Canon5D Mk2 1080P "Better then RED"

[Jim N]

It seems the imaging world is going crazy with digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) turning into film cameras as well. Here's a preliminary report that alludes that the new Canon5D Mk2 makes better low light images than RED! http://tinyurl.com/4oc8je

We use 5D's now as part of our still imaging operations and it is not to hard to see us moving up to the new model later. I've got no idea how you access the RAW video or get it into Edius. I guess we will need some sort of RAW file processor similar to Adobe Camera Raw and will do all of the image processing out of the camera, after the shoot.

Jim

[STORMDAVE]

This camera shoots in H.264 I believe. There is 12 minute per clip limit, afaik.

Sample video clips can be found here (scroll all the way to the bottom).

Don't forget that these cameras have rolling shutter...

[Jim N]

Thanks Dave, apparently the rolling shutter can cause distortion as you pan the camera. The Nikon version has attracted adverse comment because of this but I note there was an entry in the blog referenced above that said that the Canon seemed to escape this problem.
Either way these systems are totally impractical for "run and gun" shooting and will only ever be used for specialist acquisition. The RED camera is quirky enough and I wonder if these video equipped DSLR's (presumably without rolling shutter problems in this or future versions) will finish it off?

It is interesting to have this option though.

[swsw1550]

Hi Jim,
I shoot weddings for a living now, Video & Still's I use a 1DMK111 and Eos-40D and a Eos-5D Canon's, I have noticed a lot a camera manufactures bringing out DSLR cameras with video capture, I have got to ask why would anyone want this feature, I would never use it my self and to pay the extra for it. The 5D is known as a full frame camera, this is what made it a favourite with Canon photographers. It will be interesting to see how there sales are on this now.

cheers
Steve

[STORMDAVE]

Thanks Dave, apparently the rolling shutter can cause distortion as you pan the camera. The Nikon version has attracted adverse comment because of this but I note there was an entry in the blog referenced above that said that the Canon seemed to escape this problem.
Either way these systems are totally impractical for "run and gun" shooting and will only ever be used for specialist acquisition. The RED camera is quirky enough and I wonder if these video equipped DSLR's (presumably without rolling shutter problems in this or future versions) will finish it off?

It is interesting to have this option though.

Yep this cam will only be usable in controlled environments. At least with the RED you can have the DP shoulder mount it and shoot with it.

Also I think these video capture DSLR's will be usable in smaller environments such as green screen footage, motion graphics element capturing, etc. It's not really practical for events at all.

[Philip]

Does it matter they shoot at 30fps. Wouldn't the conversion from 30fps to NTSC (for us US folk) at 29.97 make for some interesting playback issues. Just a thought...I am no expert at those technical things.

[STORMDAVE]

Does it matter they shoot at 30fps. Wouldn't the conversion from 30fps to NTSC (for us US folk) at 29.97 make for some interesting playback issues. Just a thought...I am no expert at those technical things.

30 progressive does not have that "video" look that interlaced video does. 29.97 has nothing to do with that, that's just for the TC drop to keep up with the time in the NTSC land.

I've shot some 720p30 footage and it looks stuttery on pans and I like the look of "video" better for certain projects. In this case shooting in interlaced yields better results for me (1080i60).

I don't think this Canon can do interlaced.

[Philip]

Thanks for the clarification...it was just a thought.

I could see for event work like I do this camera could be handy for those Same Day Edits we like. It could really kick up the look of the videos with the nice DOF from those cams even with the most basic of DSLR lenses.

Problem is editing that AVCHD footage. Sure Edius can handle it but how smoothly will it edit. My C2D Centrino laptop with a 2.0ghz process gets slow fast on native m2t files. I can imagine what an mp4 AVC file would do to it.

It sure is an interesting option though. Now if Canon will hurry up and implement some of this technology in their real video camera lineups.

I heard on another forum today that Red killed the Scarlet. Do you think this little Canon release had a little something to do with it?...or maybe Red is thinking of a dual use (still/video) cam based on the Scarlet platform? Just pure speculation. I can't speak for the validity of what I heard about Scarlet...I read it on a forum and we all know if it was on the internet it must be true...right?

http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/red-scarlet-scrubbed-redesigned.html

[kwshaw1]

I have got to ask why would anyone want this feature...

Two answers:

(1) To give the marketing department something to talk about besides pixel counts.

(2) For folks who want to do video recording using interchangeable still camera lenses, which apparently is fairly popular. Some folks are paying good money for adapters to attach their still lenses to their video cameras for added depth of field control and lens variety; this bypasses all that and gives you direct access to your lenses.

[Jim N]

It seems that these type of cameras will not be going away. Here is another one that will use a video form of Adobes DNG raw file format :
http://provideocoalition.com/index.p...xist_with_red/
The article states that this will be royalty free format (like JPEG2000) so it may find it's way into Edius somehow. It will be interesting to see how the format works, as you have to post process, after acquisition, any RAW file before you can use it.

[wags]

I have downloaded the raw clips and played them in EDIUS although it's best to convert to Canopus HQ.

All the demo clips have the camera in a stationary position. See what happens when you move it around an record.....

[STORMDAVE]

Jello...

http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/27/canon-5d-mark-ii-exhibits-jello-effect-not-as-bad-as-d90/