Chapter 9 Assignments
Now that we’ve covered the basics of shooting video with your 6D, take some time to familiarize yourself with the features listed in this chapter. Here are a few exercises to get you started.
Getting familiar with formats
It takes some time to discover the different recording sizes on your 6D. Set the camera to one of the HD settings (1920 × 1080 or 1280 × 720), and then change the setting to SD (640 × 480) and note the different aspect ratios (16:9 versus 4:3). Shoot a few short videos in one recording size, and then play them back on your computer.
White balance and picture styles
Put your camera on a tripod and set it to video mode. Set the exposure so you can see your scene properly. Then change the white balance, scrolling through all the options, and watch the screen as you try each setting. Do the same with the picture styles, and pay attention to the colors in your scene as you make the changes.
Setting focus
Familiarize yourself with the autofocus modes by trying each of them. Once you’ve got the hang of them, set the lens to MF (manual focus) and use the Magnify button on the back of your camera to focus on a specific area of the scene.
Adjusting audio levels
Find a subject whose sound level ranges from very soft to very loud. Record clips using both the automatic and manual sound controls. Later, when listening to the audio on the computer, see what differences you can pick up in the quality of the audio between the two modes.
Share your results with the book’s Flickr group!
Join the group here: flickr.com/groups/canon6dfromsnapshotstogreatshots