jpfilmz

There is NO WAY that Panasonic, Sony, or gh4 have better image quality than Blackmagic cinema and Pocket. And please don't bring up resolution, cause I don't care about that element. When it comes to color science and dynamic range, and subtleties of these images, Blackmagic is better.

I received my BM Pocket last week (after buying it in the summer sale and waiting aaaagggges for it).
 
Anyway, I haven't had much time to play with it so this is my first attempt (RAW and ProRes 422 mix):
 

 
Graded in FCPX (Resolve to convert the RAW)
 
I love the camera already. The image is just so rich and full and happy to be pushed around. The moire bothers me a fair bit, but it's not a deal breaker. 

Utterly pathetic stance by Canon.  They really don't care about dslr video shooters.  Regarding the 7D mark 2...I am interested to see what Magic Lantern people are able to get out of it.  60fps magic lantern raw would be of interest to me.  Other than that...I have no reason to look at any dlsr cameras from Canon anymore for video applications.

Maybe in 6 months to a year. Development on ML depends on the programmers actually owning the cameras and can be quite slow because of that. By the time it likely gets a decent ML upgrade, the 7Dii will be even more woefully behind the competition.

It's unfortunate that Canon isn't upgrading their DSLR video quality to be competitive. Lots of us have many Canon lenses and being able to shoot very high quality stills as well as video with a single camera is very, very useful. If the 5D3 successor had an XAVC 422 10-bit class codec with log encoding and at least 5D3 RAW-level resolution, it would rock. Between the A7S and GH4, 5D3 RAW produces superior color and video quality (except extreme low light and of course no 4K).
 
Good for Nikon and the D810- folks with Nikon lenses can now have an excellent stills camera with autofocus that shoots nice video.
 
Regarding the post down sampling-low pass filter comment to remove moire/aliasing: if that were possible we'd have plugins which remove aliasing in our NLEs. Mathematically, it's necessary to perform low-pass filtering before downsampling to prevent aliasing during downsampling. The only way I'm aware to remove aliasing/moire in post effectively is via super-resolution algorithms, which haven't been commercially available (research stage or only in limited hardware/embedded systems).

The new format is excellent.

Had some good news here just this very morning...
 

 
It's a replacement unit for the BMPCC I bought as a summer sale-deal well over a month back. Already frowned when they wanted to sell me an unsealed box, but since it looked unused, was promised it wasn't a demo model and with no other way of getting one any sooner in sight (it was litterally the last one anywhere), I just took it. I unfortunately then had to return it the next day because it showed hot pixels of which the effect was especially pronounced and very distracting at 800ASA and 1600ASA (with the about 30+ hot pixels showing, you'd almost think you're watching star constellations). They would then send it back to Blackmagic requesting to replace it.
 
I waited over a month with no news whatsoever, so last week I thought it was time to put on a little pressure. The lady at the store was very understanding, and they in turn put some pressure on Blackmagic. On friday they then promised us a brand new unit would arrive next week, which means: this week. And whattayaknow, this morning they called me saying it had arrived! So I just went and picked it up. Brand new sealed unit, as where it's only guessing where the other one originated (maybe their online store had a customer who bought it and then sent it back within the cooldown period (which you can do without an explanation why) and they just put it back on the shelf?). The old serialno. started with '1672..', this one with '2014..', no idea if that's any indication whatsoever, but the other one must've been one of the earlier batches and this must be brand spanking new. In meanwhile I had already ordered and received some spare batteries and a charger from Patona, so those can finally be put to good use as well.
 
Now just got to make sure this unit is ok, so I'll put on the latest firmware and run a few tests! I hope this time around my experience with the BMPCC will be flawless and then this 475,- EUR is verrrrryyy well spent I'd say. :lol: What a bargain. Hope all of you who ordered one will receive 'em soon too!
 
