championships

2012-01-04T09:30:00.002-06:00

This was filmed using Campbell Cameras Products

http://www.ncflyfishingteam.com/
70 of the nations best anglers came to Cherokee North Carolina. After three days of fierce competition and over 4500 trout caught Lance Egan of Utah was the gold medal winner. This is a short clip of what will be a two hour DVD special including full length interviews before, during, and after the comp, comp footage, and the awards ceremony. Look for the DVD September 2011.

He used the Panasonic AG-HMC150 video camera. It shoots right to SDHC cards, has ND Filter built in, it has a wide angle, 3-CCD, 1/3" 16:9 Native Aspect Chips, its a super light weight, fantastic camera for the money. He also used:

• (2) GoPro HD Hero

• Campbell Fluid Head Tripod

• Sennheiser EW112-PG3 Wireless Mic

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera

Great gear....and a good warranty to boot!

Top Products of December 2011

2011-12-31T08:11:00.000-06:00

Top Products of December 2011

1. Campbell Outdoor Challenge Editing Software

2. Campbell Cameras E-Gift Card

3. Precut Skins for the GoPro HD HERO

4. COC Editing Combo

5. Camouflaged Cameraman Backpack for Small Cameras

6. GoPro HD Hero2 Outdoors Edition

7. GoPro Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

8. 3rd Arm Mini XL Arm T-Bolt

9. Campbell Capture Device

10. Refurbished Canon VIXIA HFR100

Adding depth to your shot

2011-12-30T10:19:00.000-06:00

Adding Depth to Your Shot

Most people associate "Depth of Field" with DSLRS. One of the most appealing aspect of filming hunts with a DSLR is the shallow depth of field that you can achieve.
For more information of manipulating depth of field check out our older blog here.

Heartland Bowhunter is a great example of hunting shows utilizing DSLRs to add another creative element that makes their show top notch.

The Breaks from Heartland Bowhunter on Vimeo.

With DSLRs, interchangeable lenses that stop down to wide apertures allow you to get those super-cinematic shots, capture bokeh, rack focus, and separate your subject from the background, drawing your audience's eye to the details you choose. Adjusting aperture to obtain shallow depth of field is a great trick, but let's not get stuck in thinking that it's the only way to add depth to your shots. - From Riley Hooper VIMEO STAFF

Now, most of us do not have the budget to add a DSLR. There are some other ways that you can add "depth" to your shots. Here is a great tutorial from Realm Pictures that explores 6 ways to add depth in your videos, most of which do not call for a DSLR.

UWR Week 11 - Making the 2D look 3D! from Realm Pictures on Vimeo.

All right! Let's recap what we just saw:

1. Depth of field
The wider your aperture (meaning the smaller the number), the shallower your depth of field. As you can see in the tutorial, when shooting at f/22, both Eve and the background are in focus. However, opening up the aperture to f/1.4 creates shallower depth of field, where Eve is in focus while the background is not.

Remember that when you change your aperture, you need to compensate to maintain your exposure. When shooting on a DSLR, you usually want your shutter speed to remain at 1/50th or 1/60th of a second (depending on your frame rate), so you'll want to compensate for a shift in aperture by changing your ISO.

If you're shooting outdoors on a sunny day and your ISO is set as low as possible but you still can't open the aperture wide enough to get the shallow depth of field you want, try using a neutral density filter to decrease the amount of light hitting the sensor. This fun video by stillmotion offers further explanation.

2. Backlighting
Sometimes adding depth is as simple as adding backlighting. As seen in the tutorial, when the sun is behind Eve, a natural line of light around her head and shoulders separates her from the background. The same principle pertains to a three-point lighting system. When using artificial lights indoors, backlighting helps the eye distinguish the subject from the background, thereby adding depth.

3. Foreground elements
Adding an element to the foreground is another simple way to add depth. Placing something closer to the camera gives context to the shot and helps better define the placement of your subject.

