Lenses for documentary filmmaking book

If youre buying a interchangeable lens camera, you can buy it with a kit zoom lens, or buy the body alone and choose lenses separately. Through every era of imaging, nikkor s commitment to integrity, reliability and. Large format lenses nikon uk catalog of nikon large format lenses in japanese, sorry film. What we see is that prolevel films are less robust and will expire faster. Nov 01, 2015 in other words, this specific book is more on the basic side. Apr 19, 2017 for the best wideangle documentary filmmaking, rokinons fixed 35mm will give you the most speed and shallowest depth of field for those looking for the crispest image quality.

Canons popular c100 and c300 cameras are used for documentary filmmaking and film television work all the time. Filmmakers on how they shot their films and the unique production demands that dictated equipment choices. Theyve sold well over 14 million lenses since the beginning of the 20th century and show no signs of stopping. Im thinking about taking steps into documentary photography, but i really stuck with choosing the right camera. It is how a scene is put together to produce an image. Parttime sixmonth documentary filmmaking met film school. Eightweek documentary filmmaking is an intensive and practical course that equips you with fundamental filmmaking skills and focuses on the challenges of the documentary genre, such as working with people and filming reality. In the filmmaking world, camera lenses for your dslr are very important. The dslr cinematography guide whether or not youve been to or are currently attending a film school, no film schools dslr cinematography guide is an ultimate resource of beginners filmmaking knowledge. Forget film school you now have 10 books to read, reread, and memorize before you go out there and make your movie. The minimalist guide to camera lenses for filmmakers the lens mount is how your lens locks onto your camera. Theres a reason why this book keeps getting updated and keeps selling well. The technology behind the glass is incredibly impressive, and a highquality 50mm lens wont kill your budget.

But closeups and the edges of shots will be very distorted, and itll be very obvious if the lens isnt level. Tips from the trenches features new and seasoned filmmakers as they talk about technical, legal, ethical and business issues of documentary film covering everything from finding a story to shooting, editing, and considering legal and ethical issues to tackling financial and distribution challenges. There are companies that make excellent adaptors to fit most any lens to any camera. The third best 35mm film camera for beginners is the contax tvs. Traditional filmmakers may be skeptical, but with the advances in technology and a growing number of innovative.

Three simple rules for making documentaries documentary. This is very important for documentary filmmaking when you are filming as events happen. Film school online, for people with something to say. A dvd documentary is a documentary film of indeterminate length that has been produced with the sole intent of releasing it for direct sale to the public on dvds, as different from a documentary being made and released first on television or on a cinema screen a. While essential, lenses do more than capture an image or control focusing the scene. As an indie filmmaker, especially a lowbudget indie filmmaker, we are always looking for ways to optimize a very limited number of resources, and for most of us, the most limited resource is money. How and why to use lenses in your indie films learn more through our online film school. Top 10 books about documentary filmmaking documentary film.

Both schenk and long are entrenched in the industry. Check out these wideangle lens quick tips from canon. If youre going to buy one history book about documentary filmmaking, make it this one. There are three versions of this telephoto lens, which have three different price points. Different companies make their cameras with specific mounts. Contrary to narrative cinema, which tells stories that are usually pure fabrications of someones imagination, documentary filmmaking is concerned with the exposure and analyses of real facts and historical events. The 5 best 35mm film cameras for beginners the h hub. It simulates the human eye better than any other lens, and its been the goto lens for filmmakers from every genre for a century.

This was ingrained in me early on as being the definitive zoom lens for filmmakers needing to run and gun while capturing observational footage. This is the case because with zoom lenses you can go telephoto or wideangle at the push of a button. The beauty of digital filmmaking is that you can move your camera around and change your shot types throughout a scene. For those who dont know, banding looks like what it sounds like.

