Setting Up Your DSLR Camera for Video
Learning how to change the settings on your camera to control the video that you capture is the first step to becoming a true filmmaker. Every
camera is going to have different options and buttons/menus to control these settings. I will try to give you lots of resources and information but nothing can compare with simple experience so get out and shoot every chance you get.
We have purchased the Canon Rebel (550D or T2i) for our primary DSLR so some of the more specific instruction references this model. If you have a different camera I suggest that you get to know “Manny” your trusted manual and do a quick YouTube search for "DSLR Video + Camera model".
camera is going to have different options and buttons/menus to control these settings. I will try to give you lots of resources and information but nothing can compare with simple experience so get out and shoot every chance you get.
We have purchased the Canon Rebel (550D or T2i) for our primary DSLR so some of the more specific instruction references this model. If you have a different camera I suggest that you get to know “Manny” your trusted manual and do a quick YouTube search for "DSLR Video + Camera model".
Camera Settings Activity
This presentation is designed to walk you through the process of setting up a DSLR camera for video. It will be more meaningful if you already have a basic understanding of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. I have some great handouts that cover these concepts below. Please partner up, grab a DSLR camera and follow along as your instructor goes through the presentation.
* Camera Settings PowerPoint – Feel free to change this to fit your needs
* Camera Settings Acrobat (pdf) – designed for viewing straight off the web
Video Tutorials
Here is a quick video demonstration that covers how to adjust your settings on the Canon T2i.
Manual White Balance: Color temperature is a critical setting and this quick tutorial covers it well.
* Camera Settings PowerPoint – Feel free to change this to fit your needs
* Camera Settings Acrobat (pdf) – designed for viewing straight off the web
Video Tutorials
Here is a quick video demonstration that covers how to adjust your settings on the Canon T2i.
Manual White Balance: Color temperature is a critical setting and this quick tutorial covers it well.
Camera Settings Guide and Form
These two handouts are designed to give students both a reference guide when they are in the field and a form to record the settings they used. This form can come in handy when students need to come back another day and want their camera settings to look and sound the same. A great example of this was when my students did a series of interviews for the end of the year football video. After reviewing the footage from the second day they discovered they had used different settings so the interviews didn’t match up. This form was generated from that experience!
* Camera Settings Guide (.doc) | Camera Settings Guide (pdf)
* Camera Settings Form (.doc) | Camera Settings Form (pdf)
* Camera Settings Guide (.doc) | Camera Settings Guide (pdf)
* Camera Settings Form (.doc) | Camera Settings Form (pdf)
Understanding Aperture/Shutter/ISO
The ability to use a variety of lenses and creative control over depth of field is a huge part of why DSLR video is such a great teaching tool! Here are some of my favorite handouts I have gathered from other educators over the years.
Depth of Field – This is a great one page handout that illustrates how to control your depth of field using F-stop, lens to subject
distance and focal length.
Fstop-Shutter – This is a nice one page handout that illustrates common F/stops and shutter speeds with tips on how they will affect your video.
The Basics of Camera Exposure – This is a great six page handout from Olympus that covers aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, and ISO.
Understanding the Elements of Exposure and The Exposure Triangle – This is a one page handout that covers these three key elements that filmmakers need to understand.
CameraSim - This is a great web site that has two online simulations that allow you to learn about how your shutter speed, aperture and ISO affect your image. It is designed for still photography but the concepts universal.
HIstogram - This is a very useful tool for understanding if your video is properly exposed. This article does a nice job of explain it.
Depth of Field – This is a great one page handout that illustrates how to control your depth of field using F-stop, lens to subject
distance and focal length.
Fstop-Shutter – This is a nice one page handout that illustrates common F/stops and shutter speeds with tips on how they will affect your video.
The Basics of Camera Exposure – This is a great six page handout from Olympus that covers aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, and ISO.
Understanding the Elements of Exposure and The Exposure Triangle – This is a one page handout that covers these three key elements that filmmakers need to understand.
CameraSim - This is a great web site that has two online simulations that allow you to learn about how your shutter speed, aperture and ISO affect your image. It is designed for still photography but the concepts universal.
HIstogram - This is a very useful tool for understanding if your video is properly exposed. This article does a nice job of explain it.
Additional Learning
Here is a good video that helped me to learn more about how to setup my camera for video. Check more when you get the time.
B & H HDSLR Educational Series Episode 1: Know Your Camera
Shane Hurlbut ASC shows you the ins and outs of setting up your DSLR camera for a shoot.
B & H HDSLR Educational Series Episode 1: Know Your Camera
Shane Hurlbut ASC shows you the ins and outs of setting up your DSLR camera for a shoot.
Joe Dockery | [email protected] | 425-831-8126
Mount Si High School | CTE Digital Media Teacher
Mount Si High School | CTE Digital Media Teacher