Proper Film Making tips for Photographers

If you're a photographer, chances are you have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera, and as is common these days, if your camera was manufactured anytime within the last 9 years, there's a good chance it has video capability built in.

Interchangeable Lens Cameras have largely replaced camcorders in the video market place, because of their affordability and much larger sensors.

Think about it, if you have a Full frame DSLR, your image sensor is larger than Super 35 format, which most cinema cameras use, and roughly as big as a RED Helium sensor or the one you'll find in Arri Alexa cameras. Here's a sensor/film size comparison chart for several stills and cinema formats.

Sensor/Film Format size comparison for Cinema and Stills

If you have an APS-C (or DX format for Nikons) Camera, you have a sensor size as big as Super  35mm format, which, a lot of blockbuster films have been shot with  - all much larger than the average camcorder, with better Image quality and much better light gathering, which is helpful in low light situations. There's literally no reason to go with camcorders, except for ergonomics.

This video will help ease your transition into video as a photographer. Video should not be taken lightly, by photographers, videos and stills might seem very similar, you would be right, but they are also quite different, and the transition is not trivial, here's some help to get you going.


Beginner or Professional? You can also leave some tips and thoughts in the comments below, we're never too good to learn new things or be reminded of what we already know.

Comparison Chart: Phil Holland
source: Fstoppers via (DIY Photography)