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HelsinkiZim

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  1. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from BTM_Pix in The one where we talk about auto-focus...   
    Dont u wish 'getting to know your dslr' was a college course credit! Lol - we would all pass with flying colors (of shit). 
    I sometimes think if we applied the same resolve as you have just demonstrated to an actual money making industry you would easily pass an LSAT or Series 7!
    God, what have we become.
    I blame Spielberg and Rodriguez. Tarantino too. Much explaining thrm folks need to do... to us.
     
  2. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Mattias Burling in The one where we talk about auto-focus...   
    I think it is about time we talk about autofocus. Rather, have a debate.
    I think that autofucus is at its incubator stage, much like automatic driving cars, where some people hold the best patents - but even then, it is not a 100% working technology.
    I truly believe it is the futre, as much as Siri and Alexa do wonders for not needing to type normal search queries, but if you are serious about your video - it is not for you.
    This riles people up, something of a Pro vs Amateur war, but I want to look at the word "serious" - forget the word "pro".
    Buying a video camera for more than 500 bucks makes you 'serious' - or stupid. Take yourself back 5 years ago and talk about spending 2 grand on a camera (with lenses) - it would only make sense if you were serious. Why is it different now? What more are you achieving? Why get higher specs if your focus makes your shots unusable (if serious)?
    If you care about DR, ISO, zebras, histograms, false color, law of 3rds, luts, audio, minus *blah, saturation and plus detail or whatever... why the fuck would you pass on focus to a computer still attempting to make sense?
    It takes a few minutes to get used to having to manually focus and eventually it becomes second nature. Tools like focus peaking and lenses where you can zoom in and get focus (parfocal?) are the best. On a gimbal you may need to have a calculation for distance vs focal plane (via f/t-stop), but jesus, that is not that hard - especially on a wide angle lens, which is where a gimbal works best.
    How much more convincing does Telsla need to do to get you to climb in the back seat, take a nap, and arrive at your destination?
    Auto focus is the same - I need a lot more convincing before I trust my shots with an algorithm... no matter the reviews and hype. Especially when being paid.
    If you care - you will manually focus. But I know - caring is subjective. For me, I am a perfectionist (in "my empire of dirt" - org. Trent Reznor) - For you, you may be happy to see what suprises you get in the edit. Home video or not...
     
  3. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to Stab in The one where we talk about auto-focus...   
    Autofocus for video will never work for 100% of the situations. It's that simple in my opinion. And since it won't, it's better to become the master of manual focus so you will never ever have the problem of becoming dependable on autofocus, until you find yourself in a situation where it doesn't work.
    For instance, you're filming a wedding. You have a beautiful shot on the bride and all of a sudden her father walks in the room. You quickly zoom out to get him or them both in the frame. You want to focus on him but still keep the frame like an over-the-shoulder. How does the autofocus know what to focus on here? It doesn't know, so you have to tell it.
    So do you physically have to touch the touchscreen here or press some buttons to transfer the focus from one point to another? On any camera without voice-command, most likely.
    And are you able to do so without moving or shaking the camera and maintaining the exact frame? Not with my setup.
    I can however with my middle finger just slightly move the focus ring of my lens whilst holding my rig steady, and the focus peaking confirms my new focus point. 0.02 seconds of work with great results.
    I do not need to discuss autofocus for video ever nor while I ever rely on it for the things that I do such as weddings. 'Sorry that I messed up your ceremony, the autofocus didn't work apparently'. No.
    On a professional movie set with expensive props, gear and talent? Nope. 
    As a vlogger or to hold your cat in focus while it moves towards you? Yep, might be handy. Surely there are and will be camera's who will be up to this task but so is my $150 phone.
    So yea, I agree with you. No perfectionist, which every cameraman or cinematographer should be, would actually care about autofocus.
  4. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to Inazuma in C100 mkiii   
    Dave "Fake News" Altizer
  5. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Escapist in FilmConvert Workflow?   
    Did you try turning off background rendering? I have had no problems with lag and stutter since I did that with the plug in. Preferences -> Playback.
    I would like to know if it helps for others.


  6. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to webrunner5 in Books worth reading on the path to become a better director   
    I don't follow him All the time LoL. So I am not sure What his response was. Knowing him he did not bring it into his Blog. He is a very Professional guy. At least I have not seen it in his blog.
    I am amazed how much talent he has, how he is kind enough to help others out with every aspect of his job.  I know he makes money off of it, but he does have a lot of stuff for free that is very important stuff to learn. He is a rare person in Hollywood that does it that's for sure. But I think his wife has a lot to do about it happening also!
  7. Like
  8. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from webrunner5 in Meanwhile, at DPReview...   
    Ha ha... I think he was the first person to make us all think about 'alternative facts', aka 'how the fuck do we know what is real in the digital age?'.
    The hubris (balls) to reappear are so unthinkable that he must be real. But then again...
    Hence the current 'truth crisis'.
  9. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to Zak Forsman in DaVinci Resolve 14 banner goes up at NAB 2017   
    skipping ahead to version 14?... like how some buildings don't have a 13th floor?

