How I Film WILDLIFE VIDEOS: Settings & Best Practices

[@sallyjberry805]

This video was invaluable for me. I would like to shoot more video when I'm out with my camera in the morning. As an R5 user, your simple explanations are helping me get started... thank you! I liked learning about the frame rates that you used... very useful plus other settings. I definitely will go out now and practice. Editing will be my next challenge.

[@BrentHall]

I'm glad I could help! Video can definitely be a bit of a learning curve, but it's super fun and really rewarding!

[@jeffsavilleproductions]

Your 2 cents on auto ISO is spot on. Saved me many times. I'd rather have a bit of noise but get the shot. Just takes a little bit of time in noise clean up but so worth it. Way better then trying to salvage a horribly underexposed shot.

[@SangeetaNarayanVlogs]

Wowww... such awesome shots....hats off to you... thanks for such lovely info

[@TheNaturalAngle]

I will definitely use these tips to make good vlogs and showcase the beauty of Indian Wildlife.

[@sprayhawk808]

After reviewing several of your vids to try and glean some direction, I am asking my jedi master for some direction... I'm visiting Yellowstone this fall and am likely overthinking my photography, but I figure I would rather analyze it now instead of wishing I had thought of something while sitting in Lamar valley... What I am considering is a second body so that I can have one set up for long range photography, likely with the RF800 and the second for video/closer photography, using either a Tamron 150-600 G2 or a 70-200 2.8 IS. I have the R5. IF I get the second body, I would want to have the same form factor for the batteries to keep something simple. Budget is something of a factor, because this body likely sits in my bag alot (I love my R5). So I have looked some at all of the mirrorless bodies from the R to the R10. I have discounted the crop bodies - feel like the full frame is a better route. I think for performance, the R6 has the right tools, but from a budget point - R8. But neither screams this is a great solution. The other route that I have considered is what you talk about with the hybrid shooter, using the MFN button. If I went this route, my gut would say that the Tamron isn't the right lens; that the RF 100-500 gets me a good/flexible coverage without adding the second body. Probably add the RF1.4x as well. IF I go the route of the R5/RF100-500, I likely throw the 70-200 on the M50 that I use as a glorified camcorder, just in case... Any insights to add to my evaluation? Thanks!

[@BrentHall]

So, I actually just made a q and a video with this question in there for you. Sorry it took me so long to get to.

[@ilkergur7003]

This was a very helpful video for a 50 yrs old starting natural videographer;) I am trying to use the auto iso as well. I am shooting with a7 s3 sony camera that has dual iso. Shooting high iso doesnt matter as long as I shoot with higher native iso. My question is how i would expose with second dual iso instead of shooting with a middle range iso that would create noise. Any suggestions? Thank you very much.

[@rpinsc]

Which Deity Mike were you using? They have two that look identical but one is twice the price. Thanks Ron

[@kansascityrc]

As a hybrid shooter also, those tips of setting up the R5 for quick video switching is incredibly helpful.

[@BrentHall]

Thanks Mike, I'm glad the video helped!

[@ukwildlife]

Hi Brent, a quick request There are very few videos on the topic of filming wildlife, at least when compared to photography, so I decided to make my own one, from my perspective of starting out and I'm going to put section in it on videos Ive found useful, would it be OK to use a short clip of yours? I'm thinking a screen capture of it playing in for a few seconds in the window/not fullscreen, Ill obviously pit a link in the comments too!

[@BrentHall]

oh, sure.

[@paulomateus3083]

Very good one as always thanks! I usually follow the 180° rule, but for wildlife I'm using most of the time a long lens and handheld which means even with the best ibis in the world I will need to add some stabilization in post, having sad that I don't want to have motion blur from some the camera shakes, so I always increase my shutter unfortunately. Can you please tell which video do you cover the AF for video? I struggled to find it.

[@naturesviewwithanishkhira]

Which camera is best for making birds videos?

