More 5D Mark II
Posted on: November 6, 2008Author: Neal Campbell
8 comments so far (is that a lot?)
I’ve read some skeptical posts on blogs about the Canon 5D Mark II. Vincent Laforet got great results but he’s a pro and has an eye and the talent. Skeptics say average users will get crappy video typical of the video average users usually get. I’m a little more hopeful because I see better and better photos from average users. Improved digital technology means more people shoot more and get better results. I think the same thing could be true as HD video becomes more accessible to everyone.
Two bloggers from Akihabara News in Tokyo had an opportunity to try out a 5D Mark II for five days. David was the photographer and Florent edited the video. They had no crew, just two guys, the camera and a MacBook Pro and this is the video they produced.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Very exciting times for digital cinematography. The Nikon D90 does 720P 24fps for a third the price of the Canon. But suffers from “Jelly cam” and noticeable compression artifacts. As of now the Canon doesn’t do 24FPS but there is considerable speculation that it will by the time it ships. Interesting to see the ramping in this video and the nice blacks. I’m waiting to see what Red comes out with in the new Scarlet before I’d buy the Canon. And with the Canon you have to do second system sound using something like a Zoom H4 recorder.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Just like anything, you can give a 5yr old a $10k video camera… doesn’t mean we’ll get a great epic indie film.
There is definitely a learning curve IMO when using the 5DmkII as a video camera. For one, you have no swivel LCD. It will change your perspective on a few things.
And from the video (saw it this morning), you can see some parts really need a form of IS. And from the credits, none of those were IS. Canon… looks like you have to make that 17-55 IS FF now, we sure could use it (and keep the cost the same, heh).
But yeah, the video well greatly depend on the user.. I think this will open up a whole slew of work in this area. How much will be good, no idea. And I’m a little weary on the lifespan of the CMOS sensor, since it is a first gen product.
Really, we won’t know until November 13th if Canon has a winner or not. Because whatever RED has in store for us… had better be damn amazing for the hype it’s getting.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Are they for sell in Japan? Do you know when they will be released?
November 6th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Okay, “just two guys” must be an understatement! Some of that video was gorgeous, so crisp it almost looked 3-D. Loved the interior subway shots, the girls blowing bubbles. But those guys have an eye for a shot, depth of field etc. Very cool, thanks for sharing!
November 6th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
This camera looks like it’s mind blowing great! I can’t wait till I can get my hands on one and see what I can do with it!
November 7th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Seeing this video makes me miss Japan so much! The video is great.. I hope I’m talented enough to take footage like that. :)
So when are you getting your Mark II?! March?
November 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Even with without a 24 or 25 fps variable, the option to use some of the finest lenses available today and capture very attractive footage, without expensive and cumbersome lighting, will make this camera a very attractive option for aspiring independant film makers and students. This will aid the birth of a new generation of electronically distributed budget documentaries.
Based on the unpresidented volume of pre-orders placed even amidst substancial economic turmoil; my prior experience with far less anticipated DSLR’s would lead to presume Canon’s initial shipment will only satiate a very small percentage of the current demand. I expect that the Mark II will not be widely available until mid to late Febuary.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I’m done with Canon. I sold my Mark II 1Ds and kept the lens in anticipation of the 5D Mark II…but after all the hype and all the waiting…I’m done with Canon. Big sensor…big deal. Nothing else has changed except for the LCD and the video…whoopee. Honestly, I think I’m sick of full-frame too. You can scan and resize APS photos to gigantic proportions and maintain crispness and detail very well. I’m going to sell my 24-105 L lens…I’m switching to Sony…I’ll get my money’s worth in quality and lenses, plus I’ll have enough for a nice HD camcorder and be able to do some upgrades on my CPU…Is this a war of megapixels, or perhaps a war of implied penis size? Screw Canon and Nikon…I’m going back to photography…