Best Camera Settings For Low Light Video (On ANY Camera)

[@chadwin]

What’s something you do to make your night time footage look better? 🎥 🌙 💡

[@flojotube]

I’m way late with this, and maybe it’s not in line with your content.. (sorry) - but I have used this 24FPS technique since seeing your video a year ago, and while I still make mistakes in other aspects of night shooting, it’s still something I didn’t know before… That said, I’m curious about 2 things… (which may not be exactly “in line with your content”) 1. Why would my iPhone 11 Pro Max allow FAR MORE natural light in at 4K/30 than it does at 4K/24 ??? Isn’t this bizarre?? 2. I’m trying to master the settings when shooting the MOON, and the night sky in general. I have a LUMIX DMC FZ1000 and a Sony A6 w/ the modest zoom lens it came with along w/ the standard lens (note: the Sony does allow digital zoom “i-zoom” I believe? That does get me pretty darn close, and does produce a crisp image… However, when I find something that ABSOLUTELY MUST be captured on video (which believe it or not, has been happening more often than I can believe) - I start adjusting things around and suddenly find myself ruining the whole picture… I’m sorry, but I just can’t understand why or what I’m doing wrong. Do you have a video to link to me that focuses specifically on these subjects? Thanks for all you share!

[@sorateal12]

Thank you for this!! I'm about to shoot a horror film with a main shot of a silhouetted character with glowing hair, and had no idea how to shoot a dark scene!!

[@TheMusicRecordingNetwork]

You are the man. Now i clearly understand why my video look crazy. Never knew shutter speed made a difference. Going over my setting now. Thanks. New Canon M6 Mark ii

[@AnandaGarden]

One principle that's been very useful to remember is that it's okay if there's lots of darkness in the frame, but there HAS to be good light on the parts that matter. Even if they are tiny, e.g., a rim light on a face - those little bits have to look good. Passing on - oh gosh, have you seen the little icon of the guy standing on his theater seat and cheering madly, in the SF Chronicle film reviews? That's me watching your YT vids. Seriously grateful. These ideas on low light videography were all rattling around inside my head from previous learnings, but I'm very thankful to you for congealing them into one big ball for focused review. So helpful - I shoot indoors so much that sunlight seems alien - what is this big, overexposed place?

[@chadwin]

Yes, exactly! As long as you have a good rim light or backlight, it's okay to have nearly the entire frame in darkness! I do this all the time. Hopefully these ideas have been helpful for your own filmmaking. I do a lot of shooting in studio too, so trust me, I know how it is Not shooting in the sunlight all the time. haha! Thanks for big support!!

[@betterlocation]

that backlighting tip was Gold, subscribed!!!

[@chadwin]

hey thanks, hope it helped! welcome to the channel

[@Rob-m9s]

I gotta subscribe. You keep moving along, dropping knowledge and remaining interesting. Thanks!

[@blazecarr]

excellent video. thank you for sharing. just picked up an fx30 and will be filming my kickboxing match indoors most likely with a lit up ring and dark surroundings.

[@zakichrisshinali2729]

I love this. So helpful. Does this apply even on iPhone 7

[@chadwin]

thanks, glad it was helpful! yes, a lot of these principals work for the iphone. if you use the Filmic Pro app, you can control your camera much better

[@syafster]

this is what i needed to hear. (it means i need a new camera)

[@chadwin]

haha, well at least maybe it points you in the right direction for your needs! getting any full frame sony camera really will give you much better low light

[@mohsenkolahdooz3718]

Man, you just enlightened me!! Big up to you good dude

[@chadwin]

Thanks! hope it helps with your educational vids!

[@CraigAddy]

This was very useful and interesting. I’m a beginner here and just learning the ins and outs of camera settings. I’m dealing with a couple of restrictions. Space is one. I’m live streaming piano performances and I often do them in the evening where I want to keep that cozy nighttime light with candles etc. Like you just said, I got one of those LED panels I can mount on top of my DSLR Canon EOS 80D. Even at it’s lowest setting it abolished the night time mood I want. I’m not sure what my solution will be as I have severe space restrictions for placement. Also, wrapping my brain around aperture settings. Seems like a wide aperture is desirable for low light but that it also narrows the depth of field. That doesn’t work to well for me because it puts the upper and lower range of my piano out of focus. Also, I’m thinking I want the 60 FPS so my hands look smooth and fluid when I’m playing fast. So much to learn. Luckily I like a good problem.

[@aaronromero7723]

Nice video bro. quick question what lenses u recommend for a crop sensor. 90D for video in low light. Thank you So much

[@chadwin]

yeah, thanks for watching! that depends on the kinds of things you are filming and what look you want. but for low light in general--i'd get any lens that At least is f2.8 and f1.8 would be much better!

