Pretty much.
You spend a few days with a brand new camera you’ve never used and produce some stunning imagery to show off the new lowlight and video capability of this camera and people are STILL nitpicking.
Don’t let it get to you. Honestly. You did a huge amount of photographers a favor by giving the first real preview of this camera, so thanks.
Vincent, please don’t get discouraged. It’s the nature of the net. It seems to be filled with many talkers and few doers. Reverie was awsome.
Actually, 99% of everything I’ve read has been raves. Then there are some people that are attached to their brand of camera like it was a damn football team or something and they always talk trash about the other team no matter what.
Oh no no no – not to worry – I’m far from discouraged. I just landed on this What The Duck strip tonight – It just made me chuckle… and I thought I would share it w/ everyone…. 😉
Just great, man. Keep it up, a lot of us love your work and are now equally excited about the 5D Mark II. I can’t wait to get one and you’re mainly to blame.
Nice! Great Comic Strip! and! oddly enough! The best thing to do with silly or unwarranted criticism is to let it roll off your back like rain on a duck!
Unfortunetly its the way people are. There is always gonna be a small percentage that suffer from envy and other emotional conflicts and will criticize people that do good things. One guy on another forum was saying you were a horrible director, which is a laughable comment considering that you are not a videographer/filmmaker and still did such a great job on short notice witha brand new untested camera. Furthermore in any kind of art can’t/shouldn’t judge the results with a little checklist what matters is the impact, the feel, the emotions.
PS: I just saw your photographic work for the first time, I thought it was great how you make everything look like little toy sets…i was actually fooled when I saw the first few images and really thought they were mini sets.
Estebe – I think the phrase you are looking for is “water off a ducks back !!” But agree totally – most people would have got hold of that camera and done loads of micro tests of flowers and other boring stuff – at least you Vincent gave it a bloody good workout – the task for us now is how to maximise the potential of the camera. Hey just thought maybe Don McLeans lyrics were pretty apt – but dont cut off your ear you can never get the glasses to stay on !!!
You and your blog are the primary reason I’m buying this camera. I was considering it before I stumbled upon this blog, but reading it has convinced me.
Yes! Very funny! And true.. Although I think I’m my own biggest critic! (As someone who is only starting out on a path to photographic enlightenment, that’s to say that other people shouldn’t be too :))
Really appreciate you showing us what the 5D II is capable of in such a creative and interesting way! It would have been ‘easy’ to have just fired a few shots at some local landmarks and filmed some cars driving past..
Vincent, welcome to the land of blogging, where no good deed goes unpunished, where you cannot please everyone, and where you will get ripped for the slightest thing by people that feel the need to knock you down. People just want to give other people sh** and the internet provides that outlet perfectly. Where else can you sit in your home/basement/coffee house and try to make someone’s life miserable all the while that person not know a thing about you. This is why places like dpreview.com and photo.net are dying, perfect places to knock people down. I think people are threatened by people more talented than them, so the best way to make them feel better is to rip them. Shallow people they are. Unfortunately, the second you put a photo on the web now, there will be someone there to knock it down. My very first photo I posted on the web got some pretty good comments, positive and negative, and they were very constructive and I learned from them. I got a few worthless comments and one comment that made me furious, then I laughed. This is an exact quote: “I sh** better photographs than you, don’t quit your day job.” Gee, very constructive there, I can really learn from that. That day, I got my first photography job.
Remember that saying: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Who lives by that anymore? At least not on the internet and that is a shame.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for what you are doing, it motivates me to be a better photographer, so I thank you for that. I also appreciate your work, that too is a motivation. Keep up the great work. And please, don’t put the Tilt Shift lens away!
Vincent… Your images are stunning and will sell thousands of Canon cameras. The low-light noise levels are almost too good to believe. As the owner of a Sony F900R CineAlta, I can state that the 5D MkII is at least 2+ f-stops lower in noise. This means that Sony’s noise level at the standard 320 ASA is about the same as this new camera at 1600 ASA!
As a person who’s been involved with 24P technology since its inception, I was surprised to note 2 unusual characteristics with the direct from camera files that you and Canon were kind enough to post…
First, the camera should be shooting video at 29.97fps, not 30fps. This tiny difference will mean that any video from this camera that’s imported into an existing 29.97fps 1080 timeline will have to be converted using Apple’s Cinema Tools or some other program that can change each file’s header info.
