Home camera

[88BenM]

Terrible performance aside, the last 2 weeks this camera man has been giving me motion sickness! Zoomed so far in that the only piece of play you can see is what is happening on the ball. No way of seeing the bigger picture, what is happening off the ball with players in space, making runs etc. It must also make analysis difficult to disect, that Bradford 2nd goal, the lad appeared from out of shot and he'd put it past Stech in seconds.

Is it just me? I realise we aren't running with Sky Sports, but it wasn't like this last season! Can somebody have a word and tell him/her to zoom out?

[wardy12345]

To be fair it might be worth leaving the lens cap on

[georgefostersbeard]

Terrible performance aside, the last 2 weeks this camera man has been giving me motion sickness! Zoomed so far in that the only piece of play you can see is what is happening on the ball. No way of seeing the bigger picture, what is happening off the ball with players in space, making runs etc. It must also make analysis difficult to disect, that Bradford 2nd goal, the lad appeared from out of shot and he'd put it past Stech in seconds.

Is it just me? I realise we aren't running with Sky Sports, but it wasn't like this last season! Can somebody have a word and tell him/her to zoom out?

I thought it was me getting old but, particularly last week, it was quite uncomfortable to watch. Although it has been uncomfortable to watch all season.

In fairness, it is better now it is actually in focus unlike the Tranmere game

[part time pete]

Give the lad a break he is still learning the job, a bit like GC.

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

Give the lad a break he is still learning the job, a bit like GC.

I don’t think we should give him a break, he should have a medal.

Anything that can divert attention from the dross that our club has descended to is a welcome diversion.

[Martin Shaw]

the cameraman is provided by IMG who are contracted to provide the footage for Sky Sports, Quest etc etc. There is only one camera in the gantry (in Covid times). I've no idea if he is the same cameraman for home games as last season and previous seasons. To me, it looks similar in terms of zooming in/out to previous seasons at home games. He made a very bad error in the first 25 minutes of the Exeter game when he was out of focus, and you could hear him apologising to the studio at half time on the footage.

the analyst films the game from the West Stand, on a much wider zoom.

[Sedgwick]

the cameraman is provided by IMG who are contracted to provide the footage for Sky Sports, Quest etc etc. There is only one camera in the gantry (in Covid times). I've no idea if he is the same cameraman for home games as last season and previous seasons. To me, it looks similar in terms of zooming in/out to previous seasons at home games. He made a very bad error in the first 25 minutes of the Exeter game when he was out of focus, and you could hear him apologising to the studio at half time on the footage.

the analyst films the game from the West Stand, on a much wider zoom.

Do adi tv not provide them anymore? They used to use proper broadcast cameras and were fairly good. I know one cameraman who still works for adi and usually does Burton/ Derby games, has been doing this season also so maybe league two is different.

[Martin Shaw]

it is certainly a proper broadcast camera. adi tv are no longer involved I don't think, it is now IMG, but I would guess they mostly kept the same cameramen.

[lifestags]

Completely agree, I like to watch the whole play when watching the game, like to see who is making them self available for the ball etc

Also really annoying from set pieces, he tries to follow the ball, just zoom out on the penalty box.

[Bradders]

In the Conference days I was sometimes drafted in to do the filming. You're at a disadvantage with one camera, because you're constantly deciding how far to zoom in. Leave it too wide angle and there's not enough detail to see what's going on, zoom in too close and you may miss something important. Give the guy a break, it's tricky.

I was happy enough if it was all in focus with a good view of the goals, and although my inexperience meant that it was never going to be ideal, at least I managed to cover all the important incidents.

The most difficult one was when Martin drafted me in with less than a day's notice, and the video camera wasn't working, nor the spare. I had to use my home video camera. Which was good quality, but didn't hook up to the club's gear. I didn't have a video tripod either, so had to improvise with a photographic tripod. I forget which game it was but there were loads of goals so I was busy!

Trying to get the footage on DVD was a nightmare. It has to be ready before the away team leaves, and it took ages to get it from the camera to disc. I guess that it's rather easier now, with no DVD burning involved.

