ENG Camera

TV Camera Lense

Zoom Lense

The Camera's Imaging Device

The chip's target area (the small rectangular area near the center of this photo) contains from hundreds of thousands to millions of pixel (picture element) points, each of which can electrically respond to the amount of light focused on its surface.  

The chip's target area (the small rectangular area near the center of this photo) contains from hundreds of thousands to millions of pixel (picture element) points, each of which can electrically respond to the amount of light focused on its surface.  

Lens Focal Length

the distance from the optical center of the lens to the focal plane (target or "chip") of the video camera when the lens is focused at infinity

Focal length is generally measured in millimeters

the distance from the optical center of the lens to the focal plane (target or "chip") of the video camera when the lens is focused at infinity

Focal length is generally measured in millimeters

Angle of viewIs directly associated with lens focal length. The longer the focal length (in millimeters), the narrower the angle of view (in degrees). You can see this relationship by studying the drawing on the right, which shows angles of view for  different prime lenses.  A zoom lens operating at maximum focal length) has a narrow angle of view. we would consider the angles at the top of the drawing from about 5 to 10 degrees in the telephoto range. The bottom of the drawing (from about 45 to 90 degrees) represents the wide-angle range for this lens.

Is directly associated with lens focal length. The longer the focal length (in millimeters), the narrower the angle of view (in degrees). You can see this relationship by studying the drawing on the right, which shows angles of view for  different prime lenses.  A zoom lens operating at maximum focal length) has a narrow angle of view. we would consider the angles at the top of the drawing from about 5 to 10 degrees in the telephoto range. The bottom of the drawing (from about 45 to 90 degrees) represents the wide-angle range for this lens.

shot designationsAn LS (long shot) or FS (full shot) is a shot from the top of the head to the feet. An MS (medium shot) is normally a shot from the waist up. (To save space, we've used a vertical rather than a horizontal format in this illustration.)An MCU (medium close-up) is a shot cropped between the shoulders and the belt line, rather than at the waist.

A relatively straight-on CU (close-up) is the most desirable for interviews. Changing facial expressions, which are important to understanding a conversation, can easily be seen.XCUs are extreme close-ups. This type of shot is reserved for dramatic impact. The XCU may show just the eyes of an individual. With objects, an XCU is often necessary to reveal important detail.

An LS (long shot) or FS (full shot) is a shot from the top of the head to the feet. An MS (medium shot) is normally a shot from the waist up. (To save space, we've used a vertical rather than a horizontal format in this illustration.)An MCU (medium close-up) is a shot cropped between the shoulders and the belt line, rather than at the waist.

A relatively straight-on CU (close-up) is the most desirable for interviews. Changing facial expressions, which are important to understanding a conversation, can easily be seen.XCUs are extreme close-ups. This type of shot is reserved for dramatic impact. The XCU may show just the eyes of an individual. With objects, an XCU is often necessary to reveal important detail.

F-Stops and Creative Focus Techniques

The human eye has a focal length of about 25mm (approximately one inch) and covers a horizontal area of about 25 degrees. Since we're used to seeing the world in this perspective, this 25-degree angle represents a "normal" perspective for film and TV cameras The "f" stands for factor. An f-stop is the ratio between the lens opening and the lens focal length. More specifically, the f-stop equals the focal length divided by the size of the lens opening f-stop = focal length / lens opening

The human eye has a focal length of about 25mm (approximately one inch) and covers a horizontal area of about 25 degrees. Since we're used to seeing the world in this perspective, this 25-degree angle represents a "normal" perspective for film and TV cameras The "f" stands for factor. An f-stop is the ratio between the lens opening and the lens focal length. More specifically, the f-stop equals the focal length divided by the size of the lens opening f-stop = focal length / lens opening

The speed of a lens is equal to its maximum (wide-open)

f-stop. Here, f / l.4 is the speed of the lens when you open up one stop, you double the light going through the lens; when you stop down one stop, you cut the amount of light going through the lens in half.

when you open up one stop, you double the light going through the lens; when you stop down one stop, you cut the amount of light going through the lens in half.

Auto-focus Lenses

Most auto-focus devices assume that the area you want in sharp focus is in the center of the picture

in the photo right below that the center area is correctly focused (thanks to auto-focus), but the main subject is blurry. Of course, the goal was the opposite.

Most auto-focus devices assume that the area you want in sharp focus is in the center of the picture

in the photo right below that the center area is correctly focused (thanks to auto-focus), but the main subject is blurry. Of course, the goal was the opposite.

Focus can be switched to manual control any time by moving the focus slider from AUTO to MAN. The user can re-engage auto focus at any

time by pressing push auto button.