- Upd. Gave it a spin (without touching the FW) and 800ASA looks absolutely fine to me. At 1600ASA perhaps you could argue that you see some hints of hot pixels. But to be honest, you will need your monitor at full brightness, film in a way to make it more obvious, know what to look for and not apply any noise reduction whatsoever. It blends in with the noise and is very very faint. Not an issue.
 
The only thing bothersome I came across was some pixel pop-ups/flashes (lasts only one frame, but intense enough to notice).
 

 

 
But it might have something to do with using the [focus]-button whilst filming (in 800ASA; and not that you should be using the autofocus feature anyways, but I was testing schtuff you know).
 
-- Upd. Well, no joy there. It seems to be independent of ASA-setting and/or focussing or not. Maybe two or three frames in a minute of footage are effected. Surely you can correct this in post easily without too much hassle (although now you have to carefully analyze the footage several times and make sure not to blink in order to get 'em all covered), but still, it's not really supposed to behave like this of course. Could try and shoot with another freshly formatted card.
 
Will now go and update the firmware to the latest 1.9.3, see if that helps and checkout the new style and features.
 
--- Upd. I like the new FW. Still I keep getting these pop-up pixels now and again though. FW update, ProRes LT or HQ, one card or the next... no difference.

I just watched this video and it convinced me that the C100 is still far and away the best all-round moving-image camera under $5000.
 

 
The image is just awesome despite the specs and there are no compromises with functionality (apart from the poor EVF - does anyone use the C100's EVF effectively on a regular basis?).

Indeed.  I just finished a production for a client who entertained the notion that his quad flying shots were appropriate for his film.  It was incredibly difficult to diplomatically try to inform him how to fly his toy.
 
Ultimately, he just liked to fly the damn thing high to the point where the landscape basically looked nondescript/static and then he would just pan and tilt the camera around randomly.  Augh.  
 
Some people would rather hang a painting of Kincaid in the house than a Wyeth.
 
I just had to accept it.  Lots of folks just don't get it.  Their subjectivity skews toward tacky.  With flying shots it's typically low, slow, and in a straight line.  It's really that simple.

Shot this earlier this week during the Feast of St Joan.  I think it came out pretty cool.
 

Thanks!  "Leon" was shot on the Arri Alexa. 

I wanted to share a test video I shot with my new GH4 out at night on the streets of NYC. 
 
It was shot on the 60fps VFR mode with a Sigma 30mm 1.4 for Nikon + Metabones speed booster. 
 
I've heard lots of people saying this camera is awful for low-light shooting, but so far i'm pretty happy with it. 
 

Heck of a rant, but I'll agree with it.  
 
The tech to realize cinematic art is cheap and easy now.  Almost anything you can buy can render a great image if you know the craft of it all.  However, when one is overly involved with worrying about the tech, they're missing opportunities to be artistic.
 
Being artistic is hard though.  Buying cool camera stuff is easy. 

I have heard of day for night.....but who would want to shoot night for day?

I've spent the last several months in Dubai doing work for Etihad Airways.  Directed/shot/edited these pieces, plus several more coming up soon. 
 
RawRec --> Rawmagic --> Resolve, export flat (BMDFilm) --> FCP X (Apply LUT + EOSHD 5dMKIII LUT)   Rokinon 14mm, 24mm, 35mm Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Canon 16-35mm Canon 24-105mm   Lighting: 2.5k HMI 1k HMI Litepanels 1x1 LED Panels   Titles were done by the agency.  Music by my friend Steve Davis at Trevor Morris Music.  
Cabin Showcases:
 

 

 

 
Launch video for "brand ambassador" Martin Kaymer:
 

All in the hands of the user. 
It can look pretty great if used properly.

 
I'm not sure why that short in the OP came out the way it did. Perhaps Nick was playing a big prank on all of us? I didn't care for the image either, but I know Nick is capable of better. 
 

Hi, just wanted to share this with you guys in case you were interested. I did a paid gig for a band and used a mark ii and mark iii with RAW during the entire shoot because our EPIC was acting up.

