More Amazing Video From the Canon 5D Mk II

[Chris C Sanner]

I promise I'm not trying to sell this camera...but wow.

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2008/11/26/7-days-7-shoots-eos-5d-mkii/

Depending on the final reviews from a few trusted sources/friends, I'm probably definitely going to finally go tapeless this spring with this camera. There are several things I'm still worried about, but this camera is going to be used by myself to produce a few short films as well as shoot most of my video for this year on the plains. I'm very excited about the possibilities...

 

[B Doss]

I have a Canon 5D2 sitting here next to my desk. I haven't got to take it for a drive yet because I'm waiting on my lenses to arrive. With the threads spreading like wildfire about the dreaded black dots and problems processing video its hard for me not to consider returning this for a 50D plus an extra Lens. I hope it all will be addressed in the next firmware update. If it is, I'll be selling my Sony HDR-SR11 too.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

Another big issue I have been hearing about is the camera's image degrading due to the sensor getting too hot over long takes...which are definitely very possible with storm chasing. You also have the issues of the black pixels and a few other little problems with the image that are popping up more and more frequently. I think the video quality is amazing...but it's hard to trust first gen technology like this. I'm watching it like a hawk, because picking it up would save me some money in the long run.

However, I liken this to any other technology purchase I have held off on. It's exciting to see the possibilities and what the camera can do, but it's very frustrating that the drawbacks are what they are. We'll see how things turn out, if I had the money I'd buy two bodies to rotate the filming to prevent overheating...but if I had THAT much money I'd probably just buy an interchangeable lens HD cam and be done with it

 

[Dan Robinson]

From what I've heard from actual users, the video capabilities of this camera are overrated. Only really of any use for static production-type shots (short takes, carefully set-up and lit) than heavy-duty 'run and gun' type shooting like you'd do during a chase. I was considering it as an eventual replacement for my XSi and doubling as a backup HD camera (sometime well into the future, can't afford it now), but the things I'm hearing about the video side of this camera have made me less enthusiastic about the idea. Don't get me wrong, it does very well for the price - but as a chasing/weather HD camera, I think it will fall very short. Not to mention that it has CMOS rolling shutter and won't be of any use when lightning is present in a scene (which will be 99% of storm environments).

 

[B Doss]

Part of the senor overheating must be due in part to the 30fps when shooting HD. That equates 58000 for a 30 minute video. Most video I shoot is not this long and I realize that it does not equate to actual shutter actuations but that will put a lot of wear on a sensor which is a big concern for me. I'm waiting to see how quickly Canon responds to the the black dots issue. After watching some of the videos being posted online I agree that most of us will be better served by a dedicated camcorder still. I'm considering waiting this technology out until the 5dmk3, LOL.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

From what I've heard from actual users, the video capabilities of this camera are overrated. Only really of any use for static production-type shots (short takes, carefully set-up and lit) than heavy-duty 'run and gun' type shooting like you'd do during a chase. I was considering it as an eventual replacement for my XSi and doubling as a backup HD camera (sometime well into the future, can't afford it now), but the things I'm hearing about the video side of this camera have made me less enthusiastic about the idea. Don't get me wrong, it does very well for the price - but as a chasing/weather HD camera, I think it will fall very short. Not to mention that it has CMOS rolling shutter and won't be of any use when lightning is present in a scene (which will be 99% of storm environments).

I would say the video is not overrated as far as quality goes...it ranks right up there with some of the best video you can get for under $10,000. But the actual implementation of it as far as manual control and such is certainly a huge bummer. This camera is the first generation of what should be a continual blurring of the line between video and still photography as far as instrument used. I don't think it's quite ready for prime-time though, because while the video quality is superb, there are just too many problems with the technology with it being first gen to give it serious thought as your main camera. Exciting future possibilities though!

 

[Johnathan Brouwer]

Why is anyone considering a SLR designed digital camera for anything other than single images? Of course you will have problems, it is designed for singles or sets of images ala...a still cam.

Anything else and you will drive toward failure faster than the engineers designed. You guys are going to be sorely disappointed when you are out in the plains and cannot figure out why the SLR stopped working.

You want video, get a video camera

 

[Chris C Sanner]

Why is anyone considering a SLR designed digital camera for anything other than single images? Of course you will have problems, it is designed for singles or sets of images ala...a still cam.

Anything else and you will drive toward failure faster than the engineers designed. You guys are going to be sorely disappointed when you are out in the plains and cannot figure out why the SLR stopped working.

You want video, get a video camera

The industry and technology is definitely trending in the opposite direction than using one for one or the other. The D5 MkII will make a great cinema camera for the budget filmmaker, but it's uses probably don't extend (video wise) past that just yet. There is definitely a day coming though (sooner rather than later is my bet) where both will be mutually inclusive in a single camera body.