On super 35mm film, or an equivalentsized sensor, such as on the alexa, a 50mm lens is typically considered a normal lens. Since its inception in 19, schneider has been innovator in lens design for film professionals. Choosing the right type of shots for your film can enhance a scenes look and build emotions and mood. Dec 15, 2011 choosing the best camera lens for your film. This book offers a unique approach to learning how lenses can produce aesthetically and narratively compelling images in movies, through a close examination of the various ways lens techniques control the look of space, movement, focus. Insider tips, marketing tips, and film festival tips. Smartphone filmmaking is a growing trend that the industry can no longer ignore. This package provides all of the basics youll need to start your documentary project.

The episode was written by hunter covington, and directed by jay chandrasekhar. A story is a story, so when i began shooting documentaries, i just grabbed a couple primes a 25mm f1. We take an indepth look into what lens you should buy for your dslr. Fujifilm instax mini instant film for mini 8,9,50s,70,90,25 and polaroid pic 300. In this article, we will discuss the six styles or modes nichols wrote able. Heres hoping some more of these filmmaking howto manuals are written by. See more ideas about documentary filmmaking, filmmaking, film. The highest attention to detail is paid to every aspect of every lens that bears the name nikkor. Besides the dozens of films you can watch during sundance, there are plenty of opportunities.

Jan 24, 2019 the best books on making and distributing documentary films. Top 10 books about documentary filmmaking documentary. What they do and what a few lens related terms mean. The gritty realism produced by actuality filmmakers of the 1960s and 70s was achieved through technological. While they usually deal in large format lenses, they. Popular filmmaking books meet your next favorite book. For the best wideangle documentary filmmaking, rokinons fixed 35mm will give you the most speed and shallowest depth of field for those looking for the crispest image quality. Usually you load each sheet by hand into a special film holder in a darkroom as it has been done for a hundred years. He also creates short documentary features for the dallas observer a subject which inspired his recently published ebook on the shooting. Documentary filmmaking is wellwritten, pragmatic, down to earth, and at the same time inspiring.

Between 1825 and 1840, the relevant technologies of stroboscopic animation, photography and stereoscopy were introduced. Both of these cameras feature an ergonomic body, lots of recording format options, interchangeable lens mounts, and large sensors for beautiful cinematic images. A famous example of this, which uses dance extensively to communicate meaning and emotion, is the film, west side story. May 25, 2015 all about cinema prime lenses for filmmaking in the latest gear dictionary video. Sep 05, 2017 like all aspects of filmmaking, the creative decisions you make both in terms of camera lenses and gear should always serve the story. A contemporary field guide, second edition, is a skillsoriented, stepbystep guide to creating documentary films, from the initial idea phase to distribution. In practice, its a little more complex various lens elements can move inside the lens here in blue source. I wasnt completely unrealistic i knew enough to start small with a short, microbudgetfilm. If you do want a zoom, perhaps for documentary or runandgun filmmaking, you will.

The best feature that most have found is the ability to utilize interchangeable lenses for different shooting environments and techniques. Nikkor lenses are born from a tradition of elite craftsmanship and a pursuit of optical perfection more than 80 years in the making. Sometimes you can order your camera body with the mount you want but if not, dont fret. Aug 25, 2016 months ago, i got the crazy idea to write, produce and direct my first documentary. His feature films home sweet home, catching faith and wish for christmas are available in the usa and world wide. This is more an issue of lenses than body features themselves. This ultra fast film features an iso of 400, making it very sensitive to light even in very poorly lit settings. See more ideas about documentary filmmaking, filmmaking and film tips.

Their book from cengage learning, the digital filmmaking handbook, 4th edition, is a 608 page tome on the what, when, and where of the craft. Choosing the best camera lens for your film youtube. Types of shots in filmmaking and how to frame them dummies. Sure, the v600 can scan at high resolutions and high color depth, but unfortunately some slight banding can be an issue when working with medium format film i didnt notice this issue with 35mm. The kodak ultramax 400 speed 35mm 36 exposures film has been rated the best 35mm film on the market for a lot of great reasons. Jul 26, 2012 dslrs with video capabilities has really democratized filmmaking, putting cinematic quality video within financial reach of amateur and independent filmmakers. Film sourcing production documents and templates are not intended to be legal advice and are for educational purposes only. My introduction to documentary shooting was atypical in that most of my experience was in narrative filmmaking. For an apsc camera with kit lens, i recommend adding an affordable 50mm lens for low light shots and creative shallow focus. Banding is not an uncommon issue for flatbeds, but it is something to be aware of. Directing the documentary offers timetested principles to help you master the craft. Conversely, the filmmakers handbook has so much detail and information that reading the whole thing is almost impossible. Zoom lenses or varied focal length lenses are by far the most common type of lenses known to the average consumer.

