digitalfilms by Oliver Peters

RED’s Scarlet appears to be just around the corner and both Sony and Panasonic seem to be responding to the challenge of the upstart photo manufacturers. No matter what acronym you use – DSMC, HD-DSLR, HDSLR – these hybrid HD video / still photo cameras have grabbed everyone’s attention. 2010 may indeed be the year that hybrid digital SLR cameras hit their stride.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II showed the possibilities in late 2008 when Vincent Laforet released Reverie, but like all of these new camera products, the big question was how to best handle the post. The 5D (so far) only shoots video at a true 30fps – lacking both the filmic 24fps rate – or any of the video-friendly frame rates (29.97, 25 or 23.976). That oversight was corrected in Canon’s EOS 7D and EOS 1D Mark IV models and may soon be corrected by a firmware update to the 5D. Even so, the 5D has remained a preferred option, because of its low light capabilities and full frame sensor. Photographers, videographers and filmmakers love the shallow depth-of-field, so a 24p-capable 5D is certainly on many wish lists.

Until the 5D gets a 24fps upgrade, folks in post will have to contend with the 30fps footage generated by the camera. Last year I wrote an article on how to post a 5D project, which covers a lot of the basics. I’ve since done more 5D projects and formed a number of opinions and workflow tips. I’ve picked up many of these from reading Philip Bloom and Bruce Sharpe (PluralEyes inventor) and at the end of this post, I’ll include a number of useful links. read more...