Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: yes or no..6d for video...

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:30:56 PM »

Canon isn't really the place to be if your are only going to use the DSLR for video.

+1, unless you're talking about the C100/C300

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D + Samyang 24 Visits Badlands Milky Way Extreme ISOs

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:29:47 PM »

Oh and nice shots OP, if only there had been a new moon huh?  And yes the 24L II does have a coma issue even though it's a great lens overall, might have to grab a Samyang.  I haven't experienced coma issues with the 14LII, but I have heard that the Samyang is about just as good (better if you consider the price).  Nice shots/comparison

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: dissapointed 6d 100mm f2 and 24mm 2.8 (non l)

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:27:10 PM »

I wonder if the "waves" from the heat inbetween you and the pyramids is causing the lack of perceived sharpness.  I don't know the technical term, but you know in the summer when you look at the road or the hood of your car and it blurs everything?

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D + Samyang 24 Visits Badlands Milky Way Extreme ISOs

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:24:26 PM »

Can't see how that would work.  The camera needs to be fixed or the landscape foreground will move.  Longer exposures, including exposure stacking would give star trails, which would ruin this lovely photo.

A great shot, well composed with the foreground.  For my personal taste, I would reduce the exposure a little.  I use a Samyang 14/2.8 on my 5DII wide open for 30sec at ISO 3200 for Milky Way photos.

I think the stacking program automatically aligns everything.  Not sure about the foreground moving, but from what I understand tracking mounts are better suited when you're only pointed at the sky. 

5

Lenses / Re: Best Lens for FF 6D

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:45:34 PM »

Actually I agree with a few of the other people about you already having a great starter kit.  Buying lots of lenses initially is a bad idea, you need time to learn each of their quirks/sweet spots, etc.  If you start with 4 lenses in 6 months you'll be somewhat familiar with 4 lenses, but do the same with 2 you'd have at least 1 of them mastered by then.

6

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Handicam, lens or other?

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:28:10 PM »

So sounds like I need a tripod.  Considering that I don't really use one for photography, what is a "good" but reasonably priced tripod option for video usage?

Well, you could always rent the gear from lensrentals.com or Aperturent.com.  Aperturent is based out of Atlanta but they don't require deposits and they ship out of state, and their rates are pretty darn good. 

If you're looking to buy one, I'd check out: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/859138-REG/Manfrotto_701HDV_MVT502AM_701HDV_TRIPOD_System_with.html

Pretty much any Manfrotto with a fluid head should be just fine, but they start at $299 or so.

7

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: So, has anyone recorded externally hdmi from 5d3 firmware updates?

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:25:20 PM »

Indeed interesting.
Well, at this point, I'll likely do the Canon firmware update (I've never updated the firmware before, so first time here for me).

I may or may not get an external recorder....maybe when the state tax refund comes in.

I'll go from there....and once the BM Pocket camera comes out for awhile, and I see what is done with adapters for being able to use my Canon EF lenses with it...I may get one of those as a 2nd video camera.

So many toys...so little time and money.


C

The BMPC has a 3x crop, which will make it very difficult shooting with EF lenses.  And if you buy an external recorder prepare to be disappointed, they rarely make a noticeable difference.

8

EOS Bodies / Re: Why not higher resolution video?

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:15:49 PM »

Personally, I would rather see the video improved so that they offer proper 1920x1080 video (or perhaps even 2K - for that little bit of extra res for slight framing adjustments). The C100 footage is a whole lot sharper, as is the GH2 - especially hacked - and I wish Canon would at least attempt to get their DSLR footage up to this level. It is just frustrating that, aside from the moire-free (albeit softer) video of the mkIII, Canon has done absolutley nothing to actually improve the processing and image quality of their DSLR video performance since the mkII came out all those years ago.

Honestly I don't see how you can say that there are no improvements to the 5D3 over the 5D2, the footage is MUCH cleaner on the 5D3.  Sure it wasn't a tremendous jump, and probably not worth $1500 more than the 5D2 initially, but for $2300 refurbished I think the 5D3 is a huge step up from the 5D2 (on the stills side mainly).  The only real gripe about the 5D3 was the price really, but now that it's $2300-$2500 I don't think anyone can complain.  All I know is I'm much happier shooting video with the 5D3 than I was the 5D2, and neither have inhibited me from producing quality work. 

9

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Dc & 1Dx

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:09:08 PM »

Yes the price increase is bogus, but there's definitely physical improvements to allow the camera to output that kind of high bitrate high res video, even with 1080P on the other DSLRs they struggle with overheating, but even with quality components added for heat dissipation I don't see any of that adding beyond $1K.
Also, EOSHD reports disappointment with a test shoot using the 1DC, rather soft output similar to how the 5DMarkIII video looks, doesn't make any sense...

