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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
to synch 2 cameras-need ideas

X-john
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Mar 14, 2002, 2:18 AM

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to synch 2 cameras-need ideas	Can't Post

I read somewhere that one way to synch both a/b cameras to start taping a wedding is to use a flash of a stills camera pointed to a blank wall, aside from using a flash, any ideas what else to use? I also heard about the movie clapper with a timecode( looks like a stop watch) anybody knows where to buy this?
Thanks in advance.

X-Scott_Brooks
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Mar 14, 2002, 2:32 AM

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Re: to synch 2 cameras-need ideas	Can't Post

Someone is always taking photos during the processional whether a pro or relative in attendance. I've never carried my own flash, but used the flash from the ceremony. Editing NLE and using a flash is the best way, just don't turn either camera off till your done with the ceremony and you should be fine.

X-Steven_Hacker
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Mar 14, 2002, 10:20 AM

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Re: to synch 2 cameras-need ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

The flash is the best sync tool. Go to www.videotidbits.com and you will find a great piece on how to quickly edit two cameras using Premiere.
Good luck.
Steve

X-Steven_Hacker
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Mar 14, 2002, 10:31 AM

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Re: timecode slate [In reply to]	Can't Post

This would be overkill. It is really used during film shoots and the slate's TC is sync'd to DAT (or in the old days Nagra) audio.
They are really expensive. You could buy a old style slate (clapper) at studiodepot.com for $50.00-

X-Doug_Graham
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Mar 14, 2002, 12:55 PM

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Re: to synch 2 cameras-need ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

: I read somewhere that one way to synch both a/b cameras to start taping a wedding is to use a flash of a stills camera pointed to a blank wall, aside from using a flash, any ideas what else to use? I also heard about the movie clapper with a timecode( looks like a stop watch) anybody knows where to buy this?
I've synced tapes on my own flash, on "opportunity" flashes provided by other attendees, on a hand clap, a lip motion or eyelid blink, or on a dancer's foot movement. A clapper is an affectation for event videography. A "plain" clapper (without the TC display) is useful for a staged shoot, like an interview, especially if there will be multiple takes...since you can scrawl the take info on the slate. I got one as a souvenir from Universal Studios for $10.
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-Edward
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Mar 14, 2002, 3:52 PM

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Re: to synch 2 cameras-need ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

: The flash is the best sync tool. Go to www.videotidbits.com and you will find a great piece on how to quickly edit two cameras using Premiere.
: Good luck.
: Steve
Actually, I have found that the flash is NOT the best tool for syncing. I originally tried syncing on the flash. Worked great on the first wedding. Second wedding, it didn't work. I believe it is because of the different placement of the cameras relative to the distance from the flash.
I now ONLY sync on sound. I want the sound to be in the same place on both cameras. Using sound, I now get it "close" using something like a cough, start of music, any dramatic sound change. Once I am close, I will play the sound for camera 2 with the video for camera one while someone is talking. I will then fine tune it so the lips match the sound. This is usually within 6 frames of where I started.
I know of no better way than to actually sync the lips of the video you are going to use with the sound you are going to use.

X-Steven_Hacker
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Mar 14, 2002, 4:52 PM

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Re: to synch 2 cameras-need ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have found the flash has been fool-proof for me to this point. Even if the flash were several minutes into the video, I can do a marker on each track and quickly snap the two tracks into sync.
If lip sync works for ya, way to go.
Steve

X-Scott_Brooks
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Mar 15, 2002, 1:53 AM

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Re: to synch 2 cameras-need ideas [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree Steve. Over the last 6 or 7 years of NLE I've found nothing better than a photographers strobe. I'm sure sound would work for some as well, but normally my cameras don't start out in the same area of the church and the echo doesn't help if your depending on the note from a piano, organ, or speech.