How do I stop micro-jitters (rolling shutter) in DSLR cameras?

by Christine
(New Zealand)

Question: I understand in DSLR cameras, there is sometimes micro jitters or rolling shutter, but this can be stopped by rigging? What rigging does this refer to? and how would it be set up?

Thanks heaps,
Christine

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Desktop Documentaries | Answer

In one sentence: "Avoid making fast movements when shooting with a DSLR because you will get rolling shutter."

Rolling shutter is caused by the camera moving quickly up and down or side to side.

You can see in the video example below from a Vimeo user what rolling shutter issues look like:



Shaky camera movement is one of the tell-tale signs of an amateur (unless of course that's the style you're going after!).

As for rigging, a tripod will help, but if you make a fast pan on a tripod, you may still get rolling shutter.

In addition to rolling shutter, here's another issue you may encounter: sometimes shooting with a DSLR, the footage may look fine in the monitor when you're out in the field, but when you get back to the editing room, you may notice unsightly movement around the edges of the footage.

To avoid that, you want to "stabilize" your camera.

Rigging is a term used to describe a set-up or "rig" such as a shoulder mount or steadicam that stabilizes a camera.

A rig is often used to stabilize hand-held camera work to give it a "feathery" smooth feel and help you avoid those unsightly (amateur) jitters.

Here's a video from Cinematographer Vincent Laforet describing his custom DSLR Rig:



Equipment used in this video:


Redrock Micro microshoulderMount Deluxe Bundle



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