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Microstock Footage Forum => Video Equipment / Sofware / Technique => Topic started by: leaf on February 28, 2009, 19:05

Title: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: leaf on February 28, 2009, 19:05
started from a conversation from this thread (http://www.microstockgroup.com/equipment-and-software/canon-5d-mark-ii-video-workflow/?action=post;msg=86192;sesc=854f2e72a28b59917ca6decdd69fcedfl)

anyone know of a good way to override the aperture setting on the Canon 5D mark II
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: leaf on February 28, 2009, 19:08
one method I have heard is getting the camera to shoot at the f stop you want by first pointing it at a scene that requires that fstop... dark area if you want a 2.8, bright area if you want f/22 etc.  Then press the shutter half way down (it will show the f stop on the LCD screen on the back) then you can record your scene and the fstop will be what you wanted.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: MikLav on March 01, 2009, 06:39
more precisely the method is:
* put it in LiveView mode
* put it in -2 or +2 exposure compensation depending you want to close of to open the aperture
* press shutter button half-way to see the exposure settings
* move camera to/away from light until you get a right aperture
* press * button to lock the settings
* use exposure compensation wheel to set the right exposure
it works only for one shoot, you need to repeat every time you press Stop
=======================
perhaps a better option is to use old manual lens with an aperture ring. For example I have a couple lens with M42 connector and an adapter from M42 to Canon; some people use old Nikon lens with adapter.
=======================
a forum devoted to video production with 5D Mk II: http://cinema5d.com/
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: maunger on March 01, 2009, 07:41
Hi y'all

by no means complete, I've got a wiki devoted to the 5d and have tons of information on the video stuff...

This page is dedicated to the video issues. Still needs lots of work tho.
http://wiki.planet5d.com/index.php?title=Mii_video
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 01, 2009, 08:09
Well, I have finished shooting my first TV commercial with Canon 5D MKII. And in that condition and I think the best of all three known overrides was to 1-2mm disconnect of the lenses.
For those who don't know that method: while in A or M mode press dof button and disconnect lens just 1-2mm and then turn on live mode and shoot.
Main disadvantage of this method is that you can't use IS on your lens. But if you shooting from tripod that doesn't matter.
Second option is to use nikon lenses with adapter. You can adjust manually aperture on nikon lenses.

Btw. Video from 5D is so great!!!!

Regards,
Dario
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: maunger on March 01, 2009, 08:14
Well, I have finished shooting my first TV commercial with Canon 5D MKII.
Dario, that's cool - is there a copy online somewhere we can see?
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 01, 2009, 08:24
Well, I have finished shooting my first TV commercial with Canon 5D MKII.
Dario, that's cool - is there a copy online somewhere we can see?

TVC is in postproduction so I think in 3-4 days it will be finished. I will post link here. It is small production budget commercial for one humanitarian group but you will see with 5D it looks like bigger budget commercial.

Maunger, I like your planet5D wiki very much. I found very interesting link on viewfinder building article. Thanks on the wiki.

Dario
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: vonkara on March 01, 2009, 13:30
Wow it's awfully complicated   http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/how_to_shoot_video_with_the_canon_5d_mkii/

I think I will stay on photos for a while. For those who understand it's a good video taken from the wiki up there

Just paste the link I don't know why it's not clickable
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: MikLav on March 01, 2009, 17:52
Hi y'all

by no means complete, I've got a wiki devoted to the 5d and have tons of information on the video stuff...

This page is dedicated to the video issues. Still needs lots of work tho.
[url]http://wiki.planet5d.com/index.php?title=Mii_video[/url]

good summary, thanks!
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on March 01, 2009, 20:13
Wow it's awfully complicated   [url]http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/how_to_shoot_video_with_the_canon_5d_mkii/[/url]

I think I will stay on photos for a while. For those who understand it's a good video taken from the wiki up there

Just paste the link I don't know why it's not clickable


People get nice results, but personally, I find it too much of a PITA, at least in the studio.  It should be much easier to use, then all this f'in around with light areas, and dark areas, and faking out stuff.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: MikLav on March 02, 2009, 03:07
Yes it should be easier, but unfortunately Canon didn't do it that way (yet).

