Dragonframe cropping/image processing issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nick
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 19
  • Views Views 6K
Dragonframe cropping/image processing issue

Nick

New member
Nick has not provided any additional information.
When playing back my frames, in the animation or cinematography window, they seem to be cropping differently. It looks almost like the focus is pulling or some kind of image stabilisation is active as frames are often cropping differently. When I see my exported sequence of my frames it seems like they are almost pulsing back and forward...Can anybody relate to this.. or even better have a solution to this issue? FYI all settings on my camera and the software are manually set and no intentional changes are being made to the focus or exposure during these sequences I am making. I am merely taking picture after picture without interference..
 
Last edited:
Hello!
Could you please record your screen showing the issue and share the video on YouTube? It will help us better understand what’s happening and offer a more accurate solution.
 
Last edited:
View previous replies…
Hello!
Could you please record your screen showing the issue and share the video on YouTube? It will help us better understand what’s happening and offer a more accurate solution.
Magshifter

They are very subtle movements in a very short sequence. But if you look closely at a particular part of the stage in one specific area, you can see it doing what I am describing. Very frustrating
 
Hello!
Could you please record your screen showing the issue and share the video on YouTube? It will help us better understand what’s happening and offer a more accurate solution.
Magshifterexactly, does it seem like there is any obvious reason for this ? Or anything you might have seen before..
 
Hi!
Thanks for sharing the render — the problem is definitely visible. Even though the object isn’t moving at all, the frames have this slight “breathing” effect, almost like something inside the lens shifts a tiny bit from shot to shot.

From my experience, a few things can cause this kind of micro-movement:

1. Aperture flicker
Some lenses don’t hold the aperture perfectly still, even when the value is set manually. That tiny mechanical shift can change brightness and also distort the image a little. Shooting with the aperture fully open or using a lens with a real manual aperture ring usually helps.
2. Lens breathing or internal element movement
A lot of lenses have inner elements that can move just a hair due to temperature changes or mechanical tolerances. In normal video you never notice it, but in stop-motion it suddenly becomes obvious.
3. Live View vs high-res capture
This applies only to DSLR/mirrorless cameras.
Webcams don’t have this at all, so if you’re using a webcam, you can skip this point.
DSLRs sometimes show one framing in Live View and then capture slightly differently in RAW/JPG, which can look like the frame is shifting
4. Stabilization not fully off
Some cameras or lenses keep tiny stabilization corrections active even in “off” mode. Worth double-checking if your setup has IS/IBIS.
5. Micro-movement in the camera rig
Even the smallest shift in the tripod head or an arm can show up as that pulsing effect. It’s good to go over the whole rig and make sure everything is really clamped down hard.

If you can, share a bit more info:
  • what camera you’re using
  • which lens
  • aperture setting
  • whether stabilization is on the camera or lens
  • and if the issue shows up in RAW/JPG (if not a webcam)
That will make it easier to figure out what exactly is going on.
Let me know — I’ll try to help more when I’m back at my workstation.
 
Thank you again for your help.

I have been trying this on another camera. With a different lens, that came with my old Canon 2000D. Granted, it is a similarly not brilliant lens, but still I feel it shouldn't be doing this.

I am normally using a Canon R8. With an RF 24-50mm lens, with an aperture of f16. Image stabilisation is switched off on the lens and camera body. Issue still present in JPEG/RAW. Camera and Lens set to MF.

The live view/high res frames, is not the problem as I have uploaded my frames to places like imovie etc and noticed the same thing.

As this has happened on two different cameras, there is a chance of temp/tripod issues. However it does seem like a camera thing. I feel like I have gone through the manual backwards at this point exploring what could still be enabled etc... eg autofocus features.. I have no idea. Any suggestions are most welcome. Please and thank you!

Really at my wits end to be honest
 
Thank you again for your help.

I have been trying this on another camera. With a different lens, that came with my old Canon 2000D. Granted, it is a similarly not brilliant lens, but still I feel it shouldn't be doing this.

I am normally using a Canon R8. With an RF 24-50mm lens, with an aperture of f16. Image stabilisation is switched off on the lens and camera body. Issue still present in JPEG/RAW. Camera and Lens set to MF.

The live view/high res frames, is not the problem as I have uploaded my frames to places like imovie etc and noticed the same thing.

As this has happened on two different cameras, there is a chance of temp/tripod issues. However it does seem like a camera thing. I feel like I have gone through the manual backwards at this point exploring what could still be enabled etc... eg autofocus features.. I have no idea. Any suggestions are most welcome. Please and thank you!

Really at my wits end to be honest
NickI haven’t run into this issue before. I’m using a Canon 600D and a Canon R. I’ve already contacted Dragonframe support, so now we’re waiting for their official response and further guidance.
 
Thanks, I have contacted Dragonframe continuously about this though. They have stopped responding to me as I can understand its not their problem
 
Thanks, I have contacted Dragonframe continuously about this though. They have stopped responding to me as I can understand its not their problem
NickYou can take a photo with the camera mounted on a tripod, as well as the method you use to secure the tripod. Also, tell us what the floor is made of, whether it is wood or concrete. I suspect that your examples may be affected by micro-movements of the camera.
 
You can take a photo with the camera mounted on a tripod, as well as the method you use to secure the tripod. Also, tell us what the floor is made of, whether it is wood or concrete. I suspect that your examples may be affected by micro-movements of the camera.
MagshifterSorry missed this. On Concrete. Locked down.
 
There is a tip from a small community of animators: check whether the captured frames stored in the folder actually have a problem, or whether this problem only occurs when exporting video from Dragonframe.
 
Also this tip from the community, have they noticed this themselves on dragonframe, but not in the captured frames folder? As I did some tests using imovie which showed the same results.
 
Also this tip from the community, have they noticed this themselves on dragonframe, but not in the captured frames folder? As I did some tests using imovie which showed the same results.
NickUpload several defective frames from this folder to the cloud and leave the link. I will take a look at this problem in person.
 
Thank you ! I will take a look at this when I have finished work. Really appreciate all your help :)
 
Sorry, this has been in a draft. Thought I had replied. I have been looking at the takes as recommended and its the same result in the take files..
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account on our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top