DSLRs meet BBC broadcast standards (but only kind of), and the upshot of that

This is kind of like the joke where the man says to the doctor, “Doc, it hurts when I do this, what would you suggest?” and the doctor says, “Don’t do that.”

The BBC has exacting standards about the quality of footage it will broadcast, for good reason, but their technical demands also has created a proper British club of filmmakers who can afford expensive equipment. The hoi polloi with these “prosumer” cameras just haven’t cut it. The BBC has required 50mbps quality; HDV and H264, compressed down as they are to about 24Mbps, are on the outside looking in; even the great Sony EX1 at 35Mbps doesn’t technically cut it.

So now comes the news that the BBC is accepting EOS 5D footage, which provides a 38mbps bit rate, but also has well-documented flaws in regard to moire and aliasing.

The HD Magazine article quotes the producers of the drama “Road to Coronation Street” as saying,

“We shot a lot of tests which looked wonderful but the engineers at the BBC were saying that there was aliasing and moiré patterns that would make them fail the use of the camera for HD broadcast.

“However we’d done a lot of independent research and shot more tests and shown them to people. When the tests came back from the BBC they said there was aliasing but they suggested that we shoot more tests in a type of scenario that the production would encounter, like a scene with actors looking backwards and forwards with mid-shots and close ups.

“The head of technology at the BBC, Ian Potts, who was very supportive in our early days saying ‘You have these technical issues that would fail our broadcast tests but it’s very interesting what you’re doing and please do some more tests because we’d love to see what you do’. After seeing the four day’s worth of rushes he was so completely smitten with it and said it was some of the best material they’d ever had, ‘finish the film on it’. It went from nought to 60 in half a second.”

So, basically, it’s a “Don’t do this” scenario. That means avoiding such moire-inducing patterns as checked shirts and window screens, not setting long focus on straight-lined patterns, and keeping everything fairly tightly focused. (Other discussions such as this are common among DSLR users) There are many other technical considerations beyond that, but it’s the simple idea of being aware of the limitations of your equipment.We’ll see whether there’s a more general acceptance of DSLR footage out of this.

Testing the 5D’s dynamic range, and assessing the 60D

For technical geeks, the debate rages about the video quality of DSLRs. What seemed gained in sharpness and low-light performance seemed lost in such negative effects as shutter Jell-O, moire and aliasing.

But ProVideo Coalition has done a more definitive test on the Canon EOS 5D Mk II’s dynamic range, the ability to find detail over a number of f-stops.

The testing shows the $2,500 EOS 5D to cover 11 stops of dynamic range. In comparison, the $6,000 Sony EX1 has 10 stops, the $30,000 RED One is said to have 11.3 stops, the $150,000 Sony F23 has 13, and the $70,000 Arri Alexa about 13. Kodak claims 15 stops for its color negative film stock.

These studies only further what we know. That these DSLRs, despite their limitations, have been game-changers that have allowed more people to even think about doing film. Ten years ago, video cameras such as the Canon XL1 had only about 7 stops of dynamic range, which meant you had to light carefully and evenly. You would never have put a subject in front of a black background (such as in the clip at the bottom of this post, from Nathaniel Hansen’s “The Elders”) because the camera would have converted those blacks into noisy artifacts and blown out the whites on the other end. But the gap between video and film has grown so much smaller, newer filmmakers don’t even have to worry about such considerations (and may laugh at older films with very flat lighting).

Meanwhile, the EOS 60D has hit the market at $1,100, filling the gap between Canon’s $1,700 EOS 7D and the $900 T2i.

Philip Bloom posts about the 60D, and the Wired’s Gadget Lab calls the 60D “Frankencam,” cobbled together out of lower- and higher-end stuff:

It’s clearly the season for new camera gear, and today it’s Canon’s turn in the spotlight. Along with a few new lenses comes the EOS 60D, a “replacement” for the two-year-old 50D. Those looking to upgrade from their 50D should look elsewhere, though, perhaps to the 7D, as this new camera is more for consumers than enthusiastic amateurs.