[@BrentHall]

Well I can only really speak for Canon Canberra since that's all I've used in a while, but the R5 is my favorite for filming wildlife.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I just finished shooting video of wildlife for the first time. Filming Elk in the Rut here in the HOH Rainforest. I learned I need a good Mic or external recorder and I need to be on a tripod. As silky smooth as my Olympus kit is stabilized two things happen. After chasing Elk through the forest I am simply winded and breathing hard sometimes. And it gets tiring to hold my camera for long periods of time. So for next years Rut I will have both those items.

[@BrentHall]

Oh man, I would love to get up there for rut! I love that area but have never been up there for the fall.

[@terrywbreedlove]

@@BrentHall If you can come here next September I will find the Elk.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Some solid tips, Brent. I have C3 set for 120 fps and I didn't realize the record button would switch from stills mode to video C3. I couldn't figure how to change to a regular mode. I'll set the MFN button like you do to switch to a different video mode. The R3 has a regular video/stills toggle switch like the DSLRs do. Sounds perfect for you!

[@BrentHall]

Thanks man, I'm glad I could help! Yeah, the R3 would definitely be a good fit for me, if it weren't for the price! And I certainly wouldn't sacrifice my R5 to help cover the cost, so I'll just have to rent it when it comes out.

[@Windgefluester]

do you have any videos that goes more into the settings???? how to set it up correctly? thank you

[@BrentHall]

The only other videos I have for settings are more for the stills side.

[@PhilipDSouza]

Great video! Thanks! Just want. your opinion about the shutter speed: I sometimes tend to break the 180 rule if the light is too much and the low 100 iso is not helping much. So I raise the shutter speed (as you mentioned about pulling stills), but only for the sake of not using an ND filter so that I can jump from photography to videography and back. I used ND filters for video; but then every time removing it from photos, and putting it back for videos, is a waste of time, esp when the bird is right in front of you! Any tips, please?

[@OutOfCuriosity]

Nice music choice for the first few wildlife sequences. As always interesting and informativ, thx.

[@BrentHall]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[@robertlawrence7958]

I have learned a lot of good stuff since subscribing to your channel. You have an excellent teaching manner and have been a great help in the setting up of my R6. Many thanks.

[@BrentHall]

Thanks man, I really appreciate that, and I'm glad my videos are helping!

[@robertlawrence7958]

@@BrentHall no problem. I've been doing photography for many many years but I do struggle a bit with modern tech so it's very useful to have this sort of resource available.

[@dannynash5713]

This is was an excellent educational video with great footage to boot! 👌

[@BrentHall]

Hey thanks Danny, I'm glad you liked it!

[@bijayghising2648]

Thank you Brent. I feel like this video is specially made for me. I really appreciate for helpful tips which can improve my birding videos.

[@BrentHall]

I'm glad it helped!

[@Jimydog72]

Truly informative. Thanks for taking the time to get all that out.

[@BrentHall]

Glad you liked it Jim, it did take me quite a long time to put together! :)

[@serge-olivierrondeau5790]

Hi thanks for the video! I’m curious about the stabilisation you use on the lens. Is it mode 1 or 2 ? Thanks!

[@BrentHall]

I always keep it in mode 1.

[@Tipton_Wildlife]

Great! Now make this video again but make it R5, RF100-500mm or RF800mm specific! JK. I like that you covered the 8K crop trick. It even looks decent cropping in on 8K footage shot with the RF800mm. It's like having a 1600mm F11 cinema lens. For filming predators like Grizzlies or wolves, it's awesome. Curious if you use CLOG3 BT709 or CinemaGamut? I came across this video while researching those items.

[@DavidJonesImages]

Thanks’ great video. Question: how do you deal with the camera fan noise when using a camera mounted microphone?

[@BrentHall]

I don't usually have a problem with that with my cameras.

[@DavidJonesImages]

@@BrentHall Thank you

[@karenfrybelove]

This was so helpful for this R5 user! Thank You! 👏🏼🥰

[@BrentHall]

Thanks Karen, I'm so glad it helped!

[@renesch438]

Very helpful as I’m just learning video. What is a simple editing software to get started?Do ever use any filters on your 800mm? Thanks for sharing

[@BrentHall]

Thanks, I'm glad it helped! Unfortunately the only video editing software I use is Premiere, so I really couldn't offer any advise about other programs.

