sanveer

Variable neutral density filter?

[quote name='Zach' timestamp='1353338814' post='21933'] Thats a bummer! You could always make a friend in the USA and have them buy it for you and then pay them. [/quote] Hahaha ... I have a lotta relatives and friends abroad. But, I've asked them far too often, and more importantly, they haven't been travelling as much, of late ... :( Or migrated to europe, or even returned home :P I was wondering whether ordering from B&H or other sites would be a good idea, but, they don't have clarity on their sales regarding customs taxes levies etc.

[quote name='Leto' timestamp='1352906540' post='21634'] Hi everyone. I'm new here with a very "newbie" question. I've been making videos [b]with no crew[/b], a 60D, and an awful B cam. I'm really just an enthusiast level so my Premiere skills and time are limited. [/quote] Dude, RESPECT. Wow. I Admire film-makers who can make films, with No Crew. I've had that experience, and for me, it outlines film-making skills, beyond Everything Else. About your B Cam: 1. Make sure the cam you pick up, does24p. 2. Has decent low light. 3. Check whether the cameras have sound in (for mics). You could pick up the GH2, and get an Adaptor, to use your canon glass, on it. There is a great offer on the GH2, right now, a dicussed, in the other post. Check it: http://www.eoshd.com/comments/topic/1582-black-friday-fun/ Best of Luck

Its terrible. There aren't any worthwhile deals (on electronics) in India, throughout the year. And, high end cameras cost anything from 1.5 times to twice their US prices. Its INSANE.

I know that the GH3 has a filter, already (and that the D800E doesn't). But, the filter on GH3 is apparently, not effective enough. Also, since the removal of the filter, as in the case of the D800E, only cause a very slight increase in detail (mostly noticeable in RAW, I am assuming), and that too, only for extremely high resolution pictures, a better AA Filter on the GH3, is not such a bad idea, after all. That is all, that, I am saying.

Maybe, something on the lines of the Nikon D800E. The difference may be very minute, especially, for smaller sized images. But, if it helps, why not: http://www.ephotozin...lr-review-19764 and this (this even have a moire comparison): http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d800/vs-d800e.htm

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The guy has shot the video damn well. The composition and shots are amazing. Seriously talented guy. The sky banding seems to have greatly reduced (or gone, completely ??). Or maybe, its party cloudy, and the contrast isn't so much. I dunno ... Also, the colour and tone, seem greatly improved, from the GH2. Now, all I am looking for, is a completely face-off between the 2, shot under all test conditions (lab and actual) :D

[quote name='tomekk' timestamp='1353143493' post='21836'] what about his constant canon wise mudslinging contest. you see 1 side not the other. [/quote] I guess, a debate can only have Both sides being heard. And, that is the Only fair way, to go about, with it. I am not a big Mac fan, even though I used a few Mac products (maybe still do). There is no mud-slinging contest. Maybe, you are genuinely ignorant of the kind of language, that is employed in other forums. Maybe, you should spend a few moments, before assuming things. Maybe, even go to forums like DPReview, and PersonalView, to get a perspective.. Most of the debates about DSLRs here, obviously, involve video. And, in a contest between Canon/ NIkon and Panasonic (GH2 and GH3), there is really no contest. In the opinion, of the majority, of this Forum. If you feel otherwise, you are More than Free to post your views (with or without links and proof).

[quote name='Bioskop.Inc' timestamp='1353005778' post='21705'] The highest grossing film of all time (based on how much was spent & the return it saw) is still The Blair Witch Project - made for the price of a used car, lots of ingenuity & some balls! [/quote] Actually, the Blair Witch Project has picked up that title (the largest cost to recovery). Read in the section '[b]Most Profitable Movies, Based on Return on Investment[/b]' http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/records/budgets.php [quote name='Bioskop.Inc' timestamp='1353005778' post='21705'] I for one, love DSLRs, but precisely because they do limit you. The consequence of this is that you really have to think about how you want to shoot something & this gives you good experience in planning a shoot. In a way its like stepping back in time, where you have to learn your craft - make mistakes, fix mistakes etc... I personally like to get everything right in camera & never have to say "I'll fix it in post". To me that is just plain lazy & you'll never learn from the mistakes that you should be making if you take that attitude. What makes a film look good is a DP creating a mood, seeing an angle etc... It doesn't really matter what its filmed on/with - if its a good film, its a good film. If you have a good idea, just shoot it on whatever you've got to hand. It doesn't matter, as no one is going to say "Its filmed on a DSLR, so its shit!" [/quote] I completely agree. A great film is not one which is shot on a 4k RAW, or 8k RAW. It could be shot on 640x480. As long as the story is told well, and you enjoy the narration, the color, look, detail, etc etc, have absolutely no relevance, to the film.

