Andrew Reid

[html][img]http://www.eoshd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/nikon-d800-2.jpg[/img] Above: frame grab from Longshan’s Temple shot on the Nikon D800 in Taiwan. [url="http://vimeo.com/38912704"]Click here[/url] to go to the Vimeo page and to download the original. These findings have rather taken me aback. Not only is the Nikon D800′s video quality far better than the Nikon D4 and more detailed than the 5D Mark III, the low light performance of the raw sensor data is nip and tuck with the Nikon D4 despite having double the megapixel count. Even more surprising is that the D800 just scored the number 1 position overall on DXOMark… out-performing a PhaseONE digital back! Needless to say this camera is now on my radar. [url="http://www.eoshd.com/content/7590/first-truly-representative-nikon-d800-video-footage-dxomark-says-sensor-is-best-ever/"]Read full article[/url] [/html]

[quote author=biginvegas link=topic=454.msg2860#msg2860 date=1332517823] So you bought the FS100 and [i]consistently never mention[/i] or dismiss the Panasonic Af100 that has now dropped into that $4200k price zone. I have just shot a feature doc, shooting it solo with a hacked GH2 (driftwood) and AF100 with mostly the Voigtlander 0.95. as it was mostly a night shoot.  The only issue I had shooting daily for 6 weeks with the GH2 was inconsistent decent sound (Beachtek to XLR mic or Zoom H4N) as compared to the AF100 plug in my Rode NTG and go.  The AF as a pro doc camera for its price is the best out there.  I often backpacked both and would shoot depending on circumstances. Intimate more personal space the GH2.  Events, out door run and gun, the AF rocked handheld or with a monopod, no rig needed even though I own the Cineroid EVF.  I did the full comparison with the FS100 when I bought the AF.  Barry Greens ( I know how you love the guy!) comparison pretty much summed up the two for me. [url=http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?260461-FS100-and-AF100-compared&highlight=af100+v+sony+fs100]http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?260461-FS100-and-AF100-compared&highlight=af100+v+sony+fs100[/url] The only issue I have is blown highlights in the AF100 that I get around by either figuring out composition in shot, use the GH2 or live with the image and try grade.  This is documentary after all and it's always how I tell the story first (that is get the story!) rather than what my footage looks like.  BTW peaking on AF100, in camera ND's and waveform excellent when I'm handheld run and gun. I'm putting in an order for the Voigt 17mm 0.95 and with that and my Nikon primes figure I'm good to go for next few feature docs and several years to come.  At the moment cutting and still shooting and I'm 60-40 GH2 ratio of shooting but expect to be 50-50 by end. [/quote] I just don't think, aside from the ND, that the AF100 offers much over the FS100 because it has a weaker sensor and a bulkier form factor. The GH2 has better image quality for $600 with the hack. I don't need the AF100 alongside it, the FS100 is just flat out better for my needs. Read Barry's views on the AF100 vs FS100 and he is welcome to keep them!

[quote author=tungah link=topic=454.msg2861#msg2861 date=1332518594] No Canon 1DX love? [/quote] Not used one but on paper, nothing to offer over 5D Mark III for video apart from an eye watering price tag.

[html][img]http://www.eoshd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/digital-cinema-cameras-guide.jpg[/img] Disclaimer: I usually say don’t wait – shoot with what you can get now, the best you can afford. But March 2012 is an unusual month because NAB 2012 is around the corner in April. The picture may change somewhat. Bear that in mind! The candidates are: [url="http://www.eoshd.com/content/7576/which-digital-cinema-camera-to-get-now/"]Read full article[/url] [/html]

There is still hope. Just don't hold your breath. You'll die seven times before gaining 1% better image.

[quote author=Sara link=topic=444.msg2845#msg2845 date=1332489604] https://vimeo.com/38957580 F3 and FS100 wow! [/quote] Pretty pretty good.

Do you have an orange sun tan as well Simco?  8) A generous offer but I shall hold off for now... 5D Mark III remains with me for now. I'm seeing if I can work with it and solve some of the issues like the codec noise and softness in post.

It is variable bitrate, the allocated amount depends on what you're shooting. Stop the lens down to F11, go wide angle, in good light with lots of movement and detail then test again.

Here's my go at it... Kind of depressing trying to make a $3500 camera look like a $600 to be honest. But it does sharpen up without too many nasties. Nice... Sort of. Still not convinced it can fully be salvaged in motion though... Isn't all this digital sharpening very un-cinematic and eye fatiguing in motion? It certainly seems it to my eye so far, but thanks for the inspiration. GH2 on the left. Sharpened 5D3 shot is on right of first screen shot. Original is bottom file right side.