4. Perspective
Changing up your shot composition and getting creative with angles also can add depth. The shot with Eve in front of the shed is composed on one visual plane. However, by moving the camera to the side and shooting at Eve down the line of the shed, the vanishing horizontal lines of the structure create depth and draw the focus towards her.

5. Parallax
Parallax is not the name of a more relaxed parallel universe — it’s a property of visual perception whereby an object looks different when viewed from varying angles. In the tutorial, this effect is achieved by moving the camera along a glide track so that the foreground elements move faster than the ones in the background. This contrast accentuates the difference between the two planes and — you guessed it — adds depth.

6. Smoke and Haze
Bet you weren't expecting this one! In the tutorial, the air behind Dave is filled with smoke. Since there is less smoke between the camera and Dave than there is between Dave and the wall, Dave really pops out from the background.

Adjusting Back Focus on an XDCAM EX Camera

2011-12-29T08:45:00.000-06:00

Adjusting Back Focus on an XDCAM EX Camera
blog from AbelCine

One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive about the XDCAM EX cameras is how to adjust back focus. Like all ENG style lenses, the lenses that come with these cameras can sometimes develop back focus issues over time. The cameras all have a method for adjusting this, and luckily the PMW350, PMW320, EX3, EX1R, and EX1 all follow a similar procedure. Watch this video to learn when and how to adjust the back focus on your EX camera.

DSCLabs has some great charts for checking back focus, they also offer a couple free ones that you can print yourself – here.

Note: To access the hidden menu on the EX1 / EX1R, hold the Menu, Scroll Wheel, and Cancel button at the same time. DO NOT adjust anything else in this menu.

Flat Lens Housing for GoPro for Underwater Shots

2011-12-28T12:45:00.000-06:00

Professional Waterproof Flat Lens Housing for GoPro

Price: $99.00

Eye of Mind permanently attached a flat lens to the GoPro underwater housing to get razor sharp video and stills underwater and on land.

Ideally you would use your existing housing for land and the Professional Flat Lens housing for underwater use to remove the focusing issue of the standard waterproof housing.

Best video setting is 1080p and 720p video with this housing.

There will be NO vignetting at these resolutions at all.
You can also use stills and 960p, but there is a little bit of vignetting at the far corners.
Focus is from 8" to infinity.
We are selling the COMPLETE housing.
All you do is add camera and start shootn'.

Each and every professional flat lens housing is pressure tested at 200 feet (61 meters) for 1 hour.

Now updated with a black plastic lens protection ring.

Housing works with the LCD screen. Works with all HD Hero cameras including the 960.

The GoPro housing itself is rated at 180 feet (60 meters), so 200 feet is right on the fringe for this GoPro housing.

These fish were captured using the GoPro HD and the Professional Waterproof Flat Lens Housing:

Here is a video shot with the Professional Waterproof Flat Lens at 1080p:

Marsa Shagra og Marsa Abu Dabbab - Egypten from Søren Mikkelsen on Vimeo.

Here is a video filmed with the NORMAL GoPro Underwater Housing and then filmed using the Professional Flat Lens Housing:

The Professional Flat Lens Housing and GoPro HD was used during Shark Week:

Here are some more stills from using the Professional Flat Lens Housing:

Check us out at the Dallas Safari Club Convention 2012

2011-12-28T10:09:00.001-06:00

Stop by the Campbell Cameras booth to get your hands on the Professional Line of video cameras from Sony and Canon to film that hunt of a lifetime.

For nearly three decades, Dallas Safari Club’s annual convention has set the standard for sporting enthusiasts from around the world. This year's Out of the Wild promises to be the most successful convention yet.

More than 30,000 outdoorsmen and women will attend our four-day exposition Jan. 5-8 at the Dallas Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Dallas. While here, they’ll bid in our silent and live auctions for the world’s finest wilderness experiences and sporting equipment, marvel at our wildlife displays, and visit the booths of hundreds of exhibitors from local shops to African hunting lodges.

Best of all, Out of the Wild will raise thousands to benefit wildlife conservation and DSC and Dallas Ecological Foundation’s education programs. Plan to be here!

