[James Statham]

Yeah, I agree. I found the same issues the last time I did a 5D project, I had the same issue and got around it using plain old 442. But that was before the Canon plugin made life easier. It was converted using MPEG Streamclip, a method that always made me ponder regarding quality. I dont know why, something just didn’t ring right about it. The fact that it interlaced my progressive footage even when I asked it not to made me question its ability to output quality footage.

However, this is the first time I have done a 5D project since the release of the plugin. So I brought a clip in at 4444, did some grading on it and it graded much better than the last time. So I went with it, not caring about the size of the files I was creating. However, it was shot better and I have more grading experience under my belt now so that could also be a contributing factor. But based on that grade I went ahead and imported it all as 4444, that was probably a bad decision (because of bloated files if nothing else). I am going to fetch a dark clip in at 4444, HQ, LT and plain old 442 and do a side by side by side by side test on the lot. I am most certainly not saying you are wrong, in fact I believe you are right, its just nice to see with my own eyes. plus I can post the results and hopefully prevent others from creating bloated files and actually decreasing quality.

As it stands

[James Statham]

Cheers Mark,

Firstly, Thanks very much for getting back so soon, really appreciated.

I understand completely your confusion about the production choice! I felt the original post was getting long enough without me rambling on about the choice of cameras. And I know I can ramble on a bit! The simple fact of the matter, was at the eleventh hour something happened that meant, shoot like this or dont make the film… Even the option of postponing the shoot wasn’t an option. I wish it was, but it is what it is and making the best of it….

Anyway, back to the workflow. I think I have found a way around it, just need to do a little more experimenting. I will let you know how it goes, I just wanted to give a quick response. When you say it will reduce the format to fit the space, will it stretch the footage to fit the frame or will it just put it in and leave the rest of the frame blank (black)?

Cheers, James