mercer

How is autofocus a disadvantage for vlogging?

Coming from a screenwriting perspective, I have always thought content is king with films. And being a NO BUDGET, one man band filmmaker I have to make successions in a lot of areas. I really respect the craft of cinematography, but I would barely consider myself a capable camera operator, so DPAF is one of those priceless tools that cannot go overlooked for me. Everything I have seen from C100s look great and have more than enough quality for a film at my level. Hell, I would be happy making a feature with just the XC10, if I could get, shallow depth of field, close ups with a comparative 50mm focal length. Since that isn't possible with the XC10, I am compelled to get a second camera. Since I write mostly thriller and horror screenplays, that are slow burn with little dialog, I'm unsure if a C100 is overkill since the XC10 will be my meat and potatoes camera, but since I may be the world's worst colorist, I am worried that I will have major issues trying to match 80D footage with XC10 CLOG. I know I sound like a broken record, just constant concerns I am having. I guess I could always buy an 80D and test it out and if it doesn't work I can return it to BH.

This is all priceless information you and Kubrickian are giving me. I really appreciate it. Did you have the original C100 and then upgrade to the mkii? Because I am considering selling off a lot of my old lenses and maybe picking up the mki with DPAF, but I'm unsure. I have an idea for a no budget feature film and I think it may be a smart move, but again, I'm still unsure.

Thanks for putting my video in such good company but I think there are better examples than mine that show off the quality the GX85 delivers. Your latest video, for example, looks brilliant. You are a very good colorist with the way you make the GX85's video image look so organic and film-like. It truly is a great camera and a comparison to the XC10 isn't really fair on so many levels, except that they are cameras I own. If I wasn't so hell bent on having a camera to intercut close ups with my XC10 footage, specifically using Canon's DPAF, I would definitely keep the GX85. But with my recent Canon 35mm f2 lens purchase, I am compelled to use it with a DPAF capable camera, so it looks like an 80D is in my future. Then the question will become, do I need to keep the GX85, or do I just want to. If I can find a use for it, I will be happy to keep it.

Are you in the states, because BH has a great return policy, so you could test the G40 with its WideDR and see how it matches, and if it doesn't you have 30 days to return it. My issue is I have about a dozen ideas for short films. Each one has its own production needs, so the GX85 would be perfect for one or two of my smaller shorts that requires its small, anonymous footprint and shallow depth. But my real issue is I have a large collection of vintage lenses with my Minolta and Nikkor lenses being my favorites. If I do go all in with Canon, I can use my Nikkor lenses, but my Minoltas will be without a camera home. So I am really hesitant selling the GX85 for that reason alone as well. I also love using c-mount lenses with it. Here's a screengrab from the GX85 with an old Meopta 20mm C-Mount lens...

But it seems with Panasonic's newly tweaked color science, and a simple dose of FilmConvert, the GX85 is a very capable camera. I have to make some equipment decisions within the next week or two, so I am planning on taking out the XC10 and the GX85 one day next week and do some side by sides. If there is anything specific you would like me to test, then let me know. I tend to underexpose my footage by about a stop as I have found for my lack of color skills, I get better results. Btw, how do you expose C-Log? Also, I'm not sure if you would consider a traditional small sensor camcorder, but the Canon HF-G40 is a neat little beast with a 1.8 lens, Wide DR picture profile, focus peaking, zebras, 5-Axis IS. I would imagine it could be a great B-cam to a C100 if you shoot Wide DR.

Didn't know you have a C100. Why would you want any other camera? No, I get it. I can imagine live events is a lot different than narratives. I've just been so happy with C-Log and what a basic correction/grade can accomplish. Where the XC10 shines is with its 5-Axis in 1080p and its 4K... As you probably already know, it's the same 4K quality that's in the C300 and it really is amazing.

Okay, you got me. For me low light isn't really an issue because I light my interiors. I rarely go over ISO 800 on any camera. I have tested the XC10 at higher ISOs and it's clean up to 1600, usable up to 3200. The GX85, with a fast lens, is clean up to 800, in normal household lighting, I haven't tested beyond that. The XC10 is a different beast, In day lit exteriors, I just set the lens to 5.6 and ride the ND filter. Or if I'm tracking an actor I will ride the exposure wheel, which is cool because it is stepless and you can get smooth exposure transitions as you move in and out of varying light conditions.

