[Rob Manning]

Hi Stephen,

Both cameras will have a capture of around 2mp density in h.264 plus or minus, but not enough to consider one over the other (IMO).

What will matter is the exposure, noise and f/stop on the glass.

For available light or staged lighting, since you already own the Nikon glass, it doesn’t make sense just for the fraction of perceived detail at 2 + or – mp.

Since there are commercial release films now, Act of Valor, Like Crazy etc. that have been shot on video enabled DSLR’s, and that these films are in theaters (Like Crazy 7D @ 18+mp’s) the question becomes a personal choice.

More important is the attention to what any DP/DIT team would be concerned about, shot construction, lighting, filters, using the camera strengths, DOF can mask moire/motions blur, and all of the rest of the reasons that DSLR video has attracted so much support.

The rest of that equation is transcoding into ProRes, AVID, CineForm or another high bit-rate enabled codec to squeeze, envision, tweak and finesse the footage.

We shoot a concert this Saturday, in available venue light (800 seat) for stills (my D3S) and video, 2-D7000’s, 1 5DMK2, 1 T2i’ and a spare plus I may finish buying my D800 which awaits 15 minutes away.

That being said, everyone will be in neutral, non-auto ISO and we will meter for each camera position for settings on f/stops etc.

The T2i operator wants to rent a 400mm zoom.

I have assigned him the long shot rear of the room by the console position because of the crop and his 70-200 with the 5DMK2 closer using the same lens.

T2i, said he prefers the 400 for tight close ups on the players hands at that distance and is a volunteer, so by all means, rent away.

My point is, there are so many mixed formats going into post these days, that cameras do matter of course but not as much when handled using proper technique and creative ability.

HTH’s

Rob

[Rob Manning]

Thanks, doesn’t say if this is IPB or I frames?

Perhaps I missed something.

Rob

[Rob Manning]

That’s not much RAM/GPU so the load is on the CPU as noted.

You could, transcode using CineForm or Streamclip to another codec, which should give you editing headroom, and playback.

I believe that early on one of the luminaries (Dave LaRonde?) from over in the Adobe threads, made it clear that transcoding from h.264 was requisite initially to remove redundancy, I frames only versus reading P and B frames concurrently, because of the dragging on resources.

Just a thought.

Rob

[Rob Manning]

Hi Caleb,

Using AF is not an ideal technique while rolling.

The function causes two issues, the noise from the motor aligning the iris blades, and the OOF portion while the CPU resolves the focus points.

IF, you are shooting say near a loud source (guitar amps) and using the on-board audio, then the motor will likely be a non issue, but, an off camera shotgun or other mic into a discrete DAR is the proven method for audio.

The Out Of Focus instant or two, can be mitigated if the editing technique is anticipating that moment of focus loss.

It is NOT the best method while shooting, and will need to be cut out in post, perhaps with a slide or still inserted in the clip to mask that moment.

An example of that is here, https://www.rainbowind-photoart.com/Professional/Doyle-Dykes-Guild-Guitars-at/21334754_9jRFS8#!i=1714718280&k=P7rTGrT&lb=1&s=A

From a trade show recently where I knew the lens would be refocused during a performance but had planned for that and did insert context during the edit.

After a while, gear like a follow focus, rails, and especially a monitor to check for blown out highlights and focus BEFORE recording begins each become part of the kit for every shoot.

HTH’s

Rob

[Rob Manning]

I do not have the link for this image makers site, sorry, the list was sent to me by my nephew.

It’s a checklist for still imagery BUT, there are value shots to consider while doing your video.

I shot a wedding last fall. We were doing candids and video, the Wedding Shooter in no way captured the banter and ambiance that was going on while he staged his takes.

I also had the D3S non-flash with 70-200 for stills outside of his event mindset, and the look of imagery from that sensor, is second to none.

The couple hired both of us, and appreciated both but especially the D7000 HD takes, from start to finish.

So if the gig has another photographer for stills, great, if it strictly video, then these guidelines are worth a look.

Thanks,

RM

“Photo Checkist of Bride Before the Ceremony”

close up of bride getting ready – hair, makeup etc

artistic shot of bridal gown on hanger

bridesmaids helping the bride with gloves, garter, shoes, veil & tiara etc

close-up shot of bride completely dressed and ready to leave

full length shot of bride

bride with mother

bride with father

Grandmother

Grandfather

bride with both parents

bride with sister/s

bride with brother/s

bride with brother/s and sister/s

bride and her whole family

bride with maid of honor, bridesmaids and flower girl

bride leaving the house

bride getting into the wedding car

“Photo Checklist of Groom Before the Ceremony”

groom getting ready – adjusting tie, attaching boutonniere/buttonhole

groom completely dressed, full length shot

three quarter length shot or close-up

groom with mother

groom with father

Grandmother

Grandfather

groom with both parents

groom with sister/s

groom with brother/s

groom with brother/s and sister/s

groom and his whole family

groom with best man and groomsmen – fun & serious shots, in and outdoors

groom helping pageboy, train-bearer, ring-bearer

groomsmen pinning boutonnieres/buttonholes

“Photo Checklist During the Wedding Ceremony”