Dallas Convention Center 650 S Griffin St Dallas, TX 75202-5098 (214) 939-2700

For more information visit the Dallas Safari Club's Annual Convention's website

"Static" and "Flash" Filming Solo Style - Blog from SOLO Inception

2011-12-27T07:43:00.000-06:00

"Static" and "Flash" Filming Solo Style
From SOLO Inception Blog

One of the most common questions I get is what camera equipment do I recommend? I ask that question to other industry professionals all the time. And you know what? I get a different answer every time. People are going to suggest whatever it is that they like and are comfortable with. So it should come as no surprise that I am going to suggest what it is that I am “currently” comfortable with and using. I am always looking for a better way of doing things but a person has to keep in mind the practicality of certain things. Especially when it comes down to something that has the potential to turn your regular hunting trip into a fiasco. Hunting, especially bow hunting, is not easy. Filming is not easy. Now combine the two. What the heck are you thinking? For more specific information for what camera equipment might be the best for your hunting style contact the professionals at Campbell Cameras or send us an email.

Evey hunting situation is different. Thus every filming situation is going to be different. So too will be your basic camera set-up. Filming Whitetail hunts out of a blind or tree stand is much different than filming a spot and stalk hunt on the ground. To keep things simple this post is going to be broken down into two basic levels. Backpacking in to the back country and filming off the ground spot and stalk style or “Flash Filming” and a basic setup for a tree stand and hunting blind or “Static Filming”. Just remember with either type of set up that most of us watch hunting television for much more than just the impact shots. We like to see the entire story and have the ability to feel like we are on the hunt by seeing what is going on around the actual kill.

Lets start off with “Static Filming”.

Setting up to hunt in a location where the animals are supposed to move towards you is always going to be much easier to film (in theory) than when you have to beat feet and try to move to the animal. Not always the case but statistically speaking. That is what is so difficult about hunting whitetails out of a tree is that you are not always just hunting for the deer, you are hunting the entire property for the right location and set up where the deer are supposed to be. For all you Western boys who have never hunted whitetails, it is not as simple as sitting up in a tree and waiting. Especially when you are going beyond just deer hunting and stepping into Mature Buck hunting. In any case this is supposed to be a filming post not a hunting post.
When you know that you are going to be in one location hunting a deer then the setup for your camera becomes a bit easier and can be more of a routine that you should practice over and over. Weather in the tree or in a blind, my setup is very similar. We set up to film the same as we do when we set up to hunt. I want to be able to see the direction that the deer are supposed to be coming from. I want my Camera to be at the same height as where my bow is going to be when it comes time to draw. Using a solid and fluid moving tree arm or tripod head is a must as well as a lanc remote of some kind. This will keep your hands off the camera and back closer to your body for as little movement as possible. As of late I have been mounting my GoPro HD Hero 2 above me either in the same tree or one right next to me. I then use my main camera on the tree arm for capturing the shot. Often I have another Go Pro either on my head or mounted to my bow for that second and third camera angle. To keep things simple when starting off I would suggest only running the main camera on the tree arm and not getting your mind boggled with remembering to turn everything on. I have burned myself out of a couple good opportunities to kill by getting too caught up with the cameras and not paying enough attention to the hunt. Here is a simple video with a basic setup out of a tree stand.

Filming on the ground or out of a blind is basically the same as filming out of a tree stand. Camera at the right on a solid tripod with a good fluid head and about the same height as where my bow is going to be at the time to draw. The longer you can follow the animal with the camera the better results you will get with the footage. It can be very tempting to just move the camera to where the deer is going to walk through and then hurry up and shoot when he gets there but it leaves a lot of the deers movements and manorisms out of the footage. Most of us like to watch hunting for more than just the impact shot. Here is another short video of some of the basic cameras that I use out of the tree or ground blind.

