Messages

46

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: High noise at low ISO

« on: April 24, 2013, 02:10:33 PM »

Cinestyle tends to really bring out the noise, I used it on one shoot and never used it again.  Honestly the grabs don't look that bad, but like Jason said you should be using ISO's in multiples of 160, they tend to produce the least noise.  And if you check his video out you'll notice that ISO 500 seems to be a sweet spot for terrible noise (640, 800 and 1250 seem to have less). 

47

Canon General / Re: That's my money you are profiting from Canon!!!

« on: April 24, 2013, 02:07:37 PM »

They surely are making a profit with my money with each purchase I make ... no? I'm not complaining so why is everyone jumping at that conclusion?

Thanks for the heads up though. I'll take care in future - humor doesn't go well on CR it seems. Given the responses of unfocused, awinphoto and StepBack ... I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry

Everyone is "jumping to that conclusion" because you titled this post "That's my money you're profiting from Canon!!!"  I think most people would get the impression that you were upset based on that.  If you didn't mean to imply that you were upset then are you suggesting that Canon owes you something?  If it's not a complaint then I'm not sure what your intentions were in posting this. 

48

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Upgrading...Canon 60D to...GH3

« on: April 23, 2013, 06:26:27 PM »

Honestly I think you should give it a shot with the gear you already have.  After the shoot ask yourself what could have made the job easier, and decide what you need next from there.

49

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Upgrading...Canon 60D to...GH3

« on: April 23, 2013, 06:18:02 PM »

Thanks for the replies all!

I've been slowly gathering evidence, reading, watching videos, and man is there a lot to know! I'll be a bit regimented in this post for those that will graciously read/comment in order to make it more accessible.

Goals:

- Record footage and conduct interviews (in public as well as controlled environments)
- Create mini-documentaries on a range of topics that will force me to travel (once again, in public as well as controlled environments)

Equipment:

-Very near to pulling the trigger on a Refurb. Canon 5D Mark III (Currently have a 60D which I am looking to sell hopefully get 500-600)
-Lenses:
*Tamron 17-50
*Sigma 85
*Nifty 50 1.8
-SD 16GB extreme class 10 card (2)
-Standard photo tripod
-Glidecam 2000
-MacBook Pro (2011)
-FCX and Premiere 5.5
-H4N
-NTG-2

Equipment I think I need:

-ND Filter recommendations (Variable vs. Fixed? How many stops? Brand? etc.)
-Lenses (Canon vs. Tamron/Rokinon ... prime vs. zoom ... regular vs. cine ... vintage/nikon/etc)
-Slider (not familiar with these..i've seen some mounted on tripod and others that are on the floor?)
-Creating a "Rig":
- A way to affix h4n and ntg2 (extra shoe mounts etc?)
- do i need a follow/pull focus? or can it be done by hand
-Inexpenseive ViewFinder (zacuto seems expensive)
-Do I need a monopod? Shoulder rig?
-Can I get buy with h4n & ntg2? Do I need wireless mics? Beachtek? (i'm not that familiar with audio)


Keeping in mind that I am a school teacher who is doing this as a highly interested hobbyist and not doing this for commercial work, what would you recommend? I am not looking to spend thousands upon thousands (maybe over years) but i'm also not trying to by garbage, highly sub-par equipment either (I am springing for a 5D MK III).

Video is going to be the overwhelming majority use, with secondary pictures (more important for lens recommendations)

What advice would you give?

Regarding:

1. Equipment recommendations
2. Rig set-up (light/portable/effective)
3. Workflow (editing/recording/etc)
4. Anything else I'm forgetting


Thank you SO much in advance!!!

Ok I'll try and answer these:

-ND Filter recommendations (Variable vs. Fixed? How many stops? Brand? etc.):
I'd go variable, if you have different lenses with different filter sizes it will be really expensive trying to buy individual ND's.  Genus makes a decent Fader ND, there is a bit of color cast when you really crank it up but it's fixable in post.


-Lenses (Canon vs. Tamron/Rokinon ... prime vs. zoom ... regular vs. cine ... vintage/nikon/etc)
That all depends.  Primes are more expensive, but have advantages.  Zeiss lenses are amazing but also very expensive.  If you want cheap, quality primes check out the Bower/Rokinon/Samyang, 14mm f/2.8, 24mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4 and they have cine versions that aren't much more expensive.  If you're trying to do pictures as a secondary I'd just get one pretty good zoom with AF so you have something for that. 

