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Media Journal. Describe your personal experience using a video camera. The Video Camera. Basic Elements and Camera Care. GLSHS Video Cameras. Panasonic GS-14 Panasonic GS300 Panasonic AG-DVC7 Canon ZR-800 Canon FS200 Canon GL-1 Canon GL-2. Basic Camera Function.
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Media Journal • Describe your personal experience using a video camera.
The Video Camera Basic Elements and Camera Care
GLSHS Video Cameras • Panasonic GS-14 • Panasonic GS300 • Panasonic AG-DVC7 • Canon ZR-800 • Canon FS200 • Canon GL-1 • Canon GL-2
Basic Camera Function • Regardless of their size, cost, and quality, all video cameras operate on the same principle: • to translate the optical image that the lens sees into a corresponding video picture.
Three Basic Elements • To fulfill the basic camera function, each video camera needs three basic elements: • The lens • The camera itself • The viewfinder Viewfinder Camera Lens
The Lens • The lens selects a portion of the scene at which you point the camera and produces a sharp optical image of it. • Classified by focal length, which is a technical measure of the distance from the iris inside the lens to the place where the projected image is in focus. • Usually measured in millimeters (mm) • Also classified as a wide-angle or narrow-angle lens
Zoom Lens • The zoom lens on a camera can change from a wide-angle position to a narrow-angle position in one continuous move. • Because the zoom lens offers a great variety of focal lengths between its extreme wide-angle and narrow-angle positions, it is also called a variable-focal-length lens.
Zoom Range (Zoom Ratio) • Refers to how close a view you can achieve when zooming in from the farthest wide-angle position to the closest narrow-angle position. • The higher the first number of the ratio, the closer you can get to the object from the farthest wide-angle position. • Ex. 20:1
The Camera • The first main component within the camera itself is the Beam Splitter, which separates ordinary white light into the three primary light colors- red, green, and blue.
The Camera • The second main component inside the camera is the Imaging Device. It changes light into electric energy. • The imaging device in all cameras is a CCD. (Charge-coupled device or “Chip”) • Contains horizontal and vertical rows of thousands or millions of light-sensing pixels. • High quality consumer and all professional cameras contain three CCDs- one for each of the light beams delivered by the beam splitter.
The Viewfinder • A small video monitor attached to the camera that shows an image of what the camera sees. Most cameras have: • An adjustable viewfinder tube • A flat-panel LCD (liquid crystal display) viewfinder that can be folded out and reversed
Camera Care • Don’t expose the camera to the elements. • Never leave it in the hot sun or a hot car or in a car when it is cold outside. • Watch so the viewfinder is not pointed into the sun; the magnifying glass in the viewfinder can collect the sun’s rays and melt the electronics. • Use a large umbrella when shooting in the rain or extreme cold.
Camera Care • Leave the camera with care. • Never leave the camera unattended especially while on a tripod. • When putting the camera down, place it upright. Laying it on its side may damage the viewfinder or attached microphone. • Detach the camera from the tripod when transporting the equipment. • Only Broadcast students are permitted to use the class video cameras.
Camera Care • Use the lens cap. • The lens cap protects the delicate front surface of the lens. • Never touch a lens with your bare fingers. • Never use a cloth or tissue moistened with saliva to wipe a lens clean. Saliva ruins the lens. • Use compressed air from a can to blow dirt off a lens. Never try to blow the dirt off with your breath.
Camera Care • Use fully charged batteries. • Some batteries develop a “memory,” which means they signal a full charge even when only partially charged. • Do not drop batteries or expose them to extreme heat or cold.
Camera Care • Verify the tape format. • All GLSHS cameras use Panasonic MiniDV tapes. Other brands of tapes such as TDK can get caught in the camera and ruined. • Review the previous footage on the tape before recording so that you do not record over important footage.
Camera Care • Examine all connections. • Make sure the microphone jack is fully connected. • When importing to a computer, make sure the USB or Firewire cable is connected securely.
Camera Care • Test the camera. • Even when in a hurry, always do a brief test recording to verify the camcorder operates properly. • Bring headphones to check the audio. • Check the full range of the zoom lens and focus.
Camera Care • Heed the warning signs. • Take note of caution signals and try to address the problem immediately. • For example, you cannot ignore a “low battery” warning.
Camera Care • Put all tools away properly. • Remove tripod plate and return to tripod. • Remove batteries and place on designated charger. • Place the camera in the camera bag and make sure ALL clasps are closed. • Notify Mrs. Houck if you experience any problems or issues while filming so that the camera can be diagnosed and fixed.