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BBC accepts DSLRs as full acquisition for HD programmes on a case by case basis
Picture courtesy of HD Magazine
Edit: it seems there has been a bit of a backtrack. The beeb called HD magazine last night and have now clarified it is on a case by case basis. Which is what i thought anyway...
But if you are in uk check out a new children’s sitcom for the BBC shot entirely on the 5D. This from Dom Bridges…Click the below link for more info…
Original blog:
This is kind of a big deal…the BBC have just about the toughest demands for what they will accept for 100% programme acquisition for an HD show. When the 5DmkII was first tested by the BBC it was dismissed straight away due to it’s moire/ aliasing issues and like any format that doesn’t qualify for them it is limited to just 25% of the programme.
Well according to this article in HD Magazine (article now gone), the beeb were so impressed with what they saw from the initial shots that they greenlit the whole thing to be shot on the 5DmkII as opposed to the 25% and the rest of an HD CAM 750 with a pro35 adaptor. Interestingly they are using Nikon lenses for this…
“Obviously the BBC were very unwilling to sign off on something like that because it wasn’t on their approved list and initially they were saying that for an HD programme they could only support 25% of the programme shot on a non ‘so called’ HD camera.
“We shot a lot of tests which looked wonderful but the engineers at the BBC were saying that there was aliasing and moiré patterns that would make them fail the use of the camera for HD broadcast.
“However we’d done a lot of independent research and shot more tests and shown them to people. When the tests came back from the BBC they said there was aliasing but they suggested that we shoot more tests in a type of scenario that the production would encounter, like a scene with actors looking backwards and forwards with mid-shots and close ups.
“The head of technology at the BBC, Ian Potts, who was very supportive in our early days saying ‘You have these technical issues that would fail our broadcast tests but it’s very interesting what you’re doing and please do some more tests because we’d love to see what you do’. After seeing the four day’s worth of rushes he was so completely smitten with it and said it was some of the best material they’d ever had, ‘finish the film on it’. It went from nought to 60 in half a second.”
Honestly this is such a big turning point as I know so many people who have been struggling to get the BBC to say yes even for SD projects.
Yes, we know there are issues with the camera but in the right hands and knowing these issues you can make these cameras sing and blow the socks off the doubters as has been proven here…
Onwards and upwards now…!
EDIT: With the slight backtrack it changes this blog a little, but it really should be on a case by case basis anyway. What we do not want is everyone shooting everything on these cameras as we all know they are not perfect and there are certain things which are clearly not the best use of DSLRs…but it’s great that we are seeing more and more stuff..the funny thing is I can’t watch BBC HD at home on my Sky HD Box. It looks so awful, artefacts galore and hideous over sharpening that I just wait for the blu-rays!
Canon 4k concept camera and first images from Canon Expo in NY
Nice seeing my Prague film up in the middle of the hall...
Day one was the press/ VIP preview of the once every five years Canon Expo. Basically everything Canon makes and what lies ahead. All photos apart from the fish eye were taken on the iphone 4 so I could blog as I went along…
Lots of cools things to see but nothing really new DSLR wise unfortunately, no 1DSmkiV yet…the 60D was on display and looks good. I like the flip out screen, what they all need really and the build quality was sturdy. It felt well made. Do I need one? Not really, but it’s a really nice camera and certainly a better bet than the T2i, but not the 7D…
One of the most interesting things was the Canon 4k concept camera and 4k monitor! It’s only 2/3rd inch but it’s still interesting and a sign of where they are going? I must emphasise this camera will never come out. It’s a concept camera showing the technology. Are they planning to take on RED? No idea but it will be interesting to see where this path will take us…it’s no Epic that is for sure…which is real and being tested out in the field…how long though before Canon bring something like this out for real? Ideally for me in an APS-C minimum sized chip but I talk more about this further down the post. The 4K monitor was great as you can imagine, 32″ and sharp as hell. It’s one of those things of course that you need to see in person…
I was actually the first one in...
I REALLY like the XF 105. It’s tiny and has amazing specs. 422 50mbs hd sdi and genlock. The XF 100 is the same but without the SDI/ Genlock. Both record onto CF cards. I guess it is a direct competitor to the JVC 100. Size wise it looks identical, almost…but spec wise it is simply really impressive. It’s the first camcorder in recent memory that I have actually wanted. It has all the facial tracking auto focus that the Vixia has but in a much much better cameras.
XF 105 3D rig
As you can see, it's tiny.
