I have been considering selling some gear and getting a 5D2 as a second cam. With all these other cameras being announced the 5D’s price has come down quiet a bit. But now you can get your hands on a new body for $2039 now only $1999 crazy! That is incredibly tempting. Have someone really really special on your shopping list? This would make for an epic gift for that special filmmaker/photography in your life.

Canon 5D Mk II Deal on B&H.

New Canon Instant rebates are here. Click on the image above for savings on 60D, 7D, 5D, T2i, T3i and a ton of other lenses!

]]> http://dslrvideoshooter.com/instant-rebates-on-canon-cameras-and-lenses/feed/ 0 http://dslrvideoshooter.com/canon-instant-rebates-5d-t3i/ http://dslrvideoshooter.com/canon-instant-rebates-5d-t3i/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:44:51 +0000 Caleb Pike http://dslrvideoshooter.com/?p=3409

Dave Dugdale and I started our respective blogs around the same time. And over the past almost 2 years, I’ve really enjoyed doing interviews together (remind me to have him on for a friday episode one of these days) and watching his reviews.

Recently, Dave has been doing Canon HDSLR camera comparisons. And now that he has a few out I thought I’d share them with you. And if you haven’t visited his website check it out, he has several tutorials and reviews for those getting started in the wonderful world of HDSLRs.

Beautifully shot piece showcasing some epic bike shots using 5Dmk2, the Panasonic AF100, GoPro and some killer slomo shots (see end) shot with the Phantom Flex. Dig it:

POC Bike Excursion from ANTIMEDIA on Vimeo.

More info on the video:

POC Bike Excursion with Danny Macaskill, Daniel Dhers and Martin Söderström.

“It’s been a dream project since a couple of years, bringing our dear friends Daniel, Danny and Martin together here to explore and ride the surroundings of POC HQ. POC HQ is based right in between the exotic Archipelago and Stockholm city, the capital of Sweden and offers some unique spots. So, we were really excited when we finally could bring them together and start filming.”

This is another great little piece by Drea Cooper & Zackary Canepari of California is a Place.
This micro doc is a very unique one. I am not condoning it, but I found it quite curious. After you watch the  video I’d like to hear what you think about it.

Uppercut from California is a place. on Vimeo.

“In Silicon Valley we have the highest concentration of aggressive people in the United States. And it’s a place where all life has been reduced to working in a cubicle and then after work going out to have a Merlot at the Fromage bar. I’m kind of looking for something a little more primitive, a little more basic, something that appeals to the essential nature of a man.”

– Gints K., Software Engineer & Founder, Gentlemen’s Fight Club

A film by Drea Cooper & Zackary Canepari

Its been a while since I posted a monday likes (see all of them here) so here is another for ya’ll.

I first saw this while catching up on Jem Schofield’s The C47 episodes. I really like how its a doc with a little narrative flare to it. Although I find it interesting the guy who hides people agreed to be in a documentary… At any rate, check it out:

By Giuseppe Malpasso

Great doc by California is a Place. Be sure to check out his other films.

Borderland from California is a place. on Vimeo.

Dick is right. “Every American should see this.” It is real and it is striking. In some places it stands 18 feet tall and looks like the gates of Mordor. In other places, it is barely 10 feet tall and looks like it was put together with a stapler. It runs from the Colorado River directly into the Pacific. It is big, intense and intimidating. And it is unfinished. Gaping holes are everywhere. Physically it’s confusing. Politically it’s puzzling. Ideologically it’s complicated. But for Dick and Ron, who both live within a few miles of the border, defending it is simply a matter of protecting themselves and preserving their own beliefs. Drug smugglers don’t come to the United States to make an honest living. As the recent killing of Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas shows, the border is more than a moral line in the sand. The fence is real. We recommend a visit.

A film by Drea Cooper & Zackary Canepari

What the…

Robin Schmidt (also know as El Skid), recently posted a video and blog post showing off his “Beastmaster” rig. The rig is designed around two cameras. One 5D and a 7D. While this setup seems utterly absurd, there is logic and reason to the madness. Robin explains in his blog post:

“The kind of stuff we’re shooting involves some pretty crazy stunts, like walking down a busy high street wearing a bacon bikini etc. etc. and we really don’t want to hang around too long. Having the two cameras going at the same time means we don’t need to stick around for any longer than we need to. He does a lot of talking to camera and there’s usually a lot of cross-cutting.”

Robin goes on to share how he used the 5D as his main camera with the Canon 24-70mm L zoom lens, and the 7D with the Tokina 11-16mm for a wide B cam.

Why?