[@iSpike]

Thanks Chad, new subscriber here Cheers from Western Australia 🇦🇺 👍🏻

[@YOUNGARSON]

Thank u so much

[@xuhuiyuanxu]

great lesson

[@chadwin]

Thank you for watching!

[@nemisis4804MaddLabsTv]

Thank you for this i definitely needed it, I would love to see more videos like this.

[@chadwin]

MaddLabsTV/MaddVisionFilmz hey thanks! I hope it helps out with your own low light filming situations in the future. I’ll try to make more vids like this for sure! 🤛

[@nemisis4804MaddLabsTv]

@@chadwin Thank you! Love your channel!

[@plugmeradio]

Ironically your last scene on this post I got the same shot of St. Patrick Cathedral for a music video in 2015. Great info Sir thanks. I tend to get nervous before I go shoot a music video it's like 15 years I still get nervous.

[@exploringbiblicalendtimes779]

Thanks for this. I just boosted the ISO and it looked fine

[@chadwin]

awesome! glad that worked and looked good for you!!

[@kerendn]

This is the video I needed to see. Thank you so much!

[@chadwin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HungryManKitchen]

Best video on this topic so far! Very well done!

[@chadwin]

Glad it was helpful! thanks so much!

[@ibDirtyGlasses]

using these tips on my Galaxy Ultra for ad hoc vids 😎

[@wildcatslife686]

Thnx, I learn about fbs. Wish you health

[@tsunarun]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏 very instructive vidéo 👍👍👍😁

[@ginotarabotto]

Hi, between log and a picture profile such as flat (using Nikon z6 ii), which is better for filming a night scene?

[@chadwin]

at nighttime, i would probably shoot in a log format, as long as the Z6ii has decent lowlight performance!

[@paritoshnayak1587]

Loved your video

[@yalafilmsdavidjwoodall9201]

Thanks!!! Great Advice!!

[@chadwin]

David j Woodall no problem, thanks for tuning in!! 👍🏻

[@owenjenkinsofficial]

Okay I have a question. How and why is everyone using picture profiles on sony cameras. With mine, if I am in movie mode shooting in slog, picture profiles aren't even an option? Or is this more of a workaround in the photo hybrid sony cameras? I have the FX30 and am learning right now.

[@JimRobinson-colors]

Sony Alpha has noise reduction on higher ISO. Scene luminance is the only way to get good images - everything else is making passable images. You need the most light to hit the sensor. Unfortunately ISO doesn't have much to do with the sensor - the noise floor is there and the sensitivity is a fixed value - Bumping up the ISO happens after the sensor and shifts middle grey - the best ISO is low for low light because it puts the most stops below middle grey and will show detail better. But then it requires lighting. That's is why film and TV productions have truckloads of gear. Without the lights we are just faking it.

[@pratikbabhulkar2295]

Yupp when you light the subject from front ..it looks terrible 😑 ..nice insights and tips 🙏

[@chadwin]

pratik babhulkar yeah, front lighting almost always looks bad! Thanks for watching 🤛

[@TravellerChris]

I'm crazy about night videos (walking around, showing the sights), but I can't afford a high-quality camera, so I'm trying to shoot them with my GoPro Hero 10 and Insta360 One R 1". Most of them came out terrible because I used the wrong settings. Thank you for the tips! I'll put them to good use soon! (Subscribed)

[@chadwin]

Yeah, hopefully my tips help some! You’re definitely going to struggle with low light with both of those action cams cause the sensor is just so much smaller and they built them to perform best in daylight outdoors, but I think getting your settings right will help some! Thanks for joining the channel!!

[@FC-py6xk]

Awesome Vid!!! Quick question - For your camera, what Aperture, ISO and Shutter speed did you set it at??

[@andywheat1411]

This is a great video.

[@JoelRiveraMD]

Question: newbie question. why would I choose flat Film profile on the pocket 6k at night if that will give me more dynamic range in highlights and shadows but at night there are no highlights?? Would it be better to use video or extended mode instead??

[@chadwin]

Joel Rivera it’s all good. You can definitely shoot in video or extended video at night. I just prefer to shoot in film because it preserves more of the shadows, so if I need any details I have them. Otherwise they get crushed with too much contrast and can’t be recovered in other modes. You’re right, The highlights don’t matter as much cause yeah, it’s shooting at night haha

[@upstreamcolours3422]

Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@chadwin]

You are so welcome. thanks for watching

[@dreycarterstothe3499]

Can you show us how to get the best of night time filming with the standard lense? a6400

[@chadwin]

the settings and tips I talk about in this video will also apply to the a6400 and any lens you have! just shoot as wide open as you can, even if it's only f4

[@dronetheworld4k67]

Plz mention what camera settings r needed to eliminate noise ? Picture profile ? Sharpness/Saturation etc...

