DPReview TV: Why Shutter Angle Is Better Than Shutter Speed (for video)

Have you heard video pros talk about using shutter 'angle' instead of shutter speed? Chris explains what shutter angle is and why it's often more useful than shutter speed when shooting video.
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[@KrisCortez]

Shutter speed: Do the math Shutter angle: Camera does the math

[@andreasholmm]

Hahaha lmao oo

[@RobotronSage]

if you can't do the math then you don't deserve a camera imo (lol)

[@fullframevisuals]

Yeah, but this makes it sound like it's about lazyness and convenience, whereas it's really about efficiency and prevention of easily preventable mistakes.

[@TheJaimexxd]

Hahaha lmao

[@StellarAudyssey]

Camera does the math *AND* changes the shutter speed for you

[@robertspano4003]

As a non video person, very useful info, you really do learn something new every day, thanks.

[@waynegoldpig2220]

It's actually incorrect.

[@REZrblde]

This is why doing video is sometimes difficult. Normally we use 180° shutter angle,stuck with the shutter speed. Only variables are ISO and aperture. Thats why ND filters are such a darling for making videos.

[@alvareo92]

Matter Graffika and when shooting with film, not even the ISO is variable!

[@eggydrums]

Been shooting so much outside that I had to buy an ND. A necessary investment!

[@GRIANMEDIA]

What is a good ND filter for an expensive 24 70 2.8 ? I'm stuck wondering if on ND is all I need or multiple ? Also don't want to put cheap filter in an expensive lense.

[@W93h3753mwesley]

@@GRIANMEDIA I use the Hoya 77mm. Its variable. I got the biggest filter thread size for any lens I have. Then bought step up rings for the lenses that have smaller threads. So you dont have to buy a filter for each lens. Unless you use Non variable NDs. The you'll have to get the strengths you need. But I would still apply the same idea. Get a bigger filter thread then use step up rings. Breakthrough photography has some nice NDs . Never tested but I heard the peter McKinnon ND is good.

[@GRIANMEDIA]

@@W93h3753mwesley Thank you for the info. I will check the variable. I'm still not familiar with the density and the stops. That was my main question.

[@tuomas_h]

The intro reminded me of one of the things I love about the Nikon Z 6: I have saved separate "normal" (M) and "slo-mo" (U3) modes to the mode dial, and they automatically recall the appropriate shutter speeds and framerates for each.

[@xmlthegreat]

Haha yeah that's one way to get around having to do the math everytime!

[@KevinStCroix]

OMG! The opening is priceless 😂😂

[@MattAlan01]

Even when the videos don't provide me with new information, I still watch just for these two.

[@AlvinHerp]

0:46 when you're a split second from slapping your camera and you realize you're broke af and can't afford to fix it afterwards

[@HeyHerdy]

Every time!

[@jackychung819]

That's so true

[@AutoWerkMedia]

I've been watching you guys since The Camera Store days and really appreciate how you guys break things down to an easily understandable level. I'm still struggling with my transition from photo to video and being able to grasp the WHY behind stuff like this makes it a lot easier. No one likes to math...and of course it's faster with experience, but it still takes time and is easy to miss a step. Hopefully the 180d menu will eventually find its way to the G9. Thanks guys!

[@yosimizrachi7]

Hobbyist here - Just bought a Panasonic Lumix S5 and got here to learn about shutter angles and I had to leave this comment to say thank you! Now I'm using shutter angles instead of speed and I also learned how to use it to create different creative scenes life the fighting scenes. Thanks guys!

[@JamesCohenCaravan]

I bought a Sigma FP and was going crazy trying to find the shutter speed in the menus, and now I see why I cannot find it. It offers shutter angle in the quick menu! Thank you! This was a FANTASTIC tutorial!

[@dasu5436]

Open a petition for me to sign. This should be standard. Thanks for that video!

[@swaroopsankarsivadasan]

Damn, shutter angle😱 hearing for the first time. Thanks Chris and Jord for the informative video. You guys rocks. 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@johnnysparkleface3096]

Some of this doesn't make sense to me. I've never heard of shutter angle either.

[@jasonkune8635]

I don't know why I'm smiling each time Chris and Jordan represent educational video like this. It's like I'm getting an answered to all the curiousity about how video works. Thank you so much.

