Julian

I have a GTX 660Ti 2GB, it's reasonably quiet (when idle) and rather cheap. The performance of this card is below the 580/590 etc, but the price/performance is quite good. It can be had rather cheap (€250). For me a more expensive card wasn't an option.   A lot of cards aren't officially compatible with Adobe Premiere CS6, the whole GeForce 6 series isn't certified (yet) by Adobe so it won't run GPU accelerated by default, but you can easily fix that by changing a config file.    Here you can find a lot of benchmarks with different cards: http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/277/20501

Shot some more with the Anamorphic lens cap. Still experimenting. Tried some focus pulls.   http://vimeo.com/61045763   Panasonic GH2 - Driftwood Moon Trail 5 hack (HBR 25 fps) Minolta 58mm f/1.4 - mostly at f/2.8, some at f/2 and f/4. ISO 160 - 2500. Footage is ungraded, I did apply unsharp mask though.

  I come from a photography background, so this whole native iso thing confuses me a bit. In photography, the base iso is always 100 or 200. You will get the best result on such iso values. Best dynamic range, least noise, etc. Some dslr's you can pull to iso 50 (or 100 from 200) and indeed the quality on such values is worse than the native iso range. This is more of an issue at higher values though, the usual 'high' or 'extended' iso-ratings.   I've seen this 'native iso' term being dropped more often. It's like in video you only have one native iso setting? In photography you would say you have a native iso range of 100 to 6400, and you can pull to 50 and push to 12800 and beyond, for example. But I get the understanding that for video you have only one native iso value and that every other value is just pushed or pulled (on the BMCC for example). Why is that?   It especially surprises me that you mention the 1D C in this regard. It has the same 18 megapixel sensor as the 1D X, right? The 1D X surely gives the best results at it's lowest iso values. How would that be different with the 1D C?

This is both on the GH3? The second video looks perfect. The detail at T1.5 is fine, don't you think? Yes, it gets a bit better / more contrasty at T2, but that is normal.   The first video doesn't look very sharp indeed. Fact is that if you dial down sharpness all the way on the GH3 you get a softer image, but still, it looks a bit too soft maybe. It could be that the focus is a little off. Since your second sample looks fine, I don't think there's anything wrong with the lens.   So you say on your Canon 7D it is sharper?

  Post some footage of both the 7D and the GH3..

Thanks, the download is fast anyway :)

I might give it a try in DaVinci Resolve Lite. I'm also pretty new to color grading so don't expect wonders ;)   /Edit: I have to register to download the files. Don't like that. Try WeTransfer.com or mega.co.nz.

  Camcorder colors in a cinema camera :) I think they used a fancy picture profile with a lot of contrast/saturation. Nothing wrong with having the possibility, but they should at least make a video completely opposite to this look just to show how cinematic it can be.

http://vimeo.com/60513941   Shot for the Vimeo Weekend Challenge. [url=https://vimeo.com/videoschool/lesson/356/weekend-challenge-a-unique-point-of-view]Theme: Point of View[/url]   I rigged my good old Canon 5D (Mark 1...) and Panasonic GH2 on a Velbon SPT-1 lens support rig to be able to use both at the same time and to create a variety of POV shots.   Just before I left the door I slapped Driftwood's Moon Trail 5 hack on the GH2. This is my first try so far but the quality looks great I think.   I used a Sony 16GB UHS-1 96mb/s card but that wasn't reliable at all with the hack. Camera crashed after recording for 6 minutes, could save most of the file but lost some footage as well. Also playback didn't work properly. Switched to my 8GB SanDisk UHS-1 95mb/s, that seemed to work fine.   All the video was shot with the Panasonic GH2 and 14mm f/2.5 1080p25 HBR (around 60mbps) f/2.5 1/50s ISO 3200   The Canon 5D was armed with a 50mm f/1.4, settings vary.

This is because the anamorphic lens has a certain minimum focus distance. In your case that probably would be around 3 meters. To achieve good results with closer focus, you will need to use diopters in front of the anamorphic lens.

  The Vimeo Video School is a great place to learn the basics like this, with good examples!

Sounds like a fun experiment, I have no idea how the image quality will turn out.   I think in theory it should work. But you would have to find out what focal length the enlarger lens has, what the focus distance is and if your anamorphic can be used on top of it without generating vignetting. You'd probably need diopters as well.   What are you shooting with? why film? It's much easier on digital for sure ;) And as long as you aren't shooting medium format or bigger I don't see any reason for using film.

Thanks for the comparison! Lovely images. The Iscorama wins for me. The Iscomorphot 8/2x is nice as well. I really have to get mine going but I think something is wrong with it.. Can't seem to get sharp images at big apertures, I'll make a topic about it soon.   I also like the F8 look. I think bigger apertures could still be useful with longer focus distances, to get a similar bokeh.

Get a variable ND filter, use the settings Andrew provided and you're good to go.

With the EXTC crop mode on the GH2/GH3 you can get more reach btw. As long as the light is good, the quality of the EXTC mode isn't bad either.

It's a shame the controls are so crippled. Only 30 fps, no full manual controls afaik. Otherwise the Nikon 1's would be a pretty fun cheap camera for playing around with C-mount lenses etc.