Also, based on the original clips you posted, the 5D MkII records audio at 44.1Kz. This sample rate should be 48Kz to be compatible will all professional broadcast formats including DVD’s, BluRay, HDCam, DVCPRO, DigiBeta, DVCam and any other format that I’m aware of. You can re-sample the audio to 48Kz on each clip, (Final Cut can do it on-the-fly) but you’re setting yourself up for sync problems on long-form HD projects.
I was also surprised that Canon didn’t add the option of recording video at 24fps (actually 23.976fps). This could have been an easy menu selection to incorporate. Canon was probably incorrectly concerned that only certain TV’s can display HDMI progressive scan video at 24fps. (Unless 3-2 pulldown is added as per Canon’s small HF-10, HF-11, and other cameras)
Maybe these changes and the possibility of additional frame rates will be features of the 1Ds Mk IV when it eventually hits the market.
Thanks again for the best product demo I’ve ever seen.
Actually, I think it’s ’nuff said — just kidding, of course! But could you please comment on Canon’s 200 f/1.8 vs the new 200 f/2 IS. I remember that the older one was giving you some trouble during the Olympics, but I infer you must prefer it if you haven’t switched entirely to the newer version!
Charles – no I’m actually selling the 200mm 1.8 and buying a new 200mm f2 shortly – the AF performance on the new one was flawless during the Olympics – I’ve been busy with this video etc… so I haven’t had a chance to make the switch just yet – cheers – Vince
Vincent, again you did an amazing job… you are still a source of inspiration for a lot of us, at least for me ;-). Hopefully for you, Canon is recognizing your effort.
Vincent, thanks for sharing so much of your life and talent with us all. It’s great that you make excellent images, but I truly appreciate that you bring us all along for the ride. It inspires me to get out there and make some good photos.
Reading about your 5d mk2 tests is amazing and maddening — I’m a Nikon shooter, and every time Nikon seems to be getting a leg up, Canon pulls the rug out from under us. I would have jumped the fence three years ago if I had seen all this coming. 1080p video and high-quality 3200 ISO in a sub-$5k SLR? Crazy. And wonderful for those of us who get to play with them.
Hey Vincent. Don’t worry about the negative people.
Your work is outstanding and it’s refreshing to see someone so passionate about something that they go above and beyond to create something and share it.
Your blog posts tipped me over the point to pre-order… Now just hoping I can get one before 2010!
yeah Vincent, many of us have pre-ordered this bad-boy based on both your talent, creativity and enthusiasm as well as the real world examples of video and low light performance (low light performance alone sells me on this thing). What’s most impressive is that you do it for the love of the art, not because anyone is paying you to promote this camera. Keep on doing and sharing what you love, Vincent– I for one am better for it. Thanks!
I have just had the chance to borrow the 24mm and 45mm TS from canon. which one is your preferred and why ? I know you took that stunning scene in your movie, and a lot of your TS Series is done on the 45mm.
Also on a scale of 1 to 10 would you recommend the xserve for a library say over a buffalo I saw you have quite the extensive server in your office (from the pre olympic photos) and wonder if the investment is worth every penny or if there are newer systems which cost less are now comming out.
I have the same argument with the iPhone. All that it can do, we still complain about what it can’t do. Such as Cut and Paste, sending files, contacts, and calendar appointments via email, and so on…
All the talk about what it is not, many forget what it is; a game changer.
The 5D MKII *IS* a game changer, and you have shown that in brilliant style.
I’m not a videographer, but a photographer that will love having HD on my hip without the expense of additional equipment.
Thanks again for the hard work, even though i know you had fun!
One question if i may; what about the focusing during video? Any thoughts?
Well most people “get it” I wasn’t sure the Mk II was a game changer but I’ve changed my mind about that. Nikon I suspect will be right on their heels. What this and future cameras can capture and present in a usable format is the compelling feature.
Hello Vincent,
I noticed that one of the bloggers posted a concern he had regarding 29.97 drop frame and 48k audio sample rate. Well, Final Cut Pro V6.0 can change both of those items in a snap. The audio sample rate is actually very easy but with a few mouse clicks the frame rate can also be switched from 30fps to 29.97. I’ve successfully completed both.
