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TomTheDP

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  1. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from kye in Blackmagic Micro Cinema Super Guide and Why It Still Matters   
    I just sold mine, now I am almost regretting it. 😅

    I really wish companies would continue pursuing the film look. I think even ARRI has moved to high res/clean digital look with the Alexa 35. I get it, capture the cleanest image possible and make all the choices in post. It just isn't my style at all.
  2. Thanks
    TomTheDP reacted to And1 in Blackmagic Micro Cinema Super Guide and Why It Still Matters   
    Tested it again in Prores 422, against GH5, G9 (which I love), A7iii, Eos R, all in Log 4k, and it's night and day. I only tested it against those cameras because these are the ones I've had available.
    I really wouldn't believe the difference if someone would have told me without seeing it with my own two eyes. 
    Tested it against Bmpcc6k (in Braw) as well, and just loved the character it had once again and if exposed well (because I shoot in Prores), many of the times I prefer it.
    Bmpcc6k is easier to use though, in Braw, with built in false colors as well, but I love the sensor on the BMMCC.
    They did an excellent job on that sensor. 
  3. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to zerocool22 in What would you give up?   
    Would love an alexa tiny with the old sensor ar an affordable price.
  4. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from kye in What would you give up?   
    I have already given up RAW, battery life, size and resolution for dynamic range, color science, and fast readout (the Alexa Classic).

    Dynamic range and color science are top priority for me and then sensor readout speed. After that battery life, then weight and then resolution.
  5. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from Evgeniy85 in PSA - Please remember that the camera YT echo-chamber is just marketing, not the real world   
    It is for acquiring plates though. DSLR's have been used for a while for crash cams or things like this. I remember the 5d was listed on the Avengers. Not really going to be ever seen as an A, B or even C cam on a major production. This isn't to discount the GH5 or any other camera just being realistic.

    There are some good voices on youtube. Most channels are selling cameras though so of course they are not going to promote old stuff. Consumerism is definitely in full swing though and the filmmaker market is insane in this regard. There is a recent trend to do reviews of old cameras which is refreshing (maybe saying it is a trend is exaggerating it).
  6. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from FHDcrew in What would you give up?   
    I have already given up RAW, battery life, size and resolution for dynamic range, color science, and fast readout (the Alexa Classic).

    Dynamic range and color science are top priority for me and then sensor readout speed. After that battery life, then weight and then resolution.
  7. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to bjohn in Blackmagic Micro Cinema Super Guide and Why It Still Matters   
    The most reliable ones I've found so far are the Angelbird cards, which they have only tested for the original Pocket but I can vouch that they work on the BMMCC although I haven't tested 60fps since I almost never use slow motion. I got two of the 128 gig cards from them a couple of years ago and they've been rock solid. If I remember correctly 60fps is not available in uncompressed raw anyway, I think you can shoot it in CDNG raw 3:1 and ProRes, but I haven't checked the manual to confirm. You may have to check with Angelbird directly to see if they still have these cards available; for a while they had removed them from their website but when I wrote to them they said they still had a good number of them and sold two to me.
    As far as I know, no new cards support 60fps on the BMMCC; only the old SanDisk ones that were approved by BMD. I have a stash of those that I use along with the Angelbirds.
    The cheapest cards I found that worked were the Kingston Canvas Select, but mine only lasted a year before giving up the ghost. Those were reliable for ProRes and CDNG up to 30fps but I did occasionally get frame drops in raw at 30fps and even once or twice with ProRes.
    If you don't mind ProRes, the way to extend the lifetime of this camera is to get one of BMD's newer video assists or another external monitor/recorder that records ProRes; those can accept modern SD cards.
  8. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to Ty Harper in Canon EOS R5C   
    Just came back from a passion project shoot in South America. A mix of talking head interviews and capturing b-roll on most days. I had 6 batteries (4 oem and 2 off brand) - no grip - and the battery drain issue wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be. Of course we all have different workflows/needs etc. 
  9. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to Snowfun in Pocket 4k or 6k?   
    Update for anyone interested.
    I got a P6KG2 (I don't really need built-in ND and WEX were offering a free viewfinder).
    I also bought a lovely Nikon 50-300mm AIS ED (from Grays of Westminster) which looks fun although I have not yet assembled enough Smallrig bits and pieces to adequately support it. I suspect it'd pull the front off the Blackmagic if left unsupported. Balancing it on the tripod will be a challenge.  I also have the Nikon 24,28,50,85  (Urth F-EF adapters) and I got what must be the most awful lens I have ever handled - the Canon EF50 (optically I'm sure it's wonderful but it feels utterly dreadful and even more cheap than it was). What  little footage I've seen from the monster zoom looks quite promising and the sheer imposing nature of the thing definitely inspires me to want to get out and film stuff. There is something special about a smooth focus ring. And enjoying the process is, for me, at least as important as the product (which realistically only a handful of people will watch so arguably is actually the least important aspect of the activity...)
    Couple of downsides: the battery grip seems to make the camera reluctant to switch off and the Kondor Blue cage simply doesn't fit (the USB C cable holder is in the wrong place and is too small). Now replaced by single NP batteries and a Smallrig cage. Battery grip for sale!
  10. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to hyalinejim in 11 year old 5d MK3 superior to newest releases   
    Yes, I think the first shot of the sun coming up on the landscape has a fade in of something like sixty seconds. So like, it is indeed getting brighter in the scene but I'm also doing a one minute fade in from black. At the time I probably needed RAW for this. I think it was just before the GH5 10bit 422 era.
    You mentioned in a DM that the original file downloaded from Vimeo is much cleaner. There is terrible banding in the streaming version for the first minute, but the footage itself is pristine.
    What's interesting to me looking at it now is the softness of the footage as I'm used to looking at 4K (and I think the softnes looks great). I may have shot it at 2.8K or something, I'm not sure, for 2048 x whatever DCP delivery. But then I may even have blurred it a little bit! I know I definitely blurred the title and end credits as they looked a bit too sharp to me.
  11. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from hyalinejim in 11 year old 5d MK3 superior to newest releases   
    I have never had to make that choice as the difference in price is minimal. If you are getting an Alexa Mini or Sony Venice that is a different story.
    But yes between choosing one of the 12 bit readout cameras on the market and an older RED or Alexa I would definitely go with RED or Alexa. I always have access to basic lighting packages. Now if it were a situation where I thought we would have to film at 6400 iso or something I would have to go with something like a S1H but aside from that personally I wouldn't.

