I run through a number of tests trying to figure out the best way to reduce or eliminate Moiré patterns in my video clips.
Several times shooting video with my Canon DSLR I have run across Moiré Patterns. In this video I provide a few of my own personal observations on reducing this aliasing effect.
Normal I don’t notice the Moire patterns when filming and viewing from the screen on the back of the camera, I usually notice it when I am editing. Most of the time the moire is not that bad and when it gets transcoded on YouTube or Vimeo the moire effect is gone.
I could film all my stuff at a sharpness of zero and then add sharpness back in to it in post, but every time I add more and more effects on to my clips in post it dramatically increases the rendering times.
One of the best ways I think you can control moire is to simply move a little closer or father away from your subject, and a lot of times it will disappear.
Shout-out for Donation
I wanted to say a big thank you to Tina Kleuker for making a donation to my site, her donation helps keep this site running. Thanks Tina for your support!
Hey Dave,
Another good vid.
I had come to the conclusion that 720p produced more moire and now you confirmed it. 720p is probably worse due to yet more line skipping than 1080p. The 720p mode might not be such a deal breaker over the 5DMK2?
Keep up the great vids,
John
Yeah, the moire on 720p is due to subsampling fewer lines. I’m positive that if you were to shoot in standard def. (640×480), you would see the moire show up even more.
What we should remember, though, is that the aliasing actually gives these DSLRs the ability to shoot such amazing footage (along with the shallow DOF possibilities). It may be fake detail, but the eye will–99 times out of 100–not know the difference. It’s when we shoot fine patterns that the curtains begin to pull back.
Dave yes 1080 gives you a less noticeable moire, but is not only that, the lens has a lot to do
zoom lenses show more moire, and not only on moire patterns also on metalic surfaces with certain lighting. I really will like to have a movie camera for $ 2.500 Mark II,
$ 1500 7D, or even better $ 800 T2i, but the fact is that Arri Alexa goes for $ 100.000,
Red $ 50.000, or if you are on a budget Panasonic AVCINTRA, and AVCCAM are outstanding
cameras with Leica optics with no moire and High quality image able to show crisp images in a
200 inches TV monitor, I really like Canon DSLR cameras for video and PHOTOGRAPHY, but the fact is that they have to solve a lot of troubles they are having, other option is Carl Zeiss optics
the newest line for Canon DSLR movie type. ANYWAY lets enjoy this DSLR revolution that for sure in 2 to 3 years eill settle down.
@Felipe: Considering the footage I have seen with these Canon cameras, I don’t think the DSLR revolution will “settle down” anytime soon. Are they perfect? Nope. But you are also seeing it in it’s infancy. Those expensive cameras and lenses you have mentioned have been around for YEARS. Just like everything else in technology, DLSR will continue to evolve and the equipment will only get better. Other than the dreaded moire and anti-aliasing that can occur, all those other “troubles” have work-arounds that some are willing to deal with because of the kinds of DOF they can achieve without paying through the nose for that look. DLSR has a place, especially for the budget conscious filmmaker or film student. It’s not really made for following little Johnny back and forth around the soccer field during a game. I believe that’s where the camcorders come in.
@Dave, thanks for the shout out! To all of those who use this site, throw a little money Dave’s way if you can! I think he’s doing a fantastic job, and touching on subjects that are timely and relevant even for the non-T2i users. I was just reading up on moire yesterday, and look what Dave has presented today. Like I said. Timely. Let’s keep the site going!
@Tina, When I said settle down I meant, will improve the problems , which are related to moire not only
in moire patterns, metal surfaces, wood, cement, ceramic with certain lighting. If you are shooting Jhonny’s
soccer game, no problem moire here or there because is a video for your personal files, but if you are shooting for a living that shows up you are in trouble, since usually clients pay only perfect footage since now in these days every one shoot video.
I personally own Canon DSLR cameras besides my lovely Panasonic INTRA and AVCCAM, and I love the DOF you can get with DSLR, besides the lenses apertures ctc BUT Moire is something that shows up when you don’t need to show. HOWEVER as I said in plain English They will improve this I imagined a soon as possible, I rather have Long distance from subject to background the keep background out of focus than moire that you can solve two ways, NOT SHOOTING WHERE THERE ARE MOIRE , OR BRINGING DOWN QUALITY with software, I THINK this chance Dave is giving us to write opinions is not to hide problems, or to say everything is fine because I own one of those cameras, I THINK is for requesting to the manufactures tho release the right cameras since I’m sure they have cameras working great in their labs in Japan since tears ago but they need to grow and experiment with your, Dave’s an others money. You may accept that .
If you read problems with my English is because is not my native language, but let me tell you that i have work for some of the best studios in New York city for years.
FELIPE,felipe
@Felipe … Whatever you wrote in plain English can be interpreted by people differently.