The magnesium body of the 50D is now plastic, and the 60D uses SD-cards instead of Compact Flash. It also gets a slew of gimmicky image processing features (Toy Camera, anyone?) and the obligatory video capabilities.

One 60D feature that is getting praise is the articulating screen.

Coach from Nathaniel Hansen on Vimeo.

Just don’t forget that tape doesn’t suck

Amid all the craziness about DSLRs and shallow depth of field, it’s important to remember that the budget-minded documentary filmmaker can pick up some real deals by going against the grain and picking up a Mini-DV-tape-based camcorder. They’re selling on Amazon for $750 new. Five years ago, this technology would have cost you four to five times that.

The HV40, in our opinion, is a gem. Real 24p, great color, and with a Beachtek adapter, able to do a lot. HV40 users who gain “higher powers” by learning the “cell-phone trick” can control gain and depth-of-field.

Here’s a video plucked off Vimeo to make a simple point:

Canon HV40 footage from Orcun Jenan on Vimeo.

Nikon’s D3100 brings disappointment for serious video users

The Nikon D3100 is out, with 1080p, but the shortcomings of the camera are bringing about disappointment for Nikon fans hoping for their company to catch up with Canon.

Nikon has yet to introduce a 1080p camera with a full-frame sensor. The D3100 apparently has no audio input jack. The codec is questionable. And while the D3100 has a low price point, the sensor is 14 megapixels.

DPReview says the D3100’s screen is a “slight disappointment,” with lower resolution than hoped for.

EOSHD notes that the camera does not seem to be able to go fully manual for shooting video.

After the disappointment of Sony’s new DSLRs, the A55 and A580, this is not really what we need. According to HDSLR shooter Nino Leitner, Nikon’s German press office have said that the D3100 will not have the option for manual controls in video mode.

The general stance of Japanese DSLR manufacturers seems to be that customer research has told them their cameras need to be easy to use. At least the entry to mid-range consumer DSLRs.

Slashcam notes,

We have held consultations with Nikon’s press agency and wanted to know if the Nikon D3100 has fully manual video features: the unfortunately does not seem to be the case.

Here comes Sony with two 1080(30)p DSLRs

Sony has joined the DSLR arms race with the A560, a sub-$1,000 camera that shoots 1080p on a 14.2m Exmor sensor, and the A580, with a 16.2m sensor for about $200 more.

The specs, released by Sony, are as follows (580 in left column; 560 in right):