[@Ranger7Studios]

I have Shutter Angle on my BMPCC 4K and I don't think I ever want to go back. It's just a much quicker method then having to stop and do math and then surf through all the menus to get the right setting you want. Great video!

[@JoeLewis14]

Great video. Switching to shutter angle has saved my tail many times. You can handle accidentally bumping shutter angle, but giant changes in shutter speed will ruin a shoot.

[@autodidact-d]

THE BEST INTRO TO SHUTTER SPEED FOR VIDEO SHOOTERS. fellas you nailed it very well done, kudos!

[@XavierMeza-jq4rs]

so i was actually watching another video explaining this and i seen your thumbnail and IMMEDIATELY clicked on your video lol you guys explain it SO WELL and make it so EASY to understand. i couldn't believe i forgot to think of you guys first when i started to look this up lol shame on me

[@KarlRock]

Incredible. That’ll save me time. Thanks!

[@1chiTheKiller]

As someone who just got their first cinema camera, all of this is insanely helpful to get me started in learning how to correctly use these new features that my old camera didn't have.

[@sunsetchasers581]

Another positive I’ve found since using shutter angle the last year or so is that it’s more precise at dialing out flicker from cheap led fixtures you find in peoples houses or businesses these days. I try to replace stuff with real practicals when I can, but it’s not always practical lol. 172.8 degrees is magic on my Phillips hue bulbs at the house.

[@clintcompose]

Or just set up custom presets for each mode. Life saver 🔥

[@RobotronSage]

that's not a bad idea at all

[@Soundwave857]

thiss so much, it will even save more than just fps and shutterspeed. it will also safe all the other stuff

[@rickbrewis525]

Literally the first video I’ve found that explains this in a way I can actually understand! Great job!

[@hakeem-ji]

Very well explained Chris, and very well done with your cardboard wheel. Cheers,

[@misha4422]

Thank you for the explanation. Not being a video shooter, I kept thinking “shutter angle,” huh??? Now I have tool, I might even know how to use, like just setting it to 180 and forgetting about it.

[@jknvorneb]

Very well presented and delivered information. Well done!

[@dejayrezme8617]

I'm for shutter percentage :D I can imagine that computational videography might improve these looks actually by scanning a low resolution 8MP sensor and averaging / combinging the individual frames at much higher framerates while at the same time doing digital image stabilization. But you could average the motion blur in a more gauss distribution curve to have a more even motion. Instead of having 180° you'd have 360° shutter speeds but with the ends blending into each other. No idea how that would look but I'd be curious. The big bang would be that you can replace optical stabilization with digital stabilization and maybe also improve image noise / resolution.

[@gottanikoncamera]

I had no idea my X-T3 could be set to shutter angles! I’m going to have to dive in deeper into my manual to figure this out. Thank you.

[@GoProActions]

The xt3 is able to do that?

[@gottanikoncamera]

Still can’t figure out how they got their X-T3 to do that. I’ve been through all my menus twice. I’m thinking their editor got sloppy and erroneously used X-T3 footage instead of GH5 clips.

[@johnbuckingham6895]

Jordan's meltdown in the opening is hilarious. (And also completely relatable.)

[@98JamesNixon]

I think it’s also important for beginners to know they can break this rule when needed. For example the other day I was on set making a short documentary and one of my lenses didn’t have an ND filter on, so I had to overcrank the shutter speed to 90 degrees or even 45. I don’t like doing it but sometimes it’s better to get the shot then to not get it because I’m screwing an ND filter in, most of the time it’s only noticeable on lots of movement. Some shooters I have worked with don’t even own an ND filter and just overcrank the shutter all the time! Don’t think i could do that!

[@PhilipDSouza]

Great I have to increase shutter speeds for birds video. Because I also take photos with the same camera, and have to immediately change to video. If I dare to now put an ND filter the bird will not wait for that... so just crank up the shutter

[@KonstantinGabriel1978]

My head is still turning. Non video guy over here too. But this is actually a nudge in the right direction to try something new. Love your stile of teaching/explaining. Keep it up. Thanks for the new info

[@PLOSHTIC]

Thank you!! Just got a cine camera and I had no idea why my "Shutter Speed" was making my image darker as I lowered it. Makes sense now!