-Slider (not familiar with these..i've seen some mounted on tripod and others that are on the floor?)
Yes, sliders can really add professionalism to your videos, there is something about a camera gliding on a completely level plane that just looks beautiful.  Some have legs that allow you to place them on the ground (or whatever surface) and most can be attached to a tripod.  The Cinevate Atlas 10 is a cheaper one that comes to mind.  There are lots of cheap sliders out there nowadays, on the higher end side there is the Kessler Cineslider and their Pocket Dolly is pretty nice too.

-Creating a "Rig":
Rigs are nice to have but I would worry about a nice tripod w/fluid head first.  There are tons of options out there, everything from the round Manfrotto Fig Rig to a high end Redrock Micro or Zacuto Rig.  I like Redrock's stuff and have a customized Cinema Deluxe Bundle but it was probably $3000 after everything was said and done.  Check out eBay and Jag35, again there are lots of options out there.  I'd also check ebay for used RedRock Micro stuff, I checked prices not too long ago to see what I could get for mine and remember being shocked at how much they had depreciated, so definitely check there.  They are rock solid and reasonably light for their size.

- A way to affix h4n and ntg2 (extra shoe mounts etc?)
Yeah beachtek makes a thing that gives you a bunch of extra mounts, i use that in these types of situations, but again there are alot of options out there.

- do i need a follow/pull focus? or can it be done by hand
You can try and do it by hand if you want, but yes I'd highly recommend one.  It just depends on the setup, on a tripod you could probably get away with not using one, but on a rig it would be more difficult.  There are some cheaper options out there I'm sure, haven't had to look in a while

-Inexpenseive ViewFinder (zacuto seems expensive)
Go on Amazon and search "LCDVF"

-Do I need a monopod? Shoulder rig?
Monopods can be great for small spaces, but if you do go ahead and one made specifically for video.  Manfrotto has one that has an actual tripod head on it, it's about $300.

-Can I get buy with h4n & ntg2? Do I need wireless mics? Beachtek? (i'm not that familiar with audio)
Yes, the H4n and NTG2 will work fine for what you are doing, you may want to consider renting some Sennheiser lav mics if you ever have to do more high quality interviews.

50

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Upgrading...Canon 60D to...GH3

« on: April 23, 2013, 06:04:28 PM »

One other thing though - on the 60d af micro adjustment was removed (thanks, Canon!) so it's not an ideal camera body for fast primes or you have to make sure the specific copies don't need afma when buying them.

LOL he's using it for video (no need for AF), and Zeiss lenses are all manual focus. 

51

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Upgrading...Canon 60D to...GH3

« on: April 23, 2013, 06:02:48 PM »

Did you really get any input from some one who owns and uses the d60 and GH3?   Be careful, there can be lots of people who read about one offering expert advice.

I haven't used a GH3 but have used a hacked GH2.  I've seen pretty much every GH3 video available on the web at this point, and it looks excellent, especially for $1299.  And the 60D isn't even close, you don't need to own a GH3 to see that, take a look for yourself.

52

EOS Bodies / Re: Bye Canon?

« on: April 23, 2013, 05:59:00 PM »

Ok first off, no one promised you a 70D today, so your negative feelings have nothing to do with Canon and everything to do with your expectations.

if you want to shoot video on a large-sensor camera, you have to learn how to focus manually.  The motion picture industry has been doing it this way since it's inception and continues to do so.  We are very far away from having AF for video on a DSLR, with as many lenses as there are it would be extremely difficult to make them all work perfectly.  I mean do you really want to trust a camera to pull focus for you at the right time and to the right place?  Instead of complaining about technology that probably isn't available just make do with what you have. 

Everyone else making videos with DSLR's and any other cinema camera do it this way, why can't you?  If you think the lack of this feature is what's holding you back from making great videos then you should go ahead and find a different gig.

And about switching to Nikon, I don't think switching is going to make the slightest bit of difference.  It seems like you want to blame the gear, a feature (or missing feature), and that could go on forever.  So like I said, try and make do with what you have, plenty of other people have made great stuff with the same gear.