This is the Canon 4K concept camera.It was actually working and was crisp as hell…This concept camera had a fixed 2/3″ 20x Zoom lens as the chip itself is 2/3″. I am not sure what the idea of it is, they mentioned something about medical something or other. It’s obviously not a cinema concept camera due to the fixed lens. The image out of it was actually really really nice. As I have said and I and am sure you all want to, is to see an APS-C chip in camera like this and use all the current Canon glass or PL lenses…but Canon have a different marketing strategy to someone like RED. RED announce their road map and make it very public. Canon keep things close to their chest. If there is a cinema camera coming out or a new improved DSLR for video there is no way they would show a concept camera of it and show the competition what they have up their sleeve. Canon do not give much away and of course that is probably from a business stand point the best thing to do. That is why this camera really is to show what they are capable of more than anything, not what they plan to do…I would put money down that we won’t know until pretty close to release of any big developments with regards to video in DSLR or the next evolution of that.
There was also no word of any firmware or other lenses, they were all announced last week. I expect the much rumoured and much expected 1DSmkiV will make it’s debut at Photokina in Cologne later this month. I will be watching this very closely as it MAY have improved video functions, again, pure speculation but I can be positive and hope can’t i?
Sam Nicholson, ASC. Owner of Stargate studios who do astonishing work DSLRs...
The huge sensor is also very cool. Check out the image below which shows two monitors. Image on right represents what human eye can see. Image on left is image from the huge sensor.
The F*** off sensor next to the 5DmkII sensor!!
if you look closely on monitor on the right you can just about make the woman out...
Also on display is the stabilised broadcast lenses. Something which we currently don’t have. A nice feature that we are very used to on cheap cameras and on IS lenses. Finally some 2/3″ broadcast lenses get this much needed feature. Their display was cool as it showed with and without with the cameras mounted on a car bouncing up and down.
They also had a lens for an 8K camera…a BEAST…
Don’t get excited by this DSLR body. Out of context it’s like WOW…what is this…it is simply the prototype for the 7D on display…
Prototype 7D
The multi band camera is impressive, it literally can see more than the human eye can…am not talking latitude, but detail and colours that we simply cannot make out…impressive but needs to be seen in person, much like most things here.
One of my favourite things there was the new 8-14mm F2.8L . Circular fish eye at the wide end, it’s enormous fun. Its not out yet and no idea of pricing but both myself and Vincent LaForet below fell in love with it. It’s a special effect lens and certainly should not be on anyone’s list of priority lenses to buy. It’s so bloody wide I seriously had to suck it in so as not to get my belly in shot on the 8mm. WTF!? You can just about make it out and my feet in the circular shot…!
I am here with Lucasfilm’s Rick McCallum who it seems is rather light fingered as you can see below! A bit of fun!! Pics of Rick by Sam Nicholson.
The Canon 60D was on display too…as mentioned, it felt way better than i expected. Image wise I have no clue as not shot with it!
If you are in town I will be there tomorrow too…hope to see you! Hopefully this blog gave you a taste of what there is there. It’s so massive I barely scratched the surface but I have focused on the stuff that interested me the most and I hope you…
Aberdeen Virtualizes SAN: The AberSAN delivers virtual SAN for local storage
Follow my trip to the USA on my tumblr blog including the NYC Canon Expo
Lots of really interesting things happening on this trip to the USA. Starting off in New York the Canon Expo.
This is a once every five years epic event, almost like an NAB just for Canon products. We are talking more than cameras here, printers, photocopiers, broadcast products etc..of course it’s the cameras why I am going. Will there be big new announcements? A 5Dmk4? A 3DMkII? New firmware? A Flip competitor with a full frame chip in it? I haven’t a clue, but I will be at the show at the preview day on the 1st September and on the 2nd. As long as I am allowed to I will be doing mini posts on my TUMBLR blog throughout the day. I haven’t used it for over a year but it’s perfect for this and I don’t want to clog up my blog with loads of mini posts…
It’s on this Tumblr blog that I will also be posting interesting stuff about the trip, where I am, what I am doing. A lot of it purely for fun. I am doing a workshop in Santa Monica the weekend after next (there are some places left) and I am also shooting the new season of “Critics”…
DVEO to Launch New Version of OnRamp S-S2/IP™ -
Weekend Challenge 2: “A character study”
A bit early for my weekend challenge, but I wanted it give you a few more days on this. The last one was a great success and I would love to see even better films as I want to add a new element to this challenge. Sound. I want sync baby!
Find someone, anyone and do a character study of them. Last time you did a study of an inanimate object. This time make a person but I want to hear from them, learn something about them. A great way of practicing your dual system sound or even in camera sound…
Here are the rules: It has to specifically shot for this challenge and say so in the credits at end. If it’s old where is the challenge in that? Secondly, it MUST have sync, not voiceover…sync. I can have voiceover but there must be some sync sound of the character speaking. Thirdly, one character per film only!
Length is totally up to you, but don’t let the video overstay it’s welcome is all I can say!
You have until next Sunday to do this. Below is a great example of one of the entrants. Great visuals and great sound. PLEASE do not forget about how important sound is. People will forgive average or even bad images if the sound is clear and crisp. Shoot the most beautiful footage but if we cannot hear the person clearly we will stop watching!
