How To Use Frame Rates Creatively

On this video, Doug from B&H takes a look at using different frame rates creatively with the help of the Panasonic GH5 which can go up to 180fps in 1080p (and 60p in 4K).

On the video Doug not just demonstrates the awesome capabilities of slow motion (yes we have all seen that before) but also talks about some of the limitations that come with shooting in higher frame rates including loss of sound recording but more importantly – the bit rate of the camera is split not across 24 frames like you normally shoot but across 60, 120 or even 180 frames which will give you a lot fewer data per image (and data is essentially what can give you the higher image quality).

So what can you do to still make your slow motion videos look good? Doug suggests to use low ISO, shoot in bright conditions and grade lightly to reduce possible noise in your images.

There is also a less used (but still fun to play with) option of shooting with fewer frame per second than normal (so basically below 24fps). This can give you a look of an old B&W film (just shoot at 12fps – this is something that is pretty unique to the GH5 as far as we know).

If you really want to control your frame rates you can shoot a timelapse and get very high quality still images with a different look and even play with them in post production to create movement.

We had several videos looking at shutter speed and frame rates here on LensVid and you might want to check them out as well – “Understanding Shutter Speed and Frame Rate in Video“, “Canon Talks Shutter Speeds and Frames Rates“.

You can watch more HDSLR and video techniques on our dedicated HDSLR channel here on LensVid.

Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.