[Ballgirl]

The regional manager of my company as asked me to take some pictures of two upcoming video shoots going on at my office. He know's I'm into photography.

The first video to be shot tomorrow is about our office. Professional film crew all day speaking to staff etc edited lenghth to be about 5mins long and shown at our Annual Conference.

The second video is a music video shot next week. We are recreating Nickelback - Rockstar as we are the most profitable regional office. Again this is to be shown at the Annual conference.

I was just wondering if anyone has any hints/ tips for these? Lens suggestions etc? Examples of work they've done?

I don't have any professional 2.8 glass so will have to make do with what I have in my signature

[Ballgirl]

[RobDickinson]

Sorry your taking pictures of whats being filmed or the film crew and proceedings?

[Ballgirl]

Probably a bit of both really. The photos will be used in an internal newsletter.

[RobDickinson]

OK then take the D90 with the 18-55 and the D40 with the 18-200 or something?

It should be well lit anyhow and the internal newsletter wont require huge images so dont worry too much about absolute quality (or realy even if the odd highlite is blown) just get some decent shots..

[senu]

Seriuously . it is very hard to give anymore than general advice; Take both cameras ( But mainly the D90 and 18-55).
You could stick the 50mm on the D40 for the occasional sharp Pics with shallow DOF, but Im unsure how the Zooms will be useful ( no harm carting them along though) or as suggested the 18-200 on the D40

What I would suggest in sincerity is that you

Shoot with which camera mode you are most used to as there is n o time to " practice"
Use a bounced External Flash if you have one. If not take advantage of the Video crews lighting to avoid using wide apertures ( and therefore aim for uniformly sharp pictures unless you deliberate want Shallow DOF) the danger of which is OOF pictures

You obviously need to work with the film crew but in your mind, imagine you will be making a slide show of the video shoot (which you can do later with the right music)
This will enable you take as many " relevant" pictures as Possible

Out-takes will include your office premises, the film crew preparing and candids ( The Bosses, ect in non posed pics)

Most of all have fun doing it but remember more is better than fewer . It just gives you lots to chose from after wards

FWIW on of my collegues ( A youung lady doctor) surprised me with her skills and made fantastic "Rockstar" video with a Domestic Sony MinDV camcorder and edited it in Adobe Premiere..
Quite deservedly Sold a few hundred copies
The Photos she used were not shot separately but taken off video Grabs: It is those are the sort you'd be aiming to get
HTH

[Ballgirl]

The 18-200 will only autofocus on the D90.

I was thinking 18-200 on D90 and D40 with 70-300 for extra reach

[RobDickinson]

What 18-200 is it, assuming not the VR one then.

D90 + 18-55!

[senu]

Why do you think you'll need a 70- 300 for what is essentially an indoor shoot ( unless you'll have 2 tripods and the Zoom will be for " Single person shots"

Try and keep it simple and concentrate on getting an " average" imaging of the event. For a newsletter how many will be possible anyhow?

[Ballgirl]

Thanks for your all your help.

I'll try the 18-55 first then.

The 18-200 isn't VR, only a cheapy

[RobDickinson]

If you want to get 'arty' then the 50f1.8 on the D90 will allow you to AF but IMo likely to be too long for most of the stuff you will want to shoot.

[Biscuit761]

My boss wants me to do an actual video cause he knows I do a bit of filming.

If nothing else enjoy what should be quite an interesting few days, hung around a film crew doing a short play at the Barbican a while ago, was amazing how little they did in the time, in older days y mates and I uysed to do cine films could shoot a 5 minute short in an afternoon !

Bill

[Ballgirl]

One thing I was wondering is why use the 18-55 when I have an 18-200?

Is it because the Nikon will be better quality over the sigma?

The 18-55 isn't VR either you see.

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G AF-S DX ED MKII Lens v Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC Lens


Ok the Sigma has a slower aperture at the long end but it wont at 55mm?

[RobDickinson]

I'm guessing, not being much up on the nikon kit lens but understanding its similar to the new canon one for quality that it'll give you sharper less distorted less CA pics than a 11x zoom thats not rated very well.

[Ballgirl]

Originally Posted by RobDickinson

I'm guessing, not being much up on the nikon kit lens but understanding its similar to the new canon one for quality that it'll give you sharper less distorted less CA pics than a 11x zoom thats not rated very well.

Thanks Rob, have to say I haven't really tried the 18-200 yet so I'll stick to what I know with the 18-55

[senu]

You ll find that at similar cost level. The 18-55 will give you better all round optical performance than the 18-200
What you gain in range you lose in absolute optical ability
It is harder to make the lenses with more focal range withou making compromises
Which is why even a "cheap" prime like the 50mm will perform better at 50mm than the 18-55

Aslo If as you say you havent trred the 18-200 yet, An importtant shott would be the time to not try it out till you get used to how it performs