No, it's not close at all. The XC10 wins in every category except for shallow depth of field. The XC10 is a professional camera. The 1080p in it is almost as good as the 4K in the GX85. I actually like it more. But I do like lenses and there is just something really cool about using small c-mount and m4/3 lenses with 5-Axis ibis. My $20 Cosmicar 25mm and my $80 Sigma 19mm just work brilliantly with that camera. I am definitely going all in with Canon. I just need to decide if it's worth keeping a $600 camera for specific projects that can benefit from the specific look and footprint the GX85 offers.

The XC10 is an amazingly underrated camera. That camera has made me reconsider my purchases or plans of other cameras. If it wasn't for my love of shallow depth of field, I would be happy enough with that camera for the next year. If I had more money, I would buy a C100ii to fill the shallow depth of field gap the XC10 lacks. Instead, I will most likely be buying an 80D to handle the close ups. With my newly acquired Canon 35mm f2 lens and the 80D's DPAF, I should have a nice two cam set up with brilliant Canon colors and AF and reliable Canon tech.

Sorry, I missed this. What flavor of ProRes are you using to downscale it? Are you uncheckinf optimize footage when you import the footage into FCPX after downscaling it in EditReady first? I think each log profile is different. With Canon LOG you want to protect your highlights. So do not expose to the right of the histogram. I usually underexpose by a stop. I also noticed that if you use Andrew's LUTS with his LOG profile, it raises your levels, so when I would underexpose by a stop, if I used one of his Cine LUTS, my highlights were really hot. The nice thing about his LOG profile is that your footage will look dark but there is some info hiding in the shadows. Of course, this is just what I've been doing with my eos-m10. Other models may react differently, so just try a few different ways and see how they turn out. Post your results, most people are pretty friendly and helpful around here.

If you're interested in the C100ii, check out the last two pages of the XC10 thread, Lintel and Kubrickian have been posting some footage of the C100ii for me to see and it it just stunning.

I just came across a clip I shot with the GX85 a couple months back and every time I've seen it, I am really blown away by this camera. I've been trying to go all in with Canon and invest in their glass so I can use DPAF, but then every time I watch a clip from this little beast, I get more confused.

G80/85 footage looks nice. Am surprised to see that these videos are shot with CineLikeD. I know many suspected that Panasonic tweaked their color science a little after the release of the GX85, and I think these videos may prove that. Has there been any word if the HDMI out can be downsampled to 1080p in camera like the GH4? If so, the modest an inexpensive Ninja Star could be used to record high bitrate ProRes. That would really make this camera interesting, otherwise it's really just a GX80/85 with an EVF and a mic input and the CineLike profiles if they matter to you.

Sorry for all these questions, but I have a few short films in the works and I really need to nail down my cameras and soon. I tried testing Andrew's C-Log with my $100 eos-m10 but the codec is so fragile it's hard to make a good comparison to know if it will help with the 80D... if I go that route. But like you said earlier, close ups are on my side there. I will say that I think Reid-LOG has definitely helped with the little camera. I may purchase James Millers' Canon LOG profile and see how that fares. Also, when you have used both in the same video, do you use the 1080p from the XC10, or have you used the 4K?

A quick and dirty test of my Canon EOS-M10 and Andrew Reid's Custom LOG. Since this camera is Canon's most basic interchangeable lens camera, I cannot guarantee that others' experiences with other Canon cameras and EOSHD-LOG would be similar or different, or better or worse. So, basically, this is my quick test with my modest equipment and skills. Your mileage may vary... Equipment Used: Canon EOS-M10 Canon FL 35mm f/3.5 Magnus 2XM-2000V Video Monopod EOSHD-LOG Picture Profile Impulz LOG Kodak Elite Chrome 200 FPE LUT

