Jobs with the 7D

Liam Hall · March 8th, 2010, 03:40 PM

Oops, I meant quill! It's a while since I've used one:)

Tim Polster · March 8th, 2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Pogson

Bill are you using a portable set of lights for your corporate work, or can you get away with available light?

Norman, sorry to single this reply out, but I would like to comment on this topic.

Lighting is an asthetic choice which improves the look, helps focus the viewers attention, and can help tell your story.

Just because a camera can operate in a low lit area does not mean your results will be favorable.

Mere illumination does not make a good scene, especially if there are people on camera.

Norman Pogson · March 8th, 2010, 08:50 PM

Tim, I'm fully aware of lighting a scene, I'm a stock photographer and have an extensive collection of strobes and modifiers, on the video side I have fluorescent softboxes and I always try to have a limited dynamic range, with even lighting as my images are used for advertising etc.

I was curious as to what people use when being paid to produce corporate videos on location.

Mike Calla · March 8th, 2010, 09:21 PM

Lots of location shooting, sans lights - blocking becomes of utmost importance!!

If we do use lights, LED fixtures are becoming a weapon of choice; lightweight (stand too), cool to the touch, battery powered, soft or hard light!

Tim Polster · March 8th, 2010, 09:26 PM

Norman, I hope the post did not offend. Sorry if it did.

The phrase "get away with available light" sounded like a view of these VDSLRs that because they can gather a lot of light especially with prime lenses one can get away from the need to use lighting anymore.

I notice this approach a lot in still photography as well with improved high ISO performance.

Since the thread was about using the camera in a professional video situation I spoke up because I would never want to do any job professionaly without lighting where possible, outside of which camera was being used.

In my view, these cameras do not change anything but the DOF that is possible.

Once again, sorry for the interjection.

Benjamin Eckstein · March 9th, 2010, 11:30 AM

I've had the 7D since October. It has not replaced my EX-1 as the primary camera in my work, but I am using it more and more. I doubt I will ever use it more than my EX, due to the convenience of a huge lens range, better audio and monitoring. I do love the look of the 7D under many circumstances but find it's not always the right choice.

I've started collaborating with a lot of photographers doing cross-media stock collections and I've use the 7D (or 5D) for those, and it's also great for more planned, scripted projects, but for a lot of the corporate jobs I do, the EX makes a lot more sense.

In terms of lighting, I don't find that I am lighting any differently with the 7D. Occasionally I can get away with less, or sometimes in the case of an interview where the bg is more out of focus, it's slightly less work to set and light the bg.

These are great cams though, and it's a welcome addition to my kit.

March 8th, 2010, 03:40 PM	#16
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Oops, I meant quill! It's a while since I've used one:) __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

March 8th, 2010, 08:50 PM	#18
Norman Pogson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 140	Tim, I'm fully aware of lighting a scene, I'm a stock photographer and have an extensive collection of strobes and modifiers, on the video side I have fluorescent softboxes and I always try to have a limited dynamic range, with even lighting as my images are used for advertising etc. I was curious as to what people use when being paid to produce corporate videos on location. __________________ My Stock Video Blog Linkedin

March 8th, 2010, 09:21 PM	#19
Mike Calla Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shanghai Posts: 344	Lots of location shooting, sans lights - blocking becomes of utmost importance!! If we do use lights, LED fixtures are becoming a weapon of choice; lightweight (stand too), cool to the touch, battery powered, soft or hard light! __________________ boxoutsidemedia.com

March 8th, 2010, 09:26 PM	#20
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Norman, I hope the post did not offend. Sorry if it did. The phrase "get away with available light" sounded like a view of these VDSLRs that because they can gather a lot of light especially with prime lenses one can get away from the need to use lighting anymore. I notice this approach a lot in still photography as well with improved high ISO performance. Since the thread was about using the camera in a professional video situation I spoke up because I would never want to do any job professionaly without lighting where possible, outside of which camera was being used. In my view, these cameras do not change anything but the DOF that is possible. Once again, sorry for the interjection.

March 9th, 2010, 11:30 AM	#21
Benjamin Eckstein Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 380 Images: 1	I've had the 7D since October. It has not replaced my EX-1 as the primary camera in my work, but I am using it more and more. I doubt I will ever use it more than my EX, due to the convenience of a huge lens range, better audio and monitoring. I do love the look of the 7D under many circumstances but find it's not always the right choice. I've started collaborating with a lot of photographers doing cross-media stock collections and I've use the 7D (or 5D) for those, and it's also great for more planned, scripted projects, but for a lot of the corporate jobs I do, the EX makes a lot more sense. In terms of lighting, I don't find that I am lighting any differently with the 7D. Occasionally I can get away with less, or sometimes in the case of an interview where the bg is more out of focus, it's slightly less work to set and light the bg. These are great cams though, and it's a welcome addition to my kit.