EOS 5D Mark IV Video - shutter speed vs video settings fps

[rusty007]

I occasionally shoot video and its always confusing trying to work out settings. I've read up on choosing shutter speeds but when looking at the Canon manuals there is the video settings as well. I could theoretically set any shutter speed on the physical shutter dial, but there are also setting under Menu > camera icon > Tab 4 > Movie rec quality (I'm using 5d MkIV).

Which settings governs the actual video recording? The stills shutter settings at the time (say 1/200th) or the setting in the Movie Quality (say 25fps). If stills settings overrides the movie settings what's the point of the movie settings? I hope someone can clear this up for me.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

In video, frame rate is the number of frames the camera captures per second to create motion.

Similar to still image capture, the shutter speed controls the amount of time the shutter is open exposing each frame to light.

The 5D mk IV can capture video in .MOV and .MP4.  The .MOV format has more recording options including 4k.  .MP4 has less recording options and it's files are generally smaller.  

For a 25p frame rate, you would want to follow the 180* shutter rule and shoot at a shutter speed approx double the speed of your frame rate.  This produces a smooth cinematic motion blur closely resembling what the human eye sees.  Shutter speed might need to be increased to control exposure or the amount of motion blur present.  Canon cameras provide multiple recording options giving you creative control as well as file size options.  

Since you mentioned 25p, does this mean you are shooting in PAL?

Tell us more about what you are filming 🙂

[rusty007]

Thanks Rick - that makes sense now. I've been reading up on the shutter speed to frame rate stuff but got a bit lost.  So I assume you set a frame rate in Movie Quality and then set a doubled shutter speed to match that? I used to shoot in PAL but I see its now set to .MOV. I must have got the 25 frame rate from reading up.

I rarely shoot video and then forget the basics. Some of my video work is on tripod and some hand held, and I was wondering if I should shoot hand held on 1/125th. I've been documenting my 90 something parent's recollections of days gone by. Sometimes I video musicians at folk festivals, again hand held, as I mostly do stills and don't want to lug a tripod everywhere. Not ideal but I'm reasonably steady without a gimbal.

[shadowsports]

Thanks, that's helpful.  I assume your senior interviews will be shot under pretty controlled conditions.  

For your musical shots.  I would probably shoot in manual mode and use aperture to control my exposure.  Pick a shutter speed that will capture the movement without blur.  

You can use a histogram to dial in exposure.  The left side of the scale are shadows, the right is light.  You want as much of a spread across the scale (towards the middle) for even exposure and contrast. If there are peaks on either side you will lose data in your shadows (left) or highlights (right).  So you dial in the aperture and attempt to evenly expose a scene.  It's usually recommended to use an aperture that keeps you from blowing out highlights as this allows you to adjust more easily in post.  The camera's sensor has limits on dynamic range.  If you blow out  exposure, the camera cannot capture details where peaks (clipping) in the histogram exists.  

Grabbed this on the web.  It demonstrates. underexposure, overexposure and correct exposure.

Hope it helps. 🙂

[rusty007]

Thanks - this is very helpful info.