ushers greeting and seating the immediate family

the arrival of the bride in her limousine

bride stepping out of her car

bridal party getting out of car

bride entering church

bride walking down the aisle with her father

groom and groomsmen waiting at the alter

bridesmaids coming down aisle

flower girl and page boy

father giving away bride

whole wedding party at the alter

bride and groom during ceremony

bride and groom with priest or marriage celebrant exchanging vows

bride and groom exchanging vows

exchanging of rings

bride and groom kiss

signing of the register/marriage license

bride and groom with wedding certificate

Photo Checklist After the Wedding Ceremony

bride and groom coming down aisle

bride and groom at the church steps

group shot of wedding party at the church steps with bride and groom

best man with maid of honor

bridesmaids with groomsmen

candid shots of bride and groom with wedding guests

bride and groom getting into wedding car

“Photo Checklist at Scenic Location”

creative shot of bride and groom at scenic location

formal shot of bride and groom

bride and groom with wedding party

bride and groom with their families

individual or candid shot of flower girl/s

individual or candid shot of pageboy, train-bearer, ring-bearer

junior bridal attendants together

bride and groom in front of limousine

wedding party in front of limousine

“Photo Checklist Before the Wedding Reception”

bride and groom

bride and groom’s hands with wedding rings

bride and groom with both parents

bride and groom with both families

bride and groom with bridal party

bride and groom with any special guests

photo’s with special guests from interstate or overseas guests

“Photo Checklist at the Wedding Reception”

bride and groom arriving at the reception

receiving line & talking with guests

bridal party at the bridal table

bride and groom photographed with their guests at the guests table

bouquets and floral arrangements

wedding decor, table settings and decorations

photo’s of speech makers

food and dessert

speech makers

bride and groom’s Champagne toast

wedding cake before the cutting

cutting of the cake

both bride and grooms wedding and engagement rings

bride and groom’s first bite of their wedding cake

bride and groom’s first dance

bridal party dancing

spontaneous shots of bride, groom and guests dancing and having fun

bride throwing wedding bouquet

groom removing the brides garter

groom throwing the garter

musician and/or disc jockey

[Rob Manning]

Dude de la DV,

I agree with you, the OP over in Nikon’s thread does lean toward the perfunctory and dramatic.

I was going to chime in with a similar comment to yours, but decided to let the big dog eat his chow, and go off for a nap although his point was made regardless.

5 or 10 years, yes, unless Google/Motorola or iJOBS does something mystical over set top boxes or HD innards in an economical way. iJOBS not so much, as they demand premiums for normative technology.

Thanks, couldn’t agree more.

RM

[Rob Manning]

New Canon specs say 24MP, and will be released on the 27th.

$3500 US retail.

Check No Film School or Canon rumors.

[Rob Manning]

Hi Steve,

A bit from the trenches today on the Nikons pending for HDMI.

“The new D4 and D800/D800E are about to change that, I think. Not only do they offer full HD at up to 30fps progressive (60fps is possible at 1280×720), they also offer this stream as uncompressed video at 180Mbps (!) from the HDMI port. To make things even more useful, they have made it possible to have it completely free of the visual clutter (e.g., informational icons, settings, etc.) that is normally included in the HDMI output. This really is a boon to professional videographers who can now shoot full & uncompressed HD, something that previously was only possible with the much more expensive dedicated professional video cameras. To help post production/editing, it is now also possible to set up to 20 markers in the video stream. Audio has also been professionalised, not only can you hook up a stereo mike and headphones, the new vu meters allow you to fine tine their recording level. Oh, and if you want you can (of course?) make use of a separate PCM audio recording stream as well. Great features for the (professional) videographer!

Funny thing: Note that video recording on memory cards is restricted to just below half an hour, this is not a restriction of the hardware (recording from the HDMI stream doesn’t suffer from this restriction), but purely driven by import regulations; equipment capable of recording video for more than 30 minutes are import-taxed much more heavily, thus making them much more expensive than equipment that doesn’t.”

From this blog: https://blog.hayobaan.nl/2012/02/nikon-d4-d800-d800e-hands-on.html

Also a comment from the Nikon forums about the HDMI codec etc. “1080p is becoming passe these days. With UHD becoming the new standard in Japan (8K over broadcast), the new H.265 spec about to be released with support for both 4K and 8K, and cameras like the Scarlet and others writing 4K or better files at 30p.. 1080 is about to become a footnote in history.”

From: https://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=190&topic_id=79746&mesg_id=79746&page= reply #89.

All contingencies, buy and work around, or hold and buy later?

Food for the feeding of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome.

HTH’s

Rob

[Rob Manning]

Hello Jake,

Saw this company at the Creatasphere gig last fall in Burbank.

Seems to have a lot, of fairly well made yet inexpensive solutions for the genre.

https://www.norbertusa.com

They have a DSLR accessory frame, which can support, a Zoom, a monitor, LED’s, and, they also have rods plus more.

I have not bought it yet, but the gear is made in the USA as far as I know.

Local in Vista, by San Diego CA.

HTH’s

Rob

[Rob Manning]

Thanks Nigel, the Sound Devices is very hip, I’m sure there is an equal type of device for the PC crowd, and CineForm.