OK, now for my favorite style “Flash Filming”.
Flash Filming is what I call the run and gun, on the ground, beat feet Solo style of filming. I have a passion for this type of filming mainly because that is how I like to hunt. I love living out of a Badlands Backpack for days on end and I love to have the mobility when hunting to get somewhere in a hurry and have all the crap with me I need to survive if I decide I don’t want to go back down the mountain for couple days. When I take the time to film this the right way, I love the results that I get on screen. I love the motion and angles that a person can get with this Random Style of filming. Here is a video clip with some good examples of Flash filming.

I absolutely love using the smaller and compact POV or Point of View Cameras like the GoPro HD, Contour HD and Kodak PlaySport for great motion and transition shots as well as getting that Hunters Point Of View angle that is so difficult to re-create. There is nothing like capturing a shot in real time from the same angle that the hunter sees as the action goes down. Most TV Shows get around this by shooting a re-enact or re-create of the hunting situation and usually from a forward position as the hunter moves toward the camera. To me this does not look natural and unless the hunter is a real good actor it can come off cheesy and detracts from the hunt. I have seen several shows with incredible footage of the hunt leading right up to the point of the kill and then they fill the screen with a dozen random shots of a recreation of the actual moment. This is supposed to add to the dramatization of the hunt but in most cases it is just another opportunity for the producer to add a few more sponsor impressions of the gear. Whatever…. Basically I think these POV camera angles just look dang cool when done right. It also allows me to show the viewer how I get from point A to point B and transitions me to the next segment of the hunt. This is what we are trying to accomplish with Solo Hunters Television.

For the Flash Style of filming and basically a flash style of hunting, A guy needs to have a camera setup that is going to be quick and easy to access and very simple to use. I have chosen a the POV cameras for the practicality of their use in a difficult or hurried situation and I also like the smaller Canon HFS series of cameras for the same reason. These cameras have a small impact on my back and a big impact on screen. The main thing is mobility. The smaller HD cameras, when attention is paid to proper lighting, can turn out just as good of a picture as a larger high dollar HD camera. There are obvious limitations to the smaller cameras but for most purposes it is the way to go. I generally always use a Raynox HD wide angle lens for most of the filming and then attach a Raynox 2.2x HD extender lens for longer range filming. This is plenty of camera for most hunting situations. Now if I wanted to smack a deer at 600 yards with a rifle then I might need a bit more lens.

In conclusion, in order to give yourself the best possible opportunity to get a hunt on film, a guys just needs to know his limitations. You need to be able to put yourself into a situation that will allow you to get it done. Sometimes it is just not going to be physically possible to move around with a camera and a bow in hand and not spoil your hunt. So your hunting style needs to be able to be adjusted for the use of a camera if it is that important to you. For us it is our business. It is our chosen style to portray on film. Not every hunt will be the best and not every hunt will it be possible to film it entirely Solo. Although we are going to try. As a producer, I am willing to compromise the quality of footage on a kill shot for the unique quality of a Solo adventure caught on film by a Solo Hunter. It’s not very easy but it is very real.
Go Hard Go Solo!
Tim Burnett
facebook.com/TheSoloHunter
twitter.com/solohunters
solohunterstv.com/

12 Days of Giveaways!

2011-12-20T07:39:00.004-06:00

12 Days of Giveaways

Campbell Cameras has been giving away an item a day for the 12 days of Christmas on our Facebook Page. To enter you go to our Facebook Page and find the post where we say to "share this" and comment with your name and you will be entered to win. We are approaching the final days, but there are still great prizes to be given away:

Tues, December 20, 2011:
Campbell Outdoor Challenge Video Editor
This easy to use video editing software allows you to turn your hunting and fishing videos into your very own outdoor DVD! With over 30 wildlife sounds and calls this is the only video editing software of it's kind tailored to the outdoor enthusiast. Create titles,transitions, background music and more!