Recommended books and literature for documentary filmmaking. The 180 degree, camera position and eyeline match page has more information about how to use camera position when youre editing different shots together. In 2010s introduction to documentary, film educator and documentary consultant bill nichols distilled the types of documentaries down to six styles. Expert tips for firsttime documentary filmmakers like. The 35mm on different cameras can act close to a medium or even long lens, but it should always give you a standard feeling and good coverage of action and events. Having a good zoom lens gives you the opportunity to get many different framings and angles of an event, but with lenses that dont have a fixed aperture, you will have to set your exposure after. Aug 31, 2004 the book was edited together, post mortem, from mackendricks notes on the craft of filmmaking, and the seams show. Prosumer camcorders and professional video cameras often come with it right from the box. The books describes a method to rapidly scan photographic prints and negatives using a digital camera.

Experienced film actors keep their gaze within a limited circle around the camera lens. Do not only spend money on soft and hardware, consider also investing time and little money in some good books. Provided in this alphabetised list of film techniques used in motion picture filmmaking. The next film camera on our list is a bit different from the rest. The form is also referred to as cinema verite, direct cinema or flyonthewall documentary. If you are using the fuji x system, would highly recommend checking this out not just for film scanning but for its amazing macro shots the image stabilization is a huge bonus when youre in the field, although you should leave off image stabilization during scanning to ensure maximum sharpness. Camera lenses have a significant impact not only on the look of your film or video but also on the mood youre trying to establish. What are the top 3 best documentary filmmaking books and why. Filmmaking contracts should always be customised to suit each production and the legislation of your country area. Parttime sixmonth documentary filmmaking is an intensive practical course with a parttime schedule that builds fundamental filmmaking skills and focuses on the specifics of the documentary genre, such as filming everyday life and real people.

This page contains links to recommended cameras and lenses for scanning film and prints as shown in the book digitizing your photos. The minimalist guide to camera lenses for filmmakers. Advanced documentary filmmaking is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the nbc sitcom community, which originally aired on march 14, 20. Thoroughly updated to highlight the effects of technological advances and social media, this compact handbook offers something for all types of students.

How lens choice affects documentary work no film school. Costco, and pc mag, though amazons top two best sellers are still hd. It is also the first book ive ever read or seen, for that matter in which the english translation of the text is on left side of the page and the original spanish text is on the right. Choosing the best lenses for filmmaking learn about film. Next up is german manufacturer schneider optics, who, like zeiss, got their start at the dawn of cinema. The best ef lenses for documentary filmmaking shutterstock.

Lights film school exists to help you learn the art and craft of filmmaking on your schedule, without getting lost or overwhelmed. Introduction to vintage russian lenses for indie filmmakers. A short documentary is a lens on a selfcontained world. Sony alpha a6400 mirrorless digital camera with 1650mm lens. The best dslr filmmaking lenses cinematography tips. With a focus on dslr cameras and digital filmmaking tips and techniques, the book is a hodgepodge of tutorials, interviews, gear news and all types of practical dslr.

As a traditional point and shoot, the contax has a zoom lens of 2856mm with an aperture of f 3. All about cinema prime lenses for filmmaking in the latest. Cameras, lenses, microphones, batteries, cases, tripods, memory cards, lighting, and more. Cameras and lenses for use in camera scanning the dam book. Recommended books and literature for documentary filmmaking if you are interested into documentary film making you may want to read through some literature before you start shooting your film.

