Greg Yaitanes is quoted as saying they used cards and that the 12min limitation isn't a limitation in his world since 35mm stock is only 11min a cartridge.

I think the difference in shots is simply stopping down. The image is lens-limited below f2 or so.

They certainly accomplished dark, intense and intimate.

I happened to misssss the episode! Strange because I think I watched all season 2 and 3 (missed 4-6). I know the online version will be up in a week or so but I want to see it on my 50". Any idea when the re-run is?

There will not be one single fan of that show who comes out after watching and says, "Hey, what did they do to my show..." The camera work was great. As a 5D owner, there were a few tale signs the camera was used, primarily shots where the operator was tring to catch up with actors movements to keep in focus, but generally they were spot on when they caught up, and in the static shots. The background scene of the initial arrival at the accident were surreal, with the extra shallow depth of field. The ability of the camera to deal with tight shooting conditions, space wise, was also evident.

The director stated that 3 5Ds were used for the entire show.

I thought it looked amazing. Yes there were some things that were different than 35mm film (and some that weren't quite perfect), but the story powered through it and the sense of claustrophobia that they got by shooting in that tight space was 100% worth any of the other trade offs/flaws...

BTW, my hat is off to the focus pullers on that show - they had to have been the hardest working people on that set, and they shined.

Hugh Laurie talks about making the final episode (nothing technical or camera related)

Hugh Laurie Could Totally Be the Next Simon Cowell - E! Online

Links
 

Haven't you heard this interview with the DP?
EXCLUSIVE: In depth interview with Greg Yaitanes, Executive Producer and Director of “House” Season Finale shot on Canon 5DmkII | Philip Bloom
Here is a link with shots of the set-ups used:
“House” Season finale…The first DSLR filmed prime time drama ever airs tonight on FOX. Do not miss! | Philip Bloom

-Jonathan

Never watched House before; I watched the 720p version; I tuned in specifically to see the 5D in action... and after about two minutes i forgot why i was watching - and just watched.

A testament to capabilities of good storing telling. great actors, a great DP and a bunch of cheap DSLRs.

There MUST be some execs in Hollywood thinking about the $aving$ factor!

I had to make an effort to keep concentrating on why I was watching it.

It was just amazing really. I'm flabbergasted by how much it exceeded my already very lofty expectations. I'm betting it will win an Emmy.

I know that the main lens they used for their closeups was the canon 100mm 2.8 macro. If you look at the shot in the bathroom I think everyone is talking about, one eye is in focus and the other isn't. that's narrow DOF folks!

I try to run my lenses around F4-5.6 at 5.6 that same lens and distance will get you about 5 inches DOF which is just about right to keep a slightly wobbly head in focus and still have nice creamy backgrounds.

a 100mm lens at f2.8 focused to 8 feet away has less than 2 inches DOF.

I'm thinking about getting a 5Dmk2 now to go with my 7d for just those kinds of shots. one of the main reasons I chose the 7d is that I wanted that little bit deeper DOF to make shooting wiggly actors a little more manageable.

Thanks for those links... love the pics. I always assumed giant panavision class, but not so!

john

I think Greg says in the interview that they used the 50mm, and 85mm (1.2s I think) and the 100mm macro which I think is 2.8 and both the 24-70 and 70-200 which are both 2.8.

We're somewhat behind here in the UK and since I don;t have Sky or anything, it looks like I'll be waiting forever to see this.

the whole episode is available in HD on itunes.

I would guess that it's only available in the US iTunes store.

I was impressed, not necessarily by the moody, murky shots, as that's right in the 5D's wheelhouse, but the clearer, brighter, deeper DOF wider shots. Didn't think the 5D had enough resolution for those. Wondering how much post processing magic went on with this episode, which made me very happy cause it looked like a real show.

Execs tend to be control freaks and the limitations of the codec for colour correction in post, plus the post production costs and the time involved in dealing with the known issues of the current DSLRs would limit their use to appropriate story lines or scenes in TV dramas.