Yeah, people claim to get 1.25-1.5 hours out of it, but I never saw that. Of course, to be fair, I was using Wasabi batteries and it was blazing hot when I was using it... if heat makes a difference. But, I use the same batteries, in the same weather, with my XC10 and I'm getting 1.5-2 hours out of them and that's with a screen at its brightest with 5-Axis turned on. The other big issue I had with the Micro is the required rigging. Obviously, you need a screen, but the screen turns a camera the size of a Rubik's Cube into Frankenstein's monster. And since my style of filmmaking is more slow burn, I attack principal photography like it's B-Unit. So a lot of run and gun shooting where I am the crew. So, I would shoot a couple shots at one location and then load up the truck and head 5-10 minutes down the road for the next. With the cumbersome rig, I was forced to break it down in between locations, and that gets old quick. And then finally lens options. At the time all I owned was vintage, full frame lenses or vintage c-mounts. I had no interest in a speedbooster, so I was primarily using c-mounts. The 25mm Voigtlander was the best combo I used with it, but I sold it to help offset the costs of the monitor and the camera. Like I said, I probably should have bought a pocket and used it out of box with the 12-35mm OIS Panasonic handheld, and/or c-mounts with a monopod. I just hate the thought of paying a grand for a camera that cost $500 2 years ago. But it's my own fault, Zak warned everyone that if you prefer the DSLR form factor then you won't like the Micro. At the time, I didn't realize how much I liked the DSLR form factor. I've actually come so full circle that I prefer DSLRs now to even smaller mirrorless cameras. But even now, I'll go back and look at some of my clips and I am mind blown every time. The ProRes alone is freaking amazing. And the Raw 3:1 is just insane. I shoot a lot of footage in the woods (horror type of stuff) and the difference Raw makes with foliage and tree bark is insane compared to any modern consumer price equivalent. Btw, have you ever used the Pocket with a native lens? Am curious to know how that focus button works.

Yeah, that's my issue. If I made my living doing this, I would get a C100ii in a heartbeat, but my goal for filmmaking is really just as a promotional outlet for my screenwriting. Do you have any videos where you mix the xc10 and c100?

Yeah a drone camera... How many of the actual users fly it? And to be honest, if that is improved battery life, then the Pocket must be worse with battery than everybody claims, because I was lucky to get 45 minutes out of a battery, on the Micro, if I shut down the camera between takes. And even then the battery drains quickly unless you remove it. But other than a few minor annoyances (IR Filter, lens selection) the ProRes image alone is the best 1080p image for the money and the Raw is just mind blowing. I probably would have enjoyed the Pocket better, even with the frequent battery changes. And if I can ever find one for the right price, I will surely buy it and use it as designed... No screens, no external batteries, just an OIS lens or a C-Mount and monopod.

The Micro is definitely better, but I just don't like the ergonomics... I really, really don't like the ergonomics. Now the 5d Mkiii ML Raw is as good or better than the Micro. And the benefit with that camera is, you can take the ML card out and use the regular Canon with Reid-Log if you're looking for a quicker workflow. I also don't have the G7 anymore, I sold it when I bought the Micro. Then I bought an XC10 and a GX85, but I am selling the Micro and the GX85 and will replace them with either an 80D or maybe a C100ii. Oh yeah I also have an eos-m10, which is what I am currently using Reid-Log with. As far as my G7 settings... I used Noam Kroll's settings but with Natural instead of CineLikeD.

Damn, really really nice work. Those Sigmas with the C100ii really work beautifully together. Great, now I want a c100ii and the sigma 18-35... Haha. Just kidding. But not really. Oh yeah, your logo animation is great!!!

Here you go... http://m.ebay.com/itm/YI-M1-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-With-12-40mm-F3-5-5-6-Lens-42-5mm-F1-8-Lens-US-/162213096941?nav=SEARCH

They already have it listed on eBay for preorder, so you may get a quick reply if you ask there.

Actually, I'd like to hear about the IS as well... I didn't have it on when I used my 50D and to be honest I think there is some weird work around with OIS lenses and ML on the 50D. To me an Alexa is a fabled myth that may or may not really exist... I'd probably just shake it like a caveman. Ha. At least the C100 is in my realms of possibility one day... And it's good to see what the C100 is capable of.

What the eff is an import tax? ?