[@yannl.3530]

Thanks, at last a clear & fun tutorial about angles !

[@chrisalexander2478]

This is a really helpful video. Since this video came out a couple of years ago every time someone approaches me about video and shutter speed I link them to this. I looked it back up today to send it to someone else, and I thought it was long overdue for me to tell you guys well done and thanks. :)

[@CharlesVeitch]

This video was so necessary Thank you friends

[@lindseyrecanati8080]

wow, just stepped in the Panasonic world with my new S1H and i have to say, this video was super helpful !!!!! thanks for this great tip!!!!

[@cameralabs]

Very nicely demonstrated and illustrated!

[@IsraelAgyemanPrempeh]

Great explanation, everyone just says make shutter twice your frame rate without explaining why

[@fuxing81]

In other education videos, they just say "use 1/50 shutter speed" for videos, failed to explain why. Finally someone explained the reason, thanks!

[@SteveRockstein2]

Thanks. I was confused about shutter angle. This was a perfect explainer. Just wondering... who are the 93 people who gave this a thumbs down? Really people?

[@StephanWiesner]

I just put my normal and slow motions settings to C1, C2, C3 (on the GH5)

[@ashyxt]

hi sir, if I were to slow down all my 50fps shots to 25fps anyway, should I shoot at 1/50 or 1/100 to get 180degree shutter effect?

[@faishalf1.4]

@@ashyxt obviously 1/100.

[@vallejopnw]

Gh5 for the win 💯 did the same

[@MaikKellerhals]

Yeah it's good to invest some time and set your presets (and configure your fn buttons), makes shooting so much simpler.

[@rogerhuston8287]

Wish more camera's used Shutter Angle - Here's looking at you Sony.

[@unverifiedbiotic]

That shit's a premium feature, along with preview when outputting 4k via hdmi, touch focus in the remote app and a lot of other ridiculous stuff.

[@samjarmin]

i needed to understand the difference between the two as i have the blackmagic 4k and want to start my first short. normally you have to watch a couple of videos to make it stick or to answer other questions you might have. i dont need to watch anything else after this, the video completely explained it out in simple terms. the shutter angle model helped. great video and condensed to keep the most important stuff in.

[@MartianCitizen]

Thank you for this mini course on shutter angle. We on the home world learned a lot. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone...lol. As always, keep up the good work and keep'em flying.

[@lancechinnian4043]

Didn't understand a word of that, but you guys are infinitely watchable (especially Chris) x

[@gregheadley6450]

32K and counting, you did way better than 10,000 Chris!

[@stephensoraci9794]

I watch all your reviews. I like that you give a photography perspective as well as video. With that said I have to tell you. Every episode or video opening with : "This video was shot on the Panosonic GH5" says alot about any product you review and the awesomeness of the mighty GH5. Lol

[@FlyWithMe-gx1sr]

perfect explained, thank you very much 🙂

[@STONEDECISION]

Hey I haven’t seen a video from you guys in a while. Good to see you again

[@dpreview]

Chris and Jordan make two a week, be sure to subscribe!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

That's the best explanation I've heard. Shutter angle = no more maths. I'm sold :)

[@psynuxx]

I have a spinning wheel in my head, it seems to change to 360 degrees after a few beers. Thanks for helping me understand why!

[@Joker5665jn]

Very nice explanation. I wasn't even aware some cameras had the option to auto set the shutter angle. On my A7iii I have the Video Mode set to 24fps 4K with a 1/50 shutter speed, Memory 1 set to 60fps 1080 with a 1/120 shutter speed and Memory 2 set to 120fps 1080 with a 1/240 shutter speed. If you don't have an interest in shooting anything other than with a 180 degree shutter, which I don't, it's a simple switch of the dial to go from 24fps to a higher frame rate and have everything be ready to go.

[@randomgeocacher]

360d (expose the entire cycle) have specific use-cases, for example 25fps filming a rotating fire wheel at a fire show. At 180d or lower, you get weird choppy frames where randomly the fire jumps around. At 360d, you get a wheel of fire. I’m a bit inclined to believing that if you at the higher frame rates you shoot at, the less concerned you should be with the 180d rule; never forget it is a Hollywood rule for shooting drama at 24fps, not necessarily a great rule for other conditions.

