Messages

46

Lenses / Re: What 3 lenses do you dream of and long to own?

« on: October 05, 2012, 04:32:00 PM »

1. Zeiss Distagon T*15mm 2.8
2. Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm 2.0
3. Zeiss Distagon T 35mm 1.4

47

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: First Canon EOS C100 Short Hits the Web

« on: October 01, 2012, 10:03:27 PM »

AG - I think this is an interesting issue. Why don't you try to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the cost?

In doing so, don't compare a $1000 rig to what you get with the C100. Rather, try one that provides the same points of contact (top and side handles?). Your credibility will thank you.

Also, to make it apples-to-apples, I suggest adding the cost of an external recorder (and accompanying SSD's) to the cost of the C100 in order to get a COMPRESSED 180 Mbps 4:2:2 codec (no need to argue raw here, as you can't get it from the C100). My guess on an external recorder would be around $400 plus SSD's.

When you add batteries to the BMD CC, don't forget to add them to the C100, too.

Perhaps your knowledge and experience here could enlighten us as to how much better of a deal the C100 is. I'm willing to listen.

48

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: First Canon EOS C100 Short Hits the Web

« on: October 01, 2012, 07:54:02 PM »

Agreed, Plus to add to that battery solutions are large and cumbersome and make the cameras ergonomics change, and storing old footage for customers using so many SSDs would mean TBs of backup space. Thats adding thousands of dollars to the costs.

Not if you store it in the same compressed ratio that the C100 gives no choice but to store it in. I can render out raw footage from the BMD CC to the codec of my choice for storage. Do I lose the benefits of raw? Yes and no. I can do white balance and exposure adjustments before rendering it out (and after the shoot!). What is more, I can choose the quality with the BMD CC. 4:4:4? Yes. 4:2:0? Yes. 4:2:2? Yes - and I can record in this, too.

What is really a half-truth about your statement is that you are making an apples to oranges comparison. I can't store huge raw files from the C100 because it can't shoot in raw! I can, however, elect to store/archive BMD CC footage in a compressed format. Indeed, if I compress it as much as C100 footage is compressed from the camera, then no additional cost in hard drives is necessary compared to the C100.

No need for the hyperbole. C100 looks like a great camera. Is it clearly better than a BMD CC? No. Does it have some benefits over the BMD CC? I think so. Great price for the C100? I wish. Otherwise, I might have pre-ordered at C100 rather than a BMD CC.

49

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: First Canon EOS C100 Short Hits the Web

« on: October 01, 2012, 07:43:58 PM »

No way you are getting a Black magic running for the list price, that camera is near unusable out of the box. The fact that you have to format the SSDs with a mac filesystem basically means it would be unusable in a PC workflow.

Your statement about using it on a PC is needlessly over the top. I've been taking a serious look at the BMD Cinema Camera for a couple of weeks now. I actually pre-ordered one, but I might cancel before it ships (I figure I have a while to wait). I am in a PC-only environment, so I'm taking seriously the workflow issues when considering this camera. But, being on a PC isn't one of them. You don't need much computer know-how to be able to use a Mac formatted drive in a PC environment, especially for just retrieving footage.

Your main point - that $3000 won't give you a camera that you can take out of the box and start shooting with - is correct. But, let's add it up: Macdrive (Windows software to format a disk in Mac format) is $40 (available as a download). An SSD runs in the $200-$400 range, depending on capacity. SSD dock? Mine just arrived today (I decided I needed it to do more backups anyway): $50. Rig? Maybe. I'm looking at a simple handle so that I can hand-hold it. That's another $50 or so (you can spend more, but if you do, you should add the same to the C100). An external battery: $300. What are we up to? About $4,000 (that's overestimating). I could almost get two BMD CC's for one C100.

