Oliver Daniel

So I've just experienced working with images from the C200.... absolutely stunned! So stunned that I'm considering getting one. 

Who has experience with it? @DBounce? 

My main reservations... Cfast2 card costs. Storage costs when shooting raw. Anyone got any pointers here? 

Personally I'm seeing a huge difference between 10 bit and 8bit. The implementation on certain cameras may need some questioning, however when implemented well it's night and day. 

The true value of 10 bit is when I'm pushing the files around in grading, 10 bit is usually much smoother, has much less artefacts and has more tonal variety. The image quality difference comes after grading. It's so apparent that I don't use 8bit that much anymore. 

There's more at play with this example (codecs, sensors), but 10 bit GH5 vs 8bit A6500 is no contest. The GH5 image pulls around nicely, looks smooth and thick, whereas the A6500 image will get easily blotchy, blocky and the colours are sometimes smeary.

Correcting white balance on the GH5 is easy, on the A6500 you might as well not bother. 

Dynamic range is better on the A6500, this is where I wish the GH5 would improve. 

9 hours ago, ykt.net said:

@Oliver Daniel Hi ! Can you share this lut ? 

It's a paid product and it wouldn't be fair on @Sage to share his product around freely, you can grab it here. 

Found this on YouTube, nice to hear the voice of the project. 

@Sage, I will admittedly say that since using GHa, I’ve ditched every other LUT I’ve bought and stopped using those made by myself. 

The conversion turns the GH5 into almost a different camera, it’s just simply beautiful work. 

The EVA1 and GH5S is on the way to cement my Panasonic production trio. Worth trying the conversion on these too, and sharing the results? 

Wistia. 

16 hours ago, wolf33d said:

LOL. Yes pure garbage like @Neumann Films just showed... For $100 you can for sure get something better and better footage than this! (hint: good luck)

Even though I slated it in my review, I did capture some great footage with it. The 4K RAW can look spectacular. 

Overall though it was too much of a pain. It’s only a device for people with an incredible amount of patience and willingness to put up with inconsistent reliability. 

2 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

@Neumann FilmsCinelight is pretty slow then? I am wondering how long it takes to transcode that entire 512GB drive (30 mins of footage) and whether they make any improvements with the latest 2018 versions.

Proxies seem to work well for Premiere.

I'd probably use Resolve to edit the Cinema DNG natively. Works better and better every year as an editor.

What's the low light like - can you get away with ISO 1600 if treated nicely in post?

Cinelight is trash. 

I suggest using the PC workflow or Cinelight could potentially send you to the Cuckoo’s Nest! 

18 minutes ago, mercer said:

From my earlier post, according to @Neumann Films you can use ACR to read the files if on a PC... it seems like the Mac and the DJi software may be the issue... not including the other issues that Oliver mentioned... of course with his laundry list, I wonder if he just had a dud. 

It wasn’t just me, there’s a whole community of users on the FB group who shared very similar issues. I think most will have moved on by now. 

22 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

"Shit vacuum cleaner" HAHHAHA!

Well I'll skip it, but if DJI ever make good on the concept I'll be interested.

I do wonder how much of the bugginess they fixed... or not, in the last 2 years.

Haha yeah, if people couldn’t see you, they’d just assume you’d be on elbows and knees sucking dust from under your car seat. 

The concept is amazing and pulled me in, but it was a bit like buying a world class chocolate cake but then realising it tastes like salt and vinegar crisps. 

It would be cool if the actual concept you describe happened, but these things never completely do. 

3 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

How'd it go?

The OSMO RAW is now close to just £1k used. Not sure if that is with the 512GB SSD though. I thought those were included in the box, but some sellers seem to like to split it off!

It’s been a while, but my advice would be “don’t bother”, here’s why:

1. There’s no way of skipping the Cinelight app. It’s slow, it crashes, it’s just awful. Don’t think they ever finished it. 

2. The transcode or recordings suffer badly from missing and dropped frames. Sone shots are ruined as they stutter like 12fps. 

3. The SSD fails all the time, or the Osmo can’t read it. Lots of error messages for no reason. 

4. The WiFi link to operate the Osmo fails frequently. 

5. You are pretty much forced to use an Inspire 1 battery as the internal one runs out very very quickly. Coupled with the fact your phone battery depletes at a similar rate, you need a power bank too. The ergonomics go from sexy to cumbersome.  

6. The stabilisation is much much worse on this device compared to other single handed gimbals. It’s tough to achieve any sort of cinematic movement. 