Wed., December 21, 2011:
Campbell Cameraman Bag- Olive Drab
The Campbell Outdoor Challenge Cameraman Backpack by Game Plan Gear is designed with professional videographer in mind with quiet hunting features such as a strap system for a tree arm and base. Complete with fully customizable interior foam dividers, silent brushed tricot with weatherproof PVC backing, and mesh interior organizers. The Campbell Outdoor Challenge Cameraman Backpack by Game Plan Gear was designed as a heavier-weight system with an adjustable hip belt, sternum and shoulder straps to transport bulky professional camera gear while keeping the weight of the gear balanced. The ‘drop-down’ format provides quick access to your tapes, batteries, wireless mics, etc-- in literally any configuration that you can dream up. Forget jamming your expensive camera into an ordinary backpack exposing your camera to potential damage. The Cameraman has foam protection and structured features – all built into an ultra-quiet, treestand-friendly set-up.

Thursday, December 22, 2011:
GoPro HD HERO2 Motorsports Edition

GoPro cameras are used by more motorsports professionals, race teams and core
enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Motorsports
Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet. Wearable and gear mountable,

waterproof to 197' (60m), capable of capturing professional full 170º wide
angle 1080p video and 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second,
the HD HERO2 is the world’s most versatile camera. Whether your goal is to
capture footage of a spirited rip through backcountry roads or you want to

capture and study lapping footage to learn how to set a new track record, the
HD HERO2: Motorsports Edition is going to be one of your favorite motorsports
purchases of all time.

Included are mounting accessories you’re most likely to use during
motorsports activities. Other accessories are available.

The HD HERO2: Motorsports Edition is compatible with all GoPro expansion
accessories and BacPacs™, including the Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote (coming
soon).

2X More Powerful in Every Way
Professional 11MP Sensor
2x Faster Image Processor
2X Sharper Glass Lens
Professional Low Light Performance
Full 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV in 1080p
120 fps WVGA, 60 fps 720p, 48 fps 960p, 30 fps 1080p Video
Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV Photos
10 11MP Photos Per Second Burst
1 11MP Photo Every 0.5 Sec Timelapse Mode
3.5mm External Stereo Microphone Input
Simple Language-based User Interface
Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote™ Compatible (coming soon)
Long Range Remote Control of up to 50 GoPro Cameras
Wi-Fi Video/Photo Preview + Playback + Control via GoPro App
Live Streaming Video and Photos to the Web

Friday, December 23, 2011:
Campbell Cameras Outdoor Videography School Entry
Have you ever dreamed of having your own Hunting show or filming your own hunts?

Add a Wide-Angle to Your Kodak Playsport

2011-12-18T13:00:00.000-06:00

Modifying A Kodak Playsport

Here is a way that you can add lenses to your Kodak Playsport to create different looks.

With the Wide-Angle Lens Installed:

"It's actually very easy to do. I covered the lens and whole camera in tape while forming the puddy socket. After it dries you just pull it off and then epoxy it. It's pretty simple." - Flinginarios

Flex Cam- Mount your camera to your bow!

2011-12-17T09:00:00.000-06:00

The art of capturing a hunt on video is becoming very popular. Each year there is an increase of hunters that enjoy doing so. Flex Cam™ has made this art more convenient, easy and affordable. The Flex Cam™ eliminates the need for a cameraman, tapes, DVD’s or the cost of an expensive camera. All that is needed is a cel/mobile phone with the capability to record video.

Never before has the hunter been able to capture a hunt on video and send that hunt via Email or MMS Messaging to anyone, anywhere within seconds. Flex Cam™ will hold all cell phones and most video capable hand held cameras. It will also work with compact video cameras (works great with the Moultrie ReAction Cam!). Flex Cam™ will mount to any bow using the pre-existing stabilizer hole and it can also be used with most shotguns using the firearm adapter.

Flex Cam™ is:

• Easily adjustable with just one hand

• Small and lightweight at less than 7 oz.

• Compatible with all video enabled cell phones

Save your memories and share your adventures with Flex Cam™!

Here are some example uses of the Flex Cam™:

Flex Cam™ with the Kodak Playsport

Start Your Outdoor TV Show Today!

2011-12-16T10:45:00.000-06:00

Outdoor Videography School

Have you ever dreamed of having your own Hunting show or filming your own hunts?