[quote author=Sara link=topic=405.msg2831#msg2831 date=1332468451] Though not GH2 or C300 or FS100 levels of detail - this is the best I have seen from the D800 thus far.  He overexposed a lot of shots and the colors are a touch flat (true of all D800 videos so far - not his fault). Interesting though. https://vimeo.com/38912704 [/quote] NOW my head hurts! This looks far more detailed and less compressed than any other D800 footage thus far. There's a few nasties... macro blocking around highlights in the red channel and some aliasing on horizontal lines... But it really does look close to proper full HD. Quite unlike what I have seen from the D4 so far as well. All the softness seemed to have gone. Maybe it is the magic of Longshan's Temple?  ;)

This is interesting!

I'm interested to try some sharpening in post. What are you using? By the way I think this is too over sharpened... Fine for a still but it would look very animated in motion.

Great ISO but I agree with my 'GF' Sara  :P There's no detail! It looks really electronic and plastic. Actually this is a great example of my main critique of the 5D Mark III. Look at the Vimeo embed above at the detailing on the asphalt and the area with tons of highlights and lights. Looks lovely. Then see if you can resist puking when viewing it full screen.

[quote author=gene_can_sing link=topic=444.msg2819#msg2819 date=1332452257] About 4 years ago, Canon was handed the keys to a lucrative new species of camera. How they managed to Fu#K it up so bad is beyond comprehension. There was NO competition and they could have just owned this industry if they just weren't so greedy. [/quote] Same goes for Nikon, with the D90. They lucked into the ENTIRE DIGITAL CINEMA MARKET. With a live view function! I repeat... I live view function on a consumer DSLR! And what do they do!?? Canon decide to charge $16000 and Nikon decide to ignore it. My patience only goes so far. That is why I am Sony and Panasonic until further mind changes.

[quote author=5DGH link=topic=444.msg2810#msg2810 date=1332444620] [quote author=5DGH link=topic=444.msg2800#msg2800 date=1332434463] "Today I bought a Sony FS100." Considering what you've said all those years, not to mention your criticizing others, I find it very surprising that you bought FS100 - just like the others. I understand your disappoint with 5d Mk III but you've always hailed GH2 over cams such as FS100. In that regard, nothing is changed. GH2 is still GH2 and FS100 is still FS100. Yet, you're now with FS100. What gives? [/quote] Now you're listing all the good things. A while ago, you wrote this: [url=http://www.eoshd.com/content/588/the-sony-fs100-why-professionals-are-all-mad]http://www.eoshd.com/content/588/the-sony-fs100-why-professionals-are-all-mad[/url] along with many other posts & mentions dissing FS100. If I'm not mistaken, articles on EOSHD is not written by a team of people, right? [/quote] I'm still the same person but I've changed my mind about the FS100. Substitute FS100 for F3 or C300 in that article and it still stands  ;D My point there was that the FS100 was £4500 more than a DSLR, yet similar image quality (to GH2). That is still true but we are talking about the £3000 5D Mark III here. The FS100 is a year old and has come down to around $4000 used and $4699 new. The one I bought cost £2750 when converted from the USD price of $4300. The UK RRP of the 5D Mark III is £3000. So it actually works out cheaper to get a FS100 than this particular DSLR, with all that extra video functionality. And last time I looked, 5D Mark III doesn't do slow mo does it?  ::) Things change, and I change my mind to adapt...