[quote name='Axel' timestamp='1352983677' post='21678'] I sometimes imagine a different press conference for the opening of the GH3. It could have run as follows: 'We appreciated that many of you out there were trying hard to make our GH2 into something more than a consumer photo-camera. We didn't expect, that it's final success would be owed to the dedication thousands of you invested into making this product comparable to professional movie cameras. The GH3, we decided, had to be a worthy successor. While we put in some interesting improvements for still photographers too, we now make an offer for all of you who demand more - and not [i]moire[/i], haha - of it's video features. The market changes fast. The hacks of our original firmware showed, that you care less for a good compression with small file sizes than for the tiniest bit of quality you can squeeze out of it. We added an All-I-video codec at 72 mbps. The optional large battery grip also includes a slot for an SSD on which you can record ProRes at 4:2:2 10-bit, in variable frame rates up to 120 fps. It has two XLR jacks, which can be leveled separately with control knobs and a small LCD right beside. Furthermore, we made a special software to fine-tune the color presets and to fully customize the camera to your needs. This is our offer to you. We invite you to take the advantage and make this thing the ultimate tool for all filmmakers on a budget.' [/quote] Wow. That would have been amazing.

[quote name='markm' timestamp='1352976595' post='21673'] Andrew great review. The BMC is truly a game changer. Already the mighty are toppling. This must be on every film makers christmas list. Sanveer has put my thoughts on it exactly. [/quote] I love the BMCC. Its such an amazing camera. I Know, I'm being greedy, but, I wish, they make version 2.0, with a 30% reduction in bodysize. That would be phenomenal.

I think, there is a HUGE market, for crowd-funding, of new cameras. Especially, considering what the BlackMagic guys have come up with, against the veterans of the business. The first mover's advantage doesn't seem to exist, since the first movers don't really care, about innovation, and good pricing. Since all the big players (Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Olympus etc), seem to be outsourcing their sensors to Sony (and maybe some other guys too), its a good idea, to be able to get good sensors, outsourced, at the exact specification, that you want. And, back-illuminated sensors,wired well, seems to the future of good photography (video and stills). I think, many of the issues regarding technology, revolves around the fact, that Technology Heads in Big Corporations, are still old school guys, well into their 50s and 60s, and would not really know, more than half the features, in their phones. Also, I am guessing, companies will spend a fortune on hardware, but, they aren't innovating, where software is concerned. There aren't enough apps, regarding syncing and controlling your DSLRs, to begin with. And, very few of them (like DSLR Controller), really offer worthwhile apps. Another thing i the whole 4-2-0, 4-2-2 and 4-4-4 debate, is heading nowhere. Companies don't mind adding a list of features, to sync your DSLR with your Tablet, Phablet or Phone (through wi-fi and Bluetooth) , but, they don't want to give you a better codec. I am guessing, that, there are many opportunities, for start-ups, on sites like Kickstarter, to create a camera, that will bring to the consumers, something, that they really want. Rather than force feeding them, on bullshit.

The BMCC is a phenomenal camera, especially considering the price, no matter what anyone says. Also, despite being the first one to come out of the Blackmagic stables, it is still a seriously good camera. IMO, though, I a not sure it is a DSLR killer. Well, for many reasons. 1. It weights a LOT more than the GH2, and even other DSLRs. Whereas the 5D Mark iii vs BMCC's dimensions and weight: Dimensions: 152.0 x 116.4 x 76.4 mm vs 166.2 x 113.51 x 126.49mm Weight: 950g (including battery and SD card) vs 1.7kgs (the battery is internal, non-removable).Thats almost Twice the weight of the Mark iii. And almost 4 times the weight of the GH2 (it weighs 444gms, with the battery and SD card). The SSD Drives, I am guessing, with add a noticeable amount of weight, to the BMCC. 2. Most people who shot with the 5D and the GH2, would obviously be aware, of the inherent imitations in (actual) Dynamic range and score in coloring and grading. They don't care too much about it. 3. The 12 Bit Raw and 4-4-4 is more of an Alexa and RED killer. The DSLRs aren't even close to that pedigree. I believe, that even though RED pretended to be targeting Canon, it was actually more seriously, attempting to wean away customers, from the BMCC. 4. DSLRs video is more out of the box. And, if you use a certain kind of profile, which is reasonably flat, you could tweak the video, in post, a LITTLE. 5. Good quality Sound recording is as much a headache on DSLRs, as it is on DSLRs. You need good quality mics, for both, though, due to terrible on-board sound, and lack of monitoring in most DSLRs (except the the D800, Mark ii, GH3 etc), sound recorders like the Zoom H4n or pre-amps (if you don't wanna sync) JuicedLink, are a necessity. A lot of Guerilla shooter even use recordes like teh H1, and sync later. Probably even dub, later. 6. I feel, a lot of amateur shooters and semi-professional cameras are not interested in using Rails and Mat Boxes, and even Follow Focuses. Especially people (like me) who like the whole charm of gorilla shooting. I am guessing, that most BMCC users will add all these, to make the BMCC, shooting, as professional as possible. 7. There are DSLR shooters, who use crews of 20-50, with matt boxes, follow focuses, serious lighting (HMIs, Tungstens, Fresnels etc). The word, for describing this pedigree of idiots, hasn't been coined, yet. Especially, since the FS100, AF100, FS700, C300 have come into the scene. 8. The BMCC cannot be used as a crash cam/ action cam. The new Hero 3 seems to be pretty decent, though, it cannot really replace the GH2 or even the 5D. For multi-cam action sequences, DSLRs don't seem to have a replacement. Yet. 9. The D800 and 5D Mark ii hover around the BMCC price. If you can afford 3k, for a video camera, add another 3k to that, for the SSD cards, and the upgrade, to your edit set-up, and Voila !!! 10. The GH2 costs $700, and the 7D costs $1500. The T4i costs $800. If DSLR, is something, that one is looking, for, then, there are cheaper options, at a fraction of the cost of the BMCC (and the 5D Mark iii), for video. As videos have shown, saying that the 5D Mark iii or Mark ii some low light kings, is all bullshit, especially, if you cannot use that quality, for professional video. And, if it crushes details, at the cost of low light. 11. Since the Data Rate is reasonable, you don't need many TBs of storage. On the BMCC you need about 7GB of space, per minute of video, shot at 2.5k RAW. For other formats, there is a huge amount of compression, so, that should not be an issue. But, I am guessing, you wont be picking up the BMCC, if you wanna shoot 4-2-2 or 8 bit 12. Most DSLRs aren't too taxing on your system. You don't have to upgrade to 16GB RAMs (or more) and use Graphic Cards that cost as much as you entire computer, for editing DSLR video. The 5D Mark iii and the D800 are as lousy, for video, as their 4 year old cousin, the Mark ii. All the extra features are just publicity gimmicks. It hasn't added much to the video quality. They haven't added more than 50-100 lines of resolution and the 4-2-0 codec is the same. DSLRs and the BMCC were never in the same race, to begin with. The BMCC is a purebred greyhound, and the DSLR is a pekingese. There is no competition, between them. There never was.