  10. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to BTM_Pix in Buying Canon XC10 in 2017.   
    I honestly think in 2-3 years time when we are all done to death with cobbling together different lenses and bodies and interfaces and all the other hooch looking for perfect systems then we'll all end up buying camcorders again.
    The XC10/15 has a lot going for it in this respect. 
    Everyone I know who has been sceptical about it and tried it has found it quite liberating to just have a one box solution that - when you look beyond the specs - just makes decent images and makes them without fuss. 
    Obviously they aren't without their issues as you'll find if you have a search on here so whether this iteration of the concept is the right one at the right time I don't know.
    Canon have the wherewithal to make a Super 35 version of it with L optics with a constant 2.8 with a FF equivalent (not that old chestnut) of 18 to 300mm, retail it for 5K and it would probably be the last camera most of us would need or buy. Which of course is precisely why they won't do it! 
    I tell you who might though and that's JVC if they used the LS300 as a basis. 
    I've been using a G7 effectively as a camcorder this week with just one small zoom lens on it and relishing the speed and simplicity of the restriction rather than fretting about it.
    So, yes, I think if you just want to get and shoot do what you've described then the XC10/15 is not going to get in your way. In that regard, it has to be a smart choice!
    But....
    If you're in that area, I'd also take a good look at the Panasonic FZ2000.
    Its a lot cheaper, faster lens (at the long end), much longer reach, has NDs, LOG, 5 axis IS, 10 bit very good stills extraction, much cheaper media, 10 bit 4:2:2 HDMI out....
    The downside is that in 4K, its cropped to about 35mm FF equivalent (here we go again) which may or may not be a deal breaker for your application.
     