People are accepting to work all those obstacles because of the picture quality that is so much better comparing to budget camcorders.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on March 02, 2009, 09:38
Yes it should be easier, but unfortunately Canon didn't do it that way (yet).

People are accepting to work all those obstacles because of the picture quality that is so much better comparing to budget camcorders.

Yes, I know the quality is great, but when it's time to shoot, I want to hit record, not stumble about trying to set the ISO by some nerd method of waving my hand in front of the lens.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: vonkara on March 02, 2009, 10:43
As I understand there's no continious focus also. I wonder how you can focus on a 3 inches LCD screen without always have to zoom in.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 02, 2009, 10:49
Well, the same as on RED camera. You have to buy separate LCD high res monitor. And I must say there is already some better options than on RED or similar as on SI. Separate LCD with Red Rock kit is possible way to go, or read planet5D wiki and you can decide to make your own viewfinder.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: Neustock Media on March 02, 2009, 10:50
Nikon Lenses and adapters definitely the way to go. Most controlable and least "f'in around" way as Sean says method to use it.

One of the greatest ironies of the new 5d is that Canon have driven serious users to using their competitors lenses with the camera!!

The fact is I believe this camera is Canon's way of testing the convergence market without screwing their higher priced video cameras. Look for a mark IV 1Ds type camera in about 6-12 months with full manual video controls and expanded sound capabilities. Priced at around $9000.

NS
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: Alatriste on March 02, 2009, 15:04
Nikon Lenses and adapters definitely the way to go. Most controlable and least "f'in around" way as Sean says method to use it.


Why nikon lenses over other manual lenses?
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: Neustock Media on March 02, 2009, 15:17
Nikon Lenses and adapters definitely the way to go. Most controlable and least "f'in around" way as Sean says method to use it.


Why nikon lenses over other manual lenses?

Ha, good question, availability and quality I would imagine.

NS
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: leaf on March 02, 2009, 16:40
perhaps someone will come up with a firmware hack that allows control.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: vonkara on March 02, 2009, 16:49

The fact is I believe this camera is Canon's way of testing the convergence market without screwing their higher priced video cameras.

True. Personally I don't see why I would buy a video camera. But only If I was able to look through the viewfinder and have the continious autofocus working. That's not the case right now. So they securised their video cams this way maybe
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 02, 2009, 17:28
I don't know any video camera on this level (target) witch has autofocus.

This is the first Canon video option on this level.
In fact Canon 5D is much more expensive option than any other Canon video camera (when you buy body, lenses, rig, monitor, follow focus, ND filters and other accessories it can be more expensive even the RED and btw RED shoot 4K).  And they didn't securised any of their video cams this way. Because all of them are cheaper.
I think, they want to be first to take part in this specific future video market. So they did. Nikon has so many problems and lower resolution and RED is almost year behind. Seams that SI has gone in front of all others but they don't want to do anything with still images.

Manual control of aperture is nothing when you compare to problems with RED ONE like:
- 2 minutes of booting the system (Canon instantly)
- No zoom in for focus on LCD (Canon has and it is very fast to work with in just half hour of practice)
- Dynamic range of RED chip is SOOOOO low when you compare to 5D
- shooting in 2K on RED if you want to minimize GB and post workflow is useless because all mm on your lenses are doubled because of chip croping
- easy of use on steadycam or jimmy jib or extreme views goes to Canon
- etc..
Btw. I love to work on RED ONE.

So when you talk about Canon 5D video it is link between professional film making digital video and broadcast digital video making. I think you can't talk about it as consumer video or semi-professional video camera. I think the best way to talk about 5D is as a part of new photo-video market called DSMC (digital still motion camera term first mation by Jim from RED). Canon 5D is the first usable camera in that market and RED Scarlet will be the second. I think in the near future (next year) this will be the top film and video equipment. All 35mm, 16mm, various digital film mega boxes will be history and you will have probably 6D from Canon and Epic from RED with 4K or more video resolution in your hand.

But even then you will have to focus manually :)
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: MikLav on March 02, 2009, 18:14
I don't know any video camera on this level (target) witch has autofocus.

