Rolling shutter is one of those camera specs everyone mentions but few fully understand. Knowing exactly how rolling shutter impacts your shooting can significantly improve the quality of your footage.
Coming to you from Gerald Undone, this practical video provides a clear look at the Lumix S1R II, specifically examining rolling shutter across various shooting modes. Instead of throwing out numbers like "20 milliseconds," Gerald demonstrates how each setting actually affects footage visually. He highlights an interesting trick—shooting in 4K at 48 frames per second, then dropping every other frame for a faster sensor readout and less noticeable rolling shutter effects. This approach reduces rolling shutter from around 23 milliseconds to approximately 15, delivering smoother footage without drastically compromising dynamic range.
Coming from a background of shooting professional footage, Gerald collaborates with his friend, River, who shares insights on how different shutter speeds impact real-world filming scenarios. River notes that while rolling shutter isn't an issue for static or controlled environments, it becomes critical when precision and movement are involved. He stresses that slower shutter speeds make precise camera moves challenging and could lead to performance issues in professional shoots. The video also explores additional settings, such as Open Gate mode, noting practical limitations like battery consumption and potential overheating, which occur during prolonged recording but not during typical stop-and-start sessions.
Gerald and River thoroughly explore different frame rates and resolutions, carefully highlighting their practical implications. They caution against relying on high frame rates like 120 fps for rolling shutter fixes due to trade-offs such as reduced image detail and autofocus performance. The suggestion to use 4K 48 fps appears to be a solid middle ground, providing an effective balance of image quality, dynamic range, and rolling shutter performance. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