The points about resolution may or may not be valid. I think it remains to be seen as to which has a sharper image. The images from Mario at OneRiver are quite detailed. Should we discuss dynamic range and the power of shooting raw? I think anyone on these forums from the stills side understands the benefits of raw vs. a compressed image. If you want to shoot a quality codec where you've nailed the white balance and exposure, fine. You can and have tons of space with a codec (actually, a choice of them) that is far superior to that of the C100.

Crop factor. Yes, definitely a benefit of the C100.

I suspect that a lot of people will make a good living with the BMD CC. Same can be said of the C100. Beauty is, we both get to use our nice EF-mount glass!

50

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Recommendations for reading / learning Color Correction/Grading?

« on: October 01, 2012, 07:23:15 PM »

cayenne - I'm glad you're enjoying Handbook.

I'm back to admit that I might have been a little harsh toward Resolve. I hadn't tried it since version 8.

I took another look at it this weekend. My reason for revisiting Resolve was that I recently decided to pre-order a BMD Cinema Camera. I'm still not finally sure that I want one, but I decided to pre-order now, figuring that I can do more due diligence before it ships. If I'm not convinced that I want it, I can cancel.

Back to Resolve... I wanted to do a bit more research on the workflow that I might have if I work with raw files. So, I downloaded some sample dng files and the new version of Resolve Lite and started working on them. I still stand by my statement that Resolve it a bit cumbersome. But, like any software, once you learn its quirks, things aren't that bad (notable exception for me is Microsoft Office 2007 and later - still get frustrated by it!). Anyway, the updated UI in v9 is much better than I remember than with v8. I'm also more up-to-speed on color correction, in general (still learning a lot!), so that probably helps.

I also picked up Handbook again and now that I look at it again, it really does give a lot of guidance on Resolve.

So, like you, I'm going to be learning more about Resolve in the coming weeks/months. It is just so powerful. And, I'm enjoying it. The round-tripping thing isn't that bad with a combatible editor. Alas, I use Vegas Pro. The new version (v12) just added the XML import/export ability. So, I'll be learning this, too.

On the other hand, I've been using Magic Bullet Looks for the last year. I still prefer its UI. Looks is just fun to use. Plus, it integrates so nicely with Vegas. If it only had some of the tools that Resolve has. So, I'm not quite ready to give up on Looks, but I can see a point where I might use both.

Anyway, thanks for the report back. Good luck!

51

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera

« on: September 23, 2012, 01:17:19 PM »

I just took another look at the video (topic of this thread). I put it on my NLE timeline.

The most striking comparisons to me were the night shots and the shots from the mountaintop. With regard to the latter, the differences are not quite as dramatic as they appear in the video. I applied sharpening and contrast to the Canon shot and it improved. Also, this is just my attempt to grade the Canon clips. Someone with better color grading skills could probably do better. Constrast and saturation are the main adds with a bit of color changing.

Shot comparison (no grading or sharpening): https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eiBM_Pwg4tjhQOD2B6SfjdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
Shot comparison (Canon graded and sharpened): https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eiBM_Pwg4tjhQOD2B6SfjdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Still not to the level of the BMD camera, but closer. Also, the light was quite different in these two shots, contributing to differences (not necessarily favoring one over the other, but maybe).  I'm not suggesting that there was any deception here. Rather, it is my own conclusion that the differences are not quite as stark upon closer inspection. They are still there, though.

52

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera

« on: September 23, 2012, 08:41:43 AM »

"On the verge" might be too early, but the most important thing about the 5d3 (and maybe 650d) is that the digic5 is much faster so that's no barrier anymore - think custom codecs and 1080p/50.

Depends what we all take "on the verge" to mean . I know you that you know what ML has been able to do (e.g., alter quantization parameters and bitrate of the 5D3 codec). And, yes, they are being very professional about testing their hacks before calling them stable. So, they'll release it when they release it. "on the verge" to me means in the next year. Not tomorrow, not next month.