Good luck to all!
Upload your videos to the Challenges 2 Vimeo group page!
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Guitar Man from Simon Clark & Alison Farmer on Vimeo.
Although this is my first post, I have been following Philip’s blog for several years and it has been instrumental in helping me choose a direction and equipment to shoot with, so thank you.
This is the first (I hope) in a series I call Hands On. Its a personal series of short web video portraits on people who work with skilled hands. Something to keep me interested and to learn how to work fluently with DSLR.
I have been wanting to do a personal video series of ‘Portraits’ or character studies for a while. I had even made a couple of contacts. So when I saw this challenge on your blog I desided there was no better time to try one.
I spent a couple of hours with the subject as he worked.
It is shot Canon 5d Mark II. Sound is recorded on a Zoom H4n. I used a Sennheiser wireless mic on the subject and a Rode Videomic on the camera.
Most of it was hand held, however there are a couple of shots on a home made slider (dreaming of a Kessler).
It is edited in Premiere Pro CS5 and I have been testing a trial version of PlurylEyes for Premiere Pro as Philip has given it glowing reviews in the past. Unfortunately, it proved useless in this instance and I reverted to manually syncing the files. I will try it again with an interview before I reject it as to much hassle. I’m guessing it’s best on a Mac.
I am a professional photographer in real life but I have fallen for the moving image so I’m attempting to follow in Philips footsteps with my partner Alison (a real film maker).
I hope you enjoy, Simon. www.farmerclark.com
New episode of “Critics” and have YOUR film reviewed in the soon to film Season 3!
After a bit of a delay season 2.5 is finally with us. Yes, it’s the return of “CRITICS”!! I hope you enjoy the above episode!
We start filming Season 3 next month, now in a change to my previous blog, we are totally embracing YOU…in a non pervy way that is! Do you want your film/ video/ movie etc to be reviewed by myself and the American fellow? If so then click the image below to submit your own! Good luck!
Canon 60D officially, er… official.
Not much info to share as all I have is below linked press release. But I wanted to let you guys know about it so I just knocked this quick one out for you before my shoot today!
I haven’t seen it, played with it, touched it, shot with it or done anything to or with it! So I all I can do is regurgitate the press release and talk a little about how you should approach it. I can’t tell you what I think of it truly until I have used it.
Canon have confirmed what we kind of already knew. The 60D, the 50D replacement is coming out at the end of the September for just under $1,100 body only. It’s a consumer model that sits between the T2i and the professional 7D.
The best thing for me is the articulating screen. The press release offers us no clues as to whether the video mode has been improved. I guess we will find out soon…but it has all the frame rates of the 7D and T2i/550D and manual audio like the 5DmkII.
Stills wise it has a fun feature that can let you do special effects like fake tilt shift and toy camera look. I wonder if you can do them in video mode? Again, time will tell if this is useful or a gimmick…Most likely the latter but could still be a bit of fun!
Read the press release by clicking here.
Couple of videos here to take a look at on DPreview.com. Here and here.
If you are about to get a T2i then save up and get this, the extra features make it worthwhile. About to buy a 7D? That’s tougher. I don’t know how it stands up to the 7D in picture or build quality. It will be inferior in many ways I am sure otherwise it would not be cheaper but just what those are I am not sure yet…Certainly the build quality of the 7D is totally Pro Line and that is going to be a major difference I am sure.
That is all the info I have. No word on any other features. I guess we will find out soon! Nice preview on DPreview here…
One last thing…some of the comments perplex me and some of the attitudes are pretty poor. Why are people pissed off? This is a much expected replacement for the 50D, yes it’s better than the T2i…it’s more money. Yes it has features the 7D does not have…and personally Canon need to urgently bring firmware to the 7D, 1DmkiV and T2i to give them manual audio…but your 7D or other camera is now not suddenly obsolete and as one comment says, a doorstop. That’s nonsense. It shot great video for you yesterday so why today is it a doorstop? Just because they bring out cool features on a lower camera does not make your current camera a pile of junk!
Yes…Canon do need to make improvements with many things, like the codec, moire, aliasing, rolling shutter and let’s hope the next professional line camera that comes along does do this for us as it is almost 2 years since the 5DmkII came along but I have absolutely zero problem with them updating old cameras and giving them the current video capability. I am all for it and certainly won’t complain. I just hope we see the big improvements to picture quality soon!
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The great Mid-West meet up in Chicago and one in Santa Monica
This will be my third one in Chicago, almost fourth, but I had to cancel one when my planes got screwed up and I didn’t make it in time.
Kim St. Aubin (thanks Kim!) is arranging it and has a facebook page with details on it. Click here to be taken to it.It’s on the 21st September when I am in town to do a new series of “Critics”. I would like it to be a shooting one like the recent London meet up.
I hope many of you can make it. Be great if we can get close to the 200 or so who made the London one…!!!
