How to Video Arc Shots - Camera Settings?

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Hi All,I have had a youtube channel for a few years just capturing footage on various projects around the garage.  I have been trying to figure out how to record arc shots of tig/mig welding, and can't figure it out.Wondering if anyone knows how the guys like Jody from Weldingtipsandtricks, Mr. Tig, ChuckE2009 all get those good clear shots of the arc, puddle, etc.I have tried an ND filter, have tried various shades from 5-10.Any help would be appreciated! Hopefully this is the right forum.Checkout my youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/turbocobra
Reply:GoPro?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Yea, I have a new Gopro Hero 4 silver, does basically the same as an iPhone or regular video camera, either the shading is so dark all you can see is a faint light, or it's too bright and you can't see the puddle...Checkout my youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/turbocobra
Reply:I would think you need to be able to lock exposure to lower than the camera would automatically run, and place behind a filter.  I know with all video camera's I've had and even my current S4 Android, I can dial in exposure compensation.
Reply:I read an article about using HDR color mode. (High dynamic range)   I don't have a camera that fancy.I think Miller has a video promoting such a setup...   I'm not a photographer/videographer so don't know beyond that.   Not a good hobby for colorblind folks.Lanse (chucke2009) and I had a discussion about this here on welding web a couple years ago.    http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=216071 HDR videosLast edited by soutthpaw; 11-15-2014 at 01:06 AM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:[QUOTE=soutthpaw;4961261]I read an article about using HDR color mode. (High dynamic range)   I don't have a camera that fancy.I think Miller has a video promoting such a setup...   I'm not a photographer/videographer so don't know beyond that.   Not a good hobby for colorblind folks.Lanse (chucke2009) and I had a discussion about this here on welding web a couple years ago.    http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=216071 HDR videosThanks All,Southpaw, unfortunately, it looks like Lanse made his video private where he shows how to get the arc shots.Have you had any luck with the camera you bought?The HDR video is cool, I am seeing some inexpensive camera's that have HDR, wonder if that will be the same as the contraption in the video above?Checkout my youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/turbocobra
Reply:I've always amazied how much better Jodys "Arc Shots" are than the vast majority of what others post!
Reply:Guess you can afford it when you are getting paid by a bunch of companies to make videos using their products.   (Nothing wrong with that)   But one would expect a better quality video in that caseTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Try duct taping the camera to the inside of an auto darkening welding helmet.   Cover the back so you don't get glare from lights, sun, sky.  Leave it on auto exposure and see what you can get.   This way you will also see the bead in normal lighting before and after the arc.
Reply:Good suggestion Bead-boy, I have tried this in a couple different helmets and it pretty much is the same issue as just tap in the replacement lenses directly to the camera, you just don't get the auto darkening effect. I have tried shade 5, 8, 10. 10 is too dark, all you can see is a faint light.  8 let's you see all around the weld, you can see the torch, cup, but the actually arc and puddle are too bright to be picked up.I have downloaded an iPhone app to use HDR for video on an iPhone, and plan on trying that today...Checkout my youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/turbocobra
Reply:A lot depends upon your camera and its settings.  If you can control shutter speed and aperture, you can tune in the visibilty of the arc.  Using a combination of neutral density filters can improve the view of the arc.   A polarizing filter may cut down on the reflective glare too.  People shooting with DSLR's have a much better chance at getting good arc video.  But video cameras, especially the cheaper ones offer limited capability for focus, and aperture control.If you see video of an arc shot with unchanged arc color and surroundings, likely it is a ND filter and a DSLR is being used or a high end video camera with a lens filter.Last edited by lugweld; 11-15-2014 at 12:36 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:When you're done here, go ask your welding questions on dpreview.
Reply:Originally Posted by KennethDWhen you're done here, go ask your welding questions on dpreview.
Reply:One of the problems with video of welding is that the arc is very bright, and the surrounding area is much less bright, and the camera does not handle the contrast well.  One way to help that is to improve the background lighting.  That could be a spotlight aimed at the weld, or even welding in direct sunlight.  The more light you have on the subject, the smaller the contrast.Sculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:What he said ^^^^  The problem is contrast. The larger the sensor the larger the contrast range the camera has. The problem is that large sensors are expensive so only found in high end cameras. I got a DSLR to try and get around having to spend $3k for a camera and so far I've not had any luck with it either.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldA lot depends upon your camera and its settings.  If you can control shutter speed and aperture, you can tune in the visibilty of the arc.  Using a combination of neutral density filters can improve the view of the arc.   A polarizing filter may cut down on the reflective glare too.  People shooting with DSLR's have a much better chance at getting good arc video.  But video cameras, especially the cheaper ones offer limited capability for focus, and aperture control.If you see video of an arc shot with unchanged arc color and surroundings, likely it is a ND filter and a DSLR is being used or a high end video camera with a lens filter.
Reply:Originally Posted by turbocobraI appreciate all the suggestions, will keep working at itOk, yea, I have seen some posts on photography forums, and it seems most people are guessing and offering suggestions.  Was really hoping to find someone with experience actually doing it to chime in with specific settings.So far I have tried:Gopro 4 silver- up close, far away- helmet shades from 5-10- All 3 modes on the go pro- shutter speed from 30 to 60 fpsIphone 5S with an app I downloaded to record video in HDR.  I tried this yesterday zoomed in real close with a 10 shade and it was washed out bad, so will try it from further away.
Reply:I'm a photographerI used a dslr camera with a #10 welding glass to do this videoit's a crap video but the exposure is goodused a $300 canon t3 camera I have never tried an iphone, but if I were to try it I would buy a 4x telephoto lens to put on fronthttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-4X-...item415f772d3eby zooming in a LOT you get a more even exposure, zoom in enough and the camera will only have a bright scene and auto exposure fine.the above posts are right it is hard to balance the dark background and the super bright arc, so just zoom in and eliminate the dark background, bingo, now exposure Is easy.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawWhat app did you find that does hdr video?  I only found hdr photo support on the Google play store.  I Looked and do have hdr still image capability on my Olympus TG1 so might try that for stills.  I would think to do hdr video it need to take 2x as many images at alternating exposure.    If you come across an affordable HDR camcorder, do share that info.
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderI'm a photographerI used a dslr camera with a #10 welding glass to do this videoit's a crap video but the exposure is goodused a $300 canon t3 camera I have never tried an iphone, but if I were to try it I would buy a 4x telephoto lens to put on fronthttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-4X-...item415f772d3eby zooming in a LOT you get a more even exposure, zoom in enough and the camera will only have a bright scene and auto exposure fine.the above posts are right it is hard to balance the dark background and the super bright arc, so just zoom in and eliminate the dark background, bingo, now exposure Is easy.