July 22, 2009
The DV Forums (www.dv-forums.com) are a good place to test your technological mettle, as the regular posters engage in that time-honored Web tradition of challenging and nit-picking their way to the heart of every issue, question or controversy, often cutting to the chase in unexpected ways.
One forum veteran — Jerry_R — recently commented on the increasing convergence between the video and DSLR camera realms, noting that Nikon has some additional HD-capable units coming to a party currently dominated by Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II. “Could get interesting,” he wrote.
“The inevitable convergence is not the big item I am watching, but, rather, the effect convergence has on the big players,” fellow DV Forum member Bassman replied. “The video industry has been engineered around the big manufacturers dribbling out little advancements at their own pace in order to keep this hierarchy of cameras in their product offerings. Well, the more time that passes, the more they risk losing the middle and lower markets as well as the stepping stone to their larger offerings.
“The budgets are not there and image quality is almost at saturation. Folks are shooting video with the 5D that looks very nice, and I think this camera costs $2,700 and the top lenses for it cost $1,000-$1,500.
“I don't see a market for the $30,000 camera body when the results from a $4,500 setup are really nice. My point is once somebody builds the 5D in a video camera body, the game will be forever changed. The 5D is not the story — the wave behind the 5D is the story, IMHO.”
Bassman is concisely expressing what so many are thinking, but the light-speed evolution of HD-capable DSLRs is hardly waiting for anyone to build these cameras out before using them as full-fledged video units.
The pic above shows director of photography Michael Mickens and director Liam Finn with their modified Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 on the set of Rejouer, their forthcoming sci-fi-flavored indie action feature that claims to be “the first HDSLR movie.”And, yes, that's a PL mount lens on the front of it.
It’s real, it’s happening. And you’ll read more about Rejouer in the next issue of DV. David E. Williams, Editor
dwilliams@nbmedia.com
| COMMENTS (7) | | 07/25/2009 | | I should have clarified, the comment was in regards to the camera stabilizer designed specifically for the iPhone http://www.zacuto.com/zgrip-iphone-pro |
| | 07/25/2009 | | This obviously isn't for Hollywood feature films but, for students wanting to learn, or kids wanting to have fun. Of course, it will make more sense when the iPhone comes with interchangeable lenses. Ha!
Those people who will only shoot with a Red or a Sony F900 won't have much interest. Unless they're looking for a cheap crash cam that fits into tight places and comes with an unlimited texting plan.
Seriously, I see the benefit of using your iPhone to shoot a movie but, I think this stabilizer is a bit overkill. You can stabilize the thing without spending any money if you use your imagination. If you have the money, go for it. I think making fun of it is just childish. I won't buy the stabilizer but, I may end up using an iPhone in some creative ways on my next movie. |
| | 07/24/2009 | | If this technology is not incorporated into camcorders in the next couple of years, it will be a missed opportunity and have the appearance of limiting performance in favor of market stratification. Canon could really use this to boost their camcorder line to elevate what have been expensive and comparatively lackluster offerings since their move to HDV. |
| | 07/23/2009 | | sorry guy, it's already here-
http://www.zacuto.com/zgrip-iphone-pro
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| | 07/22/2009 | | Soon someone will discover the camera obscura and the audience will crowd into a small room to see the magic images projected on the wall...!
Or better yet, maybe Zacuto will make a mattebox and handles for my iPhone so I can shoot the next great feature on it. |
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