DBounce

This post is a preview of my testing of these two cameras. The Canon is shot internal in 4k, while the Nikon is external to the Ninja V. This might seem strange, but this test started out as a color matching test, and later evolved into an AF test. I have long known that the AF on the 1DXMK2 is the best I have used. But it's not until you put it up head to head against it's competitors that you understand just how amazing it is. I can tell you, the AF on the 1DXMK2 is much better than even the C200. It is better than the other EOS cameras. Of course much has been said about the Nikon Z6's video AF. Most have said it is pretty good. Well let me tell you this... watch the test that I am posting. I can promise you nothing was done that anyone could not have managed setup wise. It is a simple test pitting both cameras against each other side by side. Both set to base ISO, F1.8 and shot at 24p with 1/50th shutter speed. The difference in performance is astounding. From what I have seen the EOS R is inferior to the 1DXMK2 in AF. But that said, what isn't?
So my takeaway from all of this is the following: Dear Canon, I truly hate you... Why must you gimp your cameras? Leaving out features that we want and need, just so we are forced to buy yet another body to do a single task.
Ok, maybe that's a bit much, but I know many most here feel the same way. I'll post more shortly.

Bit the bullet and ordered one. Did you get your upgrade yet? This is I think their third or fourth try at this system, so I am thinking the newest model should be about as good as it can get right now compared to the competition.
I understand that the gearing on all the new motor driven motion control hardware is also upgraded to prevent any slop that the older hardware had.

If Canon had not made silly choice of an extreme crop in 4K, I would have bought the Eos R. It would have been the perfect B-cam. As it is I added a Nikon Z6... which can be made to match pretty darn well.

Fooling around with HLG. Adjusted curves using a waveform and added some saturation. 

It definitely seems a bit cleaner then log. Skin tones looked good according to the vectorscopes. 

 

Hey, I have a clue... I've played with both of these cameras,  and I can tell you this,  I find the Z much more interesting than the P4K. Besides, do we really need another P4K review?
That said there is so much coming out next year that it might be better to sit on the sidelines if you already have usable cameras. I'm really curious to see what Panasonic comes out with to vanquish all the competition. And lets not count out Sony just yet... they have the tech, but do they have the will?
I'll wait until the dust settles and then decide. For now I'm more interested in the other elements such as camera movement and lighting. Let's face it any one of these cameras can produce a cinematic image it you nail the other components.

I had one on pre-order, and although having never used it - I didn’t go through with the order. 
This is mostly to do with battery life. I know there are workarounds but I don’t see much point buying a camera with this form factor, just to throw another brick on it. 
Also I see the screen as a valid issue. If you know that you regularly need to tilt your screen - then the BM isn’t going to work as you’d want. 
The Z cam is a cool design as it allows you to “create your own camera”. A lot of people who like customisation will welcome that. 
The BM image is lovely and will be a massive hit for crash cams on big productions. As an indie tool it hits the right spot however as a workhorse, I think the GH5S is a better option. 

We recently got a couple of DJI Osmo Pockets and decided to have a play while on holiday vacation in the mountains. Here is some footage and a brief impressions video of this tiny camera.
 

I agree... mostly. To work effectively it needs to be rigged up. That monitor on the P4k should at least tilt. I can forgive the lack of tilt on a very rugged camera like the 1DXMK2; but BM has no acceptable excuse for this omission. I largely try to avoid rigging cameras that I plan to travel with. I also hate pulling down rigged cameras so that I can travel light with them. This is why I usually opt to purchase a second or third body.
The compromises are glaring on the P4K. And the reason for the compromises are obviously to keep costs down. Personally, I would have preferred it hit the $2k price point with the current shortcomings addressed. I won’t be surprised when BM announces a new pro variant that address these issues. It’s sort of a no brainer.
The Z-Cam is closer to the mark. Not because it’s more complete, but because it’s not pretending to be the complete package. It’s expected one would rig to suit as the project requires. Nevertheless, it’s hard to recommend the Z given the lack of support state side and still unproven reliability. Imo, it’s a camera for beta testers at this point.

We recently got a couple of DJI Osmo Pockets and decided to have a play while on holiday vacation in the mountains. Here is some footage and a brief impressions video of this tiny camera.
 

We recently got a couple of DJI Osmo Pockets and decided to have a play while on holiday vacation in the mountains. Here is some footage and a brief impressions video of this tiny camera.
 

We recently got a couple of DJI Osmo Pockets and decided to have a play while on holiday vacation in the mountains. Here is some footage and a brief impressions video of this tiny camera.
 