[@chadwin]

Sam Tours 4K قناة سام للتصوير SUBSCRIBE main things are keeping ISO as low as possible, but still get exposure. Use wide open aperture. Don’t shoot slog at night.

[@waqarmahmood7751]

You don't have much dynamic range at night time, so there won't be much dynamic range. Shooting with no picture profile can lead to a cleaner image with less noise in comparison to a log profile.

[@TomLally]

So for night life would you recommend not using picture profiles like HLG3 or Cini 4? Thank you.

[@waqarmahmood7751]

@@TomLally hlg3 gives u cleaner results as the base iso is only 100. I have would only used slog3 in extreme low light conditions where perhaps dual ISO 12800 ca the be used

[@darshancarshoppee]

Hey bro. , Can u help me out settings with DJI osmo action camera for low light captures , Love from India

[@chadwin]

sorry i dont have the oscmo action but i bet there some good vides out there explaining it! action cams are notoriously bad in lowlight though, just so you're aware it will still struggle some.

[@jaredfilms]

but what about light flickering? don’t u put the shutter up till it doesn’t flicker ? like 1/100

[@chadwin]

Sometimes you do have to adjust your shutter speed to get rid of flicker, but I wouldn't see 1/100th is always the solution, sometimes going slightly slower to 1/40th can fix the issues. But honestly I try my best to keep flickering lights out of the frame all together. Otherwise you can use a few plugins that get rid of flicker in post.

[@jaredfilms]

Chadwin Smith yes it was just an example... but sonetimes my lights just flicker at 1/50th soo (as i shot my shortfilm last month) which plugin?🙆🏽‍♂️

[@chadwin]

@@jaredfilms Oh gotcha! I'm sure you can save the footage you shot! It's called "Flicker Free" from Digital Anarchy. It's a little expensive at $150, but if you need it, you need it! haha digitalanarchy.com/Flicker/main.html

[@josephmullen3254]

hi what camcorder are you using for youre videos thanks very much

[@jakobbey4282]

Nice vid

[@chadwin]

Thanks man!

[@surimakhloga30]

How to set WB while shooting for interior dimly lit room or for candle night dinner..... should we keep footage slightly underexposed ?

[@chadwin]

White balance to whatever light you are using as your key light, let's say 3200OK then your candle will still warm at around 2000K. I wouldn't underexpose, I'd actually error on the side of more light cause you can Always crush the blacks in post, but you can't bring back shadow detail if you never captured them to begin with.

[@griigsee8316]

what if you're shooting a nightclub event and cant have a light behind the subjects? would you recommend a LED light on top of the camera(on the lowest setting)?

[@chadwin]

Hmm, you could put a light on top of your camera if absolutely necessary, but just be aware that it will look like a bright white flashlight shining on them and the lighting will be very flat. I’d recommend shooting with the fastest lens you have and using any club lights they have to your advantage.

[@benvanmassenhove]

Help: I bought the ZV-1 (not the best cam for low light conditions I know), but I am wondering which exposure should you try to aim when filming parties in nightclubs or weddings? In daylight we always try to aim 0.0 exposure. But does this count for shooting a nightclub as well? I mean, in a nightclub its dark, our eyes in the nightclub see less then outside because of the darkness and flickering lights? If you want to capture that, I guess you dont need to hit that avarage 0.0 exposure? For example, when theres a frame where there is no strobo or big light lightend up, the "dark" moments, what exposure should you aim there? Or is it the other way around? When there's a frame with the strobe is lit, do you need to hit the 0.0 exposure then or is it ok to go over the 0.0? Beginner question :) I feel the breaking point of my Sony ZV-1 in low light is ISO 200 / 400. The exposure I get from that is -1.7 within a frame that the strobo is not active.

[@JustDavidMinistries]

Pure gold! Thanks so much

[@chadwin]

Thank you! Hope it helps with your next low light shoot!

[@JustDavidMinistries]

Chadwin Smith Most definitely

[@reubenjamieson-soper8742]

Why is there so much disagreement over shooting in S-log in low light? I wouldv'e assumed like you said, it's the better option, so you have all the data to play with in the grade, but a lot of people say Log isn't a good format to shoot in low light for a lot of reasons, including introducing more grain in the grade.