[quote author=5DGH link=topic=444.msg2800#msg2800 date=1332434463] "Today I bought a Sony FS100." Considering what you've said all those years, not to mention your criticizing others, I find it very surprising that you bought FS100 - just like the others. I understand your disappoint with 5d Mk III but you've always hailed GH2 over cams such as FS100. In that regard, nothing is changed. GH2 is still GH2 and FS100 is still FS100. Yet, you're now with FS100. What gives? [/quote] Happy to tell you. I'll be using the GH2 and 5D Mark III seriously so I am now going to be shooting *just* with the FS100. Though there will be more FS100 coverage on the blog as a result, because I blog about what I use. The FS100 at the moment has become a seriously attractive camera and the only real DSLR alternative. C300 is ridiculously over priced. The main things that have changed between when the FS100 and the GH2 first came out over a year ago, is as follows... - The price. FS100 is now $4000 2nd hand. B&H are doing a rebate on it new, which comes to $4699. At release it was over $6000. The price in the UK where I live is much higher, but I can have it imported from the US for the same price as a new 5D Mark III in the UK, even with tax added. - Firmware update due imminently will add PAL to the NTSC camera. I need this! - I need slow-mo and a flat image profile for a project I'm doing. 1080/60p is lovely and it does a 100fps over-crank. - External recorders are getting very good and the FS100 does very good 1080/60p 4:2:2 uncompressed via HDMI which is very attractive. No DSLR does this. On the current Ninja you have to use 1080/24p in a 1080i wrapper. This will change with newer models. - Better built in LCD and peaking - Better in low light than GH2. The sensor is also slightly larger and has less rolling shutter. For sure the GH2 is still mega bang for buck. But we must recognise that the rise of the video camera is coming after DSLR video at lower and lower price points, so it is now a factor for the masses not just the elite who use the C300, etc. It is exciting. PS - For shoots where I need stealth factor I will definitely not be using the FS100, and I still prefer the ergonomics of the GH2 to be honest. It is small and easy to handle whilst the buttons on the FS100 are all over the damn place!

[html][url="http://www.vimeo.com/38959690"]http://www.vimeo.com/38959690[/url] The 5D Mark III is the long awaited 4 years in the making successor to the one that really started it all. Have Canon managed to keep the DSLR video flame alive? [url="http://www.eoshd.com/content/7551/canon-5d-mark-iii-review/"]Read full article[/url] [/html]

I have noticed that there's quite a big difference between having sharpness at zero, and having it even just 1 or 2 notches above. Minimum sharpness does seem to turn it off completely. Looks like sharpening digitally in post rather than in-camera is way to go with the Mark III. Please keep the tests coming sir!

One to watch!

Some interesting views here. The 5D Mark III has an incredible sensor but having some issues with codec noise today. I thought they'd fixed the codec, well... Not quite it seems. Shot first proper project today on 5D Mark III so new material uploading now.

Thanks for that. Was expecting the still to be better. The camera does stunning stills. The video doesn't sharpen well, quite a lot of halos visible.

[quote author=Simco123 link=topic=434.msg2728#msg2728 date=1332306156] If GH2 can improve on the DR, highlight roll off, wacky consumer colours and electronic look I will always look for answers in a dSLR.[/quote] That is a really wacky statement. The GH2 keeps more of the original DR from the sensor than any other DSLR on the market. Compare how much is in a 5D Mark II raw still to what is left over in the video mode. DR in video mode is currently not sensor limited but depends more on the image processing and scaling side. The colours are anything but wacky on the GH2 and it has a very highly gradable image with the hack because so much data is maintained with the high bitrates. True the sensor does not do colour like a Canon DSLR. But the difference is more subtle than you give it credit for. As for the electronic look this is your fault not the camera's. Shoot better I suggest  :P

[quote author=magjipro link=topic=434.msg2727#msg2727 date=1332305283] A lot of things are wrong with this post and review.... Also I've always been skeptical with shooting with non Canon L glass, as a photographer shooting and full resolution you see the weakness in lesser glass. [/quote] Oh dear you don't get it my friend. PS, since when has Leica been 'lesser glass'. Shots above were with the 50mm R mount Leica stopped down to F5.6. I challenge you to get sharper than that!

@ Jeff - the D4 isn't better for resolution apart from in 2.7x crop mode with the same effective sensor size as a Nikon J1. I think you'll be disappointed with your decision, sorry. In short, resolution is terrible on both cameras compared to what true 1080p should really look like. I urge both Canon AND Nikon to sort their act out. I'm also having some terrible issues with noise at base ISO with my footage and gamma issues with the codec. That issue is on my Mac, but not via HDMI to a TV or projector! Not a good start to be honest.

[quote author=gene_can_sing link=topic=434.msg2711#msg2711 date=1332286504]With that said, for $3500, it should have true HD. Canon Sucks. The FS-100 is calling and I just don't know how much longer I can wait for Canon to get their act together, especially with the Metabones adaptor. Yes I am PISSED that I have to wait even longer for the 4K C-DSLR. The thing is, I have no problem dropping 6K on a camera, just want the right one. FULL FRAME with true 1080p. Also, put a F-Ing flip screen on it. Fixed screens suck for video. [/quote] Every sympathy. I think you hit the nail on the head with this.