DSLR's have their place now in filmmaking (yes I know it's not film, but programme-makers still affectionately refer to the process as filmmaking, including this one) it is true - but there are limitations. If you're reading this thread then you will also find this article interesting:
<http://philipbloom.co.uk/2010/04/19/in-depth-interview-with-executive- producer-and-director-of-house-season-finale-shot-on-canon-5dmkii/> <http://tinyurl.com/housefinalbloom> I have no desire to rush out yet and buy a DSLR in the process of filming for TV. I have 2 cameras - a big shoulder-mount Sony DVCam and a small HD handheld. The problem with handheld filming is mass - the small cameras don't have the weight in them to steady things down. Not talking about image stabilisation or anything, just 'steadiness' of handheld shots, even zoomed out at wide angles. A weighty shoulder mount camera provides an extremely stable platform for handheld shooting. A small camera does not, and the movements can be jerky and nauseating as a result. Even on a tripod, a small camera does not cut it. A big camera weighing 20+ lbs will pan beautifully with a nice fluid head, and ride up and stop on a dime. A small camera will not. Next time you see a nature film with a panning landscape shot, watch how the operator slows the camera at the end of the pan until it just gently comes to a stop - rather than an abrupt jerky bump. A bit like stopping a car - you let up on the brake just before you stop other wise everyone jerks forward. That's skill, yes - but even a seasoned operator can have trouble getting that smoothness with a small camera even on a fluid head tripod. It's very difficult, even for me (!) but all these youngsters running around now with small cameras and DSLRs - they're all trying to do it and boy it makes me cringe when I see most efforts. Don't get me wrong - DSLRs and small handhelds have their place. I love shooting fly-on-the-wall with my small camera - it's unobtrusive and lightweight, I've got 2 mic inputs so can place a radio mic on a subject and get ambient with the on-board mic. Great fun and I love it. But if you're out getting nature, sport, documentary footage and so on, a big camera is a must. That said, DSLRs are there and there is now a growing aftermarket for balanced sound input/outputs, viewfinder add-ons, matte-boxes and so on. Very exciting to see where it goes. If it means more people get interested in video and start making programmes, I'm all for it. The one thing to watch though is that making a programme, fact or fiction, is all about telling a story. Great cameras make great shots, but great storytellers make great films. .02 -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ---------- http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
