Can the 5DM2 really cut it?

Richard Andrews · November 23rd, 2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Davis

Clearing the pathway isn't the same as walking the pathway. At some point you have to give up perfecting and simply start walking

That is absolutely spot on. This is a huge problem for me. Obsessing over the most ridiculous and minute detail, often means I avoid attempting it altogether. How do I stop my OCD?!

Brian Luce · November 23rd, 2009, 05:21 PM

I used to own an EX3 and am a XDCAM EX fanboy to this date. All the data and first hand experience suggest nothing is close in terms of image quality south of 10k USD. Having said that, the Canon 5d and 7d are clearly more powerful creative tools. The inconspicuous form factor, low light ability, and shallow DOF allow for possibilities you just can't get from a EX1 out of the box. That EX1 will shoot the heck out of a res chart and give a pristine image though.

Mike Watson · November 23rd, 2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

Several people have started new threads here asking about the poor resolution...

I guess I missed those threads. In looking back, I can't find anyone complaining about resolution at all.

I do see a comment here or there about aliasing, and though I've got 15 years in the business, I just can't spot it unless it is directly pointed out to me.

The DOF, however, pops in every video I see.

Thank you, Chris, for the clarification.

Tom Daigon · November 23rd, 2009, 10:54 PM

I have owned a 5D since June. I recently bought an EX3. AS an editor at a video production facility its good to have a variety of tools to cover all the possible needs clients may have. The 5D is capable of generating beautiful imagery, but in certain studio shoot situations is a bit light on what clients expect from a video camera (timecode abilities/video and audio input and output abilities, etc).In that case the EX3 fills the bill. On the other hand, other projects really benefit from the low light, lush imagery that the 5D does so well. That's why I have both. Hammers and screwdrivers... whatever works best for the task at hand .

Wayne Avanson · November 24th, 2009, 10:10 AM

I can put screws in with a hammer…
Trust me, it's easy.

:-)

Tom Daigon · November 24th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Good to know...love to see your work sometime ;-)

Richard Gooderick · November 24th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Avanson

I can put screws in with a hammer…
Trust me, it's easy.
:-)

In Birmingham (UK) they call it a Brumigum screwdriver.

Wayne Avanson · November 25th, 2009, 10:41 AM

I would show you my fine handy work but strangely, none of it stays up long enough to be photographed.

Odd that.

Avey

theactionhouse.com

Chris Barcellos · December 4th, 2009, 03:06 PM

So I did some test shots here with a Chart that was printed off on my Brother Laser printer.

I shot using a superflat setting I downloaded from another shooter. I am curious what you expert readers make of the resolution chart shooting this way. I did one from a color corrected grab off of vegas (cause I didn't set camera to daylight) and one of same frame with saturation all the way down to zero. Be interested to know what you read these at.

Tom Roper · December 4th, 2009, 08:49 PM

I'm viewing your screen grab from a Blackberry at actual size, a bit of a joke but nevertheless, I read the vertical and horizontal resolution to be about 700 lines, not a bad performance, and a little better than I tested on mine. That's definitely HD territory, the issue for me with my 5D has always been the aliasing, not the rez.

700 lines is particularly pretty decent since it maintains it in the corners/borders.

Chris Barcellos · December 4th, 2009, 09:55 PM

I shot this with a Takumar Nikon mount 28-85mm lens, in Macro mode, somewhere around F5.6 to F8. I don't know if that makes a difference. But I assumed that filing the frame is what is important.

Tom Roper · December 5th, 2009, 03:41 AM

Actually looks better than that now I can see it on a proper monitor, maybe closer to 800 lines in both vertical and horizontal. Everybody that does a test is going to come up with a different number, it's really only relevant when you can compare what you get with other cams under the exact same conditions.

When I tested my 5DMkII with a 50mm prime, I remember around 650 lines horizontal and 750 vertical, but in comparison, it lagged a bit behind the HV10, XH-A1 and a distant stretch from the EX1 under the same conditions. Regardless, the numbers are solidly Hi-Def, no question, and no surprise we see such great videos from the 5DMkII.

(It also comes with a stellar still picture cam at no extra charge!)

Chris Barcellos · December 5th, 2009, 01:43 PM

Thanks Tom, appreciate the analysis.

December 4th, 2009, 03:06 PM	#24
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	So I did some test shots here with a Chart that was printed off on my Brother Laser printer. I shot using a superflat setting I downloaded from another shooter. I am curious what you expert readers make of the resolution chart shooting this way. I did one from a color corrected grab off of vegas (cause I didn't set camera to daylight) and one of same frame with saturation all the way down to zero. Be interested to know what you read these at. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 4th, 2009, 09:55 PM	#26
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I shot this with a Takumar Nikon mount 28-85mm lens, in Macro mode, somewhere around F5.6 to F8. I don't know if that makes a difference. But I assumed that filing the frame is what is important. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

December 5th, 2009, 01:43 PM	#28
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Thanks Tom, appreciate the analysis. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

November 23rd, 2009, 05:21 PM	#17
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I used to own an EX3 and am a XDCAM EX fanboy to this date. All the data and first hand experience suggest nothing is close in terms of image quality south of 10k USD. Having said that, the Canon 5d and 7d are clearly more powerful creative tools. The inconspicuous form factor, low light ability, and shallow DOF allow for possibilities you just can't get from a EX1 out of the box. That EX1 will shoot the heck out of a res chart and give a pristine image though.

November 23rd, 2009, 10:54 PM	#19
Tom Daigon Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 170	I have owned a 5D since June. I recently bought an EX3. AS an editor at a video production facility its good to have a variety of tools to cover all the possible needs clients may have. The 5D is capable of generating beautiful imagery, but in certain studio shoot situations is a bit light on what clients expect from a video camera (timecode abilities/video and audio input and output abilities, etc).In that case the EX3 fills the bill. On the other hand, other projects really benefit from the low light, lush imagery that the 5D does so well. That's why I have both. Hammers and screwdrivers... whatever works best for the task at hand .

November 24th, 2009, 10:10 AM	#20
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	I can put screws in with a hammer… Trust me, it's easy. :-)

November 24th, 2009, 03:51 PM	#21
Tom Daigon Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 170	Good to know...love to see your work sometime ;-)

November 25th, 2009, 10:41 AM	#23
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	I would show you my fine handy work but strangely, none of it stays up long enough to be photographed. Odd that. Avey theactionhouse.com

December 4th, 2009, 08:49 PM	#25
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	I'm viewing your screen grab from a Blackberry at actual size, a bit of a joke but nevertheless, I read the vertical and horizontal resolution to be about 700 lines, not a bad performance, and a little better than I tested on mine. That's definitely HD territory, the issue for me with my 5D has always been the aliasing, not the rez. 700 lines is particularly pretty decent since it maintains it in the corners/borders.

December 5th, 2009, 03:41 AM	#27
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	Actually looks better than that now I can see it on a proper monitor, maybe closer to 800 lines in both vertical and horizontal. Everybody that does a test is going to come up with a different number, it's really only relevant when you can compare what you get with other cams under the exact same conditions. When I tested my 5DMkII with a 50mm prime, I remember around 650 lines horizontal and 750 vertical, but in comparison, it lagged a bit behind the HV10, XH-A1 and a distant stretch from the EX1 under the same conditions. Regardless, the numbers are solidly Hi-Def, no question, and no surprise we see such great videos from the 5DMkII. (It also comes with a stellar still picture cam at no extra charge!)