We recently got a couple of DJI Osmo Pockets and decided to have a play while on holiday vacation in the mountains. Here is some footage and a brief impressions video of this tiny camera.
 

I do have the upgrade but not used it yet. 
The previous one worked really well and only had a couple of minor issues. Overall it was awesome. 
I started with the first one but didn’t really get to grips with it. 
Looking to use the new one extensively in the new year. 

Indeed... lol. But honestly, I really don't have a dog in this fight with the GS version... the fact that they upped the price while shrinking the sensor size... to what? 1 inch?... Pretty much killed it for me.
Happy Holidays!

It’s official... Everyday Dad ditches Sony A7III. ?? Not that it’s important, but I find his reviews entertaining.
Can’t wait until Nikon releases firmware updates to fix stills AFC and add 10 bit internal recording... which they said would happen once CF-Express is available.

Here is a AF test (not mine), comparing to the Sony A73.
 

So I came across this test comparing the Blackmagic Designs P4k, Z Cam E2 and the Panasonic GH5S. In the video the reviewer tries to match all three cameras in post. I think you will find the result to be interesting. I also believe that this test and others I have seen... along with my own personal experience would seem to suggest that color science is in fact a thing. What are your thoughts and experiences regarding matching cameras? Do you call BS on color science, or are those that claim it doesn't matter when dealing with raw misguided?
 

Hmm, that could have been shot on just about anything out today. Not impressed. At least not with That video. But if you are into FF video, using a Cine body, it is for sure the cheapest way to do it. But the output looks nice, but nearly all the newer stuff looks good with skill now.
It is not going to be long before the days of 50,000 dollar Arri's are a thing of the past. The gap is closing at a alarming rate if you are the one building the high end stuff. The cost to put any of these new mirrorless cameras in a Cine style box can't be 1000 bucks more to do. Most all of them have a big ass heat sink and a fan in them, and 1 1/2" of it is the electronics, and 1" for the sensor. Look at the new Sony Venice with the detachable front to it.

No they are not! The Samsung smartphone has true holographic technology... not a simulated holographic display. The Samsung phone mimics what we saw in Star Wars. Red might be the darling of Hollywood, but make no mistake of it; Samsung could crush them anytime they choose to.

I've been playing around with multicam using the C200, 1DXMK2 and Nikon Z. All three cameras can be made to match well enough. The Nikon's 10 bit footage can be manipulated a fair bit. The Ninja V always needs to be switched to the correct camera settings... which is a nuisance. I learned the Sound Devices MixPre 6 cannot record trigger from HDMI.; apparently a bug.
Overall I'm liking the output from the Nikon. I'm sure I was doing something wrong with the AF... granted I was trying to set it from behind the screen. I'll use the app next time. The 1DXMK2 is set and forget.  It nails AF and doesn't let go. You don't know what good AF is until you have used the 1DXMK2. Frankly for AF, it is the best I have ever used. 
The C200 is of course a C200... it just works and delivers.  I'm considering using the 8 bit. I might do some test to understand what one gives up in doing so. 
Anywho... here's some footage of me rambling...
 

I remember thinking to myself a short while ago, “The current camera so damn good, Do we really need anything better? “
It seems many in Hollywood are taking note. I recently read a article which can be found here in which they state that the new movie “The Haunting of Hannah Grace” was shot entirely on the Sony A7S2. 
Granted, they rigged it up pretty good. But at the heart of that rigging was a Sony A7S2. 
So the day has come... hell has indeed frozen over. A humble prosumer camera can be used to shoot a Hollywood feature. Now if anamorphic lenses would follow suit, we would really be in business.

It’s official... Everyday Dad ditches Sony A7III. ?? Not that it’s important, but I find his reviews entertaining.
Can’t wait until Nikon releases firmware updates to fix stills AFC and add 10 bit internal recording... which they said would happen once CF-Express is available.

It’s official... Everyday Dad ditches Sony A7III. ?? Not that it’s important, but I find his reviews entertaining.
Can’t wait until Nikon releases firmware updates to fix stills AFC and add 10 bit internal recording... which they said would happen once CF-Express is available.

Here is a quick test with some heavy grading on the internal 8 bit footage. Lens cap test at about half way through. I didn’t have time to hook up the Ninja V, will do that test tomorrow. Enjoy!
 

Here is a quick test with some heavy grading on the internal 8 bit footage. Lens cap test at about half way through. I didn’t have time to hook up the Ninja V, will do that test tomorrow. Enjoy!