They must have been talking about the 1080p video because the 4K footage is world's better than any 5D3 footage I've ever seen, but for $12k I'd still expect more out of it.  8-Bit 4:2:0 can only get you so far I guess...

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: First photos with the EOS Kiss X7 (aka Rebel SL1 / 100D)

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:05:22 PM »

A lot of shots seem to have a bluish cast. i'm much more impressed with the output of the nikon 3200 which is > $200 cheaper than the SL1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonfrance/sets/72157629851394125/

Looks like it was a cloudy day and the white balance was a bit off, but that's easily fixable.  I agree, I like those particular shots from the D3200 more, but only because they are better shots overall, not because of a massive difference in IQ.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: dissapointed 6d 100mm f2 and 24mm 2.8 (non l)

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:03:34 PM »

i suppose it is the focus, i only used the centre point and recomposed, but so many the focus is off, i was in egypt so light wasnt a problem, and i was also trekking in uganda and the landscape shots just lack punch. the colours and contrast just seem a bit wrong. out of 1000 pictures and some extensive sharpening, there arnt that many im happy with!

id upload a few shots but frankly im embarresed. i feel a bit cheated out of money spent.  im gonna have to rent an expensive l lens and compare, but at the moment, im really disheartened.

Sharpening out of focus shots isn't going to help anything.  I wouldn't feel cheated unless no one had ever get a good shot out of that camera/lens combination, but that's not the case.  It may just be that you haven't quite gotten used to the gear or something is configured wrong.  It's much more difficult to shoot wide open on an FF sensor vs your old 450d though, DOF can get very thin, that's something to be mindful of.  I'd shoot with it some more, try shooting with some better glass and see if you're happy with those results.  If you're not go back to the 450D if you're happier with the pictures from that.

12

Lenses / Re: Best Lens for FF 6D

« on: May 05, 2013, 03:01:21 PM »

Some normal range zoom, 24-70mm or 24-105mm.  24-105mm is always a good choice on a budget, great range, IS, and with the high ISO capabilities of the 5D3 the f/4 isn't too limiting.

13

EOS Bodies / Re: Why not higher resolution video?

« on: May 05, 2013, 02:53:32 PM »

I can see that, but the new GoPro does 4k.

LOL have you actually seen the 4K from the GoPro?  Or even the 2.7K?  While it looks good for a GoPro, neither looks better than even the cheapest DSLR.  Data rates, sensor size, there are so many variables.  I mean an Arri Alexa is 4K also, but that doesn't mean the GoPro is just as good.  The 15FPS 4K on the GoPro is pretty much worthless, they only added it so they could put "4K" on the box and hope that people see "oh it's 4K, it must be the greatest camera ever" and buy it. 

14

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Dc & 1Dx

« on: May 05, 2013, 02:49:52 PM »

No it's more like

1DX+$6000+firmware = 1DC

But yes, the 1DC does everything the 1DX does in terms of stills it just shoots 4K video in addition to that.  Canon says they did stuff for heat dissipation but that could mean one extra screw or completely redesigned parts, I'm not sure.

15

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Handicam, lens or other?

« on: May 05, 2013, 02:48:11 PM »

You need some kind of stabilization better than a "crappy tripod."  I'd try and get a slider of some sort, since they can add a lot of professionalism to the look of a video.  Your lenses should be fine, but lenses that are optimized for video will be much easier to shoot with (even the cheap Samyang/Bower/Rokinon 14mm/24mm/35mm/85mm). 

Sanj is right, you need some type of monitoring outside of the LCD screen on the camera.  I can't tell you how many times I've seen people "think they got it" but then they pull it up on the computer and it looks horrible.  Some type of monitor/EVF, especially one with zebra stripes/peaking will help alot. 

I'd also say you need some ND filters, since you'll probably be shooting during the day.  With the shutter speed fixed at 1/50 even with the ISO at 100 you may have to stop down to f/16 to get proper exposure, so ND filters will help if you need shallow DOF during the day. 

A glidecam will help if you're trying to get moving shots, but if you don't have any experience with them you'll end up spending 1/2 the day trying to get it balanced.

I would honestly try and plan as much as possible in advance, there is no such thing as too much pre-planning with video. If you go out there and try to wing it things aren't going to turn out well.  I shoot video with DSLR's all the time, and while I know how to shoot pictures pretty darn well I still wouldn't feel comfortable taking on a photo gig.  You have the gear, but experience is definitely more important.  Either way, best of luck.