@NormamBates: while they can't process the footage directly (well, maybe they "can" by bypassing the encoder altogether), they can alter the encoder's parameters. I've used early beta versions of this on my 600D/T3i. I've been shooting ALL-I @100+Mbps on my 600D/T3i for a couple of weeks now and the results are quite impressive. To me, these are significant. As Marsu says, it isn't ready for primetime yet. But, it is enough of a "proof of concept" for me.

I still go back to my original comment. The BMD CC looks stunning. If I can get part of the way from the current 5D3 to the BMD CC with some improved image quality due to ML, I'll be happy I waited. But, I might not wait... I might just find a way to justify the headaches that come with a BMD CC.

53

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera

« on: September 22, 2012, 06:10:41 PM »

It's such a strange time right now with cameras, so many choices.  Not sure what I want to do, but I'm leaning closer to getting rid of the 5D3/5D2.  D800 footage from an external recorder looks amazing, BMCC footage looks amazing, it's a tough choice.  I was considering a D800 and Panasonic GH3, or just add the BMCC and keep the 5D3.  Decisions, decisions.

Add to that the developments with Magic Lantern. If I read the development forums (and the ML code) correctly, ML is the verge of getting much higher quality files out of the 5D3, perhaps even higher resolution than we currently have (this is my speculation, not official news from ML).

As you said, strange and interesting times. I'm not spending money right now. Beginning of 2013 looks like about when the picture should be clearer for me (pun intended).

54

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera

« on: September 22, 2012, 05:13:24 PM »

But I have to say this BMCC footage looks awesome too, I may have to pick one up, although the 2.3x crop is still pretty annoying.

If it weren't for the workflow, I would have ordered a BMCC immediately after seeing this video. But, the workflow is just something I'm not sure I want to deal with. But, now I know what I am missing. I have a feeling I'll figure out how to justify the workflow soon enough.

55

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Watch those CF pins on your 5D3

« on: September 22, 2012, 08:50:20 AM »

I've was bitten by this in the first month we had our 5D3. I put a CF card in and the camera wouldn't function. It would turn on, but then nothing could be set (e.g., ISO, aperature). Movie function wouldn't turn on. When I turned it off, it wouldn't come back on. Pulled battery and same thing. Called Canon. They were no help, but did issue an Repair ticket immediately. Just after hanging up with them, I pulled the CF card and battery. When I put only an SD card in, the camera operated fine (with battery, of course). When I looked into the CF slot, I could see the bent pin touching the side of the slot and, apparently causing a short.

Canon repaired it quickly under warranty. Total turn around, including shipping, was about a week.

Bottom line: I put CF cards in very gently now.

It seems that if the problem is so pervasive that Canon might consider a recall.

56

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon 1DC is IDENTICAL to 1DX other than firmware

« on: September 21, 2012, 01:37:35 PM »

Do you think those who paid $12,995 for a 1Dc are now happy in the knowledge that they bought a 1DX running a slightly modified OS?

Maybe. But perhaps those who bought a 1DX at half the price of a 1DC figure they got a bargain, by your reasoning. But, either way, this misses the entire point.

The price of a 1DX compared to a 1DC isn't the relevant comparison. At this time, I cannot buy a 1DX and get the capabilities of a 1DC. Canon sells hardware and software bundled together, not separately (yet). The relevant choices for someone who wants/needs the features of the 1DX are competitors to the 1DC. And this is the relevant benchmark by which Canon should price its products.

If you don't think one of Canon's products is worth its price. Don't buy it. Don't accuse them of immorality or a lack of ethics. And, for those who bemoan the capitalist system: Keep in mind that if it weren't for such a system, you wouldn't have the product development advances that this industry has experienced. Without a profit motive, there is no advancement of the technology. Some might say they agree with this and then try to claim that the profit Canon seeks is beyond "fair." The market (those who demand exchanging with those who supply) determines what is fair. Any profit beyond "fair" is not realized.