When you write “I really like Canon DSLR cameras for video and PHOTOGRAPHY. The emphasis on photography means to me at least you would use your Canon for that rather than video. When you write “Let’s enjoy this DSLR revolution that for sure in 2 to 3 years will settle down,” meant to me that you didn’t think that the “revolution” will last.
I would love a Panasonic Intra and AVCCAM but who can afford the $5,000-$8,000 price tag? I’m just a poor non-traditional college student.
So the $1,000 I just spent on a body, two lenses, a card and a camera bag fits my budget.
Also, I have no problem exposing the flaws of DSLRs AND talking about them because I’m new to this whole genre, and want to get the best shots possible, so knowing the the pitfalls and what to do about them is invaluable. And that’s why I like Dave’s site. It’s about the joys and pitfalls of these cameras, particularly the T2i. And to me, more and more professionals are using them in their work. So they can’t be ALL bad
And EVERY manufacturer has a better prototype sitting in their labs. Don’t think that Red, Panasonic, Letus, etc. have given the consumer their best product. They haven’t. And that’s why you pay for things, right? You want a company to create something better.
@Tina : Canon is a Fantastic company, their customer service is just great, and products are
very, very good. However in my opinion Moire is just too much to be accepted as a problem from an initial release, seems to me like if they were aware of the AVCCAM release of very economical cameras, $ 2000 for the HG-HMC40 ( outstanding camera ) with great background out of focus with the f stop open, and some distance to the background, Lanc control, strong as a stone. and released the DSLR cameras with video to surprise the world making people believe they will become Oliver Stone with a $ 2500 camera, Oliver could spend that in soda and coffee per day.
Now that you are in college learning how to make a living, you shoud know that the mos important part in film production is the story, and as far as filming has to be perfect.
I can deal with external audio, no problem. With follow focus techniques it’s ok. BUT Moire and
anti-aliasing, is too horrible to accept it. Will you offer your proffessional services while you are in college ?
Hi Dave,
Interesting audio noise in this video. Is somebody vacuuming next to the camera mike?
But seriously, moire gets much worse in the fine details, not in a close up, even on this pattern. Make a bigger chart using 12 of those patterns on letter sized paper and you’ll really see some moire!
Cheers!
*WHEW* I thought it was just me…and the way I was shooting video (settings). I was stumped about what was causing this effect. A few months ago I was in Portland Maine filming some boats and the effect on the water was terrible. I was doing all I could to correct it. Glad to know I’m “not alone”. Thanks again for the great work Dave!!
Hi Dave,
I live in Turkey and I’ve been following your site since I bought a 550D as same with you.
Your reviews and tutorials are very helpful for me.Many thanks for that.
I would like to ask you three things:
1.) Before shooting a video by 550D (or any like DSLR) what kind of adjustments we should make on the camera to achieve good results after Post-production in terms of sharpness ? (Philip Bloom recommends Flat or Super-flat picture-style for that?
2.) Could you also make a Post-Production tutorial on Color-Correction ( I use Sony Vegas with Magic Bullet Looks)
3.) What do you think about using manual focus vintage lenses? Have you got any experience on that? (I have an old Nikon EM film SLR camera with couple of lenses – Nikon E Series 50 mm f/1.8 and Kiron 80-200 f/4.5 – I bought an adapter from Ebay for these lenses and I’m using both of them with my 550D.
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Regards
Gokhan
@Felipe … My you jump to conclusions. I am a 41 year-old college student (hence the non-traditional) having working in Graphic Design, especially in newspapers for the 14 years. So I know how to “make a living.” My interest lies in Web Design, and am taking video courses as part of my major. And the DSLR has really piqued my interest in creating video. And most important I WANT TO HAVE FUN doing this. Plus the price point of the T2i fits into my budget. I don’t have $2,000 to spend on a camera.
Of course you won’t become an instant Oliver Stone just because of camera technology. Like with anything, you have to learn the basics. It’s just like if you bought Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator doesn’t make you an instant graphic designer. I never suggested otherwise. BUT the price cost of the camera will allow those who can’t afford the Red One, etc. the chance to start the craft with a camera that has depth of field.
You know, I come to this site because Dave gives us the good, the bad and the ugly with SOLUTIONS. If you have any, I think anyone here would welcome you expertise especially with DSLR. Otherwise, just complaining about the moire in DSLR isn’t helpful to those who have these cameras. I can go on to other sites and read DSLR bashing.
I love Philip Bloom and his recent observation about the DSLR REVOLUTION!
http://philipbloom.net/2010/08/13/the-future-of-video-dslrs/
(Dave I hope that it’s ok to link out of your site).
Tina
@Tina no problem at all I have the Bloomster on my blogroll too even though he didn’t seem to like me comparing him to Tom’s video (see his comments).
