Pinoy Photographer

Manual Video Controls on the Canon 5D Mark II… Coming soon!

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tips & Tricks

Well well well! I saw it coming! And Canon is treating its loyal customers by giving the most demanding feature of  video capable 5d mark II, MANUAL CONTROLS.

I know how frustrating the auto-exposure of the video is. I was commisioned filming a music video few months ago and it was very hard to always AEL and do the nasty hand block tricks!

But by 1st week of June 2009 Canon will be releasing a new firmware that ends all this misery!

Kudos to Canon!

Time to reconsider those video rig again!!!

Poster via www.canonusa.com

Dpreview overview

“1 minute drive” video

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, Video

An hour drive time lapsed to “1 minute drive” on my way home. You’ll see EDSA and NLEX here in this video.

The video is composed of 1,046 still images of Canon EOS 5D Mark II @ iso 6400 mounted with EF 24-70 f 2.8 L lens @ 24 mm.

PiPho Org Post Xmas Partee! [The Video]

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, People, Video

After a “few” drinks you get to sing the most beautiful songs on earth . A first attempt on recording docu videos (or wahtever you call that)

All with ambient dim lights only. The 5D Mark II high ISO’s reigns on both stills and video. I edited it in iMovie ’08

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firware Update

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tech, Tips & Tricks

Firmware Update Version 1.0.7 improves and mitigates the following two types of image quality phenomena that occur under certain shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources become black)
2. Vertical banding noise

Firmware Version 1.0.7 is for EOS 5D Mark II cameras with firmware up to version 1.0.6. If the camera’s firmware is already version 1.0.7, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Notes:
When updating to Firmware Version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. Firmware Version 1.0.7 can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. Updates for Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor can be downloaded from the following Web site.

I dont like the idea of that magenta cast on sRAW file. The black dots is no biggie to me so Il probably wait for the “complete” that includes the magenta issue on sRAW’s.

See the complate firmware update page here

The Live View and 2 sec. timer

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, Reviews, Tech

The Live View of this 21mp monster is a joy to use. The simulation exposure and quick mode AF of the 5D Mark II are some of the very practical feats that need to maximized with this cam, I don’t need to stoop-bend-etc just to compose a shot. Moreover the 10x up to 15x focus check feature is a heaven sent for the non-perfect 20 / 20 eyed photographer. Hi-res and 920 dots LCD you say? Canon made this even better with their new anti-reflective technology and an inteliigent atuo brightness feature. I noticed these nifty features when I reviewed the EOS 50D last spetember, I can say now that their Live View functions are very identical.

The Live View will have its use for the style of photography (ehem videography) I do, In fact I already did with that “Mimosa overnight sensation” trip.. Video coming soon (im still reading the Final Cut Express tutorial)!

What about the 2 seconds timer? I purposely left my shutter release. But I know that it is a primary consideration that you should not use the cameras shutter button on a tripod if you are below the minimum acceptable speed, but it came out pretty handy, 1-1000.. 2-1000 then you I have my shot..

These are the nice things that Canon should have done 3 years ago

HD Video “Lens Test” EOS 5D Mark II

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, Macro, Video

This is one of my first “filming” test. Recorded last week for the traditional “oh-i-got-my-new-gadget-now-il-play-with-it-all-night-long”

Canon is working on the “Black Dots” issue

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tips & Tricks

Canon released press releases of the “Black Dots” issue plaguing the newly released EOS 5D Mark II. Mine has it but It doesnt bother me even though Im very meticulous on details (sharpeness, clarity & etc). Its just that, I have to focus my time on others things like shooting and quality time with my family.

Heres the excerpt of the press release at Canon USA website:

Thank you for using Canon products.

We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera have identified two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
2. Vertical banding noise

We are currently investigating and analysing the causes, and examining measures to reduce or eliminate these phenomena by providing correction firmware.  An announcement will be made on the Canon Web site when such measures have been determined.

Details of the phenomena and shooting conditions under which they are likely to occur are as follows.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
   When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or, if large prints of the images are made.
2. Vertical banding noise
   If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background.

Canon USA Press Release

Canon Europe Press Release

We will have to wait for that fix… While waiting, Im planning to have a good photo trip with its full black dots potential (pun-intended) with the family this coming loooong holiday. BTW im enjoying the HD video!!

new cam.. new creative flair?.. my 5D Mark II impressions

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, Reviews

After two years of using the original 5D now comes the 5D Mark II model. Full of feats and extras from the 3 years old tech of the first version. I got mine last friday from Canon Marketing Philippines Inc. Im actually satisfied with the 5D but the demands of commercial photography commands me to do the upgrade. And being an artist and tech-geeky sometimes needs some new brush (camera) to renew its passion and creative flair

Moving on…Initial impressions of this camera.

Physical

I salute Canon maintaining a separate body + grip design (form factor).  Obviously lugging heavy gear for long periods of time is no fun, so sometimes if you want to reduce weight you just unscrew the grip and saves you from body pain. It still doesn’t have a pop-up flash which you wont need anyway since you have up to ISO 3200 usable.

The body is more curvier specially at the Canon logo area (pentrapism). The buttons at back are adjusted to make room for the new 3.0″ LCD. Yes, there is AF-on button now working for both stills & video. It also has some nice touch of  weather sealing. The mode dial markings are now engraved and wrapped with rubber grip.

Usage

I just had my unit last friday and since im very familiar with Canon cameras i dont need to tinker  the manual page by page. The 5D Mark II’s menu system is now like the familar 40D /50D cameras that was also first introduced on the high speed 1D Mark III. Its more easy to navigate, more user friendly including the custom functions.

The 5D and 5D Mark II are virtually the same but packed with plus features. The imaging sensor is now at 21 megapixels and it now houses the latest DIGIC IV imaging processor. AF points are pretty the same to me but Canon stated that it better? I noticed some tiny-weeny-bit improvement in speed or probably Im just excited? Really, nothing to write home about it, it is exactly the same.

High Megapixels is good, but it comes with a price, I initially tested one of my favorite primes, the EF 50mm f1.4 and disappointingly it performs below my expectations. It cannot resolve the resolution that the 5D Mark II is giving, plus the CA (Chromatic Aberration) is now more pronounced. Fortunately, my recently acquired EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS and EF 24-70 f2.8 L doesn’t suffer with the same fate like my other consumer lenses. From my initial testing inside my studio, the 5D I renders more 3d’ish detail than the 5D Mark II. This is now getting more confusing?? Yes and yes IQ from the original 5D is better by 10%. Il perform another set of testing tomorrow with my L lenses to nail my observations. Could it be that these days monitor resolution cant display the level of detail in 21mp? Or does our eyes cant see those resolution by near distance? I dont know but again from my initial observations the 5D’s images have better shadow detail, clarity and sharpness. Although what I can tell now is that, 5D Mark II colors are more accurate.

Video: Nothing to compare right now, in terms of DSLR video quality. The D90 has it but very premature falls behind with the quality from the 5D Mark II. The video feature is just great the only downside is the lack of manual settings. I have to fiddle with it more since im very new to this video thing. Actually, this is the feature of the cam im more excited, il be making some personal projects and im now imagining the possibilities it can provide. I will start to learn and study videography.

So by far here are my quick impressions… Il probably make a complete review during the long holidays this December.

As a tradition of course. I took some “binyag” shots of my new baby.

more in the coming days…