57

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon 1DC is IDENTICAL to 1DX other than firmware

« on: September 21, 2012, 07:47:01 AM »

I don't see the justification for outrage toward Canon for charging more for certain features in one set of firmware compared to another. As others have pointed out, this is exactly what software is. If it hasn't been mentioned already, MS Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, etc. is just another example.

What I find disappointing by Canon is the decision (so far) to not sell an "upgrade", or more appropriately, a "conversion" kit for a 1DX to make it a 1DC.

Indeed, a la carte pricing (see, for example, the smartphone in your hand) might just be on the horizon. With Magic Lantern, we almost have this (never minding the fact that this system is, by no means, "open" or built for apps).

58

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Shooting both in front and behind yourself?

« on: September 20, 2012, 04:05:24 PM »

I wouldn't expect great results. Yes, out of 1000 pictures, there MIGHT be a couple of keepers. In essence, you might get lucky. But, this sounds an awful lot like you have taken the most important piece of equipment out of the equation: the photographer's eye.

If it were this easy to get a good shot, then why doesn't your employer (or whoever has hired the photographer to take pictures) just mount 1, 2, 3,... heck, 20, cameras on a stick at the stadium, pointed at different angles and areas, and set it to take pictures every few seconds, rather than paying the photographer?

I don't earn my living with my camera. But if I did, I would find this idea either somewhat insulting, or more likely, just plain naive. It reminds me of a comment I've overheard people make when meaning to compliment a photographer by saying, "You have a really nice camera. It sure takes nice pictures."

In short, my view is that the idea you started with - "look behind you" - means just that. And, thank you for that reminder, because it is good advice that I often forget!

59

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Recommendations for reading / learning Color Correction/Grading?

« on: September 20, 2012, 02:52:04 PM »

Do ya'll have any links to good sites showing how to set up the Marvel, Neutral and Faithful settings on the Canon 5D3?

Setting up the picture style isn't difficult. You shouldn't need more than this step-by-step instruction: http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2012/03/12/setting-up-your-canon-5d-mkii-and-mkiii/

I found the other book you mentioned, by Hurkman:
http://www.amazon.com/Color-Correction-Handbook-Professional-Techniques/dp/0321713117/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3V9PVCC4ABLEP&coliid=IGR7W5RN9SYK9 But was a bit concerned that with a publish date of 2012...it might be a bit outdated with apparently so much happening in the past couple years...?

I think you meant that it was published in 2010. Cameras have changed in two years (although, not by much, in my opinion). But, color correction has not. Color correction is a method or skill. Not a technological advance based on a chip. It is something that goes back to the film days. The methods and approaches are not something that change significantly year to year based on some new technology. Some tools might change, but I suspect they won't change fast enough to make this book (or any other on color correction) outdated for some time. As you found, this isn't the only book on color correction. For me, it was and remains very helpful as I continue to learn more about color correction and improve my skills trying to achieve the look I want.

I also concur that Resolve might be overkill. If you are just learning to change the picture profile in your camera, then you are really biting off a lot in trying to learn Resolve. This is coming from someone who is comfortable hacking my Canon firmware, switching out and adjusting picture profiles, and using several different color correction tools - someone who found Resolve too cumbersome to bother with for his own purposes.

What editing software do you use? Perhaps trying to master its tools before learning on Resolve might bring you more immediate satisfaction - especially since you'll be able to apply the color correction and see the finished product without having to alter your workflow. Again, color correction is a method that can be applied with the tools in your NLE program. It doesn't have to be Resolve to be color correction.

60

EOS Bodies / Re: Adorama is selling 5d3 for $2745 on eBay now

« on: September 17, 2012, 04:24:30 PM »

Chances are good that we will see more deals.  Its a way of reducing excess inventory without officially lowering the price.  As long as the economy is slow, Canon is going to have surpluses.

Thanks for the optimism! But, I'm still kicking myself over missing this one... I'll certainly be checking ebay more often now.