7. When turned off, it’s very loud. Bit like a shit vacuum cleaner. 

8. Good point - the RAW image is really nice. 

Overall, I think what’s happened here is that DJI mashed together this setup and never fully realised it. It’s a painful, annoying and infuriating setup. DJI should have refunded buyers with unlimited DJI products as compensation for the stress. 

At £1k used - you might as well buy £1k’s worth of beers as that’s more fun and probably better for your health! Or use it to throw at people you don’t like.

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

Unless a YouTuber or any kind of reviewer is an absolute expert at grading they shouldn't bother.

Otherwise we get to review their grading and not the performance of the camera.

99% of the videos out there so far on the Pocket 4K have taught me absolutely nothing about how good the image is vs the LOG shooting cameras like the GH5. What I want to see is the absolute data in the files, how much you can pull it around, the noise, the dynamic range and then with an expert grade on both to bring them as close together as possible, what inherent advantages in colour science do we see from the Blackmagic codec vs the others.

This. 

No camera is ever done justice by click bait hungry Youtube vids (where the priority is to get views rather than providing great content). Never judge by what you see on the Youtubes, and put your curiosity into renting the camera and using it for yourself. 

While there's people pointing a finger at Blackmagic, the big boys put out the most dismal, boring and often unflattering "launch videos" you're ever bound to see. What happens in the creative process?? - "Hey - we've got a $10k camera to sell here. Let's shoot some trees, houses and people walking around. Throw on that Yoga music you like." 

I have no doubt the BMPCC4k has a beautiful image - just that the poor battery life scares the crap out of me! 

57 minutes ago, Gregormannschaft said:

Curious why you think the C300 Mk2 is a flop? I also have a C200 and absolutely love the image, even the 8bit stuff. I know it's been said countless times before but the colour science just makes footage sing. The RawLite footage is beautiful, and will become easier and easier to manage over the next few years as storage prices continue to drop. The AF is incredible and the ergonomics are lovely.

Buuut, I don't see why the C300 Mk2 would be so much different. It has better codecs, but crippled by poor slow mo options and slightly bulkier ergonomics?

Its at least a flop in the UK, because the FS7 was released and Canon couldn’t beat many of its features. Now, the FS7 is the most rented and requested camera. The C300 II is nowhere to be seen, where before the C300 was always No.1. 

For sure, the Canon has the prettiest image and DPAF, however with more productions calling for high quality HFR - Sony succeeded massively. The FS7 today still has sexier specs than cameras released now. 

Even on shoots now with many cameras and shooters (at least the ones I’m on)  - I’ve seen all the cameras being used are Sony now, where in 2012 it was all Canon. They’ve simply lost their hold. 

I love the C200 image, it’s stunning. I’d have bought one if the HFR was better. I could see it working with the X-T3 nicely.  But with a lot of my clients asking for high quality HFR, EVA1 it is. 

Like the topic title, camera choice is important. My advice - stick to a brand and just go for it. Minimise swapping them around and only change if the difference is greatly beneficial. 

On 10/12/2018 at 6:27 PM, DBounce said:

Canon 1DXMK2: I've had my 1DXMk2 from launch. The reason I keep it is because it's a fantastic solidly built hybrid shooter. It's the camera I go to when the mission is strictly about taking top notch photos. It's my sports shooter. It's great that it can also do video,  but that is not its primary function. At least not in my usage.  

Canon C200: This bad boy is my main video  camera.  It's wonderful... just wonderful. Only some unexpected breakthrough would make me feel a need to sell this awesome camera. The footage is flexible, with great dynamic range. The RawLite requires nothing more than a Lut for the magic to shine though. 

Samsung NX1: It took some time for me to learn to shoot well with the Samy... but once I did it delivered some very satisfying imagery. I think the reason I sold it was underwhelming DR. Also, the motion cadence was not to my liking.

Sony A7 series: We still shoot Sony, though only for stills at this point. They are good cameras,  but the colors need some work in post. I cannot recall every being pleased with any image straight out of a Sony body. 

I've left out a lot... but I guess at this point I'm not chasing anything... not image quality wise. Let's put it this way,  I go to the movies and sit there soaking up whatever story is being portrayed... every once in a while (when you fall out of the story) I consider the image quality... camera angles, movement, lighting... and the reason for them. I have to say... for the most part what separates any of the top mirrorless hybrid contenders from those pro cinema cameras is very little... if anything. It has much more to do with the other elements at this point. 

