Preparing a Camera for Shooting

•ENG

•EFP

•CONSUMER

ENGENGElectronic News GatheringElectronic News Gathering

• Filter

• White Balance

• Audio

• Iris

• Focus

ENG cameras are more used by professionals. For higher quality purposes, many settings must be customized by the videographer, whereas on consumer cameras a lot of the settings are automatic by default, which is not always the best.

F-W-A-I-FF-W-A-I-F - acronym to help remember

ENG CamerasFilter

• Filter 1Used inside or outside at night.

• Filter 2 Used outside on an overcast day.

• Filter 3Used outside on a bright and sunny day.

The filter is a lens inserted in the image path before it hits the CCD chip. It’s purpose is to filter out certain kelvin color temperatures (not to be confused with farenheit), whether you are in a warm setting (outside natural light), or cool setting (inside flourescent lights).

ENG CamerasWhite Balance

Professional ENG Cameras require a reference to the color white, before it can keep show other colors in the spectrum correctly. The color white may not be “exactly” white, depending on the ambient color temperature. Again, consumer cameras are auto WB, but not always the best.

Press Up and confirm OK msg in Viewfinder

Click here to see what happens if your filter/WB is not correct.

ENG CamerasAudio

There are 2 channels of audio on an ENG camera. While interviewing, use Ch1 for a stick mic or lav. Make sure plug switch is in the middle. Switch audio for Ch1 to rear, then switch to manual, and adjust audio level. Ch2 audio should remain on front for the NATS mic, unless you need 2 mics for interviews.

ENG CamerasIris

The Iris works much light the iris of your eye. It opens and close to allow more or less light into the lens. Switch to ‘A’ for automatic iris most of the time. When you have back light, or a spot light, switch to ‘M’ for manual iris, and adjust the ring manually.

ENG CamerasFocus

There is no “auto” focus available on an ENG camera. Most professionals will not trust an auto focus, so they always adjust manually. It is the last ring on the lens. Always zoom all the way into the shot, then focus, then zoom out to the desired composition frame. The focus will remain the same unless your focal length changes.

IN SUMMARY

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