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

Summary

In this video, Chris Nichols explains the importance of shutter angles versus shutter speeds in videography, specifically for creating more natural motion in films. He provides a breakdown of traditional analog shutter angles, including 360, 180, and 90 degrees, showing how they impact light exposure and motion blur. He emphasizes the usefulness of the 180-degree shutter for creating cinematic motion and highlights the benefits of modern digital cameras, like the Panasonic GH4, which allow automatic shutter angle settings. The video aims to simplify complex technical concepts for better video quality.

Takeaways

• 🎥 Shutter angles come from the days of analog motion picture cameras, where a film would pass through a camera at a certain frame rate, and a shutter mechanism controlled the amount of light that hit the film.
• 📏 A 360-degree shutter allows light to expose the film the entire time, resulting in a slow shutter speed and more motion blur, creating an ethereal effect.
• ⚙️ A 180-degree shutter gives half the exposure time compared to 360 degrees, mimicking how the human eye naturally perceives motion, making it the most commonly used shutter angle for a natural look.
• ⚡ A 90-degree shutter speeds up the shutter significantly, producing sharper, more intense movements and is often used for action scenes like fights or war sequences.
• 💡 Shutter angles can produce different visual effects, with faster shutter speeds giving a hyper-realistic and sometimes distracting look if not used for action-heavy scenes.
• 🤖 In the digital era, mirrorless cameras often default to shutter speeds, which require manual adjustments based on frame rates, unlike some cinema cameras that allow automatic shutter angle adjustments.
• 🧮 Using shutter speeds requires multiplying the frame rate by two to achieve the desired look, which can be tedious and prone to mistakes when switching between different frame rates like 24, 30, or 60 fps.
• 🔄 Cameras like the Panasonic GH series allow users to set shutter angles, simplifying the process by automatically adjusting the shutter speed based on the frame rate.
• 📸 Many modern cameras still rely on manual shutter speed settings, but the adoption of shutter angles would simplify video shooting by removing the need for constant adjustments.
• ✅ The speaker advocates for more cameras to adopt shutter angles as a default option for video shooting to streamline the process and ensure consistent visual results.

Q & A

What frame rate and resolution does the speaker set when switching to slow-motion?

The speaker sets the resolution to 1080p and the frame rate to 120 frames per second for slow-motion.

Why does the speaker double the shutter speed when changing the frame rate?

Doubling the shutter speed is necessary to match the frame rate for proper exposure. The rule is to set the shutter speed to double the frame rate to achieve the desired visual effect and proper motion blur.

What are shutter angles, and why are they important in video production?

Shutter angles originate from analog motion picture cameras and control how much of the frame is exposed to light. Shutter angles are important because they determine the amount of motion blur in a video, which impacts the overall feel of the footage.

What effect does a 360-degree shutter angle have on video footage?

A 360-degree shutter angle means that the frame is exposed to light for the entire duration of each frame, leading to a slow shutter speed and significant motion blur. This creates an ethereal or dreamy look in the video.

What is the purpose of using a 180-degree shutter angle?

A 180-degree shutter angle provides a natural amount of motion blur, mimicking how the human eye sees motion. It is commonly used because it gives a more realistic and smooth look to videos.

When would a 90-degree shutter angle be used, and what effect does it create?

A 90-degree shutter angle is often used in action scenes, such as fight or war sequences. It results in faster shutter speeds, creating sharp, jittery motion with less light, which adds intensity and energy to the footage.

What problem does the speaker mention about changing frame rates when using shutter speeds?

The speaker points out that when changing frame rates, you need to manually adjust the shutter speed to maintain the desired motion blur, which involves math that can be easily forgotten or miscalculated.

What advantage do modern digital cinema cameras have with shutter angles compared to traditional photographic shutter speeds?

Many modern digital cinema cameras allow you to set shutter angles, which automatically adjust the shutter speed based on the frame rate, eliminating the need for manual calculations. This simplifies the process and ensures consistent motion blur.

Why does the speaker advocate for the inclusion of shutter angles in mirrorless cameras?

The speaker believes shutter angles should be included in mirrorless cameras because they simplify the process of adjusting shutter speed and ensure consistency, especially as more mirrorless cameras are being used for video production.

What is the main takeaway about shutter angles versus shutter speeds in video production?

The main takeaway is that shutter angles offer a more intuitive and efficient way to manage motion blur in video production, especially for those working with varying frame rates. They eliminate the need for manual adjustments and complex calculations, making the filming process smoother.