Archive for the ‘Canon 5D Mark III’ Category
Magic Lantern is onto something…
There have been a lot of posts lately about Magic Lantern’s breakthrough enabling RAW video recording on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.
Below is an ISO test of the standard H.264 of the 5D3, and what the RAW video from Magic Lantern looks like. This was done by Dustin J Tolman.
The results are pretty remarkable and easy to see, this software is still in its early stages and will probably get a lot better over the next few months.
Workflow
An ISO test comparing Canons H264 compression vs Magic Lantern’s 14 Bit RAW hack.
• First I converted the RAW files with ML’s raw2dng.
• Next I dragged the files into Photoshop which opened up Adobe Camera Raw.
• I selected the first image and used the auto white balance setting which got rid of the heavy magenta tone.
• Then I synchronized the additional files, and exported them as 16bit tiff files.
• First I tried to use QuickTime 7 to create an image sequence, but it render the video with incorrect color.
• So instead of QT I ended up using Final Cut Pro X to create an image sequence to a ProRes 422 HQ output.
Canon 5dmk3 @ F8
Canon 70-200 2.8L IS II @ 200mm
Technicolor Cinestyle
Music – Soundgiant
Read more about this test at Planet5D.com | EOS 5D Mark III at B&H Photo
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From Magic Lantern
Magic Lantern has unlocked RAW video recording in the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. From early reports the quality of the video files is pretty amazing and might be better than the C300 and definitely better than the BlackMagic Cinema Camera.
You can read about the workflow, see sample videos and more at EOSHD.
Read Mor at EOSHD | EOS 5D Mark III at B&H Photo
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Firmware Coming?
There has been a lot of questions wondering when Canon will release a firmware update similar to the EOS-1D X that adds the blinking red AF point when in AI servo mode. While I figured they were working on it, I wasn’t quite sure why it hadn’t been brought to market or included with the announced and upcoming firmware update.
This is a direct quote of what I have been told:
They are testing that at the moment but don’t know if it is possible to implement. The former system had a different type of focusing screen and it was easy to handle because it had no reflection in the viewfinder. The new system, with the LCD screen inside the viewfinder is reflecting the red light back and this can affect the light metering system. In the EOS-1D X, the viewfinder box is bigger than in EOS 5D Mark III, which aids in making it possible and workable. In the EOS-1D X they alternate red illumination and metering, and this is why there is the red blinking. With the EOS 5D Mark III, they are testing it but they are not sure if they can make it operate in the same way.
This sounds logical enough, and it’s good to know they are trying to implement it.
5D Mark III at Norman (Body | Kit), B&H (Body | Kit) Amazon (Body | Kit), Adorama (Body | Kit)
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Not included in the April update?
I’m wondering aloud if we’ll see the blinking red AF point firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III before April?
Why April?
Maybe the recent clean HDMI out software from Magic Lantern forced their hand.
NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR CANON EOS 5D MARK III DIGITAL SLR CAMERA PROVIDES UNCOMPRESSED HDMI OUTPUT SUPPORT AND IMPROVED AF PERFORMANCE
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 23, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera that significantly improves the camera’s performance and usability. In response to requests from professionals working in the fields of cinema and television production, the firmware update enables the use of uncompressed HDMI Output support, making possible more efficient video editing and monitoring procedures. Additionally, the upgrade supports the advanced needs of photographers through improved AF performance when capturing still images.
Uncompressed HDMI Output Support
When shooting video, HDMI Output makes possible the recording of high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal. This, in turn, facilitates the editing of video data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video being captured can be displayed on an external monitor, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring of high-definition video during shooting.
Improved AF Functionality
Even when the EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with an extender and lens making possible a maximum aperture of f/8, the firmware update supports AF employing the camera’s central cross-type points (currently compatible with maximum apertures up to f/5.6). Accordingly, the update will allow users to take advantage of AF when shooting distant subjects, benefitting sports and nature photographers, particularly when using telephoto lenses.
The new firmware update will be available, at no charge, in April 2013 from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.
5D Mark III at B&H (Body | Kit) Amazon (Body | Kit), Adorama (Body | Kit)
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From OneRiver Media
The folks at OneRiver Media decided to compare the EF model of the Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. They put both cameras through a battery of tests to compare sharpness, dynamic range, lowlight performance as well as a few others.
OneRiver recommends that you download the video to your computer, as they weren’t completely happy with the compression on Vimeo. Although, even the compressed file shows the differences in the two cameras pretty easily.
Release Information
After several DAYS of trying to upload this video to Vimeo, we’ve ultimately had to reduce the bit-rate compression down to 18mbps (Vimeo recommends 5mbps, ha!), which is down from our minimum quality level of 40mbps. This means the SOURCE file you can download will also inhibit some amount of compression blocking and smearing, even in the Cinema Camera footage, which doesn’t originally exist in our ProRes master file. We’ve tried EVERYTHING, multiple types of uploads, different encoding methods, you name it. This is as best as it will get unless someone can host our 40mbps H.264 file (about 3GB) on their server that the world can download from.