I was extremely pleased with what came out of the camera. See for yourself:


 
For gear, we used the mark ii for the "science" stuff, because the moire and alialising wouldn't be a problem in those scenes. The 60's living room and greenhouse were shot with the mark iii. 
 
For light we had 3 kineflows for the science stuff and used an M18 and M8 HMI light for the other stuff. 
Lenses were the great Samyang 35 & 85 and a Canon 50 1.2 for the in between shots. I didn't have trouble getting the width I needed because of the full frame factor.
 
Fun fact: all the space scenes were filmed oldschool Douglas Trumbull style using glass, liquids and GLITTER.

Hope you enjoy it.

I'm definitely shooting ML RAW again, we had absolutely zero problems.

Out of curiosity I purchased one of these to measure the computers/electronics around me: http://www.amazon.com/Trifield-100XE-EMF-Meter/dp/B00050WQ1G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398562001&sr=8-1&keywords=radiation+meter . I ended up moving some equipment around so that I would only be exposed to 2-3mGauss (some UPSs were outputting 100+mG). About a year later I purchased a new MBP and got the meter out to check it. I turned the meter on and the meter was pegged (100+mG, perhaps over 200mG based on the increasing scale). I thought, wow Apple, that's not cool. Then figured perhaps the batteries were low or the meter was bad, since as I walked away from the laptop, the meter didn't drop. I put a new battery in it- same issue. I tried another meter (had also purchased a directional meter)- same issue. I noticed as I walked away from the window the meter dropped a little. So I left the apartment, and walked down the hall. The meter slowly dropped. I left the building until out in the middle of the street- finally back down to 2-3mG. Then a lightbulb went on- about 6 months after I purchased the meter,  SoCal Edison had upgraded the power lines by my window. I had measured right at the window when I got the meter to check the power lines- it was 3mG. I returned to the same window position and the meter was pegged- 100+mG (guessing over 200mG from increasing scale).
 
I had developed this weird shoulder issue where the muscles always stayed contracted- it was my right shoulder and figured was due to mouse/computer use. However every time I left the apartment for a few days or more, my shoulder got better. I never put 2+2 together regarding the upgraded power line. So, I moved everything out of those rooms away from the power line as much as possible (new locations were about 15-30mG, still too high but much lower). My shoulder got better in about a week. I asked my MD if this could be psychosomatic- he said, probably not, he's heard from plenty of patients whose issue(s) got better after reducing EMF exposure.
 
I took the meter with me when looking for a new place to live. I was surprised how bad other places were, but none as high as the old place (top floor, right by power line). Surprisingly, landlords and real estate agents said other people did this practice as well (brought meters with them). The new place I moved to reads less than 2mG in most areas.
 
High EMF is linked to brain cancer, ALS, Alzheimer's, and leukemia, however the evidence is not yet strong enough for the EPA to regulate it and/or politics and influence from the power companies: http://www.epa.gov/radtown/power-lines.html. They suggest moving away from the source of EMF, which I did. Another weird symptom was strange allergies- was it something in that apartment other than EMF? I don't know, but I brought all my equipment and furniture from the old place- so far no more allergies.
 
Regarding ionizing radiation. What does it do? It damages your cells and DNA over time. The good news is if you're eating healthy, exercising, and getting plenty of antioxidants, your body can repair the damage (including DNA) if the doses aren't too high. The problem with studying the health risks is the wide level of variables. Cancer from low-dose long exposure radiation is hard to prove a source of the cause. Smoking won't kill you right away, but it may lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. Some folks won't get cancer because their bodies can handle the toxic smoke. Others who only got second hand smoke will get cancer. It took a long time to overcome politics, etc., for the truth to get out and for warning labels to be required. That said, people smoke anyways, some still smoking after getting cancer/emphysema, as nicotine is so addictive. Many people think they are immortal or don't think they care about living a long healthy life. However after getting sick some decide they want to live and radically change their behavior.
 