With regards to “Critics”, we film the new series whilst I am there and excitingly the “missing episodes” that we filmed last year are finally going to air, here is the promo for them…
[critics] Season 2: “The Lost Episodes” Trailer from steve weiss on Vimeo.
I will have one in Santa Monica. I think a sunset pier meet will be great fun, not on the pier but below it! it’s a beautiful spot!…It will be the week before, probably on Tuesday the 14th September. Check out the little film I shot with the GF1 and the F0.95 GF1 earlier this year below. I love what was done in London with some excellent films, that is why I want to try and make this meet ups more practical, sure we can get drunk afterwards but great if something creative can come out of them! Let me know of your interest below. With regards to future meet ups, I can only do them in places I am actually going to be working so keep an eye out for maybe a NYC and a Philly one in October, Canadian one in November and very excitingly Australian ones in November/ December!
Under Santa Monica Pier
The Pier: Test shots done with Noktor F0.95 50mm with Panasonic GF1 from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
Shot on and under Santa Monica Pier in California using a Noktor F0.95 50mm lens with a Panasonic GF1 shooting AVCHD lite in 25p.
Music is by Bernard Herrmann from “Vertigo”
Read more on my blog here: http://philipbloom.co.uk/2010/03/10/review-of-noktor-f0-95-hyperprime-50mm-lens-for-micro-four-thirds/
We have a winner! Vote for your favourite video of the London PB meet up
EDIT The Judges have voted for Filippo’s film and you lot have gone with Mat’s…just! It was a close thing. Filippos wins the Kessler Crane $500 voucher and I will find something of mine to give to Mat! Well done to everyone. I was SO impressed with the work done on these and I loved the winners. Congrats to everyone.
Although this is a competition and the winner is being chosen by 3 independent judges with results in about a week or so… I would love to know what you guys think of the films made of the biggest meet up yet. 200 odd people turned up in what could have been a wash out but turned out to be a lovely evening. Great people. Lots of colour. Perfect for some filming.
I have some personal faves that I won’t share. But I do have some gear I don’t want anymore and may well be giving it to the most popular vote. This is where I implore you act fairly. Let us see if we can do this without emailing your 1000 friends to vote for you, I would love to see a genuine poll fro, regular visitors to the site. Remember, cheat and karma will get ya!
So in no particular order here they are:
Clockwork London – Featuring Philip Bloom’s Meet-up from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.
UPDATED – new sound track due to copyright reasons.
[Cue A Clockwork Orange style voice over]
“Me and 200 Droogs had found ourselves in old London to get at Philip Bloom. So I decided to make an ultra-violent video with lots of the old in-out. Of course, there is none of the old in-out in my film because Vimeo won’t allow it, and there is not much of the old ultra-violence either. But it does have some pretty camera work if I don’t say so myself.
I shot on the old Panasonic Lumix GH1, Panasonic LA7200, firmware hack (AVCHD 44Mbit) and some lens by a company that makes photocopiers and printers.
Check the in-out of it on EOSHD.com and tales of other mischief with the old Philip Bloom eoshd.com/content/301
FOOTAGE is ungraded – straight out of camera (Dynamic B/W picture profile was used)
MUSIC is ‘Resource’ by Philip Glass from the sound track of Koyaanisqatsi
Mind Manifestation – my journey around PB Meeting Up from Tiago d'Oliveira on Vimeo.
A last minute edit, been too busy…. I didn’t really had the time to talk to anyone at the meeting, too busy shooting away… not really! just shying and hiding behind the camera.
I never thought I would have so much fun in Piccadilly Circus. Shoot on 5D MII with TS-E 24mm. Edited on Aperture and FCP. Music on Logic Pro.
Many thanks to Ann Ferry for allowing me to remix her track Mind Manifestation which end up giving the name to the movie! http://www.myspace.com/annmademusic
Have a colorful day!
Philip Bloom London meet up 2010 from Sunil on Vimeo.
It was an honour to meet Philip Bloom. Many thanks for the help, valuable advice and useful info on the blog. I’m new to video and find your blog posts invaluable. Hope you ignore the trolls. Myself and I’m sure many others are grateful for your inspiring online presence.
Philip Bloom’s Meetup in Piccadilly Circus from Duncan Trevithick on Vimeo.
August 14th 2010. Hundreds of photographers gather together. They are here to meet one man…
It was only the second day I had my 7D so I was still getting the hang of it – I also shot “Roz Goes to London” on the same day.
Graded in Apple Color. The music is ‘Bud on the Ledge’ by Alan Silvestri. Twitter me happy – @dunctk
ON THE WAY TO… from Franck Pierron on Vimeo.
A visit of London and the London meetup with Philip Bloom.
Shot entirely on a Canon 7D.
