Question about slow motion tricks

[Zoey]

Hi Philmug!

Newbie video hobbyist here looking for advice from the gurus. I will be taking a footage of my kid sister's volleyball team games and I would like to add some cool slow mo effects like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjWvl...eature=related

I have tried applying some slow mo effects using footage on a low end HD camera (that I borrowed from my boyfriend) on Final Cut Pro X but its not smooth at all. I'm guessing it partly my lack of skill and FCPX and the Camera.

So my question how can I produce this effect, and if my hardware is lacking, what kind of camera should I use to get a smooth slow mos like this? Thanks!

[chizbol]

Get a cam that has at least 60 fps capability

[rbenzon]

am no pro, but i suspect that it's the camera that was inadequate, not FCP X. action footage is generally best shot with cameras that can capture at 60 fps, at least. (edit: oops, looks like chizbol beat me to that same tip )

if your BF's camera is low-end, it probably won't even capture video at 24fps--so that is probably your weakest link. but that's just my two hobbyist cents. wait for the pros to chime in.

[Mad Mac]

You must get a high end BF.

[Zoey]

Haha

Thanks guys. I'll probably sell my boyfriend and replace him with a Canon 7D. I usually go blind when I read the spec sheets but can that camera film at 60 fps? I mean at least 720p60? I really like the quality of the short videos that DLSR video nerds are posting on Youtube and hope to do something as cool in my home videos. (I'm a failed artist and sold my cintiq but I think I can make it in a field that requires less talent like videography - haha just kidding video guys please don't kill me )

So uh help?

[Salaryman Ryan]

I thought you loved me for my body not my camera. I have you know that the low end camera you bashed is a Panasonic HDC-HS60 capable for HD video (1080@60i) - a very decent consumer camcorder.

There is a feature called Optical Flow on FCPX. It makes slow motion much smoother. I suggest you try it before you decide to replace me dear.

[Zoey]

Ah thanks Ryan. I wonder what was this optical flow thing people were talking about! I'm still trying to figure it out and boy does it take a loooooooooong time to render! I got it to work and the footage moves a bit more smoother now but still not picture perfect as I have seen in the test videos in youtube so my guess I need to buy a high quality camcorder or DLSR if I want to get serious!

[poleng]

yes Canon 7D can do 720p 60fps. just conform it to 24p when importing your footage into your FCP project. you can use the built-it time remap of FCP or you can do it on after effect. i use a plugin in after effects called twixtor for slowing footages.

btw when recording to 60p on canon 7D adjust your shutter speed to 1000-2000 or you can even do 4000 shutter speed for extreme slow-mo effect lol

HTH

[Zoey]

Many thanks Poleng, I'll keep your advice in mind! I have been doing some painful research and read that the Canon 60D seem to have basically the same video quality as the 7D for less cash. Is this really true? Would any of you pros recommend the 60D over the 7D for mostly video shooting? TIA

[rbenzon]

@zoey: have you considered getting a videocam instead?

i am somewhat in the same boat, but with less urgency to buy (the major event i want to document won't happen till march next year).

since my video will entail a lot of action shots, i am considering the following videocams that can shoot 720p @60fps:
1) gopro HD
2) contour+
3) panasonic HDC SD90K or HDC TM90K

the first two are waterproof and shockproof cameras, which are great for POV shots. if you won't be taking much POV shots, the third is a raved-about, bang-for-the-buck consumer camcorder.

i thought about SLRs too, including the canon 60d, but i have over half a dozen nikon lenses. though i can get an adapter to fit them on a canon body, all of the above cameras are less than half the price of a 60d. considering my infrequent video needs, an SLR may be overkill, especially since i already have, um, over half a dozen digital cameras.