This is the first Canon video option on this level.
In fact Canon 5D is much more expensive option than any other Canon video camera (when you buy body, lenses, rig, monitor, follow focus, ND filters and other accessories it can be more expensive even the RED and btw RED shoot 4K). <......>
5D is more expensive than consumer-level camcorders, but what if you compare it to professional HD cameras? For example Canon XL H1S which is $9,000 ? And it does have autofocus :) Although I agree that target market is supposed to be different (but I am not sure it's the case in reality).
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 02, 2009, 18:39
Canon XL H1S is 1080i HDV broadcast camera. Specially designed for low budget TV studio production (live or offline) but can be used in other ways off course. So it is level below 5D market. As I see 5D is digital film production camera and yes it is more expensive than Canon XL H1S. Why?
Well when you sum: 5D body, set of lenses, LCD monitor (small or big at least 4000$ or more for movie production), pro ND filters, follow focus (at least wire 1200$ or wireless cca 2500$) etc around 20000-30000$ or even 45000$ if you buy the whole best things you can.
So I see as two totally different markets. In this level of production there is no autofocus camera jet.
But why are we all talking so much about it. Because every one of use want 5D to be something it isn't. It isn't consumer, semi-professional or professional broadcast camera. It is professional digital film production camera with 1080p video. You can use it normally in low budget movies, high or semi budget commercials and in documentaries with few restrictions.
Everything else is very hard to achieve nice result or complicated to much. So for those who want camcorder for semi-pro video or for stock video shooting buy Canon XL H1S or any other Canon or Panasonic camcorder (I prefers Panasonic in that case, but this is subjective opinion)
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: maunger on March 02, 2009, 19:23
Well, we keep thinking that it isn't a "pro" level camera, yet lookie here, a Puma shoe commercial shot on the 5D mk ii! - please see my blog http://bit.ly/hHTUQ (url shortened to track clicks - here's the full url if you want to see it: http://www.planet5d.com/planet5d/Planet5d_Blog/Entries/2009/3/2_The_5D_mk_ii_Does_Commercials.html )
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 02, 2009, 19:37
Well, we keep thinking that it isn't a "pro" level camera, yet lookie here, a Puma shoe commercial shot on the 5D mk ii! - please see my blog [url]http://bit.ly/hHTUQ[/url] (url shortened to track clicks - here's the full url if you want to see it: [url]http://www.planet5d.com/planet5d/Planet5d_Blog/Entries/2009/3/2_The_5D_mk_ii_Does_Commercials.html[/url] )


I have the same experience when I was shooting commercial. Everybody keep asking when we will start shooting with real camera aren't we have enough of testing :) So we brought big JVC HDV camera with hard disk recording to fool the client :)
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: maunger on March 02, 2009, 19:53
I have the same experience when I was shooting commercial. Everybody keep asking when we will start shooting with real camera aren't we have enough of testing :) So we brought big JVC HDV camera with hard disk recording to fool the client :)

Which commercials did you use the 5D mk ii on? Are they online somewhere?
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 02, 2009, 19:57
Just a little bit patient, I am in postproduction and we are working on it just now and having lot of fun too :)
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: MikLav on March 03, 2009, 02:50
I don't think autofocus is a big issue; but lack of manual aperture control indeed is. And I am sure it is easy one to add.
Title: Re: How to force Canon 5D mark II video aperture - manual override
Post by: dbajurin on March 03, 2009, 18:27
I have the same experience when I was shooting commercial. Everybody keep asking when we will start shooting with real camera aren't we have enough of testing :) So we brought big JVC HDV camera with hard disk recording to fool the client :)


Which commercials did you use the 5D mk ii on? Are they online somewhere?


Hi maunger, I post a video on youtube for now so you can watch commercial online. It is for Croatian humanitarian group so ignore voices and don't forget almost everything is hand held shoot and stabilized in post. And there is no lights used except on doctor. Everything else is shoot without any lights and all color corrections has been done in post. Witch was very impressive on handball player (he is world best handball player so we have exactly 3 minutes for shooting. it was point and shoot situation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3sUidQJz3o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3sUidQJz3o) 

Dario