This on-camera filter may be of interest:
http://www.vimeo.com/7523222
@Tina, have fun doing this since that’s what this cameras are for, For the end of the next year
you will be part of the Canon game, selling your camera at E-bay for $ 10 , because they finally decided to release the camera the designed in 2008 without Moire.
Have a lot a lot of fun, because I’m traveling now to Alaska to film a clip with my Panasonic
AVCINTRA, without Moire, since the guys I work for don’t pay for trash.
@Felipe … I could link to clips from DSLR video that are outstanding, but what is the use? It will get criticized anyway. Shoot, I read one thread on another site picking apart Philip Bloom who is fantastic, (here is his T2i video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pco4OmpYSQo) even with the moire, lol.
I’m still waiting for your thoughts on how to reduce moire, but your lack of talking about this speaks volumes. Good luck with your $10,000 AVCINTRA in Alaska. … And since I’m LEARNING about things related to video and film, me and my $800 camera will do just fine, thanks
But enough of this pissing-match banter. I’m too old to argue. And since you aren’t offering any good constructive DSLR advice other stating obvious flaws of the camera without any sharing thoughts of how to reduce these flaws makes you sorta useless to me. You use another camera for video capture. You like it better. I get it. Respect to you on my part. Let’s move on.
@Dave, I saw your comparison with Tom and Phillip. Pretty cool that Bloom made a comment, lol … If you read my link to Phillip, I thought Bloom’s thoughts on the future of DSLR is pretty spot on!
@Matt S., I heard about Caprock, are you going to get this? Thanks for sharing the link!
Tina
Moire/aliasing is caused by line skipping on the sensor. Moire will be less at 1080, and noticeably more significant (about 30% more) at 720. At the moment the best way to deal with it is to turn the sharpness all the way down in the camera. Some claim good results by using softening/blur filters on the lens. These probably do help, but do so at the expense of blurring your images.
Better quality lenses that create sharper images will actually promote moire/aliasing. The joke is that the cheap (soft/blurry) lenses, as they generally aren’t as sharp, may help reduce moire/aliasing. Also, opening your iris to the max usually softens the image from your lens — that can also help.
The “pro” way to deal with this problem is selective focus — in short — don’t focus on something that generates moire/aliasing.
Shutter speeds (the range available on your T2i) aren’t generally going to effect moire/aliasing. An unrelated side note — don’t get caught up on the pseudo-cinema shutter speeds. Explore and discover all your options — some pleasant discoveries await you.
Regarding the person who talked about the more expensive cameras — as I type this I’m sitting next to two of the cameras you cited — both of which are sitting next to a 7D. At the moment — Canon (V)DSLRs are in every major studio on earth. Creativity combined with skill (that comes from practice and learning) can indeed put you, with your T2i, on the exact same playing field as Paramount and Columbia pictures. This will probably change soon — but the bottom line is that the days of the three hundred thousand dollar plus cameras (AND the fifty thousand dollar lenses) are numbered if not over — and the challenge to you is creativity — not the kind of camera you shoot. So practice shooting and/or write your scripts — believe me — lack of AVC-Intra isn’t holding you back.
Hey Dave,
I bought my first DSLR just a few days ago and I was lucky enough to find your true gem of a website which I have been sucking in pixel by pixel.
I don’t usually write comments but I could not resist but comment on your personality.
The way you act a bit silly in some of your videos (commenting on someone walking by, in this video for example) really cheers me up
Thank you so much for doing this and please never stop making videos. If you run out of subjects, film yourself doing anything really
Oh, here’s a thing you could try making a video about: best settings for very low light video filming with EOS 550D + kit lens EF-S 15-55 IS. The noise is killing me
I think that this lens is not at all meant to be used in low light conditions, but feel free to prove me wrong 
Cheers!
What is that weird noise when you’re moving the camera? sounds like a gust of wind….
Andrew Gupta – Well Said Andrew…. !!!
Take that Felipe
Dave – I really enjoy your videos. I usually learn something from each one.
I found this one because I was having frustrations with Moire, too. I have a T3i and I’ve found a very practical solution to eliminate moire on the T3i. You might already be aware of it, but I thought I’d add it here, since this is where I think a lot of people go to find helpful info. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on the T2i, since the T2i lacks the 3x digital zoom that made its debut on the T3i.
The solution to getting rid of Moire on the T3i is to use a wider lens and then use the 3x digital zoom feature. For example, if I were to use a 50mm lens for a shot that had terrible moire, I’d swtich out to my Tokina 11-16mm, set it to 16mm and then set the T3i to 3x digital zoom. I end up with the equivalent of a 48mm lens (close to 50mm) and no moire! Now that’s amore, as you might say.
You can check out my experiment here: http://vimeo.com/35111205 or on my YouTube page.
Thanks again and keep the vids coming!