Sensor	• 23.4 x 15.6 mm APS-C Type CMOS Exmor Sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 16.7 million total pixels • 16.2 million effective pixels	• 23.4 x 15.6 mm APS-C Type CMOS Exmor Sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 14.6 million total pixels • 14.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes	3:2 • 4912 x 3264 (L) • 3568 x 2368 (M) • 2448×1624 (S) 16:9 • 4592 x 2576 (L) • 3344 x 1872 (M) • 2288 x 1280 (S)	3:2 • 4592 x 3056 (L) • 3344 x 2224 (M) • 2288 x 1520 (S) 16:9 • 4592 x 2576 (L) • 3344 x 1872 (M) • 2288 x 1280 (S)
Image sizes (Video)	• AVCHD: • 1920 x 1080, 59.94i (from 29.97fps sensor output) • Motion JPEG: • 1440 x 1080, 29.97p or 25p, depending on region • 640 x 480, 29.94 fps
File qualities / formats	• RAW (.ARW) • RAW + JPEG Fine • RAW + JPEG Standard • JPEG Fine • JPEG Standard
File formats (Movie)	• AVCHD • QuickTime Motion JPEG
Dust reduction	• Charge protection coating on low-pass filter • Sensor-shift dust reduction mechanism
Lenses	• Sony Alpha lenses (also compatible with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses)
FOV crop	1.5x
SteadyShot INSIDE	• CMOS -Shift ‘SteadyShot INSIDE’ system
Auto Focus	• TTL 15-point phase detection AF system with 3 cross sensors (11-point with optical viewfinder)
Focus Modes	• Single-shot AF • Automatic AF • Continuous AF
AF assist illuminator	• Yes (using built in flash)
Shooting modes	• Programmed AE (Auto, Flash off, P) • Aperture priority AE • Shutter priority AE • Manual • Scene Selection
Sensitivity	• ISO 100 – 12800 • Extended: ISO 25600 in Multi-Frame NR Mode
Metering modes	• Multi-segment • Center-weighted • Spot
Metering	• Live View : 1200-zone evaluative • Viewfinder : 40-segment honeycomb pattern
Exposure compen.	• -2.0 to +2.0 EV • 0.3 EV steps
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane Shutter
Shutter Speed	• 30 to 1/4000 sec • Bulb
Aperture values	Depends on lens, 0.3 EV steps
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Flash • Color temperature/filter (2500 – 9900 K) • Manual (Custom)
White balance fine tuning	Yes
White balance bracketing	• 3 exposures • Hi / Lo level selectable
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Color modes	• Standard • Vivid • Portrait • Landscape • Sunset • B&W
Viewfinder	• Eye-level fixed optical glass pentamirror • Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen • Magnification approx. 0.80x • 95% frame coverage
Live view	Quick AF Live View　(pentamirror tilt system)
Focus Check Live View	• Focus system TTL phase detection system • Contrast AF selectable • Display Real-time image adjustment display (reflects exposure compensation, white balance, Sunset / B&W of Creative Style )
LCD monitor	• 3.0 TFT Xtra Fine LCD • 921,600 dots
Flash	• Built-in pop-up flash (manual release) • Metering: ADI, Pre-flash TTL, Manual flash control • Guide number 12 (ISO 100/m) • Angle of coverage 18 mm (35 mm equiv.) • Flash sync 1/160 sec
Flash modes	• Off • Auto • Fill Flash • Rear Sync • Slow sync • Wireless/High Speed Sync.
Flash Bracketing	3 exposures in 0.3 and 0.7 EV steps
Flash compensation	-2.0 to +2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Continuous shooting	• Up to 7 fps in Speed Priority mode (AF/AE fixed at first frame) • Up to 5 fps with optical viewfinder • Up to 3 fps in Quick AF Live View mode
Self-timer	• 10 sec • 2 sec
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • HDMI mini connector (Type C), • DC-IN • Remote terminal
Storage	• SD/ SDHC/ SDXC • Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro HG Duo • Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Dimensions	137 x 104 x 84 mm (5.5 x 4.2 x 3.9 in)
Weight (body)	No battery: 599 g (1.5lb)

Panasonic website details 4/3 camcorder

The Panasonic AG-AF100 was announced in the spring and not available until year’s end, but Panasonic has launched a web page that details more about what this camera will be.

It is expected to run about $6,ooo and will shoot in AVCHD using a Micro Four-Thirds sensor. It will allow for a variety of film and SLR lenses to be used on it.

Nikon officially announces the D3100

News Release: TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the Nikon D3100, an entry level Nikon DX-format digital-SLR camera. The camera is equipped with a new CMOS image sensor developed by Nikon and a new image-processing engine that enable capture of high-definition images exhibiting superior image quality, and a Guide mode that allows users to capture images just as they intended.

The following lens kit will also be released.

D3100 and AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

A new DX-format CMOS image sensor developed by Nikon and the new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, have been adopted for the new D3100, enabling capture of images exhibiting excellent image quality and definition. The D3100 has also inherited Guide mode from the D3000, with the addition of more options and assist images that make the camera easier to understand and operate. The D3100 is also equipped with a live view function that allows the user to frame images in the monitor, and the D-Movie function that provides support for high-definition movie recording. While the D3100 offers authentic digital-SLR camera performance, it is also an extremely lightweight digital-SLR camera from which even beginners can expect beautiful images that accurately reflect their shooting intent.