Would you like me to record a short screen capture lesson and give it to you to use as an example? Let me know and I get a high quality short lesson uploaded to you…
You’ve personally changed the direction of my high school classes with these recent posts. A number of my advanced students are thrilled at the prospect of working with the 5D MKII. The kids are looking to top http://maclab.guhsd.net/students/07_08/adam_and_steve/solitude/trailer/ this year and the 5D MKII looks to be just the killer creative tool to do it with!
First of all – thanks for being so kind as to let us ask these many questions. It’s practically a full time job answering them. Secondly, I’ve got one more for you if you’d be so kind to humor me.
I’ve been seeing late November everywhere as the release date(but have heard late October from a couple sources as well – one being a Canon rep, another being a camera retailer). Has Canon shared with you anything that resembles an official release date?
Is that two missing pixels: one red (in the sky) and one white in the middle of the shot (people under the bridge)? I love the idea of making movies with this camera but I couldn’t stand to have any blemishes like that. errrrr 🙁
For Ben: regarding the “missing pixels.” I’ll spare Vincent from having to respond (and, considering the content of the cartoon, your comment seems to be missing the point). Have you not read any of Vincent’s prior posts? This is a PRE-production model camera! Like any prototype or beta, there are still kinks being ironed out. Vincent (and Canon) are aware of the dead pixels, and we can assume that when the production versions are shipping it won’t be an issue.
To further what Charles have said, in general when cameras are in full production, any CMOS sensors with dead pixels are automatically rejected. However when prototypes are made, these are usually one-offs (and don’t fall under the same stringent standards nor is the production line as finely tuned as it will be for the actual product). These models are usually for internal testing only so they are willing to put up with a couple dead pixels for testing purposes.
Vincent. Please be absolutely sure of your descriptions of the image controls available in the Movie Mode of the 5D2.. MANY people are pre-ordering this camera due to your video and your subsequent statements on the camera’s available controls in the movie mode. There will be many dissapointed people once they find out the camera does not work as described.
Yes please,can you and Chuck Westfall get on the same page about how exposure is controlled with this camera. He says one thing and you’re saying another.
first of all – DON’T BUY OR NOT BUY the camera based on my recommendation – I am not a Canon rep …. remember: I had no manual, details are still murky – and I haven’t had a chance to see the camera let alone use it since that weekend…
With that said:
I spoke w/ Chuck – as it is indeed essential that we do get this crystal clear. To my understanding and this is “key” -it’s my understanding and not something I have been able to try myself…- everything I have said is true – but let’s re-iterate:
You cannot set the exposure, aperture, and ISO manually in any video mode or in the “M” mode – period.
HOWEVER: you can effectively have the camera do this by locking the exposure by using the “*” button … and it’s really not that difficult at all.
While you can’t set everything manually (agree this is a professional need – we all know it) you can do the following: set it to any mode – I personally set it to Aperture priority mode – set it to f2 or f2.8 – and then turned on live view…
The aperture starts at f2 therefore, the camera then picks a shutter speed (between 1/30th and 1/125th) and then sets the ISO automatically… once you hit the “*” button – those settings are LOCKED in… the key point here is: that by pointing it to a darker or lighter area – you can “force” the shutter speed and/or ISO to go in the direction you want it to… note: I never had to do this once during my filming of “Reverie” – but it’s at least possible – in case you want to do something real funky…
So… you can (through a work around) lock the exposure down to your desired settings… and still use the EV +/- dial in the back to correct up or down from that locked starting point as you shoot…(if you wish)
Granted having it all “manual” would be key. But don’t forget – this is a first gen camera… it doesn’t have all of the “pro” bells and whistles..