Transform your passion into practice, champion your message, and become the filmmaker only you can be. The power of lenses and the expressive cinematic image mercado, gustavo on. The language of the lens explores the expressive power of the camera lens and the storytelling contributions that this critical tool can make to a film project. While the 28mm d and 50mm d were fine on the f100, i think the g series lenses are much better but less. Record up to 3 hours of hd video on a single 32gb card card not included with the canon c100 mark ii, which sports continuous af that is compatible with the autofocusing on the included 2470 ii lens. Firstly, if you are looking at a canon film camera because you already have a canon digital slr and want to share lenses then be careful chances are if you have one of the less expensive canon cameras you will have bought it with a efs lens, such as the efs 1855mm f3. Nikon fm2n 35mm slr film camera body only black olympus om1n 35mm slr camera body.

What famous directors movie is their best hidden gem. Lenses every cinematographer should own premiumbeat. I also knew i could count on a supportive network of documentary filmmakers including pros such as doug block, marshall curry, laura nix, tracy droz tragos, robert greene, and others to help guide me through. These lenses are good for fast, flyonthewall documentary. Documentaries have never been hotter or more commercially promisingwhether you are looking for a. For fujifilm instax mini 7s 8 9 25 50s 70 film camera fuji instant photo sheets. How to select lenses for dslr filmmaking light stalking. Movement can be used extensively by film makers to make meaning. While ive had nikon f100 in the past, i think i prefer the canon 1n instead.

Photographic film, due to its components, has an end date. This book has some basic lens info, but my problem with it is it refers to film and using different film with lenses to get finer grain and better color for example through out the book. The contax has a solid build and is a high performing camera that creates prime film snapshots. Top 10 books about documentary filmmaking documentary film cameras. The history of film technology traces the development of techniques to record or present motion pictures. While there are many lenses out there, a lot of them are still designed for still photography.

It is written to teach, inform, train, and help students succeed in making their own documentaries. However, lets first define what a documentary actually is before we get into the types of documentaries. Jan 26, 2016 are you looking for a quick guide to script formatting or screenplay structure, digital video resolutions, twitter image size, the facebook blue. As such, all i had were prime lenses intended for cinematic work. According to the pew research center, nearly twothirds of all american adults currently use a smartphone, and the video capabilities of these devices are growing at an outstanding rate. In this episode, abed makes a documentary about changnesia in order to receive a grant, with jeff attempting to prove.

In the blink of an eye by walter murch, making movies by sidney lumet, rebel without a crew, or how a 23yearold filmmaker. Learn more about the early films of documentary pioneer robert flaherty, documentary filmmaking during wwii, the cinema verite movement of the 1960s, the arrival of video in the 80s, and the documentary traditions of the 21st century. Not useful to me as like most photographers there days im digital. Observational documentary is probably the most analyzed mode of all the types of documentaries. Every traditional documentary production ive ever been a part of utilized a canon 70200mm telephoto lens. A 35mm single lens reflex slr camera would be your best bet. And also about fixed aperture zoom lenses the next thing that you want in a lens is a fixed aperture lens. For decades afterwards, many engineers and inventors worked on the combination of these new technologies and the much older technique of projection to create a. A hipsters guide to eos film cameras every other shot.

Lenses and depth of field prepared by behzad sajadi. As a general rule of thumb, lenses going below 50mm starts to become wide angle. Perfect for indoor and low light settings, the kodak ultramax 400 speed 35mm film also produces much less. Ramon sotocrespo, university at buffalo, the state university of new york. Without a good lens, you have nothing but a really cool, albeit expensive, paperweight. Fujifilm instax mini 9 instant film camera holiday bundle, flamingo pink. Dec 27, 2012 i really only have one recommendation. Opt for a model from one of the big five brands from back in seventies.

If you are a film photographer you may find this book more useful. In this webisode, jose talks about the importance of a directors knowledge of lenses when thinking of a shot. Experts and selfproclaimed gearheads talk cameras, lenses, and the great 4k. For documentary filmmakers, choosing the right lenses for your project can determine whether or not you get the shots you need to effectively. Focal length is typically measured in millimeters, and is the primary defining trait of a lens. The course culminates in the production of your own short documentary film. Equipment for low budget filmmaking learn about film.