Oliver Daniel

  You have ruined his life by making a joke. Just like Nikon ruined everyone else's by not including video in this camera! The horror!!  ;)

    Point taken.    I want more quality out the box just like you and everyone else - BUT (and this is a big but), these companies are designing stills cameras with a video mode, and the majority of those consumers are going to be pretty happy with the video quality out of the box.    Most of these consumers are not pros and don't require pro features. These companies have other more expensive models that they want the more serious customer to buy. In line with their business models, it makes no sense to beef up their DSLR cameras for video.    It will get better on DSLRs, just very slowly. The companies want to make a profit. We want all the features in the world. And they know that. So why bring out a DSLR that will be good for 5 years, when they can get you to buy 3 in that time instead?    Panasonic are probably the odd one out in this, almost. And thats because they can...but even if the GH4 is the all singing and all dancing camera we hope it is - all of us will still want more. (Another GH camera, but instead of 4k - its got 120FPS!)   So your point taken.   But my point: dream on, and keep shooting.  ;)

This thread is a tiresome, long thread, about a camera that doesn't do video. The morale of this story is: Bang your head and hit your face until you remember that this camera is a STILLS camera. And there are other cameras that do video! Oh yeah! Almost forgot! Sigh.

I thought this was a filmmaking website, not photography. I don't see why it's such an issue that the Nikon doesn't do video. Who cares? Time is better spent making stuff than ranting about a camera model. There are plenty of cameras out there, waiting to be used. Now.

You kind of summed it up there. Photographers should stop buying DSLRs and instead should buy camcorders with a bolted on stills mode!! On a serious note, I really do think Panasonic are going to nail this as some point (AG-GH4?) While they DO have ridiculous P2 carded, behemoth broadcast cams... they currently have a wide-open slot in their catalogue for a cinematic camera. Sony might do something. But forget Canon! How dare they create a Cinema EOS line! Lazy bastards! :P

There is no answer to Blackmagic from these manufacturers. Canon will release a C200, C400 and C600 with big price tags. Nikon won't do anything as they are a stiils business. Sony, again, will do a Canon. They have an F series to protect. As far as I'm aware, Blackmagic Cameras are pro cameras that lack many pro features. Canon and Sony think professionals will buy their cameras as they are much more practical and have years of experience and reputation. If any of you are dreaming for Canon, Sony, Nikon to compete with Blackmagic then forget it. The only company I expect to deliver anything is Panasonic as they have NOTHING to protect. Pointless debate that we all should know.

I don't understand this post. DSLRs are for photographers. They are made for stills and not video. It's just so happens that we have adopted it as a filmmaking tool. If you are a serious filmmaker, Canon want you to buy the Cinema EOS Line. Nikon aren't interested. Fuji, erm... No need to bother. Panasonic...they have plans and want you to buy into their M43 system. They get punters in with the GH line, to then offer video based models later. ;) So what if Nikon haven't bothered with a video feature in this camera, who cares? Technically, hobbyists don't need professional features. Professionals need professional features and therefore buy professional cameras. Blackmagic cameras are for pros and lack many pro features. Canon etc, I expect, don't care. It's very niche. I'm not sure why ML RAW comes into this in any way at all. The effect this has on the market is literally nothing. It's a hack. It's not a feature of the camera. ML RAW is a discovery, it's not a market leading feature. The annoying fact for most is that if you want a camera with better features, you need to get shooting and earn some money. If it's just a hobby, then why would the camera manufacturers screw their business models by giving top features to people who just want to point and shoot? It doesn't make any sense. There is a feeling that manufacturers (Canon especially) are not putting in the juice they could even into their pro cameras. This is true, and it happens because they are a business who want to make a profit. I don't think the camera companies are out of touch. This forum is out of touch. The camera companies believe they are catering for you, and as we are all buying their cameras, they are. ;)

All this talk of 4K hardly different to the eye than 1080p, load of nonsense in my experience. I used a GoPro today and did a shot with the 4k option for a laugh, then I did the same shot in 1080p and put it on a 1080p timeline....... The difference was easy to see. The image in 4 k was miles better.... And this was just from a GoPro on an iMac screen. Do we need 4k? Definitely not for most of us. Many consumers are happy watching pixelated streamed movies off dodgy websites. But as a serious filmmaking tool, it could be very useful and very beautiful. I don't need 4k. But I sure want to film in 4k. I want to say wow again!

The pro market is much smaller than the consumer market. And most consumers are stupid. We, and them, fall for it - then buy the next camera thinking its awesome, then realise it's not that much better, then buys an iPhone and forgets about dedicated cameras almost completely. My opinion is that it's more the all-in-one technology of today then lack of innovation. Mostly.