Also take into account – that the entire reverie movie was shot WITHOUT the “*” exposure lock… and only on the Empire State tight shot do you see that as I panned won – camera closed the exposure down… so it’s pretty dead on to start with and you can easily open the camera up or down to over or underex with the back control dial…
So for me it works. Not perfect – but very very well. Make sense?
there is an easy workaround – and I think it should assuage your and everyone’s concerns… one of the key things is to be able to “lock in” an exposure setting – so that it doesn’t change (on it’s own) as you shoot – THIS can be done – albeit with a workaround as opposed to dialing in the exposure settings on your own.
first of all – DON’T BUY OR NOT BUY the camera based on my recommendation – I am not a Canon rep …. remember: I had no manual, details are still murky – and I haven’t had a chance to see the camera let alone use it since that weekend…
With that said:
I spoke w/ Chuck – as it is indeed essential that we do get this crystal clear. To my understanding and this is “key” -it’s my understanding and not something I have been able to try myself…- everything I have said is true – but let’s re-iterate:
You cannot set the exposure, aperture, and ISO manually in any video mode or in the “M” mode – period.
HOWEVER: you can effectively have the camera do this by locking the exposure by using the “*” button … and it’s really not that difficult at all.
While you can’t set everything manually (agree this is a professional need – we all know it) you can do the following: set it to any mode – I personally set it to Aperture priority mode – set it to f2 or f2.8 – and then turned on live view…
The aperture starts at f2 therefore, the camera then picks a shutter speed (between 1/30th and 1/125th) and then sets the ISO automatically… once you hit the “*” button – those settings are LOCKED in… the key point here is: that by pointing it to a darker or lighter area – you can “force” the shutter speed and/or ISO to go in the direction you want it to… note: I never had to do this once during my filming of “Reverie” – but it’s at least possible – in case you want to do something real funky…
So… you can (through a work around) lock the exposure down to your desired settings… and still use the EV +/- dial in the back to correct up or down from that locked starting point as you shoot…(if you wish)
Granted having it all “manual” would be key. But don’t forget – this is a first gen camera… it doesn’t have all of the “pro” bells and whistles..
Also take into account – that the entire reverie movie was shot WITHOUT the “*” exposure lock… and only on the Empire State tight shot do you see that as I panned won – camera closed the exposure down… so it’s pretty dead on to start with and you can easily open the camera up or down to over or underex with the back control dial…
So for me it works. Not perfect – but very very well. Make sense?
there is an easy workaround – and I think it should assuage your and everyone’s concerns… one of the key things is to be able to “lock in” an exposure setting – so that it doesn’t change (on it’s own) as you shoot – THIS can be done – albeit with a workaround as opposed to dialing in the exposure settings on your own.
Excellent video. The quality is surreal. Did you hear the lenses whirring when you focused them in any of your filming? I’m curious as to how sound is recorded in the 5D MKII.
Thanks, VIncent. Hope my question didn’t sound to blunt. The result is the important thing. In the end, it doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you get there. And “Reverie” is certainly there! I’m buying one. I’m sure with the release of the 5D MKII and the D90, there are exciting things just around the corner for everyone by the end of 09.
I hope your planning on using it professionally in more video productions when you get your own 5D MKII. Looking forward to it.
I’ve been following your blog – and I’m sure you’re getting a ton of these – but I just wanted to say “thank you” for putting so much of your time into showing us what this cam can do. Your work came out great – and I really enjoy your self-sacrifice for the art. Way to be man.
So you can select the aperture in AV mode prior to enabling movie mode and as soon as you switch to movie mode, the auto metering won’t kick in right-away. Essentially, the user will have time to lock it down at the aperture that was set while in AV mode? So if you waited a little bit longer after switching to movie mode without locking down, the auto metering will eventually arrive at an aperture+ISO+shutter combination it decides on?
Haha. Love it.
Perfect 🙂
Pretty much.
You spend a few days with a brand new camera you’ve never used and produce some stunning imagery to show off the new lowlight and video capability of this camera and people are STILL nitpicking.
Don’t let it get to you. Honestly. You did a huge amount of photographers a favor by giving the first real preview of this camera, so thanks.
:MichaelReichmann: lol
Vincent, please don’t get discouraged. It’s the nature of the net. It seems to be filled with many talkers and few doers. Reverie was awsome.
Actually, 99% of everything I’ve read has been raves. Then there are some people that are attached to their brand of camera like it was a damn football team or something and they always talk trash about the other team no matter what.
Oh no no no – not to worry – I’m far from discouraged. I just landed on this What The Duck strip tonight – It just made me chuckle… and I thought I would share it w/ everyone…. 😉
Just great, man. Keep it up, a lot of us love your work and are now equally excited about the 5D Mark II. I can’t wait to get one and you’re mainly to blame.
