More Great HiDef Video from the Canon 5D Mark II

I've been skeptical about the utility of the HD video produced by the 5D Mark II and other high-end DLSRs. Sure, we all saw Vincent LaForet's incredible video Reverie, but he's a top-notch professional with oodles of equipment, lighting and resources (including a helicopter, which so few of us use on our shoots).

But over on SmugMug's blog, Don MacAskill, the company's founder, writes about his somewhat less privileged father's experience shooting HD video with the 5D Mark II. His dad wrote that he, too, was skeptical about the results he'd get:

“I had seen Vincent Laforet’s amazing short film, but only in 720p. I knew what an amazing photographer he is and wondered how close an everyman like me could come to footage like that. Could the clips possibly hold up to viewing in 1080p?”

“So with only an hour’s practice shooting my dog licking peanut butter and the neighbor’s kids running in their yard, I left for the city to compare myself to a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer with his helicopter, pricey stabilizer, models, set lighting, and post-production experts. I had a few hours and a tripod. What we had in common was the 5D.”

How did he do? According to the elder MacAskill

“I had just one secret weapon, same as Vincent: a Canon 200mm f/2.0 lens, not exactly an everyman item. It made a difference and I used it for maybe half the shots (snip). I also used an 85mm f/1.2 for scenes like the cable car, and toys in shop windows.”

“Dog and kid shots look amazing too, but I have to be honest: I missed many shots of fast-moving kids that I would have gotten with my video camera. Maybe I just need figure out how to juggle zooming, focus, and having the controls scattered across the back of the camera, but it felt like I needed three hands and the skillz of a Cirque du Soleil juggler.”

So, what's the verdict? Like I predicted, the Mark II isn't going to be as easy to use or as complete a solution as a less-expensive dedicated video camera. Still, the video looks amazing, and as Don's dad and other Mark II users get more experience - and maybe a third hand - the results will only get better. (Plus, I bet we see some kind of third-party solution for holding the camera while taking video - something like a Steadicam.)

And considering that there isn't a price premium for the video capability - the 5D Mark II's cost is actually lower than its two closest competitors from Nikon and Sony, enthusiastic amateurs and pros are going to have a ball trying to get the best possible video from what promises to be an outstanding DSLR.

Comments

[Roger]

I have a suggestion for future episodes: Spend just a few minutes explaining some feature of a digital camera. Explain it's use in a way that introduces the feature to a novice yet adds some information that might have been overlooked by more advanced users.

For instance:
The ISO adjustment button or menu selection.
1. Explain what ISO means.
2. Explain the circumstances where different settings might be used, when to use "auto".
3. Explain what happens when the wrong setting is used and how to correct it at home on the computer.

Other examples:
The aperture/shutter/auto/manual dial
The metering method button
The autofocus selection button
The release mode button
and so on.

If you write out a lesson plan and practice your lines the two of you could do a lot of teaching in just a few minutes.

Thanks for the show!

Roger

[Walter Lewinski]

You might want to take a look at the video just out over at David Ziser's site,

http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/2008/12/canon-5d-mark-ii-video-monday.html

Recorded on 5DII, stills and Video, this might change you mind also.

[Scott R.]

As a recent owner of the 5dMarkII I have to say that the video feature is not the most user friendly thing I have ever run across. This idea that these guys just got a pre-production borrowed from a rep and made these super outstanding features has me baffled. I keep getting stuck with high iso settings I can't adjust, and need to keep it on a tripod to make it watchable. What I love about this camera though are the stills. I mean the high iso images even at 5000 are amazing!!!! I could only dream of doing that with my old camera. This more than makes up for a so so video tack on feature that everyone is crazy over.

[MIchael S.]

just wanted to let you know that your new shows are great :)

[Herne]

Just wanted to mention that you got a big shout out from Scott Kelby on the most recent episode of PhotoshopUserTV (164). That's huge! And keep up the good work.

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