Although the downloadable source file is a little better than the streaming version, it still doesn’t compare to the original ProRes source file which imposes no banding, compression artifacts, or chrominance sub-sampling (down from 4:4:4 to H.264′s 4:2:0 space). Please keep this in mind when viewing.
Unfortunately Vimeo only allows 100 downloads per day, so check back to download the 2GB file if the queue is filled. And remember to always watch in FULL 1080 HD or you will have added scaling and moiré issues on some of the tests than what is already been added by Vimeo and our horrid bit-rate restrictions.
Background: This video compares the Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera and the Canon 5D Mark III in several tests. This includes dynamic range, sharpness, pushing levels, banding, artifacts, rolling shutter, chromakeying, wide/telephoto lengths, DOF (depth of field), low light, macro blocking, contrast, and more.
Thanks for watching. Hope this is as informative for you as it was for me making it.
Marco Solorio
Source: [Planet5D] via [OneRiver Media]
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A big difference
A reader sent in a quick comparison between the Canon EOS-1D X and Canon EOS 5D Mark III showing a very different color rendition as well as a significant difference in noise performance at ISO 25,600.
The Quick Test
The following test was conducted at sunset. This is the reason for the white balance setting, which on my 5d3 most closely approximated the warm tone of the light. Both files were dialed in at 8000k, +15 magenta. Both use the exact same lens, and were shot within 1 minute of each other. Both files are DNG 7.1, process version PV2012, and use the camera calibration setting “Camera Neutral.” All other settings including sharpening, noise reduction, tone curve, etc are all zero’d out for consistency. I’m using the latest version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom available as of this writing, which is 4.1.
The Test with 100% Crops | Click for Larger
Canon EOS-1D X at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Canon EOS 5D Mark III at B&H | Amazon | Adorama
Source: [PPT]
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From Jeff Cable
Photographer Jeff Cable has posted an article on his blog about some of the speed limititations associated with using SD cards in the new Canon EOS 5D Mark III.
From Jeff
Well…after some testing I have determined that, if you care at all about high speed shooting or clearing you buffer quickly, YOU DO NOT want to put a card in the SD slot. Why? Because, for some reason unbeknownst to me, Canon decided to build the 5D Mark III with one very fast CF slot which supports the newer UDMA7 protocol and a standard SD card slot which does NOT support the high speed standard (called UHS – for Ultra High Speed).
Read More
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New Firmware
Canon is issuing new firmware for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III on June 19, 2012. No new features have been added to the camera. I’m told that is is coming at a later date.
Firmware Version 1.1.3 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
- Supports the single focal length EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens that is to be released at the end of June, 2012.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which an image may become underexposed when using the Auto Lighting Optimizer for continuous Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) shooting.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the backlight of the LCD monitor may not turn off depending on the camera settings and timing.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s power may not turn on when a super-telephoto lens*1) is mounted to the camera with an extender*2).
- - EF 300mm F2.8L IS II USM / EF 400mm F2.8L IS II USM
- - Extender EF 1.4X III / Extender EF 2X III
- Corrects mistakes in the Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish menu screens
Download Firmware 1.1.3 for the 5D Mark III at Canon USA
Thanks David
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Some technical stuff for you
I wrote about this functionality a few weeks ago, and it appears no solution is in sight. I have been given a bit of information as to why it may be difficult to address.
Background
For some of us shooting the 5D Mark III, there is an issue that is driving some, not all, photographers bonkers. That is, when shooting in AI Servo mode, the focus point we have selected does not illuminate red, like it does on the EOS-1′s like the 1D Mark IV. The 7D has always had the black focus points in AI Servo and we never really heard many complaints about it. However, since the 5D3 came about, there have been countless complaints about shooting in AI servo mode without the illuminating focus points.
I finally spent a serious amount of time with the 5D Mark III, and I am on the side of it being extremely annoying that I can’t see my AF point in AI servo mode in various situations. Lowlight, black shirts, birds in flight and that sort of thing. With the 61 AF points, I do move the focus point off of center during AI Servo usage.
As mentioned, there have been lots of forum threads on the topic and I have finally heard from a few people what the issue is.
Below is some technical information about why (correct me if we’re wrong).
The transmissive LCD is the issue with both the 5D Mark III and the 1D X. Despite greatly improved AF, the exposure is affected by the red light of the AF point. This is why they do not light up in AI servo just prior to the exposure reading being made.
In order to solve the problem, Canon will have to figure a way to turn them on (red), yet adjust for the exposure differential. That isn’t as easy as it sounds, as each focus point will affect exposure slightly differently not to mention it’s also dependant on which exposure mode is active.
Can it happen?
It’s possible, because I’m told Canon is working on a solution. They do know a segment of photographer is having trouble with the black AF points. I am told the 1D X will launch with the same functionality as the 5D Mark III.
For some photographers, this is not an issue, or even a minor annoyance.
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