[@chadwin]

Yeah, there are a lot of opinions about what’s best. That’s why typically I just test out different things and see what’s best for me. Flat PP’s can add more grain in low light, but on the FX3 and a7siii it has such good noise reduction that it’s not a problem. Just gotta do what’s right for you and your cam

[@BarryMaskell]

Shoot at 360 degrees to get an extra stop of light I.e. 25p - 1/25 many video cameras do this in auto mode

[@kyleschwartz.]

Is it better to shoot in 4k or 1080 when its getting dark outside for video?

[@COHIBAOFFICIAL]

Is the bmpcc that much worse than the a7s? I saw some comparisson vids and thought they were pretty close, but can't remember which new bmpcc and sony a7s they were comparing

[@Visualsthatgohard]

But what if you put soft light infront of your camera when recording or taking pictures at a club?

[@chadwin]

yeah, you can do that! I've seen a lot of photographers and some videographers use lights on board their camera. even if it is a soft light though, it's still gonna look like flat frontal lighting. it's a trade off tho cause clubs are so dark!

[@jamesdon8423]

I always have trouble shooting at night time. Especially with flickering light sources in public

[@chadwin]

Yeah, it can get really annoying dealing with flickering lights in public or underneath fluorescent lights. Sometimes you do have to adjust your shutter speed to compensate for that, but I usually just frame the problematic lights out.

[@hanimlatch7020]

the must useful videos for this supject

[@chadwin]

awesome! glad it helped!

[@sningo-zd6ns]

learning about camaras make me to think ; our eyes are the most advanced cam of the whole World .

[@josephmullen3254]

hi will i give you my camcorder details yes its a panasonic 2009

[@ssabykoops]

8:05 omg the acting there ,, lol

[@jgvbadv]

If you think about it shooting FLAT isn't good for low light :)

[@mohsenkolahdooz3718]

I produce educational videos at home for my lovely students. I have a question. . which one do you think is better? A. putting the camera close to me with no zoom? or lens

[@chadwin]

nice! not sure your exact camera. but for a small room at home, using a wide angle close to you is probably the easiest and best solution.

[@archaja]

It seems, that in one point the professionals are not speaking with one voice: The flat profile. I´ve heard a lot of professionals who say "don´t use a flat profile at night or low light condition". You say the opposite.... what to do?

[@kalleankaa7536]

But you didnt mention that you could actually lower the shutter speed matching the value of the fps. Say i shoot at 24fps. I could avtually do 40-30-25 shutter instead of 50 to get more light in and let not your subjects move so much so it wouldnt create too much blur.

[@chadwin]

you could definitely lower your shutter speed if necessary to let in more light, but I would avoid doing it if you can, cause the motion blur gets very apparent even with small movement,.

[@kalleankaa7536]

@@chadwin yes but its a trick. One has to tell the audience not to move much or just having a scenenery that is not in too much motion.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

Night streets are really hard to get correctly lighted.

[@chadwin]

Yeah, if you're lighting up a street, it takes some very powerful lights and a lot of them. If you can't light them, you just gotta rely on ambient and available light.

[@PowersBenzoCoaching]

Wait a minute. I saw footage with Sony a7 shot at ISO 1250 and it had some grain

[@chadwin]

Powers Benzo Coaching yeah, in low light situations, I’ve definitely still had some grain in my images at lower ISO’s on the a7s but it’s MUCH better than what I’ve seen come out of my Pocket 6k, my old Canon T3i, the Sony FS5, and many other cameras.

[@PowersBenzoCoaching]

Chadwin Smith I saw a demonstration with the pocket 4K and a RED and the Pocket 4K held up wonderfully until those higher ISOs. I wonder how the Sony a7 holds up to a RED

[@popcornparam]

Use a car headlight . Good cheat idea.

[@paritoshnayak1587]

We are just 73k from 100k

[@chadwin]

hahahaha! only 73k! 😂 So close right? Jk. Thanks for the support!

[@AnandaGarden]

@@chadwin You should, and will, have 1.5M subscribers. Just keep it going.

[@timothykieper]

Break the 180 degree rule. Example; 24 FPS at shutter speed 1/24

[@chadwin]

that's true, you can do that--IF you're not moving the camera, otherwise you get too much motion blur.

[@hiyorisarugaki1830]

Using the Lumix G7 at the lowest ISO 200, shows so much noise that the camera is useless.

[@chadwin]

that's a bummer. I didn't know low light performance was so bad on the G7.

[@yakine13]

4:55 Fake reading Lol, She doesn't even turn the page...camon

[@chadwin]

hahahaha! she can't even read....😂

[@beautybynuby6361]

@welcometoskyvalley