Week 4: Digital Media Production Cameras

Question 1

Philosophy: What is a Camera?

Answer 1

• we see the world through light
• a camera is a box that allows us to manipulate and capture the light that flows into the box through a lens
• a still camera allows us to capture light in the form of still images
• a video camera allows us to capture light in the form of motion
• the end result is an image that is closer to “reality”

Question 2

Focus

Answer 2

• autofocus
• manual focus
• focus assist

Question 3

Autofocus

Answer 3

the camera automatically focuses for you

Question 4

Manual Focus

Answer 4

you control the focus yourself by using the Focus Ring

Question 5

Focus Assist

Answer 5

while focusing manually, this button will indicate whether the image is in focus or not

Question 6

Focus: What you should know

Answer 6

• most video camera autofocus is based on contrast detection
• more expensive video cameras use more advanced autofocus detection
• ideal for motion
• manual focus is only required in low light, high contrast, or close up situations

Question 7

DSLR Focus: What you should know

Answer 7

• focus very quickly
• different focus methods available such as Matrix Metering
• good at autofocusing for still photos
• bad at autofocusing for motion
• manual focus of motion requires add ons such as a Follow Focus Ring

Question 8

Prime Lens

Answer 8

• used for “lower budget” filmmaking on DSLR
• zoom lens = you can zoom in and out the lens
• prime lens = the lens cannot (one position, most DSLR’s use prime lenses for video)
• also found on DSLR and motion picture film cameras

Question 9

Advantage of Prime Lens

Answer 9

much sharper then a zoom lens

Question 10

Disadvantage

Answer 10

• need to change lenses
• manual focus
• needs follow focus
• expensive

Question 11

Fast Lens

Answer 11

• a lens that has a low f stop
• low f stop = wider aperture = more light

Question 12

White Balance

Answer 12

• video cameras “see” according to colour temp
• colour temperature is measured in Kelvins (K)
• white is point zero – the point from which all colours stem

Question 13

Exposure

Answer 13

• the quantity of light that enters the sensor on your digital camera
• how “bright” or “dark” your image is

Question 14

Aperture (Iris)

Answer 14

• controls the amount of light that is entering the camera through the lens
• measured in f-stops
• smaller number (f2) = more light/fuzzy background
• larger number (f22) = less light/everything in focus

Question 15

Shutter

Answer 15

• controls the time that light stays in the camera
• measured in fractions of a second
• smaller number (1/60) = less available light
• larger number (1/500) = smoother image

Question 16

Shutter Rule

Answer 16

the higher the shutter, the smoother the image will look

Question 17

Shallow Depth of Field

Answer 17

• refers to how far you can see with the camera
• refers to an object with a blurred or blurry background

Question 18

ISO

Answer 18

• refers to the speed of the film
• higher number (ISO 1600) = “faster” film/more sensitive it is to light and more “grain”/“noise”

Question 19

Trinity of Exposure

Answer 19

• aperture
• shutter
• ISO

Question 20

Zebra Patterns

Answer 20

lines that indicate how over exposed your image is

Question 21

Backlight

Answer 21

when an image is in silhouette and is lit from behind

Question 22

Gain

Answer 22

• used after using aperture
• measured in db from 0 to 18 or more
• introduces “noise” into the picture

Question 23

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Answer 23

allows digital cameras to capture greater light ranges or luminosity

Question 24

Pros of HDR

Answer 24

• available on most cell phones
• increases the dynamic range of colour

Question 25

Cons of HDR

Answer 25

• requires multiple pictures, all of which have to remain perfectly still
• not necessary

Question 26

Exposure Value (EV)

Answer 26

• a value that represents the camera’s shutter speed and f-number
• +1 EV (EV+) = lighter
• -1 EV (EV-) = darker