Make CHEAP cameras more CINEMATIC 

This is the first filmmaking youtube channel that I see that actually talks about documentary or some kind of real narrative filmmaking, instead of saying that they are filmmakers just because they shoot a commercial video about a coffee shop all in 120fps and seamless transitions. Thank you.

THANK YOU for suggesting something other than a gimbal for getting cinematic footage. So many you tubers make it seem like the only solution for cinematic footage is a gimbal

To sum it up: Tip #1: Shoot in ambient light. Tip #2: Buy/use vintage lenses on your DSLR/M. Tip #3: Buy/use a top handle for your DSLR/M. + Bonus: Expose in-camera for the final color-grade.

This video has so much value and strays away from the generic answers that are out there. Great job dude!

Finally someone who gets it right. Not the cliche “5 tips for cinematic video” where you mention 24p, letterboxing and flat picture profile...

Wish there was a way to “love” this video. Seriously. You’re giving power to be people. So valuable! (Rescate is one of my favorite docs! Didn’t realize you made it)!

there are so many youtubers in the indie film niche i dont know what, but there is something different about this dude. took me 2 vids to subscribe . love your work - keep sharing value content!

I use my tripod as a kind of glide cam stabilizer. Just invert it and spread the legs out for your movements (orbits work great too). The legs being out are kind of like a tightrope walker using a pole for stability:-)

Mark - this is absolutely incredible! Down a rabbit hole of your content right now.

This is one of the best RU-vid videos for filmmakers just getting in the game. To get fantastic results with very little. The only thing that disappoints me is when I see dislikes for content like this. I just scratch my head... Lol. Keep up the great work in helping us out bro!

I started out doing everything you said here. At first I was looking into getting a gimbal, but did some research and found most real filmmakers don't use them. I got me a camera cage with a top and side handle. Then slowly added more and more to it, and built it up to a full on shoulder rig. My camera is ok, it's a Canon EOS M3. I love that it shoots in 1080p as the 4k hasn't really impressed me much, it almost looks too crisp. I love the old school film look, and with a little help from filters and simply dialing in or out the light, I get a great warm look and feel.

Great Job man. Very valuable

okey dude, when I saw the video I thought it was clickbait with some mediocere tips but this is so dope! good job with explaining it!

Would love to see an in depth video about those TOP HANDLE SHOTS 😊💖 GREAT TIPS!

So easy to fall down that rabbit hole of the newest and latest tech and gear. Thank you so much for these valuable tips!! Will definitely take them to heart in my own practice.

WHOAH, how do you not have millions of subs? You're producing prettier, and more interesting content than all the big video youtubers!!!! AMAZING

Well, well, well... What is this i see in my feed! Recommendations getting better and better! Awesome video! The old glass secret is coming out. 4:17 Rokkor 45mm is truly one of the best. Was lucky to salvage this from my parents old xg-1 they were to throw away. So sharp, tiny, bit plasticy, beautiful colors. I have got massive collection of old glass and this lens is one of the top contenders if i were to pack only one lens with my camera. I'd put this in the same category with vintage leica glass, colors are very similar. My recommendation for anyone interested in old glass with a budget is to look into the cheap soviet stuff(like the jena tessar in video) are -industar 26m -jupiter 11 -etc These flare a ton and produce solid stuff in the right hands. Cheap as hecc also. Watch out for sample variance. For a lot more quality choice with bit of luck finding the pieces would be the older minolta sr-mount mc rokkor prime kit. Sharp lenses with character. Minolta produced lenses with unique philosophy coating the lenses for almost identical color reproduction. So image shot with 35mm will have the same colors as shot with 85mm. Helps a ton in grading and the tones are beautiful. The epics are: -35mm 1.8 -50mm 1.4 -85mm 1.7/100mm 2 -200mm 4.5 Okay well... I think i got carried away a bit here. :D Sorry for long post.

Vintage lenses! Nice to see someone else appreciate those optical treasures. They're the real deal. Nice stuff Mark, also nice name...Toronto and a filmmaker as well huh? I wonder if we know the same people ;)

wow, the production value of this video and the little nuggets of advice all through out it are incredible, this is the first video i’ve seen by you, but definitely won’t be the last, keep up the great work man!

The top handle tip was interesting to hear. The way you hold the camera is important. That's why I never liked shooting on DSLRs, they're not optimized to shoot video. I prefer a good prosumer camcorder to a DSLR because how you hold them is different.

From all the thousand of filmmaker channels I'm subscribed to, this i feel is one of a few which are actually from a pro

Another tip would be to get good: SUBJECTS LOCATIONS LIGHTING anddd STORYYYYY then edit them all together in a way that makes it all awesome and flow to capture the viewers emotions and or attention

I would love for a video of using a top handle for cinematic movements and tips! It would be quick and easy but seeing the ideas would be amazing!