————-
Editing: Avid Media Composer 4.05
Grading & FX: Magic Bullet Looks
Music by: Dinosaur Jr – Flying Cloud (www.dinosaurjr.com/)
Blue State – Arion (www.bluestates.com/)
London Meet Up in Portrait (9×16) from John Shand on Vimeo.
Shot on the 550d with the tripod plate at 90 degrees. Even though i have called it 9×16 i feel that is a little too long, frame size is 720×1024
There have been a few blogs that talk about the possible rise in ‘portrait’ (9×16) shooting due to the popularity of smart phones and ipads etc.
I decided to try it out at the Philip Bloom London Meet Up.
It was a fun day and great to talk to all the other DSLR filmmakers.
Music: The XX – VCR.
A great band from South West London
Download their music @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xx-bonus-track-version/id325808192
London HDSLR Meet Up with Philip Bloom from Spritz on Vimeo.
HDSLR meet up in Piccadilly Circus, London.
Shot on the Canon 550D/Rebel T2i at 24 fps using two Nikon AI lenses (50mm & 24mm).
We had such a great day – it was great hanging out with you all. Thanks again Philip!
Piccadilly >> Bloom DSLR London meetup – ReEdit from Mat Cooper on Vimeo.
I didnt know that this was a comp- so after a friend text me ( thanks Ali) i have as i should have done in the first instance Re-edited this a bit better and done a bit of sprucing…. Hope as many people enjoy it as seem to the other one:)
Feedaback as always is welcome. Mat:)
Cut in Final Cut Pro
Nail Polish in Color
Jewellery in Motion
My journey to London meet up (Philip Bloom) from Filippo Chiesa on Vimeo.
Filmed on GoPro HD (great, cheap, little waterproof camera).
Phillip Bloom – London Meet Up from Bozzie on Vimeo.
Picadilly Circus 14/08/2010.
A work in progress. Only had today to put something together as I’m going away tomorrow! Hopefully will give it the time it deserves when I come back.
Shot using the Canon 550D.
The Philip Bloom london meet up Timelapse from VJ Cookie / Kevin K on Vimeo.
Shot this timelapse during The London Meet up at Piccadilly Circus London, 14 Augustus 2010.
I used Lightroom for the (minimal) colour correction.
Editing done on my good old white macbook with FCP.
The camera i used is an Canon EOS 550D with an Tokina 11 16 lens and an standard 18 55 lens for the tele shots.
The music is from Minus, from the free music archive.
freemusicarchive.org/search/?quicksearch=minus
Kevin Koekkoek.
It’s always sunny in Piccadilly: PB London meetup from Tony Stark on Vimeo.
Video footage from the Philip Bloom London DSLR meetup, August 14th 2010.
A fun evening out with lots of gear and Camera enthusiasts on show. Mostly shied away behind my camera o_O’ but did manage to chat with a few people
Shot on the Canon 550D/Rebel T2i with 50mm prime and 35-70mm zoom lens.
Graded in Magic Bullet (my first proper MB grade!)
Music : T-Rex “20th Century Boy”
@tsukpo
London Meet-up with Philip Bloom from James Miller on Vimeo.
Great, London’s Piccadilly Circus meet up. Lots of great characters. Not a lot of footage, to much chin wagging.
Thank you to all the nice people.
Sorry Nel – ‘The Umbrella Shaker’
Shot with the Canon 5Dmk2, using the detached lens method. As I have had many requests on methods here are the general guidelines.
You need to start with a non canon mount lens, like a nikon f-mount or M42.
If you try this with a canon mount you won’t be able to get the back focus right and not get infinity focus.
Once you have your non canon mount lens, M42 work the best as they don’t foul the camera body when you try and swivel the lens.
1/ Start by setting the camera to live view.
2/ Open the aperture fully on the lens and set the focus to infinity.
3/ Hold the camera body to your chest with your right hand.
4/ Pickup the lens with your left hand. (50mm or wider work the best).
5/ Still with the left, hand hold the lens tight up to the body of the camera with your thumb and index finger whilst pinching the middle finger of your left hand, causing the lens to rock on this pinch. (Note: How much middle finger to pinch depends on the amount to back focus the lens)
6/ Try and use your left hand palm to act as a hinge that allows the focus to be adjusted by changing the gap between the lens and the body.
7/ Change the shutter speed as desired.
8/ If your worried about dirt or dust getting on the sensor 1/ Don’t do it. 2/ Cut out some good optical quality polyester film like Melinex and fit it under the camera bodies lens mount, on top of the contact pins. Has to be good quality otherwise you will get blooming on highlights. You can also use ND filter film acting as a dust blocker and filter. (Filters on the rear of the lens are very forgiving).
Notes:
• Don’t try and focus using the focus ring on the lens.
• Only change the focus ring slightly away from infinity to adjust the back focus that will cause you to decrease the gap between the lens and the camera, thus blocking extreme light from entering the camera (if needed).
