I have spent a big part of the last week watching video samples from the 5D Mark II with incredible results (Philip Bloom is all over it!). Most of these samples are from photographers, DoP’s or photo journalists who are very familiar with DSLR’s having grown up with them.
I am too embarrassed to show you my very firsts test shots, but an hour or so in we played around with the espresso bar and a reasonably long lens (Sigma 70-200mm) together with the messiest barista you’ve ever met and got some cool results.
I owe gratitude to my pal Ramon de Juan (Murph) for introducing me to the 5D Mk II with such passion and enthusiasm - the timing has been incredible - I have been so longing for a certain ’look’ in my work and have tried grading with Apple’s Color with some decent results, but nothing comes close to the image quality taken straight from the camera on the 5D, not to mention the depth of field achievable with 35mm lenes and the ability to convert to 24p output.
While I will still shoot with a Sony HVR-A1E for some regular projects, I am very excited to introduce this look to the particular sectors I work with to continue raise the level of their communication films.
I will continue to post samples from my 5D Mk II antics so feel free to join me on this steep learning curve..!
I’ve also been taking a keen look at the rigs available for the 5D Mk II - I can see this being an invaluable investment for my personal development as a shooter using the DSRL.
Mostly out of a need to get some sleep back, I have made the purchase of the Canon 5D Mark II DSRL.The image quality from these puppies is outrageous and I can’t continue to shoot on a Z1 or keep investing in adaptors and lenses on a HDV format - 1080P full-frame is the new avenue for moi.
We’re hitting the US of Aye this summer, and while there also driving up to visit some beautiful homies in Vancouver, B.C. So we reserved the hire car today for the drive from Seattle to Vancouver - its a midsize option, a Pontiac G6 (or similar) - now I’m holding out that the “or similar” will be something as follows…:(will keep ya posted)
A friend of mine dropped by and was telling me about the new Canon 5D camera, Mark II.He had seen a bunch of videos shot using a 50mm lens with this DSLR body - the thing is it is shot at 1080p full-frame - check out the depth of field and the crazy saturation of the colours - man I feel the Z1 getting nervous…
This is my first documentary to be involved with. I have made a wonderful connection with a charity in western Romania called Networks Romania - these guys just totally rock and have figured out what it means to pour out your life in serving the poor - they certainly have an interesting story to tell and I am delighted to help share it.
So we shot this in our spare time, based around two stints of shooting, one in late summer 08, the other in mid-winter 09. The film is shot in HD and is currently in post-production.All being well the film will be released in September 2009.
Enjoy the trailer for a flavour of the wider film.
Wow, these guys are by far some of the coolest people I have ever met. Lifeline Recovery is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Ireland founded by Philip Richardson (left in picture, right- Paul Miller). I had a sincere privilege of producing a film about the work of Lifeline back in January ‘08, highlighting just a few of the outstanding stories that are exports from this place. Young lads are 100% set free from their addictions and dependencies by the power of Jesus in an incredible environment of authentic community. Philip himself was set free from an addiction over 13 years ago and now pours his life into helpigs others find this freedom.
This stuff works. I am humbled by the outpouring of these guys lives - they seemed to have figured out what it means to really give your life away while taking on board the pain and hurts associated with this type of work.
I can’t wait to see John Mayer live again this summer. He plays Manchester and then Hyde Park London with Eric Clapton within 3 days of each other and of course I’ll be there to lap it up.
I was chuffed to see the release of a new live DVD too - this will be a treat…
This week I have been working from a studio just outside of Palma, Majorca. A couple of us from The New Black have been working on a bunch of short web films for the fashion end of the kaleidoscope brand. We shot 22 items within the two days asigned to us and had a ton of fun in the process - fashion people are nuts! Evenings were spent eating around some top spots in Palma, one seriously beautiful city.
We fly home tomorrow - some snaps from the hotel room…
SD.
