Basic Camera Care
The Art & Craft of Video Production
Teacher: Ken Kimura
email: ken_kimura at lsrhs dot net
BEFORE SHOOTING
- AS SOON AS YOU ARE GIVEN A NEW DV TAPE, label the tape and the box “J-card” with your block number and the group number.
- Please do not leave the wrapper in the classroom - put it in the trash.
- A DV tape should only be in one of two places: in the camera or in
the box.
- Make sure that Date & Time Stamping is not turned on.
- Make sure you are in the appropriate Program Mode - usually "Auto."
- Test any audio equipment BEFORE you leave the classroom.
- If the camera does not power on, check the "Lock/Standby" ring.
- If the camera does not power on, first check the "lock" ring near the record button.
- Check for any damage or malfunction of equipment BEFORE you leave the classroom. Report any damage or malfunction immediately to your teacher
GENERAL CAMERA CARE
- Use neck and wrist straps when carrying cameras around and during normal shooting
- Do not touch the lens
- Only clean the lens with a lens safe cloth or paper. DO NOT use any
of your clothing or paper towel.
- Do not allow cameras or microphones to get wet.
- Avoid sand. Sand is a serious abrasive, and it is also terrible for
moving parts.
- Do not interfere/rush the tape ejection system. This is a sensitive
mechanism.
- Shut the camera off before replacing batteries or unplugging AC power.
- Avoid handing off the camera from one person to another. Instead place
the camera on a flat surface for the other person to pick up. The “hand
off” is one of the most common times a camera is dropped.
- Remove the camera from the tripod before transporting it to another location.
- More than one person should be spotting the video camera when removing it from a tripod.
WHEN YOU SET THE CAMERA DOWN
- Close the LCD display. This can break off very easily if dropped or
bumped.
- CLOSE the tape cassette compartment. Do not leave this open for any
extended amount of time.
- Make sure you do not leave cameras or microphones in places where they can easily fall to the floor and get damaged
- Do not let cables or straps dangle from the camera. The most common
cause of a camera breaking is something snagging a cable or strap, and
pulling the camera off the table and onto the floor.
WHILE SHOOTING
- For hand held shots, make sure you are zoomed out (wide angle).
- For hand held shots, lock your elbow against your body for stability.
- For hand held shots, look for opportunities to lean against a wall or doorway to steady your shot.
- Remember pre-roll & post-roll - you'll regret it during editing if you don't.
IMPORTANT
If your teacher cannot be found when you are finished using your camera and microphone, return them to the Communications Dept. (Chuck D.) or find a Media Arts teacher (Ken Kimura, Fred Walker or Paul Sarapas) - Do not just leave them in the classroom.
Practice Quiz for - Camera Care, Video Lab Etiquette, Managing your Project Files |