[Sedgwick]

In the Conference days I was sometimes drafted in to do the filming. You're at a disadvantage with one camera, because you're constantly deciding how far to zoom in. Leave it too wide angle and there's not enough detail to see what's going on, zoom in too close and you may miss something important. Give the guy a break, it's tricky.

I was happy enough if it was all in focus with a good view of the goals, and although my inexperience meant that it was never going to be ideal, at least I managed to cover all the important incidents.

The most difficult one was when Martin drafted me in with less than a day's notice, and the video camera wasn't working, nor the spare. I had to use my home video camera. Which was good quality, but didn't hook up to the club's gear. I didn't have a video tripod either, so had to improvise with a photographic tripod. I forget which game it was but there were loads of goals so I was busy!

Trying to get the footage on DVD was a nightmare. It has to be ready before the away team leaves, and it took ages to get it from the camera to disc. I guess that it's rather easier now, with no DVD burning involved.

It is incredibly hard you're right, having a wide and close camera should be the minimum for those reasons... its ace being able to watch at all

[Martin Shaw]

It was Mansfield 5-0 Dartford bradders. You did a great job. I was looking at the footage during lockdown.

[diablo]

To be fair it might be worth leaving the lens cap on

[Bradders]

It was Mansfield 5-0 Dartford bradders. You did a great job. I was looking at the footage during lockdown.

Thanks. I still have all the raw footage of that one, possibly one of the first matches in HD, but at the time it was all manic action and you couldn't look away for a second. So I was pleased to just not miss anything too crucial.

It was a great experience, although a bit nerve-racking. It's amazing seeing Mark Stevenson behind the scenes as well; there's a lot more to the job than people realise, a lot of pressure, and the club is so lucky to have such a hard working talent in position.

No doubt the filming side is more professional now, but it's fun trying to get something competent out on zero budget.

I'm sure that you know all about the pitfalls of providing football coverage with dodgy equipment. I'm looking forward to your memoirs!

[HitchcocksShins]

In the Conference days I was sometimes drafted in to do the filming. You're at a disadvantage with one camera, because you're constantly deciding how far to zoom in. Leave it too wide angle and there's not enough detail to see what's going on, zoom in too close and you may miss something important. Give the guy a break, it's tricky.

I was happy enough if it was all in focus with a good view of the goals, and although my inexperience meant that it was never going to be ideal, at least I managed to cover all the important incidents.

The most difficult one was when Martin drafted me in with less than a day's notice, and the video camera wasn't working, nor the spare. I had to use my home video camera. Which was good quality, but didn't hook up to the club's gear. I didn't have a video tripod either, so had to improvise with a photographic tripod. I forget which game it was but there were loads of goals so I was busy!

Trying to get the footage on DVD was a nightmare. It has to be ready before the away team leaves, and it took ages to get it from the camera to disc. I guess that it's rather easier now, with no DVD burning involved.

I was in the gantry with you that day and can attest to how much of a pain in the b-side that was, you did a great job in a pinch given the circumstances!

[Bradders]

In the Conference days I was sometimes drafted in to do the filming. You're at a disadvantage with one camera, because you're constantly deciding how far to zoom in. Leave it too wide angle and there's not enough detail to see what's going on, zoom in too close and you may miss something important. Give the guy a break, it's tricky.

I was happy enough if it was all in focus with a good view of the goals, and although my inexperience meant that it was never going to be ideal, at least I managed to cover all the important incidents.

The most difficult one was when Martin drafted me in with less than a day's notice, and the video camera wasn't working, nor the spare. I had to use my home video camera. Which was good quality, but didn't hook up to the club's gear. I didn't have a video tripod either, so had to improvise with a photographic tripod. I forget which game it was but there were loads of goals so I was busy!

Trying to get the footage on DVD was a nightmare. It has to be ready before the away team leaves, and it took ages to get it from the camera to disc. I guess that it's rather easier now, with no DVD burning involved.

I was in the gantry with you that day and can attest to how much of a pain in the b-side that was, you did a great job in a pinch given the circumstances!

Thanks. I don't remember anyone else being there, but I didn't have time to look around, and certainly not chat - so sorry if I appeared rude!