D3100 primary features

1. A new DX-format CMOS image sensor and image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, both developed by Nikon enable capture of high-definition images with superior image quality

The D3100 is equipped with a new Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor and a new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, both developed by Nikon. The CMOS image sensor offers an effective pixel count of 14.2-million pixels (D3000: CCD image sensor with 10.2-million effective pixels) and enables capture of high-definition images exhibiting superior image quality with extremely detailed rendering and rich tones. The camera also makes the most of its standard sensitivity settings up to ISO 3200 (D3000: ISO 100–1600) and additional increases up to HI 2 (ISO 12800 equivalent), with shooting under dim lighting, such as in the evening or indoors, as well as with sports scenes of rapidly moving subjects. EXPEED 2 is Nikon’s new image-processing engine, developed by refining the concepts, know-how and technologies regarding digital images that Nikon has spent years cultivating. It maximizes the performance of the CMOS image sensor to suppress noise in still images and movies and produces images that faithfully reproduce vivid colors.

2. A refined Guide mode that is even easier to use

Guide mode has been refined to make most camera operations even easier, from shooting to image playback and editing to the application of camera settings, regardless of the user’s skill level. Assist images The D3100 displays assist images that show the effect of various camera settings, giving users an idea of the results they can expect with specified settings. For example, when “Soften backgrounds” is selected and an aperture value is specified, the assist image displayed in the monitor changes to show the effect that aperture setting will have on images. This allows users to confirm that images will appear as they intended prior to shooting and reduces the number of unsuccessful shots.

Assist image sample

Other new functions built into Guide mode (1) Selection from 3 shooting techniques: “Use the viewfinder,” “Use live view,” “Shoot movies” (2) “Bring more into focus” and “Show water flowing” options have been added to the “Advanced operation” menu for shooting (3) “Movie settings,” “HDMI,” “Flicker reduction” and “Eye-Fi upload”* options have been added to the “Set Up” menu for applying basic camera settings” *: Only available when compatible Eye-Fi memory card is inserted

3. Live view mode that allows users to use the camera monitor to easily frame still image or movies

By simply rotating the live view switch, the view through the lens is displayed in the monitor, enabling immediate live view recording. This makes shooting feel more like shooting with a compact digital camera, easing the transition to digital-SLR for beginners. In addition, various information such as the shooting mode, time remaining (movie mode) and battery indicator, can be shown in the live view display.

4. D-Movie for recording and editing full-HD movies and AF-F (full-time servo AF) focus mode for movie recording

The D3100 is equipped with the D-Movie function that enables recording of high-definition movies (with monaural sound) by simply pressing the movie-record button. Movies can be recorded with the same aperture and other settings applied in Guide mode, and movies that take full advantage of the characteristics of individual interchangeable lenses, whether wide-angle, telephoto or fisheye, can be recorded for movies that are only possible with a digital-SLR camera. In addition, the camera also offers an AF-F (full-time servo AF) focus mode for movie recording. When AF-F mode is enabled, the camera focuses continuously during movie recording without the need for holding the shutter-release button down halfway. The D3100 also offers in-camera movie editing functions that allow users to save a single frame as a still image or delete unnecessary portions from the beginning or end of movie files.

5. Scene auto selector built in

The D3100 is equipped with the scene auto selector function. When live view mode is enabled in Auto or Auto (flash off) mode, the camera automatically analyzes the scene and selects the appropriate shooting mode from Portrait, Landscape, Close up or Night portrait.* This function allows users achieve the intended images while leaving all settings up to the camera.