Problem solving: My most recent purchase... the X-T3, solved the problem of desiring a light weight,  unassuming travel camera,  that could take beautiful stills,  while also acting as a mobile video solution. I'm satisfied with it in this role. 

The pocket camera has nice image quality for sure... but for the most part so do the competition. It's a niche camera. Compromised in many ways. I'm certain a GH5 is a smarter choice for 95% of would be buyers. I see the P4K as a cost effective B-cam to an Ursa Mini/Pro. 

I think we collectively should be more focused on the other elements that go into making a great image. I know that's an area of the art that my focus has shifted to. 

 

Thanks for that. 

Sonetimes I convince myself I have certain needs, and then when it comes to it, I realise i don’t. 

Theres many reasons why the GH5 has stuck with me, as I feel it makes room for more thought on creative ideas. I’m being asked to do stills more with video these days, and I’ve used the GH5 again for that. Personally, it’s not my flavour. 

I do have the EVA1 and I can’t give much of a review on that yet, only used it once! But I had an FS5 before and I sold it as the overall “technological” image wasn’t connecting with me. 

I love Fuji and Canon images, so I’m always curious. In all honestly if I didn’t need great HFR options, I’d have the C200. They really under delivered on the C300 II, and in my opinion, it’s a flop. Again, they lost me as a customer there too. 

I usually have to leave my emotional desires aside and have to pick the tools that meet the requirements of my briefs, hence the EVA1 having to come in. So I’m going to settle with these Panasonics and forget about all these distracting new releases. I want the quality of my work to step up further, and this will all be down to hard, focused work. 

27 minutes ago, DBounce said:

I think the X-T3 has something those other cameras lack, in that it is an amazing stills camera in it's own right. You will find yourself taking more stills. I know I take a lot more stills than I did prior to owning the X-T3. Even when new big boys from Sony and Panasonic are released, the Fuji will still have a very special image. I think it will rightly own a place in many a camera bag. While I look forward to both the offering from Sony and Panasonic, I do so with some trepidation. I suspect Sony will hold back a lot from the A7S3 to protect their dedicated video cameras. With Panasonic I really believe they might try to give us an amazing product. But I can tell you, if it lacks the organic sensor and it's ability to selectively control sensitive on a pixel level, I will likely pass. On the flip side, it they add that sensor I am preordering. That said, it will not replace my Fuji, I love the colors, size and nostalgia of it. It's just a uber cool camera.

I can see you do order and change up your cameras quite often, and thanks for sharing the information of your experiences. 

When it comes to a new purchase, we buy to solve a problem. Just out of curiosity, what makes you unhappy about previous cameras you have bought and what are you ideally chasing? 

I relate to this, I have previously chased the "dream" setup, but come to realise it's an endless cycle where I might aswell stick with what I have until there's something truly and utterly revolutionary, which maybe never ? (Current cameras are the EVA1 and GH5). 

1 hour ago, hansel said:

Well, slightly overwhelmed. In general I would love to take a slice of it home meaning I would love to translate some of it over to my event reportage run and gun stuff.

So first question before throwing myself off the roof, please don't tell me you did this on the weekends with a mate helping a little...?!? Because to me this looks like a well organised and equipped shoot with a fair amount of people involved. Makeup, styling, location scouting, bloody amazing lighting etc...

Well yeah, my work is entirely different to "event reportage run and gun stuff" - the setups are very controlled where the max ISO used will be about 400! 

Most of the videos you see in the reel have a small team around them but it's more DIY than you might think. There's me, a Director,  a "do it all" handyman, a make up artist and a couple of assistants. We have all learnt to be very resourceful and use anything and everything to get a result. 

My own process in this can be quite frustrating as there's a lot of stress and overwhelm with prep in a tiny team. I actually enjoy the "run and gun" narratives more, where we've created a story, characters and bombed around with some LED lights and a camera: 

This one, written, directed, filmed, edited and graded by me with an A6500, 18-105 f4, all in autofocus: 

And this one here, same deal as before but this time with an A7SII, vintage lenses, a few lights and sometimes a Ronin-M: 

7 hours ago, wolf33d said:

Anyone buying a GH5 vs a XT3 is out of his mind. The pocket has RAW so that's one thing but if you need real RAW stuff for business and work with big equipment just get a proper camera and if it's too expensive change your job.
Seriously, who is gonna spend $2000 in a GH5 now? 