Love how these were simple and affordable tips, i feel like most filmakers and creators assume the more you pay the better results you get

I'm about to film my first mini-documentary and your advices are priceless. Thanks for all of that great knowledge!

Mark Bone, your videos are better than some RU-vidrs who have 500k+ subscribers.. Thank you. Definite subscriber

This information right here is gold

This is really good man. Love that you focus on the old school fundamentals. Keeping it real. Great video, thanks!

Was literally just looking at/considering if i should get a top handle, then watched this. Ordered! Thanks Mark.

Mark, great content, thank you. What else to say, I've got myself top handle...game changer! I almost stop using gimbal. Thank you. Keep the great work.

Thanks, now I know how I can get closer to the cinematic look! A very different approach from what I’ve seen before. I recently updated to the Sony A7iii, it’s a great camera. But I still miss my old 600D as it delivers such a soft and cinematic look. Although the dynamic range is worse on the 600D...

Loved this, Mark! Thank you! I'm really excited for your new channel. Quick question -- do you have any recommended adapters for attaching vintage lenses to the A7III? I find vintage lenses all the time at the local thrift shop but figured they were too old to use with a new camera.

Bought a top handle after your handheld tips vid. What a difference a bit of weight and the use of gravity makes! More control and more natural movement. Thanks.

Very very helpful! Thank you for the pro tips for us DSLR shooters

nice to hear some practical and cheap alternatives for us starting out!

Thanks RU-vid for suggesting your channel. Fell in love. Thanks for all the knowledge

Wow, that Video was amazing. Those Tipps gave me so much input and I always thought i need very expensiv lenses to get that look. Thank you so much for that Video.

Thanks MB so glad I found your channel.

Hey! I heard about your channel through Matti's video and the only thing I wanna say is: You're an awesome videographer !!!! I love your channel and your work, keep going !!

You deserve more subscribers my dude

Wow some really valuable tips here. Thanks so much.

Great video and super informative but your use of the word Ambient made my brain itch. The term just means what ever light is naturally available even if that is high noon. I think you are looking for the term low-contrast lighting. A minor difference but one that changes the meaning to better convey the feeling we are looking for in our lighting. I completely agree, I shoot a LOT of early morning and late evening to take advantage of that low-contrast lighting and get better exposure in both my highlights and shadows. The talk about lens selection and the top handle are spot on though. Overall very well done.

Brotha, some of the best tips on how to improve DSLR footage I've seen. Love the Beauty in the Battle. Stunning!

AND just like that...you've gained another subscriber. Great stuff Mark! I really like this video. I learned a lot dude!

Great vibe my friend. Love all your advice. Very practical. With great results. I’m in. F

This video is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been looking for some kind of stabilization that is portable but not super expensive. Thank you. Also the other tips were amazing and definitely valuable. Thank you thank you thank you!

Good information. Regarding a to handle. I keep my DSLR rigged up at all times. Cage, shotgun mic, 7-inch monitor, mount for my iPhone if I want to livestream my shoot. I figured out a way to add a top handle today so maybe I can do a quick release from my monopod but I haven’t tried this in the field yet. I find the monopod adds weight to help me get smooth shots. Eighty percent of the time I shoot with the leg telescoped all the way up. I only extend it for interviews or when I otherwise what to try for a more locked off shot. Since most of what I do is journalistic this set up gives me the best run-and-gun flexibility. I have some nice vintage lenses but I rarely use them because I have little Time to change lenses most of the time so my 27-70 is my primary lens. I wish that weren’t the case to sine extent.

Recently I bought a top handle for my camera, but returned it because the center of gravity is way off axis on my Nikon D500 resulting in an oblique horizon. I'm also not sure if the cold shoe mount is designed to hold a heavier setup like D500 with Sigma 18-35mm. Maybe a good idea on the lighter Sonys, but not so much on the bulkier DSLRs that Canon and Nikon offers.

Thank you Mark! In regard to the dynamic range, I am a big believer in testing different lenses until you discover the ideal "lens-sensor relationship" as I believe that's where it all happens, etc. I do a few things that seem to help preserve dynamic range (some very similar to your methods): #1 I Use a lower contrast lens (i.e. vintage) if your camera has a high contrast sensor (one example is when Panasonic removed the anti-aliasing filters from it's Micro Four Thirds cameras, more contrast was introduced, which is sometimes not a good match for the camera's sensor. When testing my Nikkor lenses (of differing vintage) on a GH2, GX1, G3, G5, GX85 and G85, I found that certain lens-sensor combinations were better. The short story is: GH2, GX1 and G3 look great [neutral] with Nikon G series lenses, the G5 looked perfect with Nikon D series lenses, and the GX85 and G85 can't handle the contrast of ANY of my Nikon lenses, so I'm currently testing Tokina and Tamron lenses with it (because of the lower contrast). For #2, I also have used FILTERS to reduce the contrast and therefore increase the dynamic range, which CAN work, but it varies by filter make/manufacturer, etc. And, for #3 I've even used a CD jewel case (when shooting with an old Nikon DSLR) because the sensor just couldn't handle the contrast of most scenes.