53

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Waiting for a Sigma 50 "A" like their 35 to appear?

« on: April 22, 2013, 10:51:01 AM »

I'm sorry about your personal misadventures, but your opinions are very much in disagreement with the majority of what I've read/experienced myself - especially for some of the lenses you mentioned.

If you're happier with Canon lenses good for you, but I still think your generalizations are far from reality.

He said the 70-200 and 400 f/2.8 IS are better than the 120-300 and 100-300, which is absolutely true.  Canon's telephotos and super telephotos are some of the best in the world.  He said the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 focus inconsistently, which is a common complaint (although both are pretty good optically).    And he finished it off saying that the 35mm f/1.4 is the only lens superior to it's Canon counterpart (which most people agree on).

It seems like you're reading what he said very selectively since most of what he did say tends to mirror what I've read/experienced.  And he's not really making "generalizations" he was very specific about the lenses and the problems that they had.  You're pretty much trying to get him to say that 3rd party lenses are better on a Canon body than a Canon lens, and that just isn't true.

But let's be realistic, prior to the Art 35 Sigma didn't get near as much praise, but it's still just one lens in a giant lineup.  I do have high hopes for the future art series lenses though. 

54

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Upgrading...Canon 60D to...GH3

« on: April 19, 2013, 01:13:57 PM »

With Blackmagic Design's various camera options (the Cinema Camera is available now and Pocket Camera and the Production Camera at 4k are due in July), I'm hard pressed to recommend serious video shooters to go with any DSLR. While DSLRs' flexibility and all-around features are hard to beat, with the ability to shoot photos being their strongest suit, the video quality just doesn't compare, in my opinion.

Otherwise, I understand the GH3 to be a very nice camera.

I agree, the Blackmagic cameras are great and I preordered both, but this guy is talking about a $1299 camera so I'm thinking they're out of his budget.  I don't think the pocket cam is a realistic A cam, great secondary but I think people would only use it as a main camera for the novelty of it.  I personally preordered it because it's only $1k and it's neat so why not? 

Anyways OP, the GH3 is a great camera, definitely superior to the 60D.  I haven't used it personally but everything I've seen/read/heard on it is positive.  Then again you'll have to change your lens selection, but if you sell of your gear it wont be that bad.

55

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon 5D Mark iii HDMI Clean Output?

« on: April 19, 2013, 01:10:25 PM »

Although it depends on type of kit you have elsewhere... RAW video eats disk space like there's no tomorrow. And the CPU and RAM requirements for working in RAW 4k aren't to be trifled at either. Happy to kit your post facility with a load of high end workstation computers and a 20 tb raid array - go for the 4k RAW system. Want to stick with your current 2 year old iMac - don't bother.

If you're happy with the additional costs throughout your entire production workflow then the BMC4k looks like it'll be fantastic - but for a lot of people/places which aren't dedicated production companies the extra expenses across the board make it the C100 look like a better option.

As for the 5Dmiii firmware - we'll have to wait and see how much of an improvement it provides in terms of IQ. Until it's been tested we wont know for sure, but it wont turn the 5dmiii into something that will outperform a C300.

In 2008 DSLR video was ahead of the competition (in terms of sensor size/aesthetic potential vs cost - people forget how badly the 5dmii sucked in many ways for video on release). Expecting things to simply stay that way was always unrealistic - and here we are four and half years later with a range of cameras including the three BMC's, the GH3 (for those on a shoestring budget), 1DC, C100/300, FS100/700, Red Scarlet which all do video better than DSLRs.

That doesn't mean that you can't still make stunning work with a DSLR - or that they aren't still a very tempting option for people who do both stills and video: only that most high end video production companies will use the dedicated video tools that don't have a load of (to them useless) photgraphy features. For example the autofocus system on the 5diii is great for stills - and completely useless for video. Expecting devices which don't have most of their R&D budget going into features that wont be used to outcompete dedicated video devices doesn't make a lot of sense.

The BMPC shoots compressed RAW, and you're right, my brand new maxed out iMac with Thunderbolt drives could barely play the BMCC RAW files, so hopefully it will be able to play the compressed RAW from the BMPC.  If not I hear Apple is releasing new Mac Pro's this year, so i'll get one of those if need be.