I really appreciate the idea. But I can see many problems with this project. I'll give my opinion.   You aren't selling any actual camera's/parts. The DIY idea is nice, but still, $1500-$2500 seems quite a bit of money for a product with a small sensor that you have to hook up to a separate recording device. We are almost talking BMCC money here. What is the advantage of a Frankencamera over a finished product like that?   Developments are going FAST. By the time something is announced it's hot, when it is actually available it's already outdated in some ways. Look at the Digital Bolex. Not saying it is outdated, but when the project started it was an amazing idea and a steal for the money and there weren't any alternatives. Yet, it still isn't available, there is a BMCC now at a similar price point and who knows what's coming in the next half year?   I see you dropping the name CMOSIS here. Interesting! Why not tell in the project that this is the Belgium manufacturer that produces the fullframe sensor for the new Leica M? It sure gives me confidence knowing you're sourcing sensors from CMOSIS. Much more than not knowing anything about the supplier - especially after the BMCC sensor problems.    The 'proof' is a problem. So you say the sensor exists. If CMOSIS is actually producing it, there must be a way to find some kind of images out of it. Seeing actual images, seeing an actual concept of a camera, that would make people enthusiastic about this project. You say CMOSIS doesn't rent sensors, but how about finding someone or some company that actually uses the sensor? How about asking CMOSIS to provide some raw files?   If I understand correctly, the funding is basically ment for you to gather the parts and turn the concept into a working camera. I don't have anything against that, but it is a completely different approach from most successful crowd funding campaigns, where by pledging you actually buy something.   How can you know for sure/guarantee that your build will work? If you can, why not invest a bit for the first prototype yourself, impress us with something. Even if it only works half way. I just strongly feel this project needs a bigger basis and I'm sure the investment will pay off. If it doesn't, at least you have your own unique frankencamera :)   Again, don't get me wrong. I love the idea. It's something I've been thinking about as well. If there was a DIY guide for turning something like a Flea3 4k camera into a mini awesome cinema camera I would be in line. How about a GoPro 3HD with manual controls and a interchangeable C-mount. I'd buy that! I have actually modified a Sony Bloggie cam myself, took out the lens and glued a C-mount onto it (It is a very sloppy job and gives funky images, It was an idea that I wanted to explore more), just for the sake of trying it.   You don't ask much of an investment. But you also don't offer much prospects right now. I don't think the project isn't very likeable at the moment. If you could show something, I think it would be more successful.   Anyway, I would be happy to see you succeed and I look forward to the outcome.

And autofocus with AF-D lenses.

I had the chance to try a preproduction model yesterday. It still has the silly aperture bug. I tried to look for moire in the video, I could see it on the display of the camera, but when hooked up to a fullHD tv to playback the file it wasn't visible. I couldn't take any footage with me though.   I'm pretty sure it's the same sensor as the D5200 indeed. Interesting is the fact that at the presentation they said the hdmi-out is the same as the Nikon D600. Combine that with the notice on the website and it might mean you get the same black bars as the D600 does. Although that would be weird since de D5200 can output.   Photography wise (it is a photo camera..) it is a pretty big upgrade over the D5200. Sturdy weatherproof body, 51 autofocus points, 6 fps full res and 7 fps in 1,3x crop. Great sports/wildlife camera for the money.

It's a modified Helios, right? Could you share a bit of the process? what are you actually changing about the lens and how? That'd be interesting to see.

I've never seen noise showing up in highlights more than in shadows. Is that even possible?

  @Andrew: Also, if you find the time/possibilities, I'd like to learn more about shooting with an external recorder. Never done this before. What are the options, prices, drawbacks etc. What would you suggest for a budget shooter in combination with the D5200?   The BlackMagic Shuttle seems to be the cheapest option. I really like the Atomos Ninja 2 with built in monitor, but it's pricey... It would be nice if there was something in between with monitoring options.

This is looking great! Can't wait to see more.

2013 is going to be an interesting year for the cheap shooters :) Nikon is off with a good start. I expect more with the same/similar sensor (D7000 successor). Sony will have a new 20 megapixelsensor with supposedly better dynamic range. First in the A58 (not so interesting), but probably later in NEX-camera's as well. Canon definitely has to come with a new sensor. No way they can recycle this ancient 18 megapixel chip again... I'm curious what a new Canon-sensor would bring though. They have too much of their own offerings to protect as well... Anyway, before buying any aps-c dslr for video, right now I'd wait until all the big players have come up with their new sensor. I'd say first half of 2013 we've seen most of the new chips. Unless you need something right now off course.

Interesting move:   http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/lawsuit-red-digital-cinemas-sony-corp-the-hobbit-cameras/         Official document here: http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/RED-DIGITAL-SONY-PATENT-SUIT__130213155619.pdf   These are the patents RED says Sony is infringing: http://news.priorsmart.com/redcom-v-sony-corporation-of-america-l7D8/   Reading patents is a pain in the ass, but glancing over them, those patents look kinda broad... The patents are filed in 2008/2009, but granted in 2012 and one of them was granted on January 22nd 2013. I guess that explains why 'suddenly' RED is onto Sony.   Bad losers, or do they have a point?   Some interesting insights here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-video-industry-news/514305-red-sues-sony-regarding-f5-f55-patent-infringments.html#4