    Looking at Gerald Undone's review and his dynamic range tests of that sensor, it looks significantly better than the previous Fuji sensor which I owned at one point. Almost purchased the XH2S as soon as I saw that review and his findings.

    A lot of the dynamic range of that sensor is in the shadows and it does get noisy. But if the color rendition is maintained and the noise monochromatic I like that look. One of the traits of an Alexa is that underexposure results in noise. However it doesn't have color noise and maintains color rendition nicely. Of course the XH2S doesn't have the Alexa's highlight retention.

    @jpfilmz
    There is also something about older canon color science that is really nice.

    @hyalinejim very nice work!
  12. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to QuickHitRecord in Is the EOS-M *THE* Digital Super-8 Camera?   
    I realized recently that the FZ47 has a sensor that is almost the exact same width as Super 8mm film. I put a pistol grip on mine and used the tiny EVF (I did cheat and use the LCD a few times) and long zoom lens for a very Super 8-esque shooting experience. Next time I'll shoot in 640x480 instead of 1080P so that I can capture the correct aspect ratio in-camera. As a bonus, the 29.97fps looks very natural on a 15fps timeline. And of course I always love working with that global shutter.
     
  13. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from PannySVHS in No-Budget Movies Are Taking Over: Welcome to a New Era of Filmmaking   
    Yes but that is the only way to make money when you don't have an obscene amount of money to market to general audiences.
  14. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from PannySVHS in 8 vs 10 bit   
    The look difference these cameras have extends past just white balance and tint differences. Shooting in REC709 isn't bad per say. Really depends on the camera's processing. I prefer organic looking noise, REC709 profiles often use aggressive NR which gets rid of all organic looking texture. Some are worse than others. Another issue is things like color clipping and highlight roll off which are sometimes handled poorly in REC709 profiles. This is why I usually prefer to shoot log.

    But for fast turn around or low paying stuff where the client doesn't care a baked in look is sometimes the way to go for sure. Also if you just shoot a lot of home video or self documentary stuff, it can be nice to save the space and shoot 8 bit.

    I also agree with @PannySVHS It can really depend on the camera/codec/processing. All 8 bit isn't equal, same with 10 bit.
  15. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from SRV1981 in 8 vs 10 bit   
    I don't feel you really have to grade log. You can just put on a lut and adjust the exposure if you need/want.

    But in terms of your question I would say it depends what other features you are looking for.

    The Canon R8, FX30, or Panasonic S5 MK2 seem like good relatively budget options. If you can, renting or borrowing is the best way to really see if you like a camera as IQ is only one aspect.
  16. Thanks
    TomTheDP reacted to mercer in 11 year old 5d MK3 superior to newest releases   
    This was one of the films I watched right before I bought my 5D3! Great look!
  17. Thanks
    TomTheDP reacted to jpfilmz in 11 year old 5d MK3 superior to newest releases   
    I still…even with the bmpcc4k and R5 8k raw haven’t be able to replicate this look and motion from 5D3 Raw.
     