Really interesting and différent of the thousand videos on that subject !

this is really informational an resourceful, I'm surprised this video hasn't been viewed more. Great job!!

So glad to have found your channel. Thank you for the pro tips!

A7iii is cheap? Huh * questioning my life decision *

Great tips! I'm definitely going to try these. I was once on a shoot with a production agency and wondering why they put old lenses in front of a red camera and now I know why.

Thank you Mark! It all makes sense and I appreciate your work!

This video is worth more to me than 50 other videos I've watched out together

What shots can you get with a top handle? Would be good to know

Song: Laxcity - Good Morning

This has got to be one of the best if not the best tip video I’ve seen, I feel like you just increased my skill level a good amount. Thank you so much for this.

Love your Videos man! Really informative and fun to watch. Keep going brother

Top handles make such a difference, I finally purchased one a few weeks ago and I’ll never go back

I just found your channel and subbed after the first video I watched. So much quality content man 🙌🏾

Hey man! Thanks for the awesome video. I’m wondering if you still recommend to do handheld if your lens doesn’t have image stabilization…? The on camera IS gives me the jello effect so without using my ronin m, footage always looks a touch too rocky. Do you still do handheld without any kind of image stabilization?Tried to fix in post, but again jello effect… and it’s a heavy set up. Or it could just be me lol

Dude - just discovered your work. Really really enjoying it! Fellow cinematographer. Subscribed!

Ah dude! I've been toying with the idea of picking up some vintage lenses for my A7iii and you've just convinced me to go for it. Would love to see a deep dive on ones you've used and how the footage varies against new versions. Another great vid. Top work.

Great stuff dude! Love me some top handles. "but honestly, only shoot at sunset" hahah perfect.

I don't mean to be a pain Mark but Ambient light just means light without any supplementary lighting. It can be high or low dynamic range, it's just the existing light. What i'm sure you mean when you say "Ambient" is LOW contrast light, when the range between shadows and highlights is lower, such as indoors, overcast days or dawn/dusk. Otherwise great job, keep it up i'm a fan.

Rewatching this Gold after many many years after finaly joining the AOD family ❤

You have some awesome content man. Recent subscriber and loving the tips you are sharing with us. I have so much to learn about videography / cinematography to I really appreciate it.

You’re seriously quickly becoming my favorite youtuber, dude. Ive been binge watching your vids. Big thumbs up!

Vintage lenses are a gateway drug! Once you start, you can't stop using them.

I love your vids.. learning soo much!

Thank you so much for mentioning the top handle and old lenses! Looking forward to trying it out 😁

Just blasting through all your videos dude, they're great. Keep em, coming!

I know this seems like an obvious question, but I would Love to hear some of your advice on how you keep things in focus/sharp during scenes with a lot of movement.

Everything about this vid is helpful and can't believe your film got nominated🔥🔥So inspired rn :)

Love this and the crazy results it produces. Thx for this...

Glad you talked about the uses of the top handle because I just got one for my M50 for Christmas. Great video with great info. Cheers

i heard your channel because of your video with matti... yey! love your channel! more more pls. and thank you for doing all this things. it keeps us aspiring film makers get inspired and motivated

Great stuff man! I came over from Matti's channel, definitely gonna stick around.

Great video Mark! Love your content! keep up the awesome work!

IN LOVE WITH UR VIDEOS. so informative ...n so engazing ..love from india

Thanks for such great advice! I feel very motivated to get out there and make some films

Seriously helpful and insightful in many areas!! Thank you!

thanks to YT for showing your video in home page again and again. Loved to get the tips from you. Thank you so much for this

Amazing video, keep it up!

Honestly, very helpful man!

Yo this is dope man. keep up the great work. I have subscribed

i like your sum up at the end of the video :) good luck on youtube road.

may i ask you how do you organize yourself to focus when grabbing from top handle?

Dude this video is awesome, thank you for all the afford and the on point informative advise. Keep rocking, cheers!

WOW!!! That rack focus on the fencing mask towards the end was ill.

He has a pair of glasses that make him look smart. So I'll trust what he says. :P (....that, plus the footage is awesome lol)

Digging the top handle recommendation! Definitely going to have to order one of those! Thanks!

Subscribed!!!!!! Great Content. I needed that

Top handle was a dope tip

Thanks for the tip on top handles, I've been using a DLSR since the early 80's and I've recently watched many youtube videos like your channel but NONE of them talked about a top handle, I never knew they made such a thing, thanks for bringing it up I just bought one on Amazon today.

Thanks mate. Great advice. I been looking at new lenses and they are so expensive. I’m now going to shop around for some old ones.

THIS IS SO USEFUL WOW

Good video. Never new the reason for a top handle. Subscribed.