Recording devices and setup

This page is about cameras. There are many different ones. An overview is presented here that can be used with most cameras. This can range from professional cameras to cameras in cell phones.

There are many different lenses for the corresponding cameras, but these are not covered here.

General information

Frames per second

A digitally recorded movie consists of many images that are played back in quick succession. These are called frames. The term fps (frames per second) is used to describe how many frames are played in one second.

Resolution

Each of the frames described is made up of many colored small squares, which are called pixels. 
Because each image consists of several hundred thousand pixels, our eyes only perceive the objects that are formed by the pixels. The number of pixels in an image is indicated by the resolution. Since it is irrelevant to specify the total number of pixels, only the number of pixels needed to get from one edge of the image to the other on the short side is specified. For example, the resolution specification "720p" means 720 pixels in the vertical direction. However, the number of pixels on the long and short sides are also often specified. With "720p" it is then: 1280x720 pixels.

In use

A resolution of 720p or higher is already defined as HD (high definition). However, today's basic minimum standard is 1080p.

Tip: The higher the resolution, the more memory you need per minute of film. However, you then have the advantage that you can zoom in and still keep a sharp image and present the film on large surfaces without it becoming blurred. However, the monitor or Biemer must also be able to display this resolution.

Aspect ratio

Last but not least, there are the aspect ratios. These describe the ratio between the two sides of the image. The first digit describes the horizontal side and the second the vertical side, e.g. 16:9. The horizontal side of the picture is 16 parts long and the vertical side is 9.

In use

Today's standard is 16:9. In the past, the aspect ratio of televisions was 4:3. Today there are already widescreen sets with an aspect ratio of 21:9.

Filming from above or below

We find it most natural when a person is filmed at eye level or slightly above.
If the person is filmed from below, they appear more powerful and taller. The opposite is true if they are filmed from above.

From below

Eye level

From above

Setup

Here we show you the two most important settings for the camera. If you use a smartphone for filming, you can download the "Filmic Pro" app. You can then make all the settings discussed here (if the smartphone camera technically allows this). Otherwise, depending on your smartphone, you can also look up how to make the settings on the Internet.

Focus point

The focus  refers to the area of the image that has been brought into focus by the camera. The focus depends on various factors such as the distance of the object to the camera, the focal length of the lens and the aperture selected. Sharp images are important. These are particularly relevant for close-ups.
Normally, the autofocus is perfectly adequate. However, the camera may focus on objects in the middle. If you then have two people talking who are both sitting at the edge of the picture, they may appear blurred.

Zoom

Es gibt optischen Zoom und digitalen Zoom. Beim optischen Zoom verändert sich die Position der Linsen mechanisch. Dabei wird das reale Bild optisch vergrößert, ohne die Auflösung des digitalen Bildes zu verändern.
Der digitale Zoom ist eine digitale Größer Rechnung des Bildes. Es ist so, als würde man einen kleineren Bildausschnitt im Schnittprogramm wählen. Daher kann man den digitalen Zoom durch die Post Production (Bildausschnitt selbst wählen) ersetzen. Es empfiehlt sich daher, beim Filmen nur den optischen Zoom zu benutzten. 

Optical zoom

Digital zoom

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