5D and FCP 6.0.6, What to expect….

[Phil Yunker]

Hi Jared,
here are some answers to your questions:
1. Is it time for me to upgrade to the newest FCP version, or can I get away with 6.0.6?
—–No, not really. I’m using FCP 6.0.6 and have successfully edited multiple projects with footage from the Canon 5d and 7D works fine. Unless you want to spend the $$ on the latest version of FCP, then go ahead.
2. The files are .MOV natively, is there a necessary or preferred compression conversion (using Compressor) before bringing them into FCP?
—–the files may be .mov however, they are h.264 files, highly compressed and will “bog” down or slow down your system. I transcode all the footage to pro res. There are many ways to transcode the h.264 files to pro res (or whatever you may want to work in or with, i.e if your primary camera was shooting XDCAM then you may want to convert to XDCAM, again this is an example, the easiest way is to use log and transfer in FCP, you have to get the Canon plug in for it, i think this link will take you there
https://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3249
another way is to follow these instructions from Philip Bloom
https://philipbloom.net/2009/10/04/canon-workflow-part-1-importing-and-converting/
4. What should my import settings be for the timeline/project? I shot it at 30FPS. 1990×1080
—i think you mean you shot at 1920 x 1080-?
best way to set up your sequence in FCP is to create a new sequence, then drop a clip you want into that sequence, FCP will ask you if you want the sequence settings to match the clip settings, if you do, click yes
5. Are there any other pitfalls I can avoid by heeding your advice in advance?
pitfalls, ???? not sure. the hardest thing for me right now is figuring out the best way to record audio and
how much color or information latitude there is with the original h264 files being converted to another format.

Good luck.
PHIL

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Noah Kadner]

I’d highly recommend getting Magic Bullet Grinder- here’s why:

https://dslrhd.com/2010/06/canon-t2i-and-magic-bullet-grinder-perfect/

Noah

Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Canon 5D Mark II and 7D.

[Jared Cicon]

Hey Phil,
As usual, I feel like I have stolen something like a thief in the night. So much value in being a member of Creative Cow. Such a wealth of information. I am not sure what I am happier about, My 5 and 7D and how they have simplified the film making process…. or the wonderful help I receive from knowledgeable chaps like yourself. It’s a comfort to know gentlemen like yourself are out there and so generous and willing to share your experience.
Thank you.
Jared

[Jared Cicon]

I’m on it Noah. Thanks brother.

[Richard Van den boogaard]

Hi Jared,

Depending on what output your client needs, you can indeed go for fullHD (1080p), but 720p (1280×720) often suffices. That gives you the benefit of having some leeway (30%) of digitally reframing your shots if you were not all that accurate upon shooting.

I have no experience with FCP, as I am on Adobe CS5 which is super with respect to DSLR support. No need for transcoding, even when applying extensive filters or color grading.

Good luck.

Richard van den Boogaard
Freelance cameraman • Editor • YouTube specialist

[Michael Sacci]

I would test out shooting 720p on these cameras, For many the down conversion to 720p elevates some of the problems of shoot with these camera. Personally I would still with 1080p.

[Michael Sacci]

Some mis-information in that article.
“… transfer them wrapped up as a group for later transfer in a special way.”
There is no special wrapping of the card you just have to retain the card folder and file structure when copying the cards. (Just like you do with P2 cards)

Also you want to use a text editor like BBLite or TextWrangler and not TextEdit or a word processor to do the modification of the plugin plist file.

If you use proxy then Grinder is a no brainer, but I like the TOD TC that Log and Transfer adds to the clips in FCP.

[Richard Van den boogaard]

@Michael: I don’t see how scaling down your footage in the edit (my 67%-rule) makes any difference in terms of the occassional moire or rolling shutter the Canons have. If it’s there, scaling down will not make it worse, right? Only smaller. If so, I have yet to discover an example of that being true.

The benefit of having some ability to reframe (re-applying rule of thirds) a hastily made shot by far outweighs not having that ability at all, I think. For most output destinations 720p is very acceptable; it looks perfect on most any FullHD TV set, as well as Vimeo or YouTube.

Richard van den Boogaard
Freelance cameraman • Editor • YouTube specialist

[Michael Sacci]

I was not talking about downscaling in the edit, I was recommending that the people test shooting 720 in camera, I would never say don’t do it but I always recommend that a person test the results. And do more then a quick grap a shoot and look, shoot a lot of different types of shots and look at the results.

Resizing on a timeline is a totally different thing.

[Ronnie Whitting]

FCP 7 has the codec of Pro Res LT or QT to use with the H264 conversion with our any problem what so ever. Been using this way for 1 1/2 yrs. NO WORRRIES.

Ron Whitting Executive producer-Owner
A.F. Productions / AFP-HD
Tyler, Texas