🙂
Keep up the good work. Your blog is captivating and your work is very inspiring!
Nice! Great Comic Strip! and! oddly enough! The best thing to do with silly or unwarranted criticism is to let it roll off your back like rain on a duck!
Vincent
Unfortunetly its the way people are. There is always gonna be a small percentage that suffer from envy and other emotional conflicts and will criticize people that do good things. One guy on another forum was saying you were a horrible director, which is a laughable comment considering that you are not a videographer/filmmaker and still did such a great job on short notice witha brand new untested camera. Furthermore in any kind of art can’t/shouldn’t judge the results with a little checklist what matters is the impact, the feel, the emotions.
PS: I just saw your photographic work for the first time, I thought it was great how you make everything look like little toy sets…i was actually fooled when I saw the first few images and really thought they were mini sets.
Estebe – I think the phrase you are looking for is “water off a ducks back !!” But agree totally – most people would have got hold of that camera and done loads of micro tests of flowers and other boring stuff – at least you Vincent gave it a bloody good workout – the task for us now is how to maximise the potential of the camera. Hey just thought maybe Don McLeans lyrics were pretty apt – but dont cut off your ear you can never get the glasses to stay on !!!
You and your blog are the primary reason I’m buying this camera. I was considering it before I stumbled upon this blog, but reading it has convinced me.
I thank you, my wallet does not!
Canon owes you, I hope they know it.
Without the naggers we wouldn’t have progress. Be sure to stay nice 🙂
So Vincent, you are a nice nagger to get 24p and I hope it all works out, and for 25p too 😀
Thanks for your blog. A very impressive and interesting insight.
Yes! Very funny! And true.. Although I think I’m my own biggest critic! (As someone who is only starting out on a path to photographic enlightenment, that’s to say that other people shouldn’t be too :))
Really appreciate you showing us what the 5D II is capable of in such a creative and interesting way! It would have been ‘easy’ to have just fired a few shots at some local landmarks and filmed some cars driving past..
Vincent, welcome to the land of blogging, where no good deed goes unpunished, where you cannot please everyone, and where you will get ripped for the slightest thing by people that feel the need to knock you down. People just want to give other people sh** and the internet provides that outlet perfectly. Where else can you sit in your home/basement/coffee house and try to make someone’s life miserable all the while that person not know a thing about you. This is why places like dpreview.com and photo.net are dying, perfect places to knock people down. I think people are threatened by people more talented than them, so the best way to make them feel better is to rip them. Shallow people they are. Unfortunately, the second you put a photo on the web now, there will be someone there to knock it down. My very first photo I posted on the web got some pretty good comments, positive and negative, and they were very constructive and I learned from them. I got a few worthless comments and one comment that made me furious, then I laughed. This is an exact quote: “I sh** better photographs than you, don’t quit your day job.” Gee, very constructive there, I can really learn from that. That day, I got my first photography job.
Remember that saying: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Who lives by that anymore? At least not on the internet and that is a shame.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for what you are doing, it motivates me to be a better photographer, so I thank you for that. I also appreciate your work, that too is a motivation. Keep up the great work. And please, don’t put the Tilt Shift lens away!
Mahalo!
Bry
Vincent… Your images are stunning and will sell thousands of Canon cameras. The low-light noise levels are almost too good to believe. As the owner of a Sony F900R CineAlta, I can state that the 5D MkII is at least 2+ f-stops lower in noise. This means that Sony’s noise level at the standard 320 ASA is about the same as this new camera at 1600 ASA!
As a person who’s been involved with 24P technology since its inception, I was surprised to note 2 unusual characteristics with the direct from camera files that you and Canon were kind enough to post…
First, the camera should be shooting video at 29.97fps, not 30fps. This tiny difference will mean that any video from this camera that’s imported into an existing 29.97fps 1080 timeline will have to be converted using Apple’s Cinema Tools or some other program that can change each file’s header info.
Also, based on the original clips you posted, the 5D MkII records audio at 44.1Kz. This sample rate should be 48Kz to be compatible will all professional broadcast formats including DVD’s, BluRay, HDCam, DVCPRO, DigiBeta, DVCam and any other format that I’m aware of. You can re-sample the audio to 48Kz on each clip, (Final Cut can do it on-the-fly) but you’re setting yourself up for sync problems on long-form HD projects.