 

None of these recent camera releases has persuaded me to parts ways with the GH5, here’s why: 

- Ergonomically awesome for video with loads of custom functionality. Feels MADE for video. 

- 10 bit 4:2:2 codecs are very strong. 

- MFT sensor, while Speedboosted, is easier to focus than a full frame sensor. Very adaptable. 

- Great battery life. 

- IBIS is excellent.

- EVF and Flip Out LCD are awesome. 

- @Sage Alexa conversion makes it a different camera. 

- Anamorphic modes. 

- Monitor LUT - super useful! 

I’ve tried the AF on a gimbal with the GH5 and it works quite well. Not Canon or Sony level, but decent. 

Theres features in the other cameras that look appealing, but the way I view it, how much will it change my videos? 

I’ve opted to spend and upgrade my lighting to a full Aputure setup and camera movement. These things directly influence the picture more and invite increased skill and knowledge in composition. 

10 hours ago, jonpais said:

What the heck?

Titanium cage ($10,000)

Gold plated HDMI clamp ($750)

Brazilian leather EVF cup ($5,000)

?

 

 

I think the A7SIII will fold out to reveal a built in A7III and A7RIII, shoot with all 4k cameras at once to create a 12k image! Could see that taking off! ?

In all honesty,  I think the A7SIII will have 4k60p (S35 cropped), 10 bit external, PDAF, windowed HD 240fps, few more MP and one surprise thrown in. 

I think they could have took the A7S III back into development due to the new Panasonic offering. 

In conclusion, there’s so many cameras now, that it’s not really that important anymore. GH5 going nowhere. It’s working. All is good. 

Yep, Z Cam E2 probably has best sub $2000 120fps. 

I’d guess the Fuji X-T3 is next on that list. 

GH5 and all the Sony’s can look good under the right conditions - but can be prone to looking quite poor. Exposure and lighting needs to be absolutely spot on. 

Did you guys know the upcoming RED Hydrogen camera module is the best camera in the world? Throw away your other cameras! 

P.s I’ve got one spare, but I’ll only take payment through Western Union. 

Love from the 63 year old version of me. 

On 9/23/2018 at 7:48 PM, Andrew Reid said:

Why spend time pining for a Blackmagic P4K when the GH5 does footage like this in 8bit 4K 50p? Not even 10bit!!

How can it get any better?

Invest in glass!

 

Yeah, the GH5 is a beast. 

Used it alongside the EVA1 and it’s no slouch! EVA1 has smoother highlights, nicer noise and motion cadence - not that most other people would notice.

Have you tried @Sage‘s Alexa conversion yet? It’s absolutely nuts!! It makes the GH5 into a different camera (better!). 

10 hours ago, JordanWright said:

From CVP

The latest update we have for the Blackmagic Pocket 4k is that we should receive shipments around the end of September. However, we are unsure of how many units this shipment will contain.
We will be in touch to take the final payment once we have a unit allocated to your order.

A cinematographer I know in Manchester has just received his today. I have a sneaky feeling he’s making a Pocket 4k film for BMD though. 

Beautiful colours in EOS R video, shame that the one above shows mostly over exposed footage. 

On 9/14/2018 at 7:33 PM, sanveer said:

@Oliver Daniel very impressive showreel. I am envious and also makes me realise how lazy I am becoming. I need to do more work. Music Videos are especially, something else (David Finches would prove this).

Great work. 

Make something!

I get lazy sometimes, and then mourn over the piece of s**t I’ve just created. I’ll admit right now I’m lacking in creative spark. 

On 9/14/2018 at 9:23 PM, hansel said:

Stunning execution!!! I have no sound. Looked at it completely still, simply amazing art direction, lighting and shooting...

it would be great to know more about the shoots you did.

Thank you. 

What would you like to know? 

31 minutes ago, jonpais said:

This. Your reel is truly exceptional. 

Thank you Jon! It's hard to see it for myself but i'll have to believe you. ?

On 9/13/2018 at 12:00 PM, Bioskop.Inc said:

What a burst of colour & some of those shots made my jaw drop!

I understand why you stopped doing music videos - my very brief experience was people wanting something for nothing & the hassle you get from armchair filmmakers, especially when they don't want to cough up some money to get what they want.

You could quite easily do a YouTube channel explaining lighting, editing, CC & probably, most importantly the preparation/budgeting side of things as well. You don't have to be an overtly visible presence, but you have all the tools to pass on some knowledge - if that's your thing.

