p.37 #1 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Wow once again, Rob! What a well thought out, impressive, top-of-the-line wildlife cinema rig. I think you've thought of everything planning and assembling this rig. I love your detachable wireless mic solution. Well done!
Cheers,
Rudy 🙂
p.37 #2 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
RobAmy wrote:
Here is my Wildlife Cinema Setup. I used the R1 and Comica VM 40 Mic.
Great info Rob.
Looks well-thought-out. Seems complicated to a newbie like me, but I can see after using it all would be second nature. Is the weight of the camera and battery too much to use the foot of the lens on a video fluid head? Or are you just using what you already own and comfortable with?
Thanks for all the work of putting the video together.
Dave
p.37 #3 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Wow once again, Rob! What a well thought out, impressive, top-of-the-line wildlife cinema rig. I think you've thought of everything planning and assembling this rig. I love your detachable wireless mic solution. Well done!
Cheers,
Rudy 🙂
p.37 #4 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
dj63401 wrote:
Great info Rob.
Looks well-thought-out. Seems complicated to a newbie like me, but I can see after using it all would be second nature. Is the weight of the camera and battery too much to use the foot of the lens on a video fluid head? Or are you just using what you already own and comfortable with?
Thanks for all the work of putting the video together.
Dave
Thanks Dave, The entire rig is 15 lbs so there is a bit of weight on the mount. The 15mm rods actually make it feel overall all more solid as one unit. Most likely you would be fine short term but the mount is at risk. I also use the 2x almost all the time for video which is another possible weak point.
p.37 #5 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
I managed some footage today of nesting Bald Eagles. They were a bit far off so I used Super 35 mode. I used the Canon C50 with the RF 100-300mm + 2x extender. Tracking with just the monitor is tricky but fun to learn. I am sure with more practice it will become easier.
p.37 #6 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
RobAmy wrote:
I managed some footage today of nesting Bald Eagles. They were a bit far off so I used Super 35 mode. I used the Canon C50 with the RF 100-300mm + 2x extender. Tracking with just the monitor is tricky but fun to learn. I am sure with more practice it will become easier.
Nice video Rob.
Looking forward to seeing your future eagle videos.
Dave
p.37 #7 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
RobAmy wrote:
I managed some footage today of nesting Bald Eagles. They were a bit far off so I used Super 35 mode. I used the Canon C50 with the RF 100-300mm + 2x extender. Tracking with just the monitor is tricky but fun to learn. I am sure with more practice it will become easier.
Hi Rob, some really nice footage here. I'm really enjoying following your journey of discovery into the world of wildlife cinematography. Very cool indeed!
Since yours is a 15-pound rig I'm assuming that you had this mounted on a tripod, right?
I read up a little on the Super 35 mode and learned that it is a crop mode with a crop factor of about 1.5x making your effective reach with your rig 900mm. Do I have that right?
Regarding tracking subjects with a external monitor, I understand and appreciate the challenge you're experiencing. Before I switched to Canon and bought an R5 for doing wildlife video in 2022, after having been a Nikon shooter for 27 years, I was doing wildlife videos with a Nikon D500 and a Shinobi 1 external monitor. It was brutal, but mainly because Nikon cameras had no real subject tracking in video mode at the time.
Regardless of that issue, I found that I simply couldn't see the subject I was filming or the scene well enough and ended up buying a special head-gear with magnifying glasses attached that I could flip up and down as needed. After a lot of frustration, in the end the whole exercise defeated me and after 6 months of research I jumped ship and bought a Canon R5 with subject and eye-tracking and with an awesome viewfinder. I actively work the camera controls while I'm video recording so my number one necessity is a viewfinder so I can see what's going on. For example, I do things like pause and reengage the servo when I don't want the AF drifting or micro-refocusing during long periods on a stationary subject, and some other things. As well, and probably most importantly, is that I have some serious visual issues and need things to be big, bright and clear - I don't know how I would ever manage without a viewfinder, and a really good one at that.
Looking forward with interest to seeing your future videos as you journey forward.
p.37 #8 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Hi Rob, some really nice footage here. I'm really enjoying following your journey of discovery into the world of wildlife cinematography. Very cool indeed!
Since yours is a 15-pound rig I'm assuming that you had this mounted on a tripod, right?
I read up a little on the Super 35 mode and learned that it is a crop mode with a crop factor of about 1.5x making your effective reach with your rig 900mm. Do I have that right?
Cheers,
Rudy
Thanks Rudy. Yes you are correct with the Super 35 mode crop factor.
p.37 #12 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Hi Rob,
What a wonderful high-quality video of these delightful little birds bathing in the water shot in slow motion. I love the natural sounds of the moving water and the music is just perfect. I love it! 👍👍👍
Cheers,
Rudy 🙂
p.37 #13 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
RobAmy wrote:
Today I did some 120 FPS footage with the RF 400mm with the 2x.
Top notch Rob!
I really like 120 fps slow motion on animals. You really showed what quality can be achieved. Audio was perfect.
This would be a great combo for your future eagle videos also. Can't wait to see what you do next.
Dave
p.37 #14 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Videography goals for 2026 - "Upping my game"
As an amateur hobbyist and not a professional creator I have no real pressure on me to produce high-quality videos, either with respect to creative content or image quality. Nevertheless, I really enjoy challenging myself to advance my skills in the craft of wildlife videography on an ongoing basis.
For this coming year I am hoping to up my game in the following ways: Firstly, I want to make my videos more interesting by employing some new shooting techniques (dare I use the word "cinematic") and improving my B-roll content. Secondly, I want to include more quality, on-location recordings of the wildlife subjects that I'm filming and the ambient natural sounds. And finally, I want to start shooting all of my footage, wherever possible, in Canon Log 3, which my Canon R5 is capable of. Up until now I have only shot in 8-bit 4:2:0.
Unfortunately, the Home Budget Management Department (my wife and I) has set a limit for the foreseeable future which precludes making any major purchases like a new camera body or lenses, but has granted me a budget of $1000 Canadian. So here's what I bought:
- An excellent mini gimbal by Zhiyun called a Weebill 3e for doing various camera movement shots.
- A good-quality Rode VideoMic Pro on-camera microphone and,
- A high-quality Nisi 95mm True Color Variable ND filter, a necessity for shooting Log footage.
After humming and hawing about using Log for the last 2 years I have finally decided to jump in with both feet and force myself to work only in C-log3 until I get proficient at it. For the last 2 weeks I have been shooting in C-log3 and working through tutorials on how to grade log footage in Davinci Resolve by two respected pro colourists, Darren Mostyn and Cullen Kelly. I'm learning a lot and having a great time.
OK, so there it is... I've stuck my neck out publicly and shared the plan. Now let's wait and I see if my videos come up to expectations. Comments and feedback on future "upped" videos are very welcome.
p.37 #18 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
RobAmy wrote:
Rob, do you mind me asking which music subscription service you use (Epidemic Sound, Music Vine, Artlist, etc.)? The music in your videos is always great? I'm trying to expand my music choices.
p.37 #19 · Canon video thread for hybrid shooters...
Rudy Pohl wrote:
Rob, do you mind me asking which music subscription service you use (Epidemic Sound, Music Vine, Artlist, etc.)? The music in your videos is always great? I'm trying to expand my music choices.
Thanks,
Rudy
Not at all, I use https://www.audiolibrary.com.co which is free to use. I will look into others also even if a paid service.
!