I was also surprised that Canon didn’t add the option of recording video at 24fps (actually 23.976fps). This could have been an easy menu selection to incorporate. Canon was probably incorrectly concerned that only certain TV’s can display HDMI progressive scan video at 24fps. (Unless 3-2 pulldown is added as per Canon’s small HF-10, HF-11, and other cameras)
Maybe these changes and the possibility of additional frame rates will be features of the 1Ds Mk IV when it eventually hits the market.
Thanks again for the best product demo I’ve ever seen.
I firmly believe that if Rembrandt were alive today and churning out masterpieces, people would say, “Yeah, but he sucks at Photoshop.”
Vincent-
Actually, I think it’s ’nuff said — just kidding, of course! But could you please comment on Canon’s 200 f/1.8 vs the new 200 f/2 IS. I remember that the older one was giving you some trouble during the Olympics, but I infer you must prefer it if you haven’t switched entirely to the newer version!
Best,
-Charles
Charles – no I’m actually selling the 200mm 1.8 and buying a new 200mm f2 shortly – the AF performance on the new one was flawless during the Olympics – I’ve been busy with this video etc… so I haven’t had a chance to make the switch just yet – cheers – Vince
And the bokeh is every bit as beautiful? You don’t think you will miss shooting at f/1.8?
Vincent, again you did an amazing job… you are still a source of inspiration for a lot of us, at least for me ;-). Hopefully for you, Canon is recognizing your effort.
Thanks to share with us your precious time,
Rox
Vincent, thanks for sharing so much of your life and talent with us all. It’s great that you make excellent images, but I truly appreciate that you bring us all along for the ride. It inspires me to get out there and make some good photos.
Reading about your 5d mk2 tests is amazing and maddening — I’m a Nikon shooter, and every time Nikon seems to be getting a leg up, Canon pulls the rug out from under us. I would have jumped the fence three years ago if I had seen all this coming. 1080p video and high-quality 3200 ISO in a sub-$5k SLR? Crazy. And wonderful for those of us who get to play with them.
Keep up the great work!
Hey Vincent. Don’t worry about the negative people.
Your work is outstanding and it’s refreshing to see someone so passionate about something that they go above and beyond to create something and share it.
Your blog posts tipped me over the point to pre-order… Now just hoping I can get one before 2010!
Keep on keeping on!
Andrew
yeah Vincent, many of us have pre-ordered this bad-boy based on both your talent, creativity and enthusiasm as well as the real world examples of video and low light performance (low light performance alone sells me on this thing). What’s most impressive is that you do it for the love of the art, not because anyone is paying you to promote this camera. Keep on doing and sharing what you love, Vincent– I for one am better for it. Thanks!
shared your works with my friends, they are all very much mesmerized. waiting for the next one.
cheers
Hello Vincent
I have just had the chance to borrow the 24mm and 45mm TS from canon. which one is your preferred and why ? I know you took that stunning scene in your movie, and a lot of your TS Series is done on the 45mm.
Also on a scale of 1 to 10 would you recommend the xserve for a library say over a buffalo I saw you have quite the extensive server in your office (from the pre olympic photos) and wonder if the investment is worth every penny or if there are newer systems which cost less are now comming out.
Sorry for all the questions..
Chris
Vincent,
I have the same argument with the iPhone. All that it can do, we still complain about what it can’t do. Such as Cut and Paste, sending files, contacts, and calendar appointments via email, and so on…
All the talk about what it is not, many forget what it is; a game changer.
The 5D MKII *IS* a game changer, and you have shown that in brilliant style.
I’m not a videographer, but a photographer that will love having HD on my hip without the expense of additional equipment.
Thanks again for the hard work, even though i know you had fun!
One question if i may; what about the focusing during video? Any thoughts?
(._.)
Well most people “get it” I wasn’t sure the Mk II was a game changer but I’ve changed my mind about that. Nikon I suspect will be right on their heels. What this and future cameras can capture and present in a usable format is the compelling feature.
In a big blue ocean, there always will be people seeing only the smallest floating shit !!!!