I used to snicker a bit about the 'tin foil hat people'. Now, if there is a known risk and it's easy to avoid, I don't think twice about avoiding the risk. The only issue about the new Faraday cage-like place is I can't get OTA digital TV signals and Verizon coverage is poor (I'm using ATT, some friends use Verizon and their phones don't work very well) :)
 
I could go on about heavy metals, but that's further off topic and a story for another day (short summary- avoid mercury and aluminum in vaccines, don't drink tap water (use RO or distillation and add trace minerals), remove amalgam fillings, skip gadolinium contrast if you ever do an MRI, limit large fish consumption (except perhaps wild salmon), don't drink bismuth (Pepto Bismol etc.)). Two books which can be very helpful:
http://www.amazon.com/Amalgam-Illness-Diagnosis-Treatment-Better/dp/0967616808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398564805&sr=8-1&keywords=heavy+metal+cutler
http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Test-Interpretation-Finding-Toxicities/dp/0967616816/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1398564805&sr=8-3&keywords=heavy+metal+cutler

I've been taking apart a Super Multi Coated Takumar 50mm 1.4 to clean the fungus and I've touched the radioactive elements with my fingers! How many extra heads am I going to grow??

Who the fuck are you anyway? I demand a clarification too. 

I had a chance to play with the Sony AX100 in Best Buy last week.  This rolling shutter is JUST LIKE IT in 4K mode.  I will say that the AX100 did have a great image in 4K and the rolling shutter in 1080 mode was not bad at all.

For my needs I find the HDMI model a very useful companion for my future GH4; its a YAGH on steroids, its an external 4K recorder, it has an fullHD iPad-like video monitor, and more... all that in one single package, for me I found that convenient. 16 pounds of awesome, I know, a heavy price but its workable.
 
If I want light weight for run and gun gigs or get some quick shots just unplug it and you're good to go.
 
Now, price its not available for this model, if its more than $2k - $3k, I would not buy it... although thats the price for external recorders only, if you want XLR inputs thats another accessory...
 
Also, theres no info on whether it can be upgraded to add a sensor in the future.
 
I think it's to early to celebrate or complain, so will see.
 
PS: I honestly don't know WHY they used a 5D for the preview picture... makes no sense.

What will Canon do....10 grand DLSR 4K doesn't look so good sandwiched between the GH4/A7S and the BM line up & AJA CION?
AJA always seems to go the extra distance for quality and UI. 
I think I will now just get the GH4 for it's small footprint on board 4K and upgradable flexibility. And just rent the big guns when the job needs it. Fun times...indeed. 
 
Really you should check out Andra.com ....they can keep a .95 300mm in perfect focus with no rehearsal, no choreographed marks to hit, no measuring,  that emerald on her finger will just magically stay in forces wherever your actress chooses to move it. And then when you want to go to her eye with the reflection of her glass of wine in it...one tap on your iPad instant no breathing focus. The system is built for HD to 6K for now. enjoy.

I noticed this aswell.  I still think the 5D raw is better all around in low light BUT the price point for the GH4 + Speedbooster is a tremendous combination that is impossible to ignore.  

Yea, I hear your frustration. I think there is still some confusion about removing artifacts with some conversion workflow, but I don't want to  beat a dead horse. People will just need to get their hands on the footage (the source from camera footage) and give it a shot.
 
We had a studio that shall go nameless (but the name rhymes with Disney) once deliver footage to us as 8bit prores! So we "had" to work with it.. it took maybe 10x the amount of work because you can't it's more challenging to: camera track, planar track, color key, degrain.. it's just wrecked it's degraded once it goes to 8bit. the information is not there to recover, ever, not there... no matter what your subsampling scheme is.. for good... a black spot stays black, even if it goes from [0,0,0] black to [0.0] black .... it's still black! So when you grade that footage, those artifacts come back.
 
But I agree, it's interesting to see what Panasonic is doing. I kinda wish vendors were focusing more on nice 1080 though, less on selling 4k TV's. To be honest, 4k is about 2k too much IMO, unless you're making a movie.