Other functions and features new to the D3100

• Equipped with a face detection function capable of detecting up to 35 human faces (D3000: up to 5 faces)
• Operation has been improved with the addition of an independent movie-record button and release-mode selector. In addition, the rubber grip provides a better fit.
• Equipped with a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) bus that enables remote control playback of images and movies recorded with the camera when the camera is connected to a high-definition TV
• Equipped with a new exposure compensation algorithm for greater flexibility and performance with NEF (RAW) processing
• The new ViewNX 2 software is bundled with the D3100

Nikon D3100 digital-SLR camera primary specifications

Type	Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount	Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)
Effective pixels	14.2 million
Image sensor	23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS sensor
Image size (pixels)	4,608 x 3,072 [L] 3,456 x 2,304 [M] 2,304 x 1,536 [S]
File format	1) NEF(RAW), 2)JPEG, 3)NEF(RAW)+JPEG
Media	SD (Secure Digital) memory cards *1, SDHC- and SDXC-compliant
Frame advance rate	Up to 3 fps *2
ISO sensitivity	ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV; Can also be set to approx. 1 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent) or to approx. 2 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent); auto ISO sensitivity control available
Movie	Frame size (pixels) and frame rate: 1,920 x 1,080; 24 p – 1,280 x 720; 30 p – 1,280 x 720; 25 p – 1,280 x 720; 24 p – 640 x 424; 24 p Maximum Recording Time:10 min. File format/Video compression: MOV, H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Cording Audio recording device; Supported:monaural recording with built-in microphone.
LCD monitor	3-in., approx. 230 k-dot TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Power source	Battery; One rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL14 battery AC adapter(optional);EH-5a AC adapter; requires EP-5 power connector
Dimensions (approx.) (W x H x D)	124 X 96 X 74.5mm
Weight (approx.)	455g without battery, memory card, or body cap, 505g;with battery and memory card but without body cap
Major supplied accessories	EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion battery, MH-24 battery charger, AN-DC3 camera strap, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM, Ferrite Core (2 types)

DIY spider trax dolly

DIY on how to build a Spider Trax Dolly from Just Basl Productions on Vimeo.

Here comes Nikon (finally) with 1080p DSLR

Nikon Rumors is reporting that Nikon is getting ready to launch its D3100 DSLR with full 1080p.

Estimated price is $850.

The specs:

• 14 MP CMOS Sensor (23.2 x 15.5 mm)
• Live View
• 3 inch Display
• 100 – 12800 ISO
• ISO setting manual or automatic
• 11 AF points
• full HD Video (1920 x 1080)
• price 650 €
• new EXPEED2 processor
• improved objects recognition for the AF control
• improved in-camera menu
• user can save picture profiles

And the 4 new lenses:

• Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300/4,5-5,6 G ED VR (ca. 420 €)
• Nikkor AF-S 85/1,4 G with Nano coating (ca. 1650 €) – UPDATE: the new lens contains 10 lens elements in 9 groups (the old version has 9 elements in 8 groups)
• Nikkor AF-S 24-120/4 G ED VR with Nano coating (ca. 1220 €)
• Nikkor AF-S 28-300/3,5-5,6 G ED VR (ca. 1000 €) – UPDATE: it will contain 19 lens elements in 14 groups

The end of DSLR filmmaking? Not so fast…

ProVideo Coalition’s Clint Milby recently assessed the new Sony NEX-VG10 camcorder’s claim as “the new sheriff in town” for lower-cost, high-quality video and came away with some reservations. While the camcorder brings to a more traditional package large APS-C sensor size and interchangeable lenses, it’s also not quite there.

Milby notes the Sony’s main drawbacks as 30fps only, video saved to an interlaced container, no XLR audio input, and no adapter system to fit lenses other than Sony’s. But, he says,

The NEX-VG10 makes a giant leap forward to bringing features to the consumer that were only available to professionals, but the camera still lacks some of the most meaty parts of the HDSLR. However, as Panasonic prepares to release its interchangeable lens camcorder in the Fall of 2010, we should consider this device a sign of things to come.

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