The image the camera produces is great for the price. It's just that when you are used to video cams and DSLRs that have basic features, such as knowing how much space you have left on a card - using a Blackmagic can be a very frustrating experience, as these cameras don't have hardly ANY of the basic features. Even the White Balance is very limited. Blackmagic want you to workaround the cameras shortcomings. The confusing thing is, as they are price range of amateurs, enthusiasts, semi pros and independent professionals, these workarounds are just, on the majority, a pain in the ass. You can put up with it, but a lot of people don't want to. Now Blackmagic have gone 4k, and I hope they stop there and improve these cameras they have already made. They have so much potential. Panasonic are going to announce this 4k camera, with loads of features. The image will soon catch up!

I don't see why 4k is being criticised so much. Its happening. Its another tool to use and you don't have to use it.    Having used the Blackmagic cams on some shoots recently, I felt the cameras were very difficult to adopt into a professional shoot yet the image quality was fantastic......   I've been using my GH3 again and the image out the camera doesn't look nowhere near as good now I've used the Blackmagic cams, but I will continue using it because its so versatile and is packed full of necessary features that the Blackmagic cams severely lack. Not just 60fps (even Canon cant be arsed with that), but all then usual camera formatting stuff and recording time left issues. Very silly omissions.    At the moment, I don't think Blackmagic cams are ready for full-on professional work yet. Great hobby cam for shorts and the odd project here and there. Great tool for a shot that requires the DR. Same goes for the Digital Bolex. Cant say having never shot with it, but looks like a beautiful love toy that just happens to have a gorgeous image.    If Panasonic bring this camera out, and the image stacks up, I will be jumping for joy. 

  It appears to me this is mostly a technical forum, as per Andrews blog posts are normally technical reviews and tests. I've not seen any narrative pieces by him or anybody else in the forums, maybe nobody bother sharing them or some get a buzz out of technical aspects. Not sure. Whatever floats whose boat.    I consider myself mostly a creative 'narrative' person. I care most about the content, the way its shot and lit, the styling, the locations....but I come on this forum for education, so I understand how to technically bring my ideas to life.    To stay on topic, I particulary enjoy the work of Alfonso Cauron, like Children Of Men. His experimentation with cinematography is awesome. As I also love making music videos, I feel inspired by the weirdness and surreal aspects of Chris Cunningham, Michel Gondry and Jonas Auckerland - striving to make every video I make completely different in every way.    Heres 2 examples of music videos I made, just to show you how different and experimental I treat every project.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmDU5HDwlnM     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFba6-mLwLo

4K has great potential creatively for 2K work. I love the idea of re-framing, zooming, tracking, panning...making some impossible shots now possible. I'm excited about the GH4. If they include 120fps, I'm sold.

  ......which by that time, Blackmagic will have made a 4k raw high speed camera that folds into your pocket (major shipping issues), Canon will release the 5D MkIV with the exact same features as a 550d (it was accidental, machining issues) and Apple will release a top secret gadget that beats the living daylights out of any camera/phone/watch/toothbrush ever!!!

I just couldn't use a PC. Maybe this sounds shallow or totally head shaking to some, but i just can't. The whole experience of using a Mac is miles better and worth the money on a psychological level!   I think I have decided to wait on a new Mac purchase, although I'm warming to the Mac Pro - because overkill sounds great. Just enough power isn't enough. I think it will suit my needs well and into the future.    Monitors...... haven't though about this one yet....

I honestly think Android is inferior to iOS. Not just for features, but for usability and presentation.  :P  :P

Imagine if the RX10 was full frame. That would be insane!

4k will bs useful for most at some point. It's a bit like saying 'there's no point in a 16bit codec, the general public can't tell the difference.' More tools = :)

A sort-of top specced iMac comes in at around £2700 and the starter Mac Pro £2499 for UK prices. Obviously they will offer options to soup up the Pro machine,which will be more money. Its all about the return on the investment really.    I think I'm going to wait and keep out a keen eye on what the peeps say. This computer world is barmy. 

Thanks for the kind advice so far! Really appreciate it.      The Mac Pro does seem beastly. I don't understand them as much as I do an iMac, and I would definitely prefer that over the cylinder-tower -dustbin due to overall cost, considering the need for a decent Thunderbolt array and displays. Which one? Pegasus? Lacie 2Big?   I don't plan to do 3D stuff, I have no interest in it apart from creating graphical titles or processing plugin effects in a few keyframes. Any serious VFX work gets outsourced and always will do.    My focus is heavy, highly stylised colour grading with a cinematic edge. Having raw and 4k power is definately something I'd rather have than not. So if a top spec iMac is more than capable then I'd prefer that. Compression will only get better, so I thing a model like this will have more longevity.   Thanks for the heads up on tutorials also Axel, will definitely do that!    When it comes to programs such as DaVinci, what is the major difference for my use, between the Lite version and the full version? 