[@johndc7446]

What is the lowest frame rate you usually use? Do you use 24fps sometimes? I have 60fps but with a cropping. I use 24fps to use the complete sensor.

[@BrentHall]

I definitely use 24p if there's not much action, or I don't need slow motion, or it's low light and I want a slower shutter speed.

[@MagicRat18767]

Thank you Brent for your video. Very clear. One question: you say that your standard setting is 4k at 60fps. Which will be your standard timeline in premiere or other editing software that you use? Will you always edit the videos in slow (with a 24fps timeline) or you change the framerate of the timeline into 60fps? Thank you!

[@BrentHall]

My timelines are always either in 4K 24p or 1080 24p, that way I can slow any 60 or 120p footage down if I need.

[@rogersulenski5646]

You did it again, another "Great" video. This will be so helpful, thanks. One question, what program do you use to edit your videos?

[@BrentHall]

Thanks Roger! I use Premiere Pro.

[@davidjenkins181]

Great video Brent. I've had the 100-500 for a few weeks, looking to add some reach to my camera bag. I've seen your review of the 800mm F11, but I'm thinking of adding a 1.4RF extender to my bag for now. (Takes up less space, and I can use it with the 70-200 I'll eventually get) That would give me a 700mm f8(f9?) I've seen videos of photographers using the 1.4 on the 100-500, starting at the 300 mm range because of the lens on the extender inside the zoom. Have you used this combination? Would it be a more water resistant option?

[@BrentHall]

Hey thanks for the kind words David, I appreciate it! I will actually be doing a video about the 1-5 with the TC here soon. You're definitely not the first person to ask that same question! :P

[@TimLaytonDarkroomDiary]

Great video Derek. What editor do you use?

[@BrentHall]

Who is Derek? I use Premiere Pro CC for video editing.

[@19Photographer76]

What's so funny is that scenes in videos, like at 2:00 are acceptable because we can 'feel' being there. Take the same scene but capture it as a still, it won't work, why? For those reading, the highlights are clipped, no detail which for still images would be needed by most. Guess I should have waiting a little longer for Brent to explain...nice video!

[@BrentHall]

Motion makes everything cooler! lol

[@SafariMomentsVideos]

Thanks Brent what a fantastic video, full of fantastic info that I really needed I have been struggling with my video set up and this answered so many things I was struggling with. As a hibrid like yourself I often change between Photo and Video a lot So the tip of setting up the Camera to switch with that button will help me a lot. Just a question if you don't mind, I have the R6 and have set the M-fn button to shoot in Video just like you but I don't think the R6 has the functionality to change the setting to c3 mode am I right in thinking that or am I just not doing something right. It does change to video mode but with no settings so I cant figure out what setting it is shooting the video in.

[@BrentHall]

Thanks man, I'm glad it helped! Yeah, that's the one thing I really hate about the R6, is that stupid manual mode dial. It makes it way more of a pain to set up easy switching from stills to video. You can do the m-fn button, but it won't work like the R5. The problem, as you may have noticed, is that because your mode dial is not in video mode, then you can't have control over the video settings, and that's what annoys me the most. I did set up the record button for c3, and set up my c3 video settings for a general quick video setup, but again, no way to change settings once you hit record.

[@SafariMomentsVideos]

@@BrentHall Thanks Brent I did not think I could do it like you did with the R5 suppose that's why the R5 cost more, has more functions like that. I am a Safari Guide in South Africa so I often switch between video and Photo so it it a bit of pain with the R6 but practice is making me better at it:) Yeah when I try film in non video mode its very limited setting wise. Thanks for the response I appreciate it.

[@AlanChown]

Great video. Do you use ND filters to achieve the lower frame rates?

[@BrentHall]

Formal video stuff I do, but not usually for wildlife. I just stop my aperture down if it's really bright outside.

[@KungPowEnterFist]

Why do your clips always look like they have been shot in 480p or 720p?

[@camerasutra247]

I think I just found my twin. I have two 1dcs and any other Canon cameras. Now shooting with the R5 and R6 and can totally relate. Stay blessed bro and let me know if you are up for a collaboration anytime. I am the Washington DC area.