Just got back from a very hectic trip, so seriously zonked. Pls excuse the typos n d abbreviations/ truncations Check the lines of resolution on the GH3 (within the 'headin Video Sharpness'). http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Panasonic-Lumix-GH3-Digital-Camera-Review/Video.htm#motion

btw. the test is very good. Its highlighted how FLAT the profile suddenly becomes.

You prefer sharpness at -2 or -3, as compared to -5. I didn't get the color bit. Are you saying, that color seems more flat, at sharpness, dialed down to -2 or -3, as compared to -5?

Julian, the blacks were looking much darker, in the earlier video, and the colors were a lot stronger. Its looking more natural now. It also, suddenly feels, from this corrected video, as thought the dynamic range has gone up What do you think? Did u like the color profiles, after they were dialed down to -5?

The video is softer, but, dialing down everything to -5, has made the color profile Much flatter. In the GH2, it was almost unnoticeable. On the GH3, the color profile at -5, seems midway between B&W and Color

Andrew, I am guessing, that, there appear to be High Key, Retro, etc, in the picture, as well as, the video profiles. (they come within CREATIVE CONTROL heading) This is the url Charlie pasted, above. http://panasonic.net...5100/index.html

[quote name='Matt' timestamp='1352560254' post='21449'] I have a Nexus 7 and hunted all over the web to see if there was a way to use it as an external moniter for the GH2 but there doesn't presently seem anyway to do it. [/quote] I wrote in, to them, requesting them to make an app, for the Panasonic GH2. I guess, if more people write in, they may be tempted, to make it compatible, with the GH2 (and later, perhaps, the GH3), as well. this is the url, to write in, to them: http://dslrcontroller.com/contact.php

[quote name='Germy1979' timestamp='1352490421' post='21424'] What's funny is, somebody whipped out forum senority on him in one comment, lol. "Who the f-ck do you think you are anyway... "Junior Member"...?! You know how many posts i've got!? Your opinion doesn't even MATTER, for another 319, son! Check out my handle.. It says 'veteran". ....HIGHLIGHTED! I'm a damn dyed in the wool forum american icon! I eat trolls & sh-t noobs for breakfast." [/quote] roflm(f)ao ... dude, i laughed so loud, my neighbours must have woken up. just too funny. Check this thread out. Its f%$king crazy: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3294441 Lets do the Mimicry/ Impersonation thing. Every1 can chose 1 favourite character, from some forum, and make a short 10-15 second video, and send it across (post it in good quality sound and Full HD). I will be the "Russian Freak (pronounced "Rhoosseean Reeekh"). And, the Topic for the short could be: "What the F#@c were Panasonic thinking. Why did they Not consult us???" ... :D

[quote name='QuickHitRecord' timestamp='1352489173' post='21420'] Now that's a short video skit just [i]begging[/i] to be made. [/quote] Maybe everyone on EOSHD, can send a video of their's, pretending to be (or impersonating) one of the freaks from one of these discussion groups, and then, we could color correct all the footage, and make it into a short. We could chose screen names, similar to some characters, in one of these forums. :D that would be Hilarious ...

[quote name='Germy1979' timestamp='1352488356' post='21416'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3][background=rgb(247, 247, 247)]Lmao.. Dp review... Weird...[/background][/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3][background=rgb(247, 247, 247)]If filmmaking forum was a city, dp review would be like, a dark alley at 2:00 am in Compton.[/background][/size][/font][/color] [/quote] :P

hahaha ... apparently one hapless sould tried to reason and figure out why, but, it didn't, apparently, help ... :P http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3296058