Filmmaking Basics/Camera Lenses
Table of contents for All about camera lenses:
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Introduction
The camera's lens distorts the picture. Therefore, you can use your camera lens to create a mood for a scene. In this lesson, you will learn that:
When you create the 3D storyboards for Seduced by the Dark Side!, the camera must help you create many moods. Therefore we need to learn what moods are possible with lenses. |
A quick overview
The complete range of focal lengthLook at this excellent set of photos by Kevin Willey. He went into the field and created a photographed a complete range of pictures of a car with a barn in the background. It only take a few seconds to look at this wonderful set of photos. I think you will enjoy it and find it amazing how the lens changes the look of a picture.
Remember that these focal length numbers are for a 35mm STILL film camera, not a motion picture camera. For a motion picture camera which has a smaller image sized (because the film runs vertical on a motion picture camera, not horizontal as in a 35mm STILL film camera), the focal numbers for the same shots will be different. |
An example of different lenses
Photographs of the carAs you look at these photos, notice the distortion at the two extremes. Yet, in all the frames, notice that the car is always full frame in the picture.
The car did not move. Obviously, the camera was moved between each shot (and not the car.)
But then notice the relationship between the car and the barn in the background. They seem to move yet we know that the car and the barn did not move. So how do the car and the barn seem to get closer? This is the impact of the lens. Note that the focal length numbers are for a still 35 mm camera. Don't use these numbers for a motion picture camera or a video camera or a digital still camera. These cameras have a different image size (film frame size) so the numbers are different. |
Setting up FrameForge 3D Studio lenses
Compare focal lengthsMotion picture cameras have their own focal length numbers. When you work with FrameForge 3D Studio, you will see a different set of numbers. Setting the frame sizeI prefer to set the frame size to 35 mm motion picture film. I use the normal (slightly) wide screen aspect ratio of 1.85. I like this because I can get the feel of working with real motion picture film (without the expense.) It makes me feel good. |
An example of different lenses
35mm motion picture cameraWhen working with FrameForge 3D Studio, I like to limit the lenses that I use. I prefer prime lenses (fixed lenses) rather than zoom lenses because they have much better control over the depth of field. That is because there is more glass on a prime lens (glass diameter) than on a zoom lens. In the lower left, I select a prime lens set. I selected the Panovision Zeiss Lens set. |
Adding to FrameForge 3D Studio lens set
Add extra lensesI like wide angle lenses so I add additional lenses to the Zeiss collection of 35mm motion picture camera lenses. Halloween Contacts Lenses Thyromine Reviews
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An example of different lenses
My lenses
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Let's take a quick quiz
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