Thank you!

I've not stopped doing music videos, it will just be less of. Still very much in demand. 

Like I said in previous posts, the general Youtube thing i would do if I can find a purpose behind it. Don't want to be a "me too" kinda guy, what would be the point? 

53 minutes ago, CyclingBen said:

The lighting in all of the videos is spot on.  I wish I had the eye you did for lighting.  I re-watched a music video I did in 2014 I thought was my best lighting job, looks like amateur hour compared to yours.

Besides lighting, the whole creative / art direction is spectacular.

Thank you, all these comments are pretty flattering. 

Hoping to go a step further this year - as long a I don't burn myself out like I have many times before! 

On 9/12/2018 at 2:37 PM, Jimmy said:

Doesn't have to be a youtube video either... I'd just be interested to see a good thread about lighting on here (maybe there is one I have missed?)

This isn't much effort on my part, but the approach to these shots isn't entirely technical and more of a "paintbrush" sort of thing. Sure, I use exposure guides to refine the lighting but I'm not always sat in front of scopes like some people are. I more or less screw about with light placement, colour contrast, shaping of the light and eyeball 95% of the way through. 

On 9/12/2018 at 2:27 PM, IronFilm said:

Plus a YouTube channel is a long term thing, start it out now, you get to slowly build up the channel in a natural manner and figure out your style (I still don't know mine... and  I've been doing it for well over a year! And on a very regular basis).

Then you already have a good fledgling YouTube channel base to start out from sometime in the future if you do decide to take it more seriously, and say do regular bi-weekly content. Rather than starting from scratch with zero. 

I do have some stuff in the early steps - although the target audience is more for branding and marketing teams in our target niche areas. One of the modules is videography with a smartphone, with some stuff on lighting (using Aputure AL-MX's). 

For the general audience - I need a worthwhile reason, the passion and time to do some Youtube stuff. 

On 9/12/2018 at 3:54 PM, IronFilm said:

I wouldn't mind if we all stopped talking about cameras for the rest of 2018 and only talked about lighting!

We should be really... lighting is make makes a camera shine! I see people complaining on Vimeo that the A7SII is dull and soulless, bjt that's because there's so many "high ISO" videos with no lighting whatsoever. 

On 9/12/2018 at 7:11 PM, mercer said:

Really nice work Oliver! Out of curiosity, which shots were from the GH3?

I still remember the Christmas video you did a couple years ago... I think with the RX10ii?

I’m sure most of us would like to know your sLog settings.

But I’m pretty sure you could take a G7X Mark II and make it look high end.

Thank you! 

GH3 shots, from top my head.... kid in the yellow hat, 2 sunglasses kids in front of vintage car,  gang running through tunnel. Sorry not got time to screenshot. 

Yes, did do an RX10II Xmas video. Wasn't a fan of the camera though. Sold it. 

Slog settings.... I'll share but don't have the camera to hand right now. 

On 9/12/2018 at 7:45 PM, Trek of Joy said:

That reel is gorgeous, you sir are very talented.

Chris

Thank you!

On 9/13/2018 at 7:36 AM, tellure said:

Great stuff.  Tons of energy and impact in your shots.  Also slo-mo drumstick flip was sweet .

Yeah - energy, impact and slo-mo is a big feature we try and push. 

On 9/13/2018 at 8:41 AM, newfoundmass said:

Ha ha, fml, I'll never produce anything close to this! 

Show me your stuff? 

Never say never. 

2 hours ago, Jimmy said:

Top work, as always.... The lighting is stunning. I'd love to see you make a post with some behind the scenes chat about your lighting ideas and setup.

Thank you. 

I've been asked quite often to do a Youtuber thing, but not really sure what I could do much differently in this area as it's VERY overcrowded. 

I DO have a set of content on the way for the branded video side though, but you guys won't be the target market for that. 

When I plan to do content for Youtube and such, I have to measure it's overall worth, so at this moment in time, I have to focus on the are of growth. 

This doesn't rule out your request though, I just need a worthwhile reason to do it. 

36 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

Fantastic. Some wonderful shot ideas in here, perfectly executed!

Cheers Andrew - as i've said in other comments my work in this particular area will decrease, however it means when I do put my time to music video stuff, I can give it my creative all rather than spreading it thinly across multiple projects. It's hard to keep fresh. 

9 minutes ago, Robin said:

Inspiring stuff. Thanks for sharing

Thank you!