  11. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to fuzzynormal in Hasselblad H6D 100C Review. Shoots 4k Video MF   
    Yup.  I have a few cameras that capably handle 90% of my work, but when I'm doing something more serious or particular, I'll rent what serves the need.
  12. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Phil A in Hasselblad H6D 100C Review. Shoots 4k Video MF   
    I thought about this for a moment - I think there are 2 different races going on atm...
    One is for quality - 4K, and the other is for more in the frame - sensor size.
    People are getting aesthetically confused as to what they like about a shot or video.
    This is all taking us further away from the race for good content.
    EDIT; and lest we forget DR. When was the last time you liked a video because of DR?
    We must understand what all these things serve, for example - great full frame with shallow dof works great for music videos and fashion, and great dr works great for flexibility in post to control moods in narrative and documentary - but we should not serve them. They should serve us.
    Luckily enough cameras are getting so inexpensive that you can own multiple cameras and choose them like film stock on a project by project basis. That is what I am doing.
  13. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Cinegain in Jvc GY-Ls300 finally gets 4:2:2 4k and other gifts!   
    They should re-house it in an awkward box and they will make a mint.
  14. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Alt Shoo in Jvc GY-Ls300 finally gets 4:2:2 4k and other gifts!   
    They should re-house it in an awkward box and they will make a mint.
  15. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Davey in Honey, we need to talk about the kids...   
    On my walk to drop off some gear at the rental house, I ran into 5 teenagers filming.
    I of course wanted to ask what they were up to, camera, lens etc, and it ended up being a very enlightening experience (15mins of).
    They are vloggers and instagramers here in Finland with over 100 000 followers/ subscribers in each medium. 
    I, indeed, was the old fart (all 37 of my years on earth) they were humouring but they were super pleasant and made my day.
    But to the point, all they had as 'gear' was an olympus, native pancake lens, and a tiny plastic tripod. Their main goal was to walk around the city and produce content.
    I metioned I had some stuff like the Zhiyun Crane, like it was impressive... but it turns out that kind of stuff was arbitrary to their interests.
    These guys were content machines.
    It made me think. Have I been getting it all wrong?
    Yes, I script, I storyboard, I know my way around a manual cinema camera and traditional lighting techniques...
    But who cares anymore?
    These kids are the future and they did not care a toss about dynamic range or bitrates. They wanted everything auto so they could focus on actually enjoying a shoot.
    Something to think about...
  16. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Dave Maze in I'm Sorry   
    You're vids are super cool you are a natural performer, with gear knowledge - better than most - just keep going and tweak.
    The existential camera gear geek is still an open slot imo.
    You're mistake was thinking the court of public opinion is ruly/ rational.
    Politicians make money for a reason...
    Trust your gut. Go make money.
    I approve. Be happy
  17. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Dave Maze in I'm Sorry   
    ... and, whatever Gods you think you have offended don't exist.
    Just a 'web 2.0' forum. Feels real, but dang'ed if it ain't!
  18. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Ken Ross in Panasonic GH5 - all is revealed!   
    Wow. Nice auto focus.
  19. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from webrunner5 in I'm Sorry   
    You're vids are super cool you are a natural performer, with gear knowledge - better than most - just keep going and tweak.
    The existential camera gear geek is still an open slot imo.
    You're mistake was thinking the court of public opinion is ruly/ rational.
    Politicians make money for a reason...
    Trust your gut. Go make money.
    I approve. Be happy
  20. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Justin Bacle in Jvc GY-Ls300 finally gets 4:2:2 4k and other gifts!   
    They should re-house it in an awkward box and they will make a mint.
  21. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from webrunner5 in Honey, we need to talk about the kids...   
    On my walk to drop off some gear at the rental house, I ran into 5 teenagers filming.
    I of course wanted to ask what they were up to, camera, lens etc, and it ended up being a very enlightening experience (15mins of).
    They are vloggers and instagramers here in Finland with over 100 000 followers/ subscribers in each medium. 
    I, indeed, was the old fart (all 37 of my years on earth) they were humouring but they were super pleasant and made my day.
    But to the point, all they had as 'gear' was an olympus, native pancake lens, and a tiny plastic tripod. Their main goal was to walk around the city and produce content.
    I metioned I had some stuff like the Zhiyun Crane, like it was impressive... but it turns out that kind of stuff was arbitrary to their interests.
    These guys were content machines.
    It made me think. Have I been getting it all wrong?
    Yes, I script, I storyboard, I know my way around a manual cinema camera and traditional lighting techniques...
    But who cares anymore?
    These kids are the future and they did not care a toss about dynamic range or bitrates. They wanted everything auto so they could focus on actually enjoying a shoot.
    Something to think about...
  22. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Bioskop.Inc in Honey, we need to talk about the kids...   
    On my walk to drop off some gear at the rental house, I ran into 5 teenagers filming.
    I of course wanted to ask what they were up to, camera, lens etc, and it ended up being a very enlightening experience (15mins of).
    They are vloggers and instagramers here in Finland with over 100 000 followers/ subscribers in each medium. 
    I, indeed, was the old fart (all 37 of my years on earth) they were humouring but they were super pleasant and made my day.
    But to the point, all they had as 'gear' was an olympus, native pancake lens, and a tiny plastic tripod. Their main goal was to walk around the city and produce content.
    I metioned I had some stuff like the Zhiyun Crane, like it was impressive... but it turns out that kind of stuff was arbitrary to their interests.
    These guys were content machines.
    It made me think. Have I been getting it all wrong?
    Yes, I script, I storyboard, I know my way around a manual cinema camera and traditional lighting techniques...
    But who cares anymore?
    These kids are the future and they did not care a toss about dynamic range or bitrates. They wanted everything auto so they could focus on actually enjoying a shoot.
    Something to think about...
  23. Like
    HelsinkiZim got a reaction from Thpriest in Honey, we need to talk about the kids...   
    On my walk to drop off some gear at the rental house, I ran into 5 teenagers filming.
    I of course wanted to ask what they were up to, camera, lens etc, and it ended up being a very enlightening experience (15mins of).
    They are vloggers and instagramers here in Finland with over 100 000 followers/ subscribers in each medium. 
    I, indeed, was the old fart (all 37 of my years on earth) they were humouring but they were super pleasant and made my day.
    But to the point, all they had as 'gear' was an olympus, native pancake lens, and a tiny plastic tripod. Their main goal was to walk around the city and produce content.
    I metioned I had some stuff like the Zhiyun Crane, like it was impressive... but it turns out that kind of stuff was arbitrary to their interests.
    These guys were content machines.
    It made me think. Have I been getting it all wrong?
    Yes, I script, I storyboard, I know my way around a manual cinema camera and traditional lighting techniques...
    But who cares anymore?
    These kids are the future and they did not care a toss about dynamic range or bitrates. They wanted everything auto so they could focus on actually enjoying a shoot.
    Something to think about...
  24. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to jax_rox in Honey, we need to talk about the kids...   
    Lot of talk here about content vs art.
    I'd posit that both are forms of content. Anything that has an intended audience is a piece of content. And in fact, if you take the vloggers you spoke to as one extreme, and arthouse filmmakers as the other, there's actually a broad range in the middle (including those here) that many people will sit along.
    I think preoccupation and obsession with gear is silly regardless of the type of content you're making. I think it's very easy to forget that gear and equipment are there to support the procurement and production of the content. You can have an audience shooting on an iPhone and you can have an audience shooting on an Alexa. The audiences may be different (and there's potentially some crossover), but they're both viable.
    Making a video and making a film are inherently different as well. 
    Figure out what you want to make and make it. Personally, I think as audiences we connect to what we relate to. Yeah, maybe sometimes we like to watch stuff that looks nice as well, but overall if you can make a connection to your audience - whether that's through the way something is framed, the lighting within, the performance of the person in front of the camera or otherwise - that's when you know you're doing a good job.
    Both extremes connect with their audience, they just go about it in slightly different ways.
  25. Like
    HelsinkiZim reacted to rdouthit in Honey, we need to talk about the kids...   
    It's just another genre. Neistat and Fine Brothers are the role models to this group. Note that The Fine Brothers managed to shoot a show for SHO a few years ago using consumer Canon pocket cameras. These guys are content machines. If they stop producing at ridiculous rates, their revenue and social stock can crash. That's fine, but it leaves little time to improve the art. It's what they want to do and more power to them. I have friends that are into this, and the have a love/hate relationship with it. Personally, have no interest in that mill. 
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