How to operate a Camera

"Itsukushima Beach" Tea L.

Welcome to the “cheat sheet” for operating a camera for the first, second, third... well for your first couple of times. This essentially aims to be a quick reference for what the best practices are when working with a real mirrorless style camera (or mirrorless style cinema camera). If you need further instruction on any of the other elements, those should be covered in other articles or workshops. 

A general philosophical note about cameras

Using a camera is very similar to riding a bike, driving a car, etc in that it is fundamentally an exercise in managing mental load. Like with a car’s pedals, mirrors, wheel, signals, etc a camera has a lot of individual things to keep track of and until you internalize these elements it can be taxing to operate. (Not to mention to operate with a degree of finesse.)

As a result, you should be realistic about your mental load when first starting out working with cameras. Working with manual controls will give you a better feel for how the camera works and how to use it creatively, but there is no shame in using some auto features to help manage that load at first and get your bearings. Or to prep things in advance so they are not taking up space in your mind when it comes to framing and shooting. 

Image Credit: Shutter Release World

Before your shoot

The day before (or a few days before in some cases) you shoot, you should do the following. 

1. Go through the menus of your camera, locate and pre-set the following: 

   1. Resolution (HD, 4K, etc.) 

   2. Frame Rate (23.98, 29.97, etc.) 

   3. Quality Level (50M, 100M, etc.) 

   4. Log (if you intend to use it)  

2. Decide if you are going to use full manual or an auto exposure mode and locate the settings in the camera. (On Sony, often in the Fn Quick Menu) 

   1. Manual = Full Control 

   2. Auto Exposure = Camera has full control. 

   3. Program Auto = You set ISO, camera does the rest. 

   4. Aperture Priority = You set the Aperture, camera does the rest 

   5. Shutter Priority = You set Shutter Speed, camera does the rest 

   6. NOTE: On Sony cameras, you may also have to set the ISO to AUTO in its menu regardless of which mode you choose.  

3. Go through the controls of the camera and familiarize yourself with them. 

   1. Locate the Mode dial and make sure it is set to the Video Setting. 

   2. Locate the dials for Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. 

   3. Locate the button or menu for White Balance. 

   4. Locate your audio controls. 

   5. Find the Quick Menu Button (Fn on Sony) and see what options are there. (Often thinks like Zebras, Peaking, Image Stabilization, Focus Modes, Exposure Modes) 

   6. Toggle through your display options and choose any relevant guideframes, markers, etc. And figure out how to see your histogram and horizon level.  

4. Prepare your supplies 

   1. Format your memory cards 

   2. Charge your batteries (on the FX30 this could include a portable power bank) 
      

Image Credit: Park Cameras

Switching Lenses 

If you need to switch lenses on your camera, the following is the proper way to do so. DO NOT perform lens changes in dusty conditions or wet conditions, as the elements could enter the camera, possibly destroying it. 

1. Place the camera down on a flat surface with the lens pointing up, if the surface may scratch the camera, place something between the camera and surface. 

2. Find the body cap of the camera and rear lens cap for the lens on the camera. 

3. Have the body cap nearby and the rear lens cap ready to receive the lens. 

4. Use the lens release button to allow you to turn the lens to release it. 

5. Grab the body cap and in one motion, pull the lens off and place the body cap on the camera. 

6. Place the lens on its rear cap and tighten it in place. 

7. Take your new lens, loosen it on it’s rear cap. 

8. Lenses will have mount position indicator (often a white or red dot) the mount will have a similar dot. 

9. Grab the body cap and in one motion, pull the body cap off and put the lens on the lens mount matching the position of the mount position indicators. 

10. Twist the lens till it clicks and locks in the mount. 

11. You’re done! 

    
    

If there's dust in your image

Turn the camera on and look at the image, if you see any dots or dust, you can do the following:

1. Check the front element of the lens, if there is visible dust on the lens or protective filter do the following: 

   1. Take an air-bulb and blow at the dust from a few angles. 

   2. If the dust persists, use a lens-pen or lens wipe and GENTLY attempt to wipe the dust away. Move from the middle of the lens to the outside of the lens, avoid swirling motions. 

2. If the front of the lens shows no dust, this may be dust in the mount or on the sensor. 

   1. Go to an indoor location (or inside a clean car) 

   2. Have the air bulb at the ready. 

   3. Release the lens and carefully pull off the mount. 

   4. Holding it away from the camera, use the airbulb on the back of the lens. 

   5. Then use the airbulb to blow off the sensor in the mount. YOU MUST NEVER TOUCH THE SENSOR, I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. 

   6. Reconnect the lens. 

Image Source: No Film School

Handheld shooting process

Here is a basic order of operations for shooting handheld, if you're working on a tripod (sticks) check out the following section.

1. Make sure you have a solid grip on the camera, using the neck strap around your neck or shoulder is suggested. 

2. Compose your shot and settle on your rough framing. 

3. Adjust your exposure based on the conditions. 

4. If manual, the histogram helps. 

5. Determine if your white balance is correct. 

6. You may want to use a preset rather than auto. 

7. Focus your camera on the relevant part of the image. 

8. This can be manual or touch select on the newer cameras (FX30.) 

9. Brace the camera using 3-point technique. 

10. Hit record. 

Image Credit: Cottonbro Studio on Pexels

Tripod shooting process

This is going to be oriented at shooting on a tripod, if you are shooting handheld, please see the previous section. 

1. Ensure your tripod is setup, legs are properly extended and level.

2. Ensure that Image Stabilization / Steadyshot are off. 

3. Ensure your camera is locked / completely tightened before adjusting your tripod head. 

4. Compose your shot as needed, lock off tripod. 

5. Adjust your exposure based on the conditions. 

6. If manual, the histogram helps. 

7. Determine if your white balance is correct. 

8. You may want to use a preset rather than auto. 

9. Focus your camera on the relevant part of the image. 

10. This can be manual or touch select on the newer cameras (FX30.) 

11. If you are going to employ camera movement, losen the relevant axis, test the movement to discover any hitches. 

12. Hit record. 

Once your shoot is over

Once you are done shooting for the day you should do the following: 

1. Offload the data from your memory cards. 

2. If you have the time, it can be advisable to do this mid-day as well. 

3. Backup that data to a second hard drive. 

4. Recharge your batteries. 

5. If you are shooting again tomorrow, DO NOT format the memory cards until the footage is saved in at least 2 locations. Once that is done, format the memory cards.