Earlier this month one of our new Vuzers asked some questions on the Vuze Camera Owners Facebook group and we wanted to share the answers from our community of Vuze owners.
“Just got my Vuze camera. Now what? How do I get started? What are the best practices?”
Tips from: Wayne Grabowski
- Level the camera.
- Be aware of where the corners are pointing and keep anything you don't want sliced out of them.
- Keep your subjects a few feet (4 to 5 feet) away from the camera for comfortable 3D viewing.
- Charge your battery before filming...it drains when not in use.
- Learn how to hold the camera without touching the lenses & wipe 'em off before shooting 'cause you probably touched them anyway. ;)
- If the camera must move, keep it as steady and smooth as possible.
- If you're filming indoors, do a test shot to see how the lighting looks---some lights (fluorescent lights) can have an odd color and/or flicker. (I keep a stash of incandescent bulbs for indoor lighting.)
- Keep your videos short (for YouTube, at least).
- You can't avoid mistakes while filming...stitching issues, for example...but they don't have to show up in your final video---edit ruthlessly.
- I like 10 to 15 second clips with 1 to 2 second cross fades, but your content will determine what works for you.
- You might want to use a separate audio recorder, like a Zoom H2, or something similar.
- Use some kind of a lanyard---I use fishing line---to secure your camera to something secure if there is any risk of your camera falling. On a car, bicycle, SCUBA diving, etc.
- Take time to learn about traditional 3D photography/video.
Wayne's last but best tip: Ignore lists of what you MUST do...go be creative!*
Tips from: Darryl Learie
- Awareness - Make sure the flap that covers the SD card is closed
- If you are using a standard tripod take the handle off so it doesn’t appear in the video.
- My most common mistakes are over sights, little no brainer things I forgot. Take your time to avoid mistakes.
- If it’s windy anchor your tripod. You don’t want your expensive camera crashing over. I’d say if winds are approaching 20 mph.
Tips from: Peterjan Jansen
- Take a good look at what you are recording.
- The best 3D effect is when there is an object up close and another a bit further away. That way your eyes have a reference point to see depth.
Tips from: Scott Nebeker
- Remember that even nature hasn't solved the cross-eyed problem. Don't get down on yourself if close-in objects aren't matched up.
What are best practices to add additional lighting to a room and hide it from view?
Tips from: Theo Williams
- The simplest answer to this is that the best place to hide non-movie content is under the camera. Attach lights around a monopod or tripod with a 1/4” screw adapter on top for the Vuze.
- Lighting effects become a much greater challenge with moving 360 3D video. My solution was to make a helmet camera mount with a short monopod/stabilizer arm, to which I bolt a bike mount for a headlamp and onto which I then clip an adjustable wide/narrow beam battery powered spotlight. I can add color filters to the lens and adjust the light intensity, to deliver additional lighting effects to my filming.
- However, I must remain mindful that any change in yaw (horizontal rotation whilst moving) will also alter the lighting source and direction of beam.
- We have also experimented with a drone with a lighting unit attached, flown immediately overhead of the Vuze so it sits squarely in the upper nadir for easy removal later, in post-production. The advantage of the drone is that it can be kept locked to pointing in one direction as it flies in another direction, so the light source remains constant.
- Of course, by far the easiest way to re-light your content is in post using Adobe etc.
Tips from: Wayne Grabowski:
- Use higher watt bulbs in the existing fixtures and/or add lights hidden out of sight.
- Check your lighting to be sure you don't introduce any flickering or color cast---fluorescent and LED lighting can do this.
- I have a stash of incandescent lights I use for indoor filming.
Got any more tips? Join our Vuzers group on Facebook and share them!