Top 10 Canon 7D Accessories for Videography

Shooting weddings & corporate videos with the Canon 7D has been one of the funnest aspects of running a video production company. Just our Wedding division alone has booked over 35 weddings for 2010 and we’re steadily filling up the calendar for 2011 and even 2012. Last fall I made the decision to adopt Video SLR technology that others told me would be a bad move. I was hearing it from all angles. “Don’t buy that camera, wait until the bugs are fixed”.. “I would never adopt new technology like that.” Good thing I didn’t listen to those guys. We’re slowly seeing an increase of clients that specifically request our company because of the look and feel we can deliver.

Below you’ll find a list of some of the Top 10 canon 7D accessories we have found useful for our company. This in no way is supposed to be a comprehensive list. Just some of the new tools we’re using. We’re also not paid to advertise for these companies.. Although we’re all ears if the right offer comes along.

First, you’ll need the actual camera body itself. The prices are dropping recently and you can probably pick one up for about $1500-$1600

Top 10 Canon 7D Accessories for Videography

1. You’re going to need some lenses. Start with one of the most popular lens, we shoot with the 17-55mm 2.8 IS for most of the work we do. Even though it’s not an L series lens we like the fact it has image stabilization and most EOS L series lenses don’t have IS until you step up to the telephotos.

2. Another great lens is the 70-200 L f4 IS or the 70-200 L 2.8. Obviously the 2.8 is more expensive however the f4 has served us just fine. Unless your using it in doors you can get away with the 4 instead of the 2.8.

3. Once you have all your lenses and body, you’ll need to be able to mount it on a tripod. Red Rock Micro offers a number of DSLR rig kits. You can even build your own. You’ll need a base plate with rods. We’ve had good luck with our set up.

4. Your rig is still not complete because you’ll need some sort of focus assist. A good place to start would be to get a follow focus system. Again, Red Rock Micro offers a great option if you’re looking to save some money. Their follow focus version 2 is great and is reasonable priced for the quality and build of it.

5. You’ll still need more focus assistance while shooting with the Canon 7D because of the small screen. You can either go with a Zacuto viewfinder or you can go for a full blown LCD. We suggest both given your shooting conditions. The viewfinder for the 7D is very good and the magnification helps greatly.

6. If you want to do it right, go with the LCD. Marshall offers a great option. The Marshall V LCD651ST is one of the best HD LCDs on the market and as of today’s pricing they just lowered it from $1,695 to $1,394.95. Can’t beat that!

7. Almost done. Your rig is just about there. Once you have all this sweet gear you’ll need media to record to. We suggest getting at least 16GB CF cards with a minimum of 60mb/s. You’ll Probably need about 4-8 of these bad boys.

8. You’ll need a professional source of audio because the canon 7D has auto levels which means it’s not that great for audio and will clip your audio. Get a H4n zoom recorder for all your audio needs it comes with two XLR inputs for wire/wireless mics.

9. Speaking of wireless mics you’ll need a pair of Sennheiser mics. I suggest getting two because you never know when you could need both.

10. You’ll need reference audio as well. We suggest the Rode video mic with a 3.5m mini plug for the Canon 7D. It records fantastic audio which is great for reference and if you’re lucky you might be able to use if for some natural audio in your project.. that’s if the auto levels don’t ruin it first.

11. I know this is a top 10 list. However, you’ll probably need some other basics such as additional batteries, cables, cards, headphones, on-board lighting and such. Stay tuned for an updated list.

This is just a handful of useful pieces of equipment we use. Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions.

Ten Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Videographer

View the Press Release on PRWeb

Ben McElroy of McElroy Films offers his top 10 tips for hiring the right wedding videographer to help brides avoid some common pitfalls.

Leominster, MA (PRWEB) November 30, 2009 — December is the most popular month to get engaged according to The Wedding Report. Once the initial excitement wears off and a bride gets down to the business of wedding planning, she can often be overwhelmed at the number of decisions to be made. The actual wedding planning is important, but choosing the right videographer to preserve that special day is just as important.

“Choosing a videographer may take a lot of homework, but your do-diligence will pay off immensely. Your video is going to last a lifetime so make sure you’re happy with every aspect of production.” explains Ben McElroy of Massachusetts based McElroy Films. “There are a few pitfalls brides encounter, such as hiring a bait and switch company that subcontracts the work and not reading the fine print in their contract. A little planning in advance can help avoid these pitfalls.”

Here are McElroy’s top ten tips for choosing the right wedding videographer:

-   Start researching early. Take the time to do your homework. Make sure you meet with the actual person who will be shooting your wedding and have a list of questions ready. Research their education and experience. Do an internet search and visit forums and blogs. Ask to see previous customer testimonials.

-   Hire early on in the wedding planning process. Brides often wait until the last minute to hire a videographer but hiring early can make the process go more smoothly and open up additional video opportunities such as “save the date” videos.

-   View samples of their work in advance. Look for samples on their website. Watch as many videos from their archive as possible and pay attention to the quality of work. Look at the overall picture quality, composition, and transitions. Another crucial aspect is the audio quality. Ask if they use wireless microphones for professional quality sound. Some videographers use on board microphones only, but the sound quality is poor, especially for vows and speeches.

-   Choose a video production company with customizable service. A good production company will keep up on the latest trends in wedding videos and will offer client-driven services rather than an outdated, one-size-fits-all approach.

