Interesting day at work today

[Chris Dodkin]

We had a video crew in, shooting a promo video for the mobile command center technology we provide to first responders.

They shot all HD on Sony cameras - all digital of course these days, no tape!

Some Arri lighting rounded out the hardware - nice portable kit with some barn doors and gels.

Camera guy was doing great until the camera fell from the tripod and stopped working!

Managed to revive it somehow, and continue the shoot.

Interesting to see them at work - very different to stills of course.

Asked the camera guy about using a DSLR for HD - he was dismissive - his money is in traditional HD camcorders after all...

 

[Hamish Gill]

hmm you would think, someone in the trade would at least recognise the potential for dslr ... but i suppose that would be the perspective from a photographer ...

 

[Glen Roberts]

hmm you would think, someone in the trade would at least recognise the potential for dslr ... but i suppose that would be the perspective from a photographer ...

I think I read somewhere an episode of House, or at least part of it was filmed using a Canon DSLR!!! Can't remember if it was a 7D or one of the Pro models with HD Video capabilities ...

 

[Hamish Gill]

yeah i read that was a 5dii...
i think the key is the massive sensor ... at relatively not massive price ...
i suspect it has caused factions in the video industry... (i have no evidence to back it up) ... but if you met someone who was dismissive maybe he was one side of an argument



(ps, if anyone sees "Last edited by Hamish Gill; Today at 04:28 PM." in their posts it because i keep clicking the edit post button instead of the quick reply) i wouldn't dare alter someone's post intentionally)

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Chris. It seems a lot of the issues around DLSR's is in ergonomics and they start to lose out on price competitiveness when you add all of the kit around one to make them easier to handle. With full-frame bodies you of course get a different look due to the potential for narrow DoF and low light capability. APS-C sensors match most closely the Super 35 mm video sensors and are often talked about as giving the best 'sweet spot' for motion capture. Zeiss have a new range of Compact Prime lenses with interchangeable mounts that add-back video functionality to a certain extent but you still probably need focus controls, bigger screen, microphone etc to be serious. I know some stuff has been 'filmed' on DSLR's and for certain photographers I guess it becomes a valuable add-on (clips of a wedding service etc) but I suspect 'real' videographers will use a DSL more for the different 'look' it might give. Anyway this opinion is based on no experience so far and a fair helping of ignorance (except for what I've read). However, I do have a D3s and I am quite keen to have a play in the near future. I'll report back!!