[@cheeeeezewizzz]

I agree. Shooting at 60p using a 360 degree shutter would give motion more similar to a 180 degree shutter on 24p. At 120p or faster there are so many frames I doubt the shutter speed matters at all.

[@chrisogrady28]

Joshua Son yes this, IMO 360d 60fps is the best looking video possible, no missing data, satisfying amount of blur.

[@reecemcdaniel8207]

So great, I recently starting using a Panasonic S1 on a production shoot and I was so confused!

[@liveshotsvideoproductions]

Tip for any viewers; if you are filming at a low FPS for the purpose of a high-speed playback, 90deg shutter angle is worth considering. Say you're set to 12FPS, you would get double the exposure time per-frame and this can be blurry. Drop the angle to 90deg and you would get the same frame exposure time as 180deg @ 24FPS

[@RadoslavSharapanov]

Good explanation providing you have an ND filter to control exposure/aperture...

[@csinghvirk]

Love your videos Chris! I've been learning from you for years, Thank You!

[@a.i.dimmer4616]

Jordan throwing tantrums.Great info,im not aware of this level of tech stuff in a camera till now...good job guys!

[@pdcorlis]

Thank God for DPReview!

[@KayOSweaver]

This is so obvious when you think about it, but I'm ashamed to say that I never did think about it when I switched to DSLRs for video all those years ago. Thanks!

[@AbhishekSingh-rj2we]

DPR you rock man! this is the best explaination, have been looking for this for sometime

[@rochditidjani]

Excellent video. I knew about shutter angle in analog film but I never knew about its use with a digital camera. Thanks for clearing that out with excellent footage examples.

[@andywhiteing]

Best intro to a video EVER!

[@MoonbearDiedHere]

Thank you for refreshing my memory on why I even have my GH5 set to shutter angle

[@NL0Gwenster]

I just got a Sony Xperia 1 MK2 a few weeks ago and the cinemapro app that comes with it only lets you adjust stuff in shutter angles. I remembered watching this video a year ago so i looked it up again. Thanks for the explanation !!

[@laurencegrant2882]

Just come across your video. Opening... so funny. I have a Fuji and thought that was me!! Thanks for explaining. I have new Canon C70 (first canon and first cine) so I didnt understand angle so I set to Speed. Will now change to ANGLE !!!

[@laurencegrant2882]

Am I right? @25fps, 360o speed will be 1/25. 180o speed with be 1/50. Angle 90o speed will be 1/100. But best to stay with 180o for double?

[@snowwalker9999]

Another excellent tutorial. It helps you choose your camera in the future if the video is your thing. This is no attack on those 13 individuals who clicked dislike. I am just wondering if they had a better explanation or something else to add to this great educational video.

[@LOWFUEL]

Stunning explanation! I am pretty sure this will allow me to enhance my "calm rotor effect" !

[@EditorBreakdown]

Somebody finally explained it in SIMPLE

[@SliceofFilips]

A few fun facts: The CAF performance of some Panasonic cameras (G85) has been shown to improve at sharper shutter angles (around 120°). G85 and similar panys don't let you set angles, so you just have to play around with it. Sometimes, if I want a cool b-roll shot with lots of bokeh (closeup on a flower or something), on a bright day, I will find that traditionally shutter angle won't allow for the apurature that I want. To avoid overexposure, first I go to 60 fps for higher shutter speed... Then I abandon the rules. 1/200 doesn't look terrible if the subject is relatively still. Can't have motion blur without significant motion! I do the opposite with low light sometimes. I will go to 24fps and I think around 1/40... For relatively still subjects. Again, motion blur is only a problem when there is motion. FPS can be a value exposure tool, if it can assist you in getting closer to a desired shutter speed (but not without trade-offs).

[@PeterGregg]

Chris and Jordan - always appreciated, thank you :)

[@thatjordandrake]

Thanks my friend!

[@PhotoGearFun]

Great video guys. Chris that visual of the shutter angles was great. Keep up the good work.

[@Crlarl]

The equation to relate shutter speed (T), frequency (f) and shutter angle (θ) is θ = 360° × T × f and T = (θ/360°) ÷ f. eg. θ = 180°, f = 23.98 Hz; T = (180°/360°) ÷ 23.98 Hz = 1/47.95 s. eg. T = 1/50 s, f = 23.98 Hz; θ = 360° × 1/50 s × 23.98 Hz = 172.6°.

[@tma2001]

so essentially the use of an intervalometer for video - framerate as the interval between frame readout/presentation and the exposure time expressed anachronistically as a fraction of the framerate from 0 to 360. An explicit percentage would make better sense in the digital age.

[@mygconsultingyou]

I really liked the in-depth explanation. I will share this with fellow film and photo students.

[@shito4k]

U killed the intro well done🙌

[@dennismenace4188]

That awesome red glowing ear back-light is incredible.

[@gurratell7326]

Thank you for bringing this up! There are waaay to many people on KZbin that upload ugly stuttery videos with no motion blur, and that's even thou they're supposed to be some kind of professional in the field.

[@Fe1538C]

180 or twice frame rate (24-30p) / 24p = 1/48s (1/50s) / 25p = 1/50s / 30p = 1/60s and ... 60p = 1/60s (yes this is 360) If you for any strange reason switching in one shooting between 24p 25p 30p or 60p. You should (for convenience) keep one exposition time 1/60s for same motion blur and same exposure. Ultimately 30p(or 60p) is best for KZbin. Because almost all PC monitors and phones is 60fps refresh rate.

[@medcob7402]

Finally the last pieces to the puzzle are in Place - thank you!

[@karlneilson1316]

Another great video guys, loved the analogue explanation. I get shutter angle now

[@artmaltman]

Fascinating. I had no idea, thanks for pointing this out and doing it so clearly!

[@tomgosy]

I understood very little of this... but it looked great!

[@keithkekezwa6868]

An actual tutorial that was actually useful, amazing! Loving the intro's 😂

[@Raychristofer]

Really appreciate this refresher course but it seems I need to refresh myself every few months so as not to get a headache LOL. Also one thing to keep in mind is as you Pan the camera from a shadow area to a sunlit area it's very difficult to maintain that shutter angle if not impossible at that point a variable ND filter can help although they introduce other problems

[@dansshade5621]

Essentials being explained. Simply. Excellent.

[@dragonstone6594]

Excellet explanation! Hopefully all camera makers will add this feature to their cameras.

[@RockWilliams]

Very interesting and informative. I'm allergic to math, have been my whole life. Still trying to understand all this, but thankful for it. Awesome video fellas!!

[@Woodenarrows]

Very informative video Chris, thanks so much for educating us out here... Oh, and your DIY props were a big help in visualizing your discussion...

[@chaloffmediaproductions2347]

Thanks for the explanation; cleared up a lot of confusion

[@MuhammadKharismawan]

Weirdly enough, I am stumbling on this video because a smartphone included the option in their app, but Sony Xperia 1's Cinema Pro app, the CineAlta team added shutter angle rather than shutter speed in it.

[@terminatorgir]

I've never understood people's obsession with shutter angle until today. I've used shutter speed for the past 14 years since the math is so easy, now it makes so much sense though spending less time in menus and more time shooting

[@saladFingers601]

great simple explanation, thank you

[@admiralking]

Brilliant video! Best explanation I have ever seen. Thank you for all the effort.

[@dorokhovos]

LOVE THIS SCATCH IN THE BEGINNING!

[@mortenhaslerud]

Thanks! This was really well explained and helpful!

[@RCwithAdam1]

That intro is so relatable! 😂

[@BertieFett]

Great video guys. I’m a stills photographer but this was really interesting, looking forward to finding out more next week

[@bodkinsbestphotography]

Learn something new every day! Thanks for the tutorial, Chris!

[@jaspergoodall3206]

I’m using a Nikon z7, I use the custom user settings to save 24/30/60 with the appropriate shutter angles. Only downside to your argument is this: I wanted to deliberately shoot at lower than 360 shutter angle for a super trippy dream sequence, even in full manual I could not lower the shutter speed beyond a 360 angle. I never like cameras to decide what limits to put on my creativity!

[@thomaso20001]

That was an eye opening one!!! Thanks so much, I now and finally understand :D