-   Be specific about the mood, style, and special effects you’re looking for. Bring samples with you to show what you want. Ask to see the different types of special effects they offer.

-   Ask about their video style. Some companies are now offering a modern approach to video including Save the Date, Vignettes, and Couple Stories. Find out what else can be included in your video such as highlights, credits, or photomontages. Cinematic Weddings is a hot video trend. They create an overall mood beyond basic footage. Look for videographers using HD cameras and glidecams, shooting in 24 frames per second (FPS), and who are knowledgeable in cinematic editing techniques.

-   Consider their personality and appearance. Look for someone with the best personality and look to match the wedding theme. Be sure to tell the videographer what to wear for the wedding. If there is more than one videographer at the production company make sure to meet the person who will shoot the wedding.

-   Make sure they are unobtrusive. A great wedding videographer won’t be noticed while still achieving everything needed to capture the big day. Ask if the videographer has experience at your ceremony and reception venues already. Videographers with newspaper or television experience are more likely to know proper etiquette and how to be unseen. State specific requests, such as not interrupting guests with interview questions, in advance.

-   Look for a company that offers High Definition (HD) from start to finish. Many companies are now offering HD, but not all HD is the same. Some videographers shoot in Standard Definition and then burn the footage to Blu-ray. Ask about what types of cameras they use and have them explain the differences. They should be using the latest HD cameras with 1080p resolution.

-   Find out if they can stay within your budget. Look for any additional fees. Most deposits are non-refundable so keep that in mind. Ask if they are running any discounts or special promotions. Many production companies are now offering a gift registry to finance wedding videos. This can be added to overall cost or toward specific items such as additional hours or extra DVDs.

About McElroy Films

McElroy Films LLC is a professional high definition video production company serving Massachusetts and New England. Specializing in corporate, educational, non-profit, wedding, independent filmmaking and music video production, McElroy Films provides a high quality product at a fraction of the cost. McElroy Films prides itself on its client-driven results and boutique-like service by affording each project the attention it deserves.

Top 10 Essential Tools for Video Production

McElroy Films’ 10 Essential Tools for Video Production. We’ve compiled this list of professional grade industry tools for video production. McElroy Films is a professional HD video production company in Massachusetts. We specialize in corporate, non profit and wedding video production.

1. Software – The most important part of any production is the script. We’ve worked with other popular word processors but nothing beats Final Draft AV. We’ve had great success writing our scripts in two-columned format and it’s served us well. Its fast and easy and we love the automatic formatting it offers.

http://www.finaldraft.com/products-and-services/final-draft-av/

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2. Lighting – At McElroy Films lighting is an essential part to any business. ARRI lights are the “Cadillac” of lights, they’re put to use across the world on feature films, TV productions, TV studios and major sporting events. That’s why we’ve chosen ARRI lights. Our kit consists of 1k’s, 650’s, 300’s, and 150’s.

http://www.arri.com/
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3. Camera – The best tapeless camera on the market is the Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM. The EX1 utilizes Sony’s three newly designed 1/2-inch type “Exmor”™ CMOS sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920 x 1080.
Resolutions supported are1080p, 720p and 1080i. It also includes variable frame rates up to 60fps. The EX1 supports SxS memory card technology, utilizing high data transfer rates that enhance the High Definition content creation workflow.

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/

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4. Camera Support – Sachtler makes some of the best tripods in the industry. They’ve been the choice for camera operators for 50 years. They are extremely resilient and break proof under extreme circumstances. We use the Speed Lock Carbon Fiber sticks with the FSB 6 fluid head.

http://www.sachtler.us/index.php?id=1108

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5. Audio – The next tool you’ll need is professional audio. Some of the best microphones in the industry are from Sony. We listed both wired and wireless mics that we use.

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-ECM44B/

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-UWPV1%2F3032/

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6. Headphones – Now that you have professional grade mics, you’ll need to monitor everything. That’s why we listed these headphones from Sony. They’re perfect for any crowded camera bag because of their compact folding desgin.

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-MDR7506/

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7. Dolly – Another great tool in the video production line up is a dolly. They’re not just limited to movie sets and big budget project. Dolly systems have come down in price and are very reasonable. We’ve used the Indie Dolly for years and strongly recommend it. It’s well build and lightweight.

This system comes with foam-padded cases that make it easy for transportation and storage.

http://www.indiedolly.com/
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8. Portable LCD – Every shoot needs them, they’re great for the camera operator and for producers. Ikan makes some very affordable high definition LCDs. Their latest model comes with an HDMI port for fast output from popular video SLRs.

http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/V8000hdmi/index.htm
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9. Equipment Cases – Now that you have all this expensive equipment you’ll need a place to store it for transportation. Porta Brace from Bennington VT, are experts when it comes to cases. All their bags come with Genuine suede straps, durable leather handles and rugged blue Cordura® fabrics.

From cameras to tripods, Porta Brace has a case that will fit your needs. They’re well built and will last for years.

http://www.portabrace.com/
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10. Postproduction – This is the final step of any video production. After the preproduction and all the shoots it’s off to the editing suite. One platform we’ve trusted for years is Final Cut Pro. We’ve grown up with it and now it’s industry standard.

The workflow from our HD cameras to FCP is seamless. We can edit with out any interruption of system lag or errors. Apple and Final Cut Pro are the best in the business.

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/