     
  18. Haha
    TomTheDP reacted to Davide DB in 11 year old 5d MK3 superior to newest releases   
    Two big categories: cats & backyards 
  19. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to hyalinejim in 11 year old 5d MK3 superior to newest releases   
    At the risk of going off topic, I also remember when on video forums people would post videos that they had made!
    It's the same everywhere else. On FB groups people post pics of their setup rather than something that they shot with it.
    By the way I think it's worth pointing out that the original post of this topic was something along the lines of "does 14bit give noticeably better colour?". It's a perfectly valid question or talking point for discussion about one aspect of image quality, and has nothing whatsoever to do with lighting, story, frosted glass or frosted flakes or whatever somebody had for their breakfast... So to veer off into those topics is to miss the point of this thread.
    Now, here's a video! This is the last project I shot on the 5D3. Hope you like slow cinema!
     
  20. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to herein2020 in No-Budget Movies Are Taking Over: Welcome to a New Era of Filmmaking   
    Actually music videos are my favorite type of project to work on, if there was any money at all in it in my area I would shoot a lot more but where I live the artists have no money and music artists aren't really a big thing here. 
    The key to music videos is to be very selective with who you work with. You quickly learn to decline projects where the artists wants cars, women, and mansions for their $500 budget. I also won't shoot any that feature guns, drugs, violence, etc. because their tiny budget wouldn't offset the number of high-end clientele that type of content could drive away from my business. The best clients in my area are in the $1500-$5000 range and they let you do your job which is to create the visuals for their lyrics. 
     
     
    I think weddings are like everything else, the conditions have to be right for them to be worth it. Just like music videos and the big events that I shoot, where you are located can completely change the types of projects that are profitable or enjoyable. In a small town with no big profitable events, my business model would not work.
    To me weddings are my least favorite of all projects. In my area they don't pay very well since this is not a wedding destination and there's tons of wedding videographers/photographers here, and the sheer disorganization of it all combined with trying to get a few min of the bride and groom's time on their wedding day and combined with trying to get everyone mic'd up for good audio makes it just not something I want to shoot.
    Also, the only geographic feature here is the beaches so everyone wants a beach wedding which is blazing hot in the summer so you have to worry about your gear overheating and the sand gets into every single crevice of your equipment.  In an area with less competition, that is a wedding destination, where weddings paid better I would be more inclined to pursue that type of work. 
  21. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to MrSMW in No-Budget Movies Are Taking Over: Welcome to a New Era of Filmmaking   
    I just have one word:
    Weddings 💰
    Sure, they don’t have the caché of shooting music videos never mind even short films, but a lot more creative freedom compared with working for an actual client!
    OK, the couple are your client but if you are doing it right, they will have next to zero creative input.
    If I could restart my career, sure, I’d rather be working towards being the cinematographer on Dune, but like 95% of actors who work in coffee shops to make ends meet, I decided to be the indépendant coffee shop owner over the casual working there.
    I digress, but the one thing this industry has taught me is to steer well clear of demanding people with ‘ideas’ 🤪
  22. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to OleB in Sigma fp cine mode: 4:3 full sensor mode missing (for anamorphic lenses)   
    Full 6k 3:2 is not possible with cDNG because of the enormous data rates which need to be transferred to the USB-C drive - drives are too slow over USB-C for that.
    The sensor is natively able to produce something like 3k in 3:2 though, hoping for SIGMA to implement that mode. For the SIRUI 1.6x that would be a perfect match. 😉
  23. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to IronFilm in No-Budget Movies Are Taking Over: Welcome to a New Era of Filmmaking   
    That is brutal. 
    Just to get a basic yearly income he'll have to do two each and every week!
    And that includes: marketing to find new clients, onboarding them, doing the preproduction, doing the shoot itself, doing all the postproduction himself (otherwise that eats into profits) and delivery! 
  24. Like
    TomTheDP reacted to herein2020 in No-Budget Movies Are Taking Over: Welcome to a New Era of Filmmaking   
    That's nothing, this year I shot 3 music videos for a total of $500....yes you read that right, not $500/ea but $500 total and still managed to make it profitable. I used a single venue, a model who was willing to work for free, 3hrs to film all 3, and about 3hrs on the edits. Yes they look like $500 music videos but that's because they were. Even the audio tracks for each video was recorded live in a single take for each one. Two hours filming the performances and audio live, 1hr filming b-roll and it was a wrap.
    I agree with you on the volume thing though, I couldn't do that every month let alone every week. They were a nice break from my normal work, but no way would I want that to be my niche.
  25. Like
    TomTheDP got a reaction from TheRenaissanceMan in No-Budget Movies Are Taking Over: Welcome to a New Era of Filmmaking   
    I work on mostly low budget feature films in the 30k realm. They can actually be incredibly profitable if you know what you are doing.
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