While they waste their time, we keep on movin’ !!!
Thanks Vincent !
Hello Vincent,
I noticed that one of the bloggers posted a concern he had regarding 29.97 drop frame and 48k audio sample rate. Well, Final Cut Pro V6.0 can change both of those items in a snap. The audio sample rate is actually very easy but with a few mouse clicks the frame rate can also be switched from 30fps to 29.97. I’ve successfully completed both.
Would you like me to record a short screen capture lesson and give it to you to use as an example? Let me know and I get a high quality short lesson uploaded to you…
*lol* perfect timing, just perfect – and thanks hugely for sharing your time with the 5D…not that I’m jealous. At all. Not a bit. :)))
Red canceled their version of the EOS 5D Mark II.
Hmm. Not that funny.
Hall Monitor
http://detentionslip.org
Thanks, Vincent!
You’ve personally changed the direction of my high school classes with these recent posts. A number of my advanced students are thrilled at the prospect of working with the 5D MKII. The kids are looking to top http://maclab.guhsd.net/students/07_08/adam_and_steve/solitude/trailer/ this year and the 5D MKII looks to be just the killer creative tool to do it with!
Reverie is simply stunning
Vincent,
First of all – thanks for being so kind as to let us ask these many questions. It’s practically a full time job answering them. Secondly, I’ve got one more for you if you’d be so kind to humor me.
I’ve been seeing late November everywhere as the release date(but have heard late October from a couple sources as well – one being a Canon rep, another being a camera retailer). Has Canon shared with you anything that resembles an official release date?
Thanks as always.
Is that two missing pixels: one red (in the sky) and one white in the middle of the shot (people under the bridge)? I love the idea of making movies with this camera but I couldn’t stand to have any blemishes like that. errrrr 🙁
For Ben: regarding the “missing pixels.” I’ll spare Vincent from having to respond (and, considering the content of the cartoon, your comment seems to be missing the point). Have you not read any of Vincent’s prior posts? This is a PRE-production model camera! Like any prototype or beta, there are still kinks being ironed out. Vincent (and Canon) are aware of the dead pixels, and we can assume that when the production versions are shipping it won’t be an issue.
To further what Charles have said, in general when cameras are in full production, any CMOS sensors with dead pixels are automatically rejected. However when prototypes are made, these are usually one-offs (and don’t fall under the same stringent standards nor is the production line as finely tuned as it will be for the actual product). These models are usually for internal testing only so they are willing to put up with a couple dead pixels for testing purposes.
Vincent. Please be absolutely sure of your descriptions of the image controls available in the Movie Mode of the 5D2.. MANY people are pre-ordering this camera due to your video and your subsequent statements on the camera’s available controls in the movie mode. There will be many dissapointed people once they find out the camera does not work as described.
Yes please,can you and Chuck Westfall get on the same page about how exposure is controlled with this camera. He says one thing and you’re saying another.
Vincent Laforet Reply:
September 30th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
JRW – and YANG –
first of all – DON’T BUY OR NOT BUY the camera based on my recommendation – I am not a Canon rep …. remember: I had no manual, details are still murky – and I haven’t had a chance to see the camera let alone use it since that weekend…
With that said:
I spoke w/ Chuck – as it is indeed essential that we do get this crystal clear. To my understanding and this is “key” -it’s my understanding and not something I have been able to try myself…- everything I have said is true – but let’s re-iterate:
You cannot set the exposure, aperture, and ISO manually in any video mode or in the “M” mode – period.
HOWEVER: you can effectively have the camera do this by locking the exposure by using the “*” button … and it’s really not that difficult at all.
While you can’t set everything manually (agree this is a professional need – we all know it) you can do the following: set it to any mode – I personally set it to Aperture priority mode – set it to f2 or f2.8 – and then turned on live view…
The aperture starts at f2 therefore, the camera then picks a shutter speed (between 1/30th and 1/125th) and then sets the ISO automatically… once you hit the “*” button – those settings are LOCKED in… the key point here is: that by pointing it to a darker or lighter area – you can “force” the shutter speed and/or ISO to go in the direction you want it to… note: I never had to do this once during my filming of “Reverie” – but it’s at least possible – in case you want to do something real funky…
So… you can (through a work around) lock the exposure down to your desired settings… and still use the EV +/- dial in the back to correct up or down from that locked starting point as you shoot…(if you wish)
Granted having it all “manual” would be key. But don’t forget – this is a first gen camera… it doesn’t have all of the “pro” bells and whistles..
Also take into account – that the entire reverie movie was shot WITHOUT the “*” exposure lock… and only on the Empire State tight shot do you see that as I panned won – camera closed the exposure down… so it’s pretty dead on to start with and you can easily open the camera up or down to over or underex with the back control dial…
So for me it works. Not perfect – but very very well. Make sense?
there is an easy workaround – and I think it should assuage your and everyone’s concerns… one of the key things is to be able to “lock in” an exposure setting – so that it doesn’t change (on it’s own) as you shoot – THIS can be done – albeit with a workaround as opposed to dialing in the exposure settings on your own.
JRW – and YANG –
first of all – DON’T BUY OR NOT BUY the camera based on my recommendation – I am not a Canon rep …. remember: I had no manual, details are still murky – and I haven’t had a chance to see the camera let alone use it since that weekend…
With that said:
I spoke w/ Chuck – as it is indeed essential that we do get this crystal clear. To my understanding and this is “key” -it’s my understanding and not something I have been able to try myself…- everything I have said is true – but let’s re-iterate:
You cannot set the exposure, aperture, and ISO manually in any video mode or in the “M” mode – period.
HOWEVER: you can effectively have the camera do this by locking the exposure by using the “*” button … and it’s really not that difficult at all.
While you can’t set everything manually (agree this is a professional need – we all know it) you can do the following: set it to any mode – I personally set it to Aperture priority mode – set it to f2 or f2.8 – and then turned on live view…
The aperture starts at f2 therefore, the camera then picks a shutter speed (between 1/30th and 1/125th) and then sets the ISO automatically… once you hit the “*” button – those settings are LOCKED in… the key point here is: that by pointing it to a darker or lighter area – you can “force” the shutter speed and/or ISO to go in the direction you want it to… note: I never had to do this once during my filming of “Reverie” – but it’s at least possible – in case you want to do something real funky…
So… you can (through a work around) lock the exposure down to your desired settings… and still use the EV +/- dial in the back to correct up or down from that locked starting point as you shoot…(if you wish)
Granted having it all “manual” would be key. But don’t forget – this is a first gen camera… it doesn’t have all of the “pro” bells and whistles..
Also take into account – that the entire reverie movie was shot WITHOUT the “*” exposure lock… and only on the Empire State tight shot do you see that as I panned won – camera closed the exposure down… so it’s pretty dead on to start with and you can easily open the camera up or down to over or underex with the back control dial…
So for me it works. Not perfect – but very very well. Make sense?
there is an easy workaround – and I think it should assuage your and everyone’s concerns… one of the key things is to be able to “lock in” an exposure setting – so that it doesn’t change (on it’s own) as you shoot – THIS can be done – albeit with a workaround as opposed to dialing in the exposure settings on your own.
Hi Vincent,
Excellent video. The quality is surreal. Did you hear the lenses whirring when you focused them in any of your filming? I’m curious as to how sound is recorded in the 5D MKII.
Regards,
Joseph
Thanks, VIncent. Hope my question didn’t sound to blunt. The result is the important thing. In the end, it doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you get there. And “Reverie” is certainly there! I’m buying one. I’m sure with the release of the 5D MKII and the D90, there are exciting things just around the corner for everyone by the end of 09.
I hope your planning on using it professionally in more video productions when you get your own 5D MKII. Looking forward to it.
I’ve been following your blog – and I’m sure you’re getting a ton of these – but I just wanted to say “thank you” for putting so much of your time into showing us what this cam can do. Your work came out great – and I really enjoy your self-sacrifice for the art. Way to be man.
Amen.
Thanks for the explanation Vincent.
So you can select the aperture in AV mode prior to enabling movie mode and as soon as you switch to movie mode, the auto metering won’t kick in right-away. Essentially, the user will have time to lock it down at the aperture that was set while in AV mode? So if you waited a little bit longer after switching to movie mode without locking down, the auto metering will eventually arrive at an aperture+ISO+shutter combination it decides on?
мда вот те раз !
mm… interesting ))