Canon 5d MK2 Video Help

[draungmah]

Dear all video specialist here,

I just acquired Mark 2 and new to videography.

What I would like to do next month is to record Buddhist Dhamma Talks by a meditation teacher who I have sponsored to do medical check-up here in Singapore.

My recording is straight forward. To set the camera on a Tripod and do stationary recording of 1-2 hrs.

Kindly help with the followings:
(1) How to do recording continuously for 1-2 hrs
(2) How long a battery can last for recording?
(3) Do I need additional battery and grip?
(4) How many memory cards do I need, what speed?, one 4G card can shoot how long?
(5) Do I need additional microphone? Which one? where to buy?
(6) Extra additional power source?
(7) Extra Lighting needed or not?

All of you guys' recommendations and advice will be sincerely appreciated. I have Mk2 with 17-40, 24-105 & 70-200 and only original battery only.

Thank you guys!

Sam

 

[ricleo]

never tried long duration video recording before, but i remember there is a 4GB file size limit. So if you intend to record in HD, you probably have to stop at every 12 minutes. And you need enough memory cards to cover that.

IF you are not recording in HD mode, 640x480 can get you 30minute file limit for each file.

Remember that there will be a significant amount of writing time (write to card) in between each video.

i honestly think you will be better off with a regular consumer video recorder.

Not sure about how long the battery can last. Better get a battery grip with 2 batteries in it, or get a power supply cable.

 

[ricleo]

oh. perhaps you should ask this question in the video sections of the forums.

 

[siron]

1-2 hours hmmm why not introduce some pause. You could join em up thereafter

 

[zenhora]

hmmm sorry dun think there is anyway to record for 1-2 hours straight unless you HDMI out? haven tried that so not sure if it works.

Think for a talk its still advisable to use the good old camcorder with DV tapes or HD.

 

[maverick75]

Hi I feel that 'http://www.planet5d.com/' has quite extensive discussion on videography with the 5DMk2.. try it out!

 

[jaegersing]

5D2 is the wrong tool for the job. Better to borrow a videocam for something like this. Tape-based cam would involve a change of tape every hour. Harddisk or CF based cam can probably give you uninterrupted recording, depending on camera and video settings.

 

[draungmah]

Thank you guys for the advice.

Suppose If I shoot only in normal mode, 4G card can last 30min means I need 16G for 2 hr shooting, that is not too bad!

Another thing I would like to know is sensor heat problem when you shoot long. can it be a serious problem for my camera if I shoot longer than 1 hr? Can it damage the camera?

How to get an external power supply for 5D MK2?

Many thanks,

Sam

 

[CS TAN]

Buy the Canon AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6

EDIT: you will need the battery grip in order to use the adapter

 

[KangS]

You do?? I thought the camera battery compartment already has a removable rubber indent to cater for the wire ?? :think:

Buy the Canon AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6

EDIT: you will need the battery grip in order to use the adapter

 

[Fragnatic]

like what others said, 5d2 wouldn't be the best video recording cam for such talks.

regarding the heat issue, it might show a high temp warning after long usage (how long depends on the location u are shooting). if it gets too hot, the video recording will stop and the cam will shut off until the temps drops below a certain limit b4 u can use it again. (can take abt 5-10mins? then u'll miss parts of the talk)

so i guess its better to get a proper camcorder for such video recording.

 

[jaegersing]

Be aware that when you reach the 4GB recording limit, the camera will stop shooting and wait for you to restart. Even if there is no overtemp problem.

If I was in your position, and if I die die must use the 5D2, I would definitely get a videocam as a backup and shoot with 2 cams, just in case of any problem with the 5D2. Then I could appreciate the good shots from the 5D2 rather than agonise over the missed shots.

 

[flyer]

Buy the Canon AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6
EDIT: you will need the battery grip in order to use the adapter

You DO NOT need the battery grip in order to use the adapter. Never had a Canon DSLR that needed a battery grip to use the adapter.

 

[CS TAN]

Buy the Canon AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6

EDIT: you will need the battery grip in order to use the adapter

You do?? I thought the camera battery compartment already has a removable rubber indent to cater for the wire ?? :think:

You DO NOT need the battery grip in order to use the adapter. Never had a Canon DSLR that needed a battery grip to use the adapter.

OIC, so I can take out the flap from the battery compartment and let the adapter cable to hang out from there.

 

[flyer]

OIC, so I can take out the flap from the battery compartment and let the adapter cable to hang out from there.

Yep.. It's just a rubber "flap" that moves one side to let the adapter cable through the hole.

 

[markyen]

There is also some mention in the manual of 5D that there is a time limit does not necessarily mean it will go for full 4gb before it stops.

Best use a digi videocam with HDD built in.

 

[scud]

i believe a videocam fits the job than your 5D2. why not consider renting a videocam?