Canon 7D and low contrast

[Richard Harrington]

I recImmend neutral and grade during post production

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Michael Sacci]

Totally agree best to shot “flat” with contrast, sharpness and saturation turned down. But this is in your Picture Style settings. There is presets of Neutral and Faithful that are flat looking.

[Bob Dix]

Well Phil,

We use a Canon 5D mark II which is similar, but, use a Sandisk Extreme III UDMA 40-60 mbps for HD 1080P because the 5D runs at 38.5 mbps, we use the same EF 35mm lens because of it’e surperb Image stabilization but, set the camera settings to LANDSCAPE as most of our work is travel, and then add a bit of sharpness. You realise the Exposure mode changes from Evaluative to Average when using the 5D Mark II on 1920 x 1080p HD video, this remarkably improves the contrast range and you can tell the difference when shooting stills which we set at Evaluative.
The above may be of some help as the result is broadcast quality exposure and colour, which needs little effects work or editing quality control in Premiere Pro. We set the camera manually on 1/50 sec and let it find it’s own ISO rating and aperture unless we want to mess about with depth of field, which the 35mm sensor is very good at.
We have had no problems in 18 months of operation from Egypt, Tibet, China and New Zealand as well as Lord Howe Island Jazz Festival. It is in PAL @25fps , not 24 fps movie mode. If you are using a Sony Bravia HD TV do not set it to Cinema Mode only Vivid, that will give you the best results. What you see on the LCD should be on Premiere Pro Monitor and TV. Good luck.

Freelance Imaging & Video
AUSTRALIA

[Michael Lorushe]

I shoot on neutral with sharpness and contrast turned all the way down; saturation down one notch.

Michael Folorunsho – Videographer & Editor
http://www.mikedoesmedia.com

[Bob Dix]

Phil,

I bet it is whatever you are viewing it on TV, or Monitor, if it is good on the Canon 7 LCD, otherwise back to Canon Service for a check up.

Good luck

Freelance Imaging & Video
AUSTRALIA

[Phil Lister]

Thanks guys, for all the help and advice! It does look fine on the camera playback.

Phil Lister