I never said you can't make great stuff with DSLR's, I've shot hours and hours of material this year on DSLR's and it all looks excellent.  Proper lighting can make all the difference in the world regardless of the camera.  DSLR's have served me well, but I've been yearning for a proper video camera for the past few years.  Almost picked up an FS700 used for $6k but by the time I called the guy it was gone, so I'm gonna give this one a try. 

56

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon 5D Mark iii HDMI Clean Output?

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:57:38 PM »

Why i didn't get a BMPC in short: less DR, no uncompressed RAW, more expensive.  Remember, it's a different sensor, so no guarantee that it's going to have the same beautiful image. 

Indeed, once we start seeing vids, i may regret my decision. But i figure the reason someone gets a BMCC(as opposed to a 5D3) is for the DR and the complete control over it in post.  So why would i want to compromise either of those for the BMPC?

1 stop less DR (but still more than the 5D3), but the Global Shutter and Super 35mm crop (the 2.3x on the BMCC was too much for me) and I'm all for compressed RAW, it's still a hell of a lot more flexible than H.264 DSLR files.  I shot with the BMCC for one weekend and the resulting files were ridiculously huge and my 3.4 i7 iMac with SSD's/32GB RAM/2GB Video/Thunderbolt Drives could barely even play them.  I wouldn't shoot 2.5K on that thing unless I was trying to make some award winning stuff, it's just not worth it. 

To me it seems like Blackmagic Design priced the production cam that way to discourage people from buying the BMCC.  They are taking the old BMCC bodies, putting in the new sensor and slapping a 4K sticker on it and taking the old sensors and putting them in the Pocket cams, it's pretty genius really. 

Either way any of the cameras mentioned here can produce great images if used correctly, but the BMPC has the specs I've been looking for and at a ridiculously low price.

57

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Any risk of 1DC overheating on a 1 hour 4K video?

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:54:04 PM »

I'd factor in the waterproof enclosure, it seems like the camera would get really hot in there after an hour.  It may be fine shooting in a normal situation for that long, but I'd be hesitant to shoot that long underwater.

58

Lenses / Re: Lens recommendations Please

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:51:00 PM »

85mm f/1.8 is an excellent lens, especially for $300ish, that would be great for portraits.  But if you're interested in a 70-200 I'd either get one or the other.  70-200mm overlaps 85mm so it would be kinda redundant.  I'd consider looking for a used 70-200 f/4 IS or 70-200 f/2.8. 

If you want a great UWA for architecture the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is stellar for $399.  I hate to admit it (since I own a 14L II), but the Samyang is a good bit sharper and it costs almost $2k less.  The distortion is pretty bad but that's easily correctable in post.

59

Lenses / Re: Just got the canon 16-35 ii and having a hard time seeing the value in this uwa

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:48:14 PM »

No offense, but the pictures you took are very boring and don't seem like you put much effort into experimenting with positioning/composition.  With UWA's you have to get close to the subjects, or at least close to some part of the image.  It's a great lens if you like to shoot ultra-wide, but you have to learn to shoot ultra wide first.  16mm just may not be for you.

I say keep your 24-70, sell your 16-35mm and pick up the Samyang/Bower/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 for $399 and that way you have a UWA if you end up needing it in the future and it's much less costly.

60

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Results: Filming 720p 60fps at super high shutter speeds

« on: April 16, 2013, 10:25:24 AM »

For future reference, you might want to clarifying the following.

Be careful with bumping up the shutter speed too much on DSLRs though, as at higher levels it can create clipping and rolling shutter, which you definitely do not want.

It is my understanding that rolling shutter is not caused by shutter speed at all, as you seem to imply. Rolling shutter refers to how the data are read off the sensor and occurs on regardless of shutter speed or frame rate. It is most noticeable on fast motion, regardless of shutter speed. I'm also unsure of your use of the term "clipping". I have always used "clipping" to refer to loss of detail in bright objects because the sensor "clips" by reaching its RGB highest value. This is usually caused by an image being overexposed. It seems that a high shutter speed would (holding light, ISO, and aperture constant) go against clipping. But, perhaps I am unaware of another common meaning of the word "clipping" when referring to video.

I think higher shutter speeds can accentuate the rolling shutter but you are correct they are definitely not the cause of the rolling shutter, it's just a byproduct of CMOS sensors.