• Have fun.
More examples of whacking:
http://www.vimeo.com/11408100
http://www.vimeo.com/11215576
http://www.vimeo.com/12001117
http://www.vimeo.com/9358137
————–
Group Meet-up people in shot, quick links/jumps: (once film has loaded fully first)
• Nel – VillageBoi – 01:36 01:51 – His Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/villageboi
• Daniele Cuccia – 00:28 (holding camera) 01:37 – His Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/user2933015
• Tony Stark – 01:32 – His Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/user1153480
• Barry Best – 00:50 01:10 01:20 – His Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/user4526155
• Theo Shaw – 01:05 – His Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/user1300792
• TJ Jeffrey – 00:42 – Her Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/tjuk
• Simon Bevis – 00:33 – His Vimeo Films http://vimeo.com/simonjbevis
• Philip Bloom – His Vimeo Films http://www.vimeo.com/philipbloom
Send me a comment with your appearance time and I’ll put you on the list.
Music: Eros – Ludovico Einaudi
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.“House” continuing to use the 5DmkII in a “big way” on current season
DP Gale Tattersall on the left with a "House" 5dmkII, Greg Yaitaines on the right
Not a lot of info here but I wanted to pass it on…I just had a little twitter exchange with Greg Yaitanes, the EP and Director of some episodes of the FOX show “House” with whom I did a long interview with back in April about their season finale that they shot entirely on 3 5DmkII. Well, Greg has told me that they are “being used in a big way in every episode and seamlessly intercutting with film”.
That’s great news to hear and encouraging for all us Canon DLSR users out there. Everyone who saw the finale will attest that it was a brilliant episode and the 5DmkII use enhanced the storytelling with it’s ability to be more intimate for the filming in the claustrophobic sets. It’s great to hear that it was not just a one of experiment or that their experience with them has not put them off using them again! I will be in Santa Monica for a couple of weeks next month, hopefully I will get a chance to see for myself first hand. I know DP Gale Tattersall loves the full frame sensor so no surprise he is still using them! It’s still my preference for cameras out of all of them due that unique look…
You can buy the 720p HD version from your itunes store, it’s worth it…or if you want the full HD version the Bluray box set is coming soon, but that means buying the whole lot…I have the itunes version and it looks great.
You can listen to my original interview with Greg below.
Greg Yaitanes
Interview with Greg Yaitanes about Season Finale of House by PhilipBloom
You can download the full interview in .m4a format by right clicking and “save as” here Transcription of interview can be found by clicking here, thanks to Oli LewingtonPhoto of the camera being used on the finale below…
Which…lenses to buy?
This has become THE number one question asked to me. “I have xxx amount of dollars or I have xxx camera, which lenses should I buy”? It’s a question that is very difficult to answer, not least because it gets asked 20 times a day. Hopefully this will cut down on those emails! Try not to ask which lenses to buy in the comments. This blog gives you all the information you need. Read it, decide what is important to you and go from there!
What follows is not the definitive list of lenses to buy. It’s my opinion. Please treat it like that. Many will disagree and may well be quite right too! All I can do is base this post on my own experience, with the plethora of lenses I own and have used.
I want to cover other makes of cameras with this evolving blog post but for now it will be purely for Canon lenses. I will cover the GH1, Nikon, Sony at some point later. My most experience is with Canon Lenses.
First let us cover the fundamentals of what you need to know about sensor sizes and how your camera will affect which lenses you buy.
Currently there is just one solitary Canon that has a full frame sensor for Video and that is the 5DmkII. The 1dMkiv is an APS-H sensor and a 1.3x crop. All the others are a 1.6x crop called an APS-C. The full frame sensor is massive compared to the APS-C. It’s easy to forget just how much bigger it is. Look at this image below and you will see what I mean.
So the above image is shot with a 14mm L series lens. Designed for full frame and is as wide as you can get without going all fisheye on the Canons. It’s an amazing lens and one of my favourites…problem it is expensive and as you can see only wide when used on the 5Dmkii, on the other sensors it is cropped, making it not so wide. It’s still a 14mm on any camera, it’s just the equivalent field of view (EFOV) that has changed. On the APS-C sensor it has the EFOV of 14mm x 1.6 which equals 22.4mm, still wide-ish but as you can see above, nothing like the spectacular wideness of the lens on a full frame body.
This is the most important factor you need to think about when buying lenses. Is it worth spending over $2000 on a wide angle lens that is no longer wide for your crop sensor camera? Personally I think no. For full frame users, there is nothing like it, it’s amazing. But for the rest, don’t get this lens unless you are planning to upgrade to a full frame sensor very soon.
That is the biggest issue really. Do you buy lenses designed especially for your 1.6x crop (called EF-S by Canon) or do you get lenses which are future proof if you decide to move up to a full frame camera (called EF by Canon)? All the EF lenses are compatible with all the Canon cameras. It does not work the other way around. Some lenses by third party manufactures will work on the 5Dmkii despite being designed for the crop but will vignette heavily, unless they are zooms so you can zoom in slightly to avoid this…more on that later.
