Lionel Dreyfuss Hudson....or "Decent Video Isn't Easy!"

If that's among your first videos, you have natural talent!  Your lighting is perfect, your transitions are smooth, your scenes are attention-holding.  Anyway, any shortcomings (which I don't see) are overcome by your lovely layout.  Very enjoyable.

Hi Jim,

Very nice video, and a beautiful engine. That's one of my favorite's,I have the same one

I did a few upgrades to it. With or without the upgrades it's a keeper for me. Thanks for posting a great video.

Alex

I think they look good! Fred

Very nice layout and video. Thanks for sharing. 

That was a great job Buddy! I really enjoyed the Dreyfuss and your layout!

Great video Jim. Well done. Too bad you were going through the no whistle zone. 

Very nice video. I'm just wondering if you have the smoke volume down. It doesn't seem to put out much smoke!!

Very nice work! Some areas we don't often see of your layout. Do you have a track plan on the net??? I like the mix of 3r and On30!!

Jim, when you purchase your new tripod, make sure you buy a MOTION or VIDEO tripod, not a STILL IMAGE or PHOTO tripod. There is a big difference.

Motion tripods will have 2-way adjustments for PAN and TILT. They will have drag adjustments which set how much effort is needed to pan and tilt the camera. They will simulate a true fluid head with very smooth motion in every direction. They will have a long handle which you use to make the smooth movements which video requires.

Still tripods usually have 3-way adjustments for pan, tilt and Z-axis rotation. They may not have a long handle because they are designed to be set in position and not moved while the still image is taken. It is absolutely impossible to shoot good video with a still tripod.

CLICK HERE to see an array of Video tripod systems.

Hi Spence,

          These particular engine's have  mechanical  puffer units in them,not fan driven. So the smoke output is just average at best. Like you said Jim might have the smoke on low also. I have the same engine and mine smoke's awesome, because I worked on my puffer unit. Just a few easy adjustments and they smoke really well for puffer units

Thanks,

Alex

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

About the smoke - as Alex said, these puffer units can't be compared to the fan driven ones. One of these days I'm going to have to try Alex's fix.

Rich,

Thanks for the tripods link - B&H is my favorite photo supplier. I will definitely look into one.

Dave,

There's a track plan on my website (scroll down first page).  But it's very out-of-date (as is the entire website). The Pinnacle Peak mountain park has replaced the turntable and Mott Haven Terminal area. The plan does show the location of the narrow gauge loop.

At least one more change is in the works - a wider radius return loop around the red rocks area - on some sort of trestle. (Yes, Allan - I know - plenty of in-progress and after pictures for the magazine )

More to come, as always.

Jim

Don't settle for anything less than this one, my friend!  You need and deserve the very best!    

No payments for six months, too!  Gives you a chance to save-up some $ from working at the train store. 

Jim, B&H is the place to go. I use a Sachtler with a quick release. Take a look at them. I've had great luck with them. They cost a little more but their heads last a lot longer than any of the others. Also you don't need the carbon fiber version. The aluminum tripod with ground spreader is not heavy at all. Keep up the good work. Don

Great video, and great discussion.  Thanks everyone.  -Ken

Allan, you like this tripod and that Lionel Engine. Go figure. Don 

I have expensive tastes, Don, but a very modest budget.  However, I do enjoy watching other folks spend big bucks. 

About the smoke - as Alex said, these puffer units can't be compared to the fan driven ones. One of these days I'm going to have to try Alex's fix.

Jim, Just let me know when you want to tackle this. It's fairly easy, It will be my pleasure to assist you.

Thanks,

Alex

Thanks, Alex. It's on my to-do list, and I appreciate your help when I get to it.

About that tripod....if I came home with that one, I'd probably not only be working at the train shop, but also living there sharing an upstairs room with the two cats. There's a limit to spousal understanding of a man's hobbies! 

Jim

Jim,

I really liked your video. You have the "photographer's eye."

Thanks for the kind words about my videography. As with stills, you didn't get to see the 99% of my video takes that were ****.

You're getting lots of good advice. Here is a bit more.

If you are using a Mac, you will probably import into IMovie.

I am now using Final Cut X.

If you are on a Windows platform, editing and processing video will remove all the rest of the hairs on your head. Hopefully, you have a Mac.

1) Find the minimum distance of focus on your new video camera. Set the camera as close to the subject as possible. Avoid using zoom during a shot. Once you know the minimum focusing distance, you can add to the variety of shots you edit as the loco rolls by. Changing you distance adds great variety.

2) Once you import and start editing, check out the audio and video adjustments that are possible. You can greatly enhance your clips that way.

3) As with still photography, and perhaps more so, lighting is critical. I really liked the lighting in your video. As much as you can, try to "bounce" the light to avoid the dreaded shadow effect.

4) Play with all of the "trick" functions in your editor. 

5) Make a folder, or course, of music to play with the video. Of course, the sound files can be railroad sounds or any other type of sound that will enhance the clip. I have found that the right music is incredibly effective in making the shot very impactful. "Impactful," is that a new word? I like it.

Impactful Policastro

Sounds like a Roman consul

Impactis Policastros will be your nom de guerre

PS: With regard to "importation" (That which is snuck by your spouse) great care must be taken to assure that the item will BLEND into what is already there. "Oh, yes dear. The tripod comes with the camera."

MEOW

Jim....I think you first video looks very professional!!  Your layout is just beautiful...

Alan

Alex; thank you for the response. What a surprise that your engine smokes more. (LOL).

Thanks again for the kind words and for the tips.

If you follow that video link back to YouTube, there are a few more of my recent HD videos there. There are also some of my ancient "no def" videos there (which are best ignored!).

Eliot, I have been using iMovie on my Mac. It's easier, but I still need lots of practice (or is it patience) to get to know what I'm doing. It's all fun though.

Jim

Wow, You having nothing to worry about . That is a great layout and enjoyable video.. Thanks for sharing...

Jim,

I love it love it love it.

More please.....

Rick.

Looks good to me Jim. Looks like you have honed your skills pretty well with respect to videos.

Hi Spence, thanks

Jim, and Spence here's a short video of how much smoke you will get after a few easy steps on a puffer unit. Jim let me know anytime when you're ready. My pleasure to help.

My video skills are no where like yours Jim. LOL

Jim I also blew the whistle for your video LOL LOL

Thanks,

Alex