Just to show you an example of the work I do and how far I've pushed it, here is my showreel:      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0eo6BDuUGQ     In the showreel, I was the camera operator, the DOP, the editor and colorist of every single video you see here. All 8-bit cameras on FCP7 and FCPX.   And I want to push this further now with more power behind the hood!! 

Cheers for that information, its much appreciated.    I know sod all about graphics cards, I try to read into it but totally switch off. When it comes to cameras, I'm engrossed like a beast!   My work is very serious, pro-level stuff. I've got clients paying in the thousands for their videos on a regular basis (of those thousands I see only a fraction, expenses and all), and I get by with what I have now, but with progress comes a time when you need to step up another level. Its a personal artistic thing mostly, besides from the fact I'm trying to attract bigger clients!    I'm interested in 4k only for its downsampling to 1080p and re-framing options. If the GH4 rumours are true, I'll likely buy it - so if anything, I would give 4k a go. But its not that important really. More interested in awesome 1080p and 10 bit grading (and a bit of raw)   I'd like to know if anyone could be kind enough to advise me (again, I won't go PC, its like changing back to Y-fronts, it wont happen) Could I boost up my current Mac (and to what cost) Or would it be worth buying a new iMac or MacPro (what would an investment an a MacPro mean for me? Longevity? Power?)   Cheers

I am an iMac User, and I currently edit music videos for a living using Final Cut Pro X, which is a near perfect editor for (usually) fast turnaround videos. I get by using many plugins to help with looks and grading.   I regularly use the GH3 and FS700, but find myself using more footage each day from 10 bit cameras. I have not shot raw yet, but I intend to use it as a tool when needed in future.   My work usually requires heavy colour grading for strong, stylistic shots (with great results on 8bit!) but as I'm getting better at grading and more interested in colour, I find my hardware cant even keep up in FCPX, let alone anything like DaVinci Resolve, which I intend to learn and use in the very near future.    My business intends to keep using cmas such as the GH3 for lower end, simple work - but we are going to invest in 10bit + in Q1 2014 as we aim to bring our strong visual artsy style into the cinematic. (we also have allsorts of grip equipment to achieve such shots and a BeStedy gyro unit coming!)   I have enough computer tech to get me by and make basic decisions on hardware. As some of you guys are more computer-technically knowledgable than me, I need some advice about upgrading/buying new hardware to support heavier post work.    My current Mac (model 27 inch, 2011) spec is: 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 12GB 1333 Mhz DDR3 RAM AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1024 MB 1TB HD   I know thats pretty crap right now for what I want to achieve, but I do get by currently and get some great, distinctive results. Its been successful so far!   Before anyone says, I'm stubborn or won't ever consider using a PC as I've been hypnotised by Apple. I'm open for using Adobe Premiere as I know they have added intuitive features (better multicam and controls), but I'm Apple all the way. No PC.    I know the Mac Pro has been announced, but don't have the knowledge to know if its worth the money over say a souped up iMac.    For upgrade or new Mac (budget aside but not ridiculous), what would you advise me?    Thanks in advance.     

Now this sounds absolutely awesome! Please be true.    I love the GH3 and its brilliant ergonomics and functionality. These are important factors that the BMD cameras severely lack. They create beautiful images but are a complete pain in the ass.    I see the AG-GH4 as the ideal camera with current technology. 4k can be down sampled to 1080p for a better image, and also offer choices in post with framing.    From my professional experience with BMD cameras (not hobbyist), I see them only as a serious film narrative tool. I think the AG-GH4 takes the best of all worlds (on paper that is).    The only thing i don't see is high frame rates...surely this will be added at lower resolutions? (120fps please?) That addition would make it one of the best cameras on the market.   So an announcement at NAB 2014 maybe? Wonder what BMD have up their sleeve? (absolutely no firmware updates but 67 new cameras hehe)

4k ...... Well that was inevitable. But Panasonic have a massive opportunity to make a big impact on the market with the GH4. Just 4k isn't attractive, as many don't need it. I just hope we see: 1080p 10 bit 422 ProRes recording 120FPS at 1080p Better dynamic range and low light Although I think raw would be an awesome addition, this is probably asking too much. If they did include it, even at 1080p - this would be pretty much the ultimate camera. Full Frame it isn't, but Super 35 is absolutely fine and you can get this pretty much with a Speed booster. I hope Panasonic do this. Please do.