Focus can be switched to manual control any time by moving the focus slider from AUTO to MAN. The user can re-engage auto focus at any

time by pressing push auto button.

Minimum Light Levels for Cameras

A foot-candle, is a measure of light intensity from a candle at a distance of one foot (under very specific conditions). The origin of the term "lux" is not known, although it's assumed to refer to lumens (a measure of light power) times ten.foot-candle is equal to about 10 lux. (Actually it's 10.76, but 10 is generally close enough, Most professional video cameras require a light level of at least 75 foot-candles (750 lux) to produce the best quality video. However, some will produce marginally acceptable video under a few lux of light.  

A foot-candle, is a measure of light intensity from a candle at a distance of one foot (under very specific conditions). The origin of the term "lux" is not known, although it's assumed to refer to lumens (a measure of light power) times ten.foot-candle is equal to about 10 lux. (Actually it's 10.76, but 10 is generally close enough, Most professional video cameras require a light level of at least 75 foot-candles (750 lux) to produce the best quality video. However, some will produce marginally acceptable video under a few lux of light.  

Depth of Field

The range of distance in front of the camera that's in sharp focus. The larger the f-stop number The depth of field of a lens we set at f/11 is greater than the same lens set at f/5.6, and depth of field at f/5.6 will be greater than at f/2.8.

The range of distance in front of the camera that's in sharp focus. The larger the f-stop number The depth of field of a lens we set at f/11 is greater than the same lens set at f/5.6, and depth of field at f/5.6 will be greater than at f/2.8.

White Balancing On a White Card Automatic white balance is good but is confused when faced with multiple color temperatures. As always, the user should manually white balance

White Balancing On a White Card Automatic white balance is good but is confused when faced with multiple color temperatures. As always, the user should manually white balance

With the camera zoomed in full frame on a pure white card, the operator pushes a white balance button and the camera's chroma channels will automatically adjust to produce pure white. The camera in effect says, "Okay,

With the camera zoomed in full frame on a pure white card, the operator pushes a white balance button and the camera's chroma channels will automatically adjust to produce pure white. The camera in effect says, "Okay,

Shutter Speeds and Resulting Exposure

These f-stop and shutter speed numbers may seem confusing at first, but once you get them in mind, they will serve you well in video

These f-stop and shutter speed numbers may seem confusing at first, but once you get them in mind, they will serve you well in video

Checking Viewfinder AccuracyA tally light indicating that the camera is recording or "on the air"A low battery warning minutes of tape remainingColor balancing may be neededlow light; insufficient exposurelow-light boost (gain selector switch) circuit in operationIndoor/outdoor filter in placeZoom lens setting indicating how much further you can zoom in or outAuto/manual iris statusf-stop settingShutter speed setting Audio level meterRemaining tape (or recording medium) timeA zebra pattern for setting maximum video levelssuperimposed masks for the safe area and the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios

A tally light indicating that the camera is recording or "on the air"A low battery warning minutes of tape remainingColor balancing may be neededlow light; insufficient exposurelow-light boost (gain selector switch) circuit in operationIndoor/outdoor filter in placeZoom lens setting indicating how much further you can zoom in or outAuto/manual iris statusf-stop settingShutter speed setting Audio level meterRemaining tape (or recording medium) timeA zebra pattern for setting maximum video levelssuperimposed masks for the safe area and the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios

Camera Mounts

Using a camera tripod can make the difference between professional looking video and video that screams "amateur at work.“On most tripods the pan and tilt head (which attaches the camera to the tripod) is not meant to be used for smooth panning and tilting while shooting -- only to reposition and lock the camera into position between takes.

Using a camera tripod can make the difference between professional looking video and video that screams "amateur at work.“On most tripods the pan and tilt head (which attaches the camera to the tripod) is not meant to be used for smooth panning and tilting while shooting -- only to reposition and lock the camera into position between takes.

fluid head It provides an adjustable resistance to pans and tilts - fluid head It provides an adjustable resistance to pans and tilts -

Exceptions to using a tripod are in news and sports where you must be mobile enough to follow

moving subjects,

Exceptions to using a tripod are in news and sports where you must be mobile enough to follow

moving subjects,

Rain Jacket

Lenses Filter

   Neutral Density Filters

 0.3 ND filter  1 f-stop

 0.6 ND filter  2 f-stops

 0.9 ND filter  3 f-stops

 1.2 ND filter  4 f-stops

Polarizing Filters

Reducing reflections and cutting down glare

•Polarizing filters can:•reduce glare and reflections •deepen blue skies •penetrate haze •saturate (intensify) colors

Special Effect Filters

•Star Filters

Fog Filters Soft Focus and Diffusion Filters