<p>Up until the high-frame rate (HFR) section of the video I would have said that all you need is a <a href="https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/lenses/ef/macro/mp-e-65mm-f-2-8-1-5x-macro-photo" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Canon MP-E 65mm Macro Lens</a>, a nice LED light (so as not to fry the poor bugs with all the IR radiation that comes from tungsten halogen sources), and a camera with a reasonable video codec that accepts Canon lenses.  However, the HFR section is clearly in the specialized territory of a <a href="http://www.phantomhighspeed.com/Products/Phantom-Camera-Products" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Phantom</a> camera, which is very expensive.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-22T03:37:34.013Z
Keep in mind that many recent cell phones can record 240 fps footage. Macro photography with a cell phone is tricky, but it can be done.
user1118321
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-22T16:22:22.577Z
240 fps is likely not fast enough to capture those high-speed sequences.  I expect they were shot at 1000fps or above.
Michael Tiemann
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-22T16:28:56.180Z
Ah, good point!
user1118321
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-21T11:20:51.283Z
2017-01-21T11:20:51.283Z
Michael Tiemann
<p>
Hi, guys. I just watched the <strong><em>David Attenborough</em></strong> documentary: <strong><em>Life In The Undergrowth:<br>
Invasion Of The Land.</em></strong> </p>

<p>And I was wondering: What sort of equipment would I need, in order to get that kind of footage? Is it possible with typical modern retail-consumer class A/V hardware; or only at great expense - with professional, specialized gear?</p>

<p>I've included a short clip to illustrate the actual size of some typical subjects; followed by a copy of the entire documentary for your viewing pleasure (if anybody's interested).</p>

<p>Unfortunately, they're both in SD/Lo-Res; but should (hopefully) give you a decent idea of what I'm talking about.</p>

<p>Here's a short clip on YouTube:<br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/OwOL-MHcQ1w" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(min 144p→360p max)</a></p>

<p>Here's the full video on Dailymotion:<br>
<a href="https://dai.ly/x24ghq1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(min 380p→480p max)</a></p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-21T22:42:29.747Z
This is a site frequented by video professionals, you're not going to win any friends by posting pirated content. I fixed it for you.
stib
<video-recording><camera><production><pro><gear>
How to capture documentary quality footage of tiny subjects
voices
# How to capture documentary quality footage of tiny subjects

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-01-21)

Hi, guys. I just watched the ***David Attenborough*** documentary: ***Life In The Undergrowth:  
Invasion Of The Land.***

And I was wondering: What sort of equipment would I need, in order to get that kind of footage? Is it possible with typical modern retail-consumer class A/V hardware; or only at great expense - with professional, specialized gear?

I've included a short clip to illustrate the actual size of some typical subjects; followed by a copy of the entire documentary for your viewing pleasure (if anybody's interested).

Unfortunately, they're both in SD/Lo-Res; but should (hopefully) give you a decent idea of what I'm talking about.

Here's a short clip on YouTube:  
[(min 144p→360p max)](https://youtu.be/OwOL-MHcQ1w)

Here's the full video on Dailymotion:  
[(min 380p→480p max)](https://dai.ly/x24ghq1)

Cheers.

**Tags:** video-recording, camera, production, pro, gear

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is a site frequented by video professionals, you're not going to win any friends by posting pirated content. I fixed it for you.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-01-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Up until the high-frame rate (HFR) section of the video I would have said that all you need is a [Canon MP-E 65mm Macro Lens](https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/lenses/ef/macro/mp-e-65mm-f-2-8-1-5x-macro-photo), a nice LED light (so as not to fry the poor bugs with all the IR radiation that comes from tungsten halogen sources), and a camera with a reasonable video codec that accepts Canon lenses. However, the HFR section is clearly in the specialized territory of a [Phantom](http://www.phantomhighspeed.com/Products/Phantom-Camera-Products) camera, which is very expensive.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Keep in mind that many recent cell phones can record 240 fps footage. Macro photography with a cell phone is tricky, but it can be done.  
> **username_2**: 240 fps is likely not fast enough to capture those high-speed sequences.  I expect they were shot at 1000fps or above.  
> **username_3**: Ah, good point!  

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