I have to admit at first I was questioning why one would go to such crazy ends to achieve this type of shoot. But I began to see some great uses for such a setup. A lot of people would probably just use the RED One and shoot it wide at 4K and crop the finally video to create several differently framed shots. But then you are loosing sharpness when you zoom in, and you don’t get the fun ascetics of a super wide lens. Some might ask me:  ”Ok then Caleb, why not just shoot with two different cameras with difference operators?” Well that is just it, not only would you need two people to operate, but they would be at different angles. What is so great about having the cameras right next to each other is the perspective. Since the talent was acting/speaking to camera, they didn’t have to cue him to look at different cameras. Brilliant.

Its obvious this sort of rig is not practical for many shoots, but it worked well for Robin. Be sure to check out his video describing the setup and his blog post.

8 Simple steps for getting started with DSLR video.

Alex Maximov recently messaged me with this question:

“I am getting into DSLR stuff and I am thinking of buying Rebel t2i camera.
What would be your advice for me as a beginning cinematographer?…”

I have been receiving a lot of emails from people asking where to start with learning DSLR video. This guide is my answer to those interested in getting started. This is also the process that got me started.

Should You switch to DSLRs?

Before you fully commit to shooting video with DSLRs, you should ask yourself why. Is it because you want more manual control, Lens selection, or because DSLR are hot? If you answer with the latter you are in for a painful, disappointing reality. While DSLRs seem to be the bee’s knees, you will quickly find them to demand a whole other level of discipline you aren’t ready, or want to engage in.

But if you are interested in more manual control and options to refine your footage, have a learners attitude, and are willing to work with the cons of shooting DSLR, your ready to jump in.

1. Choosing a DSLR

While this question seems like a daunting, it is rather simple. How will you use it. Before you begin to spend weeks studying the specs consider your current situation. Are you a student, hobbyist, or someone looking to switch fields? Than seriously consider a Canon T2i or Nikon D3100 (when it comes out). If you are a video professional, full time filmmaker/photographer, than the Canon 7D or 5D will be a more reasonable choice for you. Also consider if you will be making money with it or not. A lot of people I talk too say they are waiting until X camera comes out or until they can afford Y camera, but in reality they could have bought a T2i landed some jobs and been on their way.

The Point is don’t get hung up on the camera. I have worked a lot with the Canon T2i and consider it to be totally proficient for most situations. You can’t go wrong with this sub-$1000 camera. Get what you need not what you want and start shooting.

2. Learn the Camera

Of course buying a camera won’t make you a pro, so the next step is learning these cameras. Before I bought any lenses I purchased Philip Bloom’s Learn 2 Shoot Great Video On Your Canon 7D DVD. I highly recommend this for anyone. Phil really did a stellar job putting this together. He does offer a 5D training DVD as well. As you learn more about the camera you with become more comfortable with it. Also be sure to work through Ryan Koo’s The DSLR Cinematography Guide. Once you are well acquainted with your camera, you can fully focus on what your shooting and not what buttons to push.

3. Learn About Cinematography

To this some will respond “But I’m not going to be a cinematographer” Great! Now go learn cinematography… To really get the most out of these cameras you need to understand a few key concepts. What is depth of field? And more importantly how does one use it? What is the 180 degree shutter rule? Once you begin to understand and master these concepts, you will see the quality of your footage skyrocket. I highly recommend Blain Brown’s Cinematography: Theory and Practice for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers. It goes everywhere I do.

4. Figure Out What You NEED

Once you understand how to use and move your camera, you will start to see what you are going to need gear wise. We all want the Laforet Kit, but in reality we don’t need all that stuff. Most of my film, doc, video, and commercial work have been shot with a decent tripod, a fast 50mm and thats it. A great resource to help you figure out what YOU need is Adriel Brunson’s DSLR Buyers Guide. Its a 50 page guide walking you though some choices.

Basically, the “Needs” need to trump the “Wants.”

5. Practice Practice Practice

Once you are comfortable with the camera and concepts, its time to create something. By create something I don’t mean test videos. Create challenges for yourself. Create a visual short and lock the aperture at one level, experiment with shutter speed while shooting a sport or shoot a short action scene with friends, shoot a short sequence of camera shot locked down on the tripod. The point is create a really project to share with others and try new things. Even if it is a total flop you will learn from it.

6. Ask for Critiquing

Once you have something you would like to share, ask some people to critique it. Be open to their comments. Mentorship and collaboration are a huge part of creating visual art. Harness the power of the internet and video groups like Vimeo, and Exposure Room. If someone constructively rips your video, lick your wounds and apply what your learned to your next project.

7. Learn More

Now that you have studied, practiced and feel like your getting there, hit the learning circuit again. There are TONS of online resources for learning more about HDSLR uses, workflow, lenses, data rates etc. Don’t be afraid of it all. Embrace it and take it all in a step at a time.

8. Repeat Steps 5-7

You’ve arrived. Now start it all over again

If you found this post helpful please consider using our B&H link for your next purchase to support future original content. Thank you so much!

- Caleb Pike