[@BrentHall]

lol, nice. I really loved that 1DC. :)

[@camerasutra247]

@@BrentHall I still do

[@jacobrheams]

very interesting and imformative!

[@BrentHall]

Thanks Jacob, I appreciate that!

[@Ed-gc5xb]

Hi how is the stabilisation with the r5 on either the 100-500 or rf 100-400 I’m after a camera for handheld wildlife video, I found micro four thirds great but the stills aren’t as great as I would like thx

[@BrentHall]

It's been great for me personally. I'm pretty sure I talked about that in the video. All of my wildlife clips are handheld. Some clips do require a bit of extra stabilization in post, but that's easy enough to deal with for me.

[@Ed-gc5xb]

Thanks I might give the combo a go, I bought a gh6 with 50-200mm lens and whilst the stabilisation is great the af and stills quality isn’t what I would like, my main camera is the Sony a1 with the 400mm 2.8 and it’s impossible to to handheld video either that combination

[@eerofi]

Very helpful, Brent!

[@BrentHall]

Many thanks, I'm glad it helped!

[@gpaw8513]

Hi Brent... I've not been able to set my Record button to 4k on my R6 ... Any help would be appreciated.... Thks

[@BrentHall]

You need to be in stills mode, then go into your camera (the red icon) menu and change the video to the 4K settings that you want, then go into the wrench (the yellow menu) and register the settings fort the C3 function.

[@gpaw8513]

@@BrentHall Thks.... Perfect...... lol

[@thilakpiyadigama2549]

Super Video!!

[@gpaw8513]

Hi Brent.... I've been trying to figure out how to assign 4k on my Record buttom "c3" .... thks

[@gpaw8513]

ps... on the r6...

[@BrentHall]

Glad I could help! :)

[@gpaw8513]

@@BrentHall lol..... Still can't figure it out..... Could you list the steps... thks

[@itakephotos1141]

Thank you for this video.

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome, I hope it helped!

[@itakephotos1141]

@@BrentHall yes it did. Very helpful.

[@lisabirdluvr9742]

Great information

[@BrentHall]

Many thanks!

[@leoayala131]

Hi Brent, this video was extremely helpful to me, especially the 180 rule, thank you! I do have a question however, I'll be traveling to costa rica in 3 months and want to video for the 1st time (I use my cameras 100% for photo). My goal is to capture short clips of hummingbirds and other wildlife in slow mow, not super slow, just a little slowed down. When you said in this video that you use 60fps and 120fps is that based on ambient light/time of day or getting video that's slow mo or super slow mo? I won't be making any youtube videos, I just want short 10-15 second video clips of wildlife to go with my photos. I'm trying to determine what fps to use. I'm trying to keep the video editing as simple as possible. Thanks Brent!

[@BrentHall]

When I film in 60 fps, I slow it down to 40% in a 24p timeline so it ends up as slow motion. If you film in 120p the camera will slow it down to 30p in camera. It just depends on how much you want to edit and how big of file sizes you can handle.

[@forsterl.stewart414]

Recently I was photographing Bald Eagles and was so wrapped up in the stills. I captured an Eagle on black ice standing in a little water with a mirror image of it. As it stood there trying to get the fish it could see through the ice. But in stills you can't see the fish below him so he has his beak open running it along the ice tryimg to get the fish. It was an awesome event. After the Eagle gave up and flew away I had that afterthought moment DAM I SHOULDVE CAUGHT THAT ON VIDEO. Bwaaahahaha... I have to laugh to keep from crying.

[@BrentHall]

I know the feeling, lol. At least you got the stills though. :P

[@forsterl.stewart414]

@@BrentHall I can't help keep thinking though...chances are I will never get that opportunity again. Oh by the way loved your content. Thanks for sharing.

[@alphaluck3288]

Love the vid❤️

[@BrentHall]

Many thanks!

[@amila_pathirana]

Thank you

[@BrentHall]

You're welcome!

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

The cat go for a sleep and leave you in peace?