Canon’s premiere line of lenses are the L series. They are magnificent, expensive but worth the price. Build quality is almost uniformly excellent and the range of glass they have is enormous. These lenses are completely compatible across the whole range of cameras….There is one caveat. These lenses are getting sharper and sharper. I have the above mentioned 14mm II and the new 70-200mm F2.8II and they are actually too sharp in my opinion for video, for stills they are amazing, but in video they can accentuate some of the main issues we have with the camera, mainly moire and aliasing. I recently shot a project in Italy. A lot of it with the 14mm and the new 70-200 and I have had more moire issues than I have experienced before and I am certain it is down to them being simply tack sharp and this means all the detail can be seen and that is when we have moire issues. I am not saying don’t buy these lenses. If you do, make sure that your sharpness is turned all the way off (as it should be all the time) and look out for it. Below is a section of a shot where you can see the issues on the water…
Am i bothered? Yes and no. I can easily use a filter to knock back the sharpness of the 70-200mm version 2 (not on the 14mm though and it wont take filters). My old 70-200 was more forgiving, but these lenses are investments for me and I know that Canon will improve these cameras. It shows you just how incredible these lenses are for the money, their sharpness is almost too good for the video function of the cameras!…and this guys is the key thing you need to know when buying lenses.
It is the glass that is your investment, NOT the camera.
Your lenses should last you for years, through many bodies, so always take that into account when buying lenses.
Zooms or Primes?Tough one this…prime lenses are generally of higher optical quality and are generally faster (as in can let in more light so better in low light and better for shallow depth of field) but are of course a fixed focal length so it’s harder to shoot with them. Zooms are great flexible lenses but PLEASE avoid those kit lenses. A zoom must have a constant aperture to be useful in video. Constant aperture means it maintains it’s F-Stop no matter how much you zoom in or out. Without this the iris stops down making the shot unusable. Of course constant aperture lenses cost more, but like everything in life, you get what you pay for. Canon’s L series of zooms are amazing. Although some like the 24-70mm could really do with updating to give them IS. IS is image stabilisation and I believe is absolutely essential for video work as it reduces the rolling shutter artefacts that we can get. Canon also do a very nice zoom for the EF-s with IS, it’s the 17-55mm F2.8 IS. Great lens, the crop sensor equivalent of the 24-70 but with IS, not an L series though. No EF-S lenses are L series. One of my favourite L series zoom lenses is the 24-105 f4 IS. Nice range and IS although a little on the slow side. It’s one of my favourite interview lenses.
So Zooms are easier to shoot with as you can vary your focal length, are not as good in low light and the good ones cost money! There are some third party zooms out there which are very good. I haven’t used most of them but Sigma and Tamron make good lenses and the Tokina 11-16mm is easily my favourite crop wide angle lens. An absolutely essential purchase for 7D and T2i users. Yes, if you are a T2i user expect to spend a lot more than your camera on lenses and accessories. The downside of owning a dirt cheap camera!
Right…let’s get down to what to buy and why. We can cover more of the type of stuff above as we go along. First off I am going to break it down into type of sensors assuming money is not an issue and then after that into budget.
Zeiss lensesI love the Zeiss ZE (The ZF’s are Nikon mount). They have excellent image quality, amazing build quality. Have hard focus stops unlike the Canon lenses and lovely long focus rotation for more accurate rack focusing. In a way I prefer the ZF lenses as they have manual apertures which can be modified to make them cine lens smooth but they focus in the opposite direction to Canon lenses so it may do your head in!
The Zeiss lenses are probably the best there are for video. They don’t have the bells and whistles that the L series have…no auto focus, no IS but they do have amazing metal build quality, incredible optics and wonderful focus control. Not ideal for stills though as they don’t have that amazing L series autofocus. It’s a shame the longest non macro they do is 85mm…I would love to see a 135mm F2 from them. The 100mm macro is good but focus, like any macro is tough and worse still the barrel moves in and out as you focus, it does not have internal focusing, no using with a matte box is tough, using a follow focus is practically impossible. I prefer the Canon one over this due it’s closer focus and the excellent IS.
Zeiss also has the CP.2 PL lens (positive lock) lenses for all the Canons. These are essentially re-housed ZE lenses. They have the same filter size and length and have pinpoint accurate focus marks. Great it you have the budget…They also have EF switchable mounts for these lenses so nice and flexible. PL mounts are always permanent mods to your cameras so do this only if you have no plans to ever use stills glass again…
Lenses for full frame camerasWell the 14mm F2.8 II is the most amazing wide angle lens I have ever seen. Yes it is super sharp and can cause the moire to be visible especially on deep DOF shots but it really is in a class of it’s own.
Alternatively look at the 16-35mm F2.8L. A constant aperture zoom lens with a nice range and nice and wide, although quite distorted at the wide end and a little soft.
Next up would be either the 24mm F1.4 or the 35mm F1.4, although the 35mm is due an update and is not as sharp as I would like. The 24mm F1.4 is stunning and your best wide angle low light lens out there. An essential purchase. The Zeiss ZE is a lovely 35mm lens but slower at F2
From here we go to the Canon 50mm F1.4 or even better if you can afford it the F1.2. The F1.2 is an L lens and one of my favourite lenses. Amazing for stills and video. Is it worth the price difference. If you can afford it yes, otherwise get the F1.4.
I am not a fan of the 85mm F1.2. I hate the focus ring on it, too loose and too inaccurate. I much prefer the Zeiss 85mm F1.4. An amazing lens.
If you have the cash I adore the Canon 100mm Macro F2.8 IS. Make sure it is the L series version. Amazing lens, great IS and wonderful image. I just think the build quality is not quite as good as some of the other L series lenses. Feels plasticky. But I never travel without it…below is a short film shot with a lot of the 100mm macro!
Clock from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
Next up is the other essential lens for your collection…the 70-200mm IS. MAKE SURE IT HAS IS…long lenses need it. You have two options here. The much cheaper and much lighter F4 version of the more expensive and very sharp F2.8 II. If you want one with more low light capability then go with the F2.8. If you are shooting daylight mostly get the F4. It’s much much lighter and a heck of a lot cheaper. For more flexibility get the F2.8.
Well those are the essential lenses for the full frame camera!
Lenses for crop camerasFirst and foremost get the Tokina 11-16mm, it’s better than the Canon 10-22mm as it’s constant aperture even though the range on the Canon is better. Get it. This one of the only EF-S lenses I recommend getting. It is the best wide angle for the 1Dmkiv too, zoom in slightly to lose the vignetter and it’s the widest lens you can get for that camera. Same trick works for 5dmkII but only at the full zoom…16mm making the zoom part of it and for me the lens too, pointless for this camera. Save up and buy the 16-35mm much more use…BUT, $700 for a 16mm F2.8 prime ain’t bad! See…am full of contradictions!
Next up is your 50mm equivalent for the crop…Take a look at the Sigma 30mm F1.4 (EF-S) only or the Canon 35mm F1.4 (universal). The Sigma is WAY cheaper and I hear good things, although never shot with it myself…Just remember, it won’t work on a 5DmkII!
The 17-55mm F2.8 IS is a great flexible zoom…worth the cash, trust me!
Then I would look at the Canon 50mm F1.4 or the F1.2…you 85mm equivalent…
The Macro 100mm will be great here too…especially as it becomes an EFOV of 160mm!
Then the same as the full frame…the 70-200…
I recommend getting as few EF-S lenses as possible, make yourself future proof!
Nikon lenses Great lenses if you are on a budget. There are loads of old ones on ebay and you can get some bloody good bargains. Also they are generally not as sharp and therefore quite forgiving! Get a Fotodiox Pro adaptor and away you go! I bought a 20 years old F1.2 50mm for $250 from ebay. It’s awesome! This is the way to go if you are really on a budget… I am on a real budget!Well if you are REALLY on a tight budget then get one lens. You can shoot everything you want with a standard lens. That’s a 50mm on a full frame, 3omm on the crop sensor. So if you have a T2i, 7D get the Sigma, it’s a great price and has great image. For the 5Dmkii get a 50mm. The below film was shot entirely on a Zeiss 50mm F1.4 and the music video below was shot on a 50mm F1.2
Sofia’s People: Canon 5dmk2 24p from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
Monarchs “Miles away” from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
Telephoto lenses are really important too, so on the T2i/ 7D look for an 85mm F1.4 and for those really wide shots the Tokina as mentioned earlier.
Full frame users have to pay more as EF lenses are generally more. So if you are on that budget then it’s Nikon all the way for now!
Canon FD lenses
Avoid the Canon FD lenses. You need an adaptor with glass in it to make it work with the EOS cameras and they simply do not work well. Soft am afraid! A real shame as there are lots of affordable FD lenses out there…
Special effect lenses
Samyang do a nice 8mm fish eye for the crop sensor and it’s pretty cheap if you can source them…
I love the Canon Tilt Shift lenses although these are not cheap. They are designed primarily for architecture photography and you can alter keystone lines so they are straight when looking up at buildings but can also be used to make things look really nice and miniature. Also check out the Lensbaby Composer lens, again, special effect but a lot of fun. Check out the pool shot in the below film shot on the 24mm F2.8 TS lens.
Sky from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
As with all special effect lenses use sparingly. But great fun to use.